A CARIBBEAN music party hosted by Richard Blackwood will feature the songs of Bob Marley and Rihanna.

The comedian and actor will compere at a concert by the band Soul Caribbean as they boil up a melting pot of well-loved songs blending reggae and soul with salsa, ska and calypso as well as R&B to create an uplifting celebration.

The live band is fronted by singers including soul diva Carleen Anderson from the Brand New Heavies and young singer Zara McFarlane.

Soul Caribbean are led by musical director Kevin Robinson from Simply Red, creating new arrangements of classic songs including Could You Be Loved?, Umbrella, Many Rivers To Cross, Monkey Man and No, No, No.

The band and vocalists will also be joined on stage by Poole-based vocal leader Sarah McNaughton, from the Rising Voices and Happy Hearts Singers community choirs.

The project follows the success of last summer’s huge choral project, Coastal Voices, when more than 1,000 singers partici-pated as part of the London 2012 Olympic celebrations.

Soul Caribbean also performed at the opening celebrations of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park this summer.

Soul Caribbean will play Lighthouse in Poole on Saturday, October 5.

n THERE is a chance to join in and be a part of the show as the producers are recruiting singers of all ages and abilities for a choir to back the performers.

Sarah McNaughton, from the local Rising Voices and Happy Hearts Singers community choirs, is looking for singers to come along to a taster session on Saturday from 2pm to 4pm.

She said: “It doesn’t matter how well someone thinks they can sing, all you need is a voice.

“This is all about coming along, joining in and singing your heart out to some great music. It’s an instant feel-good fix.”

Following the taster session there are weekly rehearsals at Lighthouse on Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. They’ll be lead by Sarah with additional masterclasses from Soul Caribbean musical director and former Simply Red musician Kevin Robinson.

To find out more email sing@lighthousepoole.co.uk or contact the box office.