CHART-TOPPING and award-winning singer songwriter Seal is on his way to Ipswich.The star who emerged at the forefront of the British soul revival in the 1990s has extended his forthcoming UK and European tour and is now booked in to perform at the Regent on March 23.

CHART-TOPPING and award-winning singer songwriter Seal is on his way to Ipswich.

The star who emerged at the forefront of the British soul revival in the 1990s has extended his forthcoming UK and European tour and is now booked in to perform at the Regent on March 23. Tickets for the concert went on sale today.

And he is not the only popular recording artist to book his place for an appearance at the theatre as Jools Holland is set to return to town with his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra on November 11.

Seal – full name Sealhenry Samuel – became a household name in April 1990 thanks to his collaboration with Adamski. He contributed lyrics to the techno wizard's dance tune Killer and the resulting track took the UK's clubs by storm before topping the charts.

Seal crowned his solo career later that year with the number two hit Crazy and his debut album proved equally successful selling over three and a half million copies worldwide.

Recognised as one of Britain's best new musicians he went on to sweep the board at the Brits in 1992, walking away with the coveted Best British Male Solo Artist, Best Album and Best Video gongs.

His second album, released in 1994, sold over five million copies and a year later still he topped the charts in the US and achieved a top five UK hit with Kiss From A Rose, the theme for Batman Forever. Subsequently, at the 1995 Grammys he won awards for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Pop Vocal accolades.

Since then Seal has kept somewhat of a low profile but he's back with the third self-titled album of his career and a European tour which is now bringing him to Ipswich.

Meanwhile, Jools and his band of musicians are now annual visitors to Ipswich and November is never complete without a boogie woogie concert at the Regent.

Not ones to disappoint they have now confirmed this year's performance and if past concerts are to go by, it promises to be another sell out.

n Seal will be at Ipswich Regent on March 23. Tickets cost £27.50. Jools Holland & His Rhythm and Blues Orchestra will be at Ipswich Regent on November 11. Tickets cost £25.50. For tickets and more information visit the Central Box Office, in Princes Street, Ipswich, call 01473 433100 or logon to www.ipswich-ents.co.uk