After international pop chart success in the nineties, singer and saxophonist Curtis Stigers returns to his jazz roots on his latest tour.

He spoke to Chrissie van Emst.

HAVING survived his television hell with GMTV's Penny Smith on BBC One's Just The Two of Us, Curtis Stigers is ready to bring his live show to Croydon's Ashcroft Theatre this Sunday.

Our interview was not long after he was knocked out of the singing duo contest. He was back home in the States and still reeling and laughing from the experience.

"I have never done anything like that, and I'm not sure I'll ever do it again," he said. "But when I was asked to take part in the show I realised it was a chance to raise my profile and get people to come to my shows on the UK tour."

He added: "You know, jazz has become a bit of a four letter word and people still have the notion jazz is all about musicians staring at their feet and not connecting with the audience.

"I think they copied Miles Davis' manner of turning his back on the audience thought it was cool. I think jazz stopped being popular when people stopped dancing to it.

"I had success with pop music but I am a jazz singer and saxophonist at heart and I saw the opportunity of being in front of 10 million viewers and it would have been crazy to pass up the chance," he said. "It let people know I wasn't dead.

"And I had just the most fun with Penny. The show has helped sell my tour and I have made a very special, wonderful new friend."

Curtis Stigers shot to international fame with his hits I Wonder Why and You're All That Matters to Me, and his image of a soul singer with long flowing, golden locks has been hard to shake off.

"Why is everyone so enthralled about my hair?" he laughed. "It still haunts me."

His image has changed since then. He still sings the big romantic songs but in a different way.

"I love to sing and tell the story," explained Curtis.

"I like to get an audience so engrossed you could hear a pin drop. I grew up singing jazz and I can compete in this music field."

What about recording with Penny in the future?

"Yeah, that would be a criminal record," he laughed.

Curtis' UK tour coincides with the release of his latest album, I Think It's Going To Rain Today.

  • Curtis Stigers, April 23, Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon. 7.45pm, tickets £14.50 and £16.50, box office 020 8688 9291 or visit fairfield.co.uk