Fabulous opportunity for jazz chorus

A choir assembled with singers who have no voice box is celebrating its first anniversary at Paisley Abbey.

Traction Cancer Support, Scotland’s only dedicated head and neck cancer charity, will premier its Outspoken Jazz Chorus which featuring members who have had laryngectomies.

In what promises to be a trailblazing performance, the choir will accompany repeat beat poet Peter Johnson and spoken word artist Bruce Sherfield to the Scottish stage alongside renowned soprano La Verne Williams.

A laryngectomy can have a profound and devastating impact on a person’s life. Communication issues mean many patients retreat from society which can inevitably lead to severe social isolation issues, anxiety and depression.

Shout at Cancer aims to help those with laryngectomies to improve their voice, re-gain confidence, re-integrate into their community and ultimately improve their quality of life.

The charity incorporates techniques such as breathing, singing and acting in to a patient’s rehabilitation programme which have all shown to help give a voice back to every person who has had it taken away by cancer.

Liz Grant, chair of Traction Cancer Support said “We are absolutely delighted to be presenting this unique collaboration for the first time in Scotland.

"The chorus brings together the strength, courage and above all determination of these resilient cancer patients to find fun again after cancer. Taking part in the chorus is truly a form of therapy, with life-changing results as in many cases find their voice again for the first-time post treatment.”

Tickets are £5 each and can be purchased at the venue or in advance on the charity’s website www.tractioncancersupport.org