Joe Stilgoe - New Songs For Old Souls - London Evening Standard

Stilgoe Son On A Jazz Mission

The son of Seventies musical satirist Sir Richard Stilgoe hopes to bring jazz to a wider audience with his latest piano album.

Joe Stilgoe, son of the 72-year-old Nationwide and That's Life star, will next week release his third studio album, New Songs For Old Souls, featuring modern jazz infused with the spirit of Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole.

The 35-year-old said: "There's a bit of nostalgia but they're new songs, bringing jazz to a wider audience as people like Jamie Cullum have."

He said he liked "the passing on of great heritage" from his father through his own musical career, but added: "I definitely don't do what dad did." The pianist is in rehearsals for High Society, which previews at the Old Vic from April 30. He will be at the piano on stage in a role modelled on that of Louis Armstrong in the 1956 film of the comedy with songs by Cole Porter.

He said his stage role felt like "luck" after meeting director Maria Friedman through gigs.