THERE'S a chance to see some rising and established talent at Southampton Guildhall this week.

On Thursday Southampton Guildhall hosts a musical extravaganza featuring the Southampton Youth Jazz Orchestra, strings and a host of great singers.

Top of the bill is the UK soul singer, Omar, one of the best soul singers to come out of the UK.

Omar's music is a mixture of jazz, funk, R&B, soul, disco and Latin laced with classic orchestral sounds. His first hit at the age of 21, There's Nothing Like This, hit the streets in 1990 and has since become a summer soul classic.

Since his last album release, Best By Far, Omar has been playing to sell-out crowds worldwide. He has also hooked up with a host of international artists including Erika Badu, Mos-Def, Bilal, Angie Stone and Common, whose latest album features him on two tracks.

Omar is currently working on album number six which, features a collaboration with India Arie and one with Stevie Wonder.

The event is being organised by Dan Mar-Molinero, local music producer and composer who set up the Southampton Youth Jazz Orchestra in 1996.

Since then SYJO has become one of the most successful and creative organisations of its type in the UK, winning the national youth jazz festival along the way.

Southampton Guildhall. Thursday, July 15. Tickets: from £6. Box office: 023 8063 2601.