Jazz fundraiser for Ukraine is a family affair

A talented young French musician, whose latest song has been streamed more than 10 million times, is travelling to Chester this month to help his grandmother raise much needed funds for sick babies in war-torn Ukraine.

Valentin Brevière, who was born and raised in Lyon, will perform using his stage name T!no alongside North West top talent at Storyhouse on Friday May 31 in Jazz and All That.  The line-up for the evening of traditional jazz, swing, country and rock and roll includes The Original Panama Jazz Band from The Wirral, Chester choir A Handbag of Harmonies, acoustic guitarist John Chatterton, singer Sheila Callaghan and duo Almaz from Halton.

T!no’s grandmother Ann Williams has organised the concert to raise funds to help save newborn babies in Ukraine.  No stranger to fundraising, Ann organised the hugely successful Spirit of Ukraine concert at Storyhouse in November 2022, as chair of the International Committee of the Rotary Club of Tarporley and District.

She said:

“We are almost 18 months on from our first fundraising concert for Ukraine and war continues to ravage the country.

“Dr John Philip, chair of the International Fellowship of Healthcare Professionals, tells stories of women being forced to give birth in basements and subway stations where people are sheltering without electricity or proper medical attention.

“We want to help these women and their babies have the best possible start in life.”

Ann is enormously proud of her grandson who at the age of 19 has already signed a contract with global record label BMG for his latest song and won a scholarship to study at the University for Creative Arts in Epsom.

She added:

“I am proud of all my grandchildren and am delighted that Val (T!no) can make it to Chester to support such a good cause.

“This concert promises to be an uplifting night of fabulous music from all of our performers at the same time as raising much needed funds for some of the most vulnerable people.”

Jazz and All That will be hosted by Mark Jones, with musical direction by Paul Salvi, and all proceeds will go towards The Rotary International Fellowship of Healthcare Professionals’ £95,000 programme to support maternal and neonatal care. 

Jazz and All That starts at 7.30pm on Friday May 31st.

Tickets are available from the Storyhouse website:

 www.storyhouse.com/whats-on/jazz-and-all-that/.

T!no’s song Quel Type de Vibe, performed by French singer Aupinard, has been streamed more than 10 million times across all platforms.

Pictured - A Handbag of Harmonies.