Jennifer Batten's rapid rise to fame came when she was chosen from more than 100 guitarists to play in Michael Jackson's highly-skilled band.

Touring with the King of Pop for a year-and-a-half, Jennifer played to audiences of more than four and a half million.

And the talented musician wasted no time after the Bad tour's grand finale, diving into work on her debut album with renowned producer and Stevie Wonder guitarist Michael Sembello.

On the release of Above, Below, and Beyond in the spring of 1992, she was asked again to join Michael Jackson for his upcoming Dangerous Tour.

In January 1993, she joined Jackson to take part in Superbowl XXVII's half time entertainment, which aired to one and half billion people across 80 nations – the largest audience in television history.

Her follow-up CD Momentum was released just before she left for Michael Jackson's HIStory world tour in 1997.

In the spring of 1998, Jeff Beck asked Jennifer to join his band.
They joined forces for three years on the CDs Who Else and You Had It Coming.

Jennifer has written two music books and has just released her third solo CD/DVD entitled Whatever.

Her multimedia one-woman show, playing guitar in synch with projected films.

You can catch Jennifer live at the Customs House, South Shields on February 24, at 8pm. Tickets are £14 from 454 1234.