“She’s a real talent with an intriguing sound.” This is how Mo Pleasure, former musical director of American disco group Earth, Wind and Fire, describes upcoming Loughton singer Georgia Crandon.

With jazz band The Vintage Youth, the 21-year-old will release a new EP in September which pays tribute to The Specials’ late trombonist.

Her compositions blend influences from Louis Prima, Sarah Vaughn, Nina Simone, and more recent legends like Amy Winehouse, Paulo Nutini and Paloma Faith.

I spoke to her to find out more ahead of a string of gigs in Farringdon, Woodford, Leyton, Walthamstow and Buckhurst Hill...

Where did you go to school, was music encouraged?

I went to West Hatch High School in Chigwell so as much as a business school can I guess! We had a great music department though, that’s where I would be hanging out every lunchtime - I wasn’t the most sociable kid.

Were you always musical as a child?

I was always singing around the house as a kid but I think all kids do that. I started teaching myself piano when I was 11, the instrument intrigued me for some reason. In secondary school I became a musical theatre obsessive and so I started exploring that more.

Describe your music.

It’s everything I grew up listening to jumbled up in one. There are elements of jazz, soul, reggae and ska, all those older styles of music. That’s what I like.

What inspires you?

Just day-to-day life. Going out and seeing things, people, situations. You write songs to make sense of stuff.

Tell me about your EP.

It’s a three track EP called EL RECO. It features Neville Staple (the Original Rudeboy from The Specials) and Dave Swift (bassist of the Jools Holland Orchestra).

We had a pre-recording meeting and as Dave and Neville were talking about all the legends they had played and toured with that’s when they brought up one on my favourite horn instrumentalists, Rico Rodriguez, a trombonist who started off with Neville in The Specials during the 70s and finished his career in the Jools Holland R&B Orchestra.

Apparently, close friends and family referred to Rico as ‘El Reco’. I thought it was a fitting tribute to Rico who sadly passed away in 2015.

Anything to add?

I may be recording with a proper cool multi instrumentalist who’s interested in producing a new soul/jazz EP with some of my newer songs but we’ll have to wait and see, he’s off on tour with The Jacksons right now…it’s a hard knock life for some!

I’m also delighted to be working with Mo Pleasure who’ll be producing some of my music later in the year.

For more information and upcoming gig listings visit georgiaandthevintageyouth.com