Following in the great British tradition of rock acts who met at art school are the Open, who play Southend on Sunday.

The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd and Blur are just a few of the bands who swapped the art studio for the recording studio. The Open started gigging about 18 months ago while studying in Liverpool.

Since then, they have dropped their studies, released a single, put together an album and they're about to embark on a nationwide tour.

Tickets for the Chinnery's gig cost £5. Their next single, Close My Eyes, will be released on March 1. The Open Chinnery's, Marine Parade, Southend Sunday, 8pm 01702 613066

Arthur Conley once asked, "do you like good music, sweet soul music?" If the answer is yes, then it's definitely worth checking out purveyors of all things soul and funk Junior Jump and the Bottom Line.

The band, who have been together 17 years, will take their upbeat show to the Mill Hall, Rayleigh, on Saturday, February 7. A brass section known as the Rampant Horns belts out storming riffs and there's also a punchy rhythm section.

Their set includes covers of classic songs by Otis Redding, James Brown and the Small Faces, among others. The night will be kicked off by a DJ at 8pm. Tickets cost £7. Junior Jump and the Bottom Line Mill Hall, Bellingham Lane, Rayleigh Saturday, Feb 7, 8pm

Guitarist Tony Sandeman, well known on the Southend scene for his work with bands like C-Level and the Basey Brothers, has launched a jazz night at Saks.

Tony's trio, which features Andy Staples on bass and Marc Cecil on drums, will be at the Southend wine bar every Monday with different guest soloists.

Monday's gig will feature tenor sax player Frank Wetherley "We hope to make it a good, relaxed evening featuring some of the great jazz talent we have in the area," says Tony.

Tony Sandeman Saks, Clifftown Road, Southend Monday, Feb 2, 8.30pm 01702 332179

Following their successful reformation last year, ska band the Eskalator Allstars are playing a gig at the Orsett Cock on Friday, February 20.

Although Dave still provides vocals and plays lead guitar, his daughter Emma has been recruited to help with singing duties.

Tickets for the gig cost £3. Eskalator Allstars Orsett Cock, Stanford Road, Orsett Friday, Feb 20, 8pm 01375 891258

If you mixed together all the ingredients you need for a great rock band, the result might bear some resemblance to Fleet.

The Billericay band have it all, including a front man who oozes cool from the stage, a seriously talented female drummer and a superb lead guitarist who looks uncannily like comedian Jack Black.

Engerica's new single, The Smell, starts in a menacing fashion that is typical of the Benfleet-based rock band.

Vocalist Dave Gardner is on top form. His often absurd vocal is littered with weird laughs and screams, which finally dissolve into an unintelligible rant.

By Mark Russell and James Oxley

Published Friday January 30, 2003