ORIGINALLY the band fronted by Motown soul singer Edwin Starr, the Edwin Starr Band continue to celebrate the man and his music by keeping things in the family.

The Edwin Starr Band and special guest Shola Ama are now set to perform at Bournemouth’s 1812 Bar and Restaurant on Thursday, April 2.

After Edwin’s early death in 2003, at the age of 61, his brother Angelo Starr took up the reins and performs with the Edwin Starr Band as lead vocalist.

The Edwin Starr Band’s reputation for consistently out-standing live performance is the foundation of their success.

Their intimate relationship with soul music has had legend-ary artists such as Barry White, The Temptations and Boy George to name a few performing with them and audiences of all ages flocking from far and wide.

1812 will be hosting an intimate party for 300 people to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Edwin Starr's passing on April 2, 2003.

The event has previously been hosted at the legendary Jazz Café Camden, so 1812 were delighted when Angelo himself selected them after falling in love with the venue last year.

Motown favourite Starr, most famous for the 1970 protest song War, was born in Tennessee and raised in Ohio, but had lived in England since 1973. After moving across the Atlantic, Starr established himself as a legendary presence on the Northern Soul circuit in the UK.

His brother Angelo is a seasoned musician in his own right, and as well as vocal duties with The Team, he performs instrumentally with the likes of Alexander O’Neal and Lemar.

He will be reviving all of his brother’s best-known hits, including War, S.O.S., Eye to Eye Contact and H.A.P.P.Y. Radio.

Special guest on the night will be Shola Ama. Shola is one of Britain’s most successful UK R&B artists, her debut album Much Love sold over one million copies and two top five singles with You Might Need Somebody and You’re The One I Love.

The success of Much Love culminated in two MOBO award wins and two Brit Awards.

Angelo and Shola’s tribute promises to be a spectacular night.

Tickets are available from £14 and dinner packages from £40pp.

Visit 1812bournemouth.com or the Royal Exeter Hotel reception for tickets.

Enquiries: 01202 438000 or 1812@royalexeterhotel.com