IT was nearly 60 years ago, from the back room of a Southampton pub, that the seeds were sown for a club which became an international jazz mecca.

Since then The Concorde – now based in Stoneham Lane, Eastleigh – has branched out from its jazz roots to cover a star-|spangled galaxy of entertainment.

Now it has unveiled an autumn package ranging from the Queen of Motown, Martha Reeves, to jazz superstars.

Concorde Club founder Cole Mathieson is delighted with the variety of entertainment they are offering in the new season, and added: “Over the last 18 months we have widened our appeal.”

Although jazz still plays a huge role on the Concorde’s musical menu, Cole explained how they were catering for all musical and entertainment tastes. It is also available to ||||||non-members.

Martha Reeves and The Vandellas make their Concorde debut on September 25 as part of a worldwide tour to mark the 50th anniversary of that chart-topping floor-filler Dancing In the Street.

On October 2, a nine-piece soul band from Dublin will showcase the hits from the multi-million-selling soundtrack album of the film The Commitments.

Friday night headliners include Kiki Dee (October 10), Joan Armatrading (October 31), The Stylistics (November 14) and The Real Thing (Nov 21).

There will be a chance for those disco baby boomers to wander down memory lane with Fridays’ Final Reunion on October 11 reliving nights of burning the midnight oil at the iconic Southampton night spot.

Still on the nostalgia kick, Southampton born entertainer and TV quiz king David St John will on November 7 will be winding back the musical clock on November 7 with the cream of classic 60s bands.

Southampton’s much-acclaimed soul band Rufus Stone headline a Saturday night special |||||on November 8.

The Concorde Club’s international jazz nights welcome Australia’s Queen of Jazz, Janet Seidel, on September 24, while The Pasadena Roof Orchestra, who have been captivating audiences for decades with their stylish 1920s and 30s renditions, return on October 8.

The Wednesday night line-ups include Sammy Rimington Band (October 1), jazz superstar Courtney Pine (October 15), Clare Teal (October 22), boogie-woogie piano king Ben Waters |(November 5), smooth jazz ace Peter White & His Band|(November 12) and Spats Langham Hot Combin-ation (November 26) Chris Barber, |celebrating his |diamond jubilee as leader of one of jazz’s finest bands, returns to The Concorde on December 3.

Salisbury-based sing-ing legend Rosemary Squires, who soared to fame in the big band era, will be recapturing the magic of that golden age of music with a Silver Sunday Afternoon Tea Dance on October 5.

The Concorde has built a fine reputation of showcasing tributes acts with its annual Phoneyfest attracting mega-audiences.

Over the autumn and winter months tributes will be paid to Robbie Williams (September 20), Abba Revival (September 26), Elvis and Queen (October 3), Dusty Springfield (October 180, Bon Jovi (October 25), Michael Jackson (Oct 30), Michael Bublé (November 1), Gary Barlow (November 13), Simply Red (November 20) and The Eagles (November 22).