“EVEN at this late stage in my life, my mission in life is to bring Latin music – real Latin music – to the people. I want them to hear it!” So says the world renowned conga master and Godfather of Latin music, Robin Jones.

“There isn’t enough of the real Latin music played and if people can’t hear it, how can they know about it? I just want to do what little I can, to bring it to them.”

Robin is coming to Southend – Thorpe Bay to play at Annie’s Jazz Club to be precise – on Tuesday, with his band Latin Sextet, to do just that.

It’s not a secret that Robin is 80 years old, although he doesn’t like to shout about it, not wanting to appear old and past it.

He is anything but, and apart from looking young, is still gigging with vigour, (he is in retirement but gets bored if he doesn’t gig often enough he says), making records and riding high in the American Latin charts.

It’s hardly surprising his life should be so steeped in gigging and the exciting nightlife of jazz clubs. Since he was a child he toured with his mother – “a very fine pianist” he says – around the world.

“My mother was English from Canterbury, but I was born in India. My mother had met my father there. I knew little about him, as he left when I was eight. My mum didn’t know much about him. He was sent to India to build a railroad.

“We came back to England at the latter part of the war as my mum travelled all over the world and I went with her. It was a good life. As well as playing piano, she was a music teacher, and gave me piano lessons from the age of four.”

“We went back to India when I was 16, then went to the far east for ten years as there was so much work there.”

By the time Robin came back to England, with his wife-to-be June, he was 26 and carving out a career himself, also travelling the world.

“I really love touring” he said, “I had three daughters and it could be difficult for my wife, apart from touring, when there was no work, but without her I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Robin has played with major names in the jazz world, including American Jazz greats such as Eddie Henderson and Gary Bartz.

And he says he’s looking forward to coming to Southend.

He added: “We are really looking forward to coming back to Southend. There is something about Southend, it’s very much jazz town. It’s such a musical place.”

! Annie’s Jazz Club is at Thorpe Hall Golf Club, Thorpe Hall Avenue. For reservations, call Annie on 07504 232783.

Robin Jones’ Latin Sextet will play on Tuesday, June 30.

Tickets are £12 for members and £14 for guests. Doors open from 8.30pm until 11pm.