SINGER and saxophonist Curtis Stigers performs in the region on Monday.

The American star is playing at the Empire Theatre, in Consett, County Durham.

Stigers has been on the pop music scene since 1991, when his self-titled debut album, sold nearly two million copies and spawned several hit singles, including I Wonder Why.

The star has recently decided to go back to his jazz background.

He said: "Making music for films like The Bodyguard was great fun, but in the process I got pegged as something I wasn't. It wasn't what I planned.

"I realised jazz was what I needed to be doing. I wanted to return to my roots."

Tickets cost £12 and are available from the box office, on (01207) 218171.

Published: 21/01/2005