Babs Savage introduced us to the delights of her special brand of love and positivity on Saturday (Sept 7th) at The Pheasantry in London’s Chelsea. This Hampstead mum turned pop, jazz, R & B and soul star channelled her upbeat generous spirit into toe-tapping, sing-a-long songs proving the old adage that love makes the world go round as she got her packed audience dancing in the aisles. It’s a gift that won her the 2018 international Chicago Music award for her outstanding contribution to music and helped her singles La La and Hot Apple Pie – inspired when cooking at home – shoot up the US charts.

Her song Ready To Be Me summed up the road she’s travelled from singing with Wham when she was 15 to being recognised as an artist in her own right. ‘It’s about coming out of yourself – whether that be your personality, sexuality or whatever – that time when you’re ready to be you,’ said Babs. ‘In my life I’ve had several stages of being me – one being how I wound up on this stage. It’s about finding that place and discovering a more open and wiser you.’

Her distinct throaty voice and talented four-piece band on drums, guitars and piano did credit to covers including All of Me and Sam Sparro’s Black and Gold. And not only is this funky lady generous in spirit, she’s generous to up and coming artists, inviting on stage 21-year-old Mille Holdsworth, a star in the making with her rich voice giving goose bumps as she belted out jazz number At Last by Etta James. (Check her out on Instagram milharley)

Babs was also joined by special guest, singer songwriter Tony Moore, former member of Iron Maiden and keyboard player with Cutting Crew, who took to the piano to sing spellbinding songs that left you wanting more. Babs reminds us to always focus on the good and spread a little happiness as you go. And if she’s anything to go by, you just might find what you’ve been looking for on the way.

Babs plays at Crazy Coqs in Soho, London, on November 1st.