KAREN Wimhurst and Helen Porter first met in the late 1990s, working together on Common Ground’s Confluence project, mapping the river stour from its source to its meeting the sea. Clarinetist Karen, who lives in Shaftesbury, was Composer in Residence for the project, and singer and teacher Helen was the animateur.

Their musical relationship grew and the result was the quartet Misbehavin, a group that quickly won an enthusiastic following across the south and west. Time moved on, Helen and her artist husband Peter Ursem relocated to Cornwall, COVID intervened and Misbehavin vanished.

This autumn, local fans have a chance to hear Karen and Helen together again on a short tour, and after successful performances at Shaftesbury, Mere and Frome, they return east to Wimborne on 13th October.

Both Karen and Helen founded and run/ran choirs across the Confluence area, and their singing students will be delighted to know that each concert is preceded by a singing workshop.

The Helen Porter and Karen Wimhurst Jazz Duo will perform at Stroud on Friday 11th October, Chagford on 12th and Wimborne Minster church hall on 13th October at 5pm, ending the tour at Port Isaac, Cullompton and Calstock from 18th to 20th October. For more details on the concerts, and the workshops, visit the website, www.helenportermusic.co.uk

Helen and Karen have devised a sumptuous autumn programme that interweaves original material with jazz standards you’ll know and love. This is a collaboration spanning more than 20 years. Expect the unexpected and a really great evening out, says Helen.