Clare Teal: A true Northern star and the bright lights of Blackpool

"You can go to the designated smoking area."

"I don't smoke – I want to go to the burger van just past the designated smoking area is that okay?" "No."

It wasn't the first and it won't be the last time we have crisps for tea, and we might have lived to regret eating something from a burger van. It was a chilly Wednesday night but the crowd at the Bristol O2 arena was buzzing, everyone eager to see the star of the night.

Back in January, Leeds-born superstar, Corinne Bailey Rae released one of the best records Muddy and I have heard in a long time. Called The Sea, it has won numerous awards and is in my mind a real masterpiece.

CBR released her self-titled debut album in 2006, two years of global touring followed, then tragedy struck, in March 2008 her 32-year-old husband, jazz saxophonist Jason Rae died. I cannot imagine how difficult the last two years must have been for her.

Corinne and her incredible band received a terrific welcome and provided two hours of brilliant music. If you get the chance, go and see this fantastic artist in concert or buy the CD, you won't be disappointed.

How do you follow that? With a trip to Blackpool of course. On Friday we made our way up the M4, M5 M6 to the glittering jewel of the North to play a new club called The Sands. It's only been open for 10 weeks and plans are afoot to lure over from America some of the biggest names in jazz, keep your ears open.

Our Australian musical director, Grant, had never seen anything quite like Blackpool before – we'll call his open-mouthed look of astonishment an expression of awe and wonder.

Simon, who plays bass, on the other hand was extremely excited to finally have made it to the Las Vegas of Lancashire and ate his own body weight in candyfloss. Next year will mark 100 years of the Blackpool illuminations – or is that just how long it takes to drive the Golden Mile in heavy traffic?