THE story of the trumpeter and singer, Chet Baker - an iconic figure in the history of jazz - will be told in Mike Maran s A Funny Valentine at Haverhill Arts Centre on Thursday March 12 at 7.30pm. As well as being a revered trumpet player, Baker was a d

THE story of the trumpeter and singer, Chet Baker - an iconic figure in the history of jazz - will be told in Mike Maran's A Funny Valentine at Haverhill Arts Centre on Thursday March 12 at 7.30pm.

As well as being a revered trumpet player, Baker was a drug addict and his addiction, as well as his music, is central to a sometimes amusing, sometimes dark look into Baker's world.

The story opens in Lucca, a small town North-east of Pisa in Tuscany where Baker served 16 months in prison for offences relating to his heroin addiction.

The play is written and acted by Mike Maran who has previously brought performances such as Captain Corelli's Mandolin, Picasso & Me and and Did You Used to be R.D.Laing? to Haverhill Arts Centre.

It is directed by Patrick Sandford, the artistic director of The Nuffield Theatre, Southampton. Colin Steele (trumpet) and Dave Milligan (piano) are Scottish musicians with international standing; The Colin Steele Quintet's album Journey Home, arranged by Dave Milligan, was voted Best Album at the BBC Jazz Awards 2004.

All the big Chet Baker anthems like My Funny Valentine are played live on stage in this production, which fuses storytelling with music.

Tickets are �9, �7.50 concessions and �6 for under 18s. To book tickets call Haverhill Arts Centre box office on 01440 714140. This play is suitable for ages 15+.