Many of you will recognise the face of Si Cranstoun, even if you don’t recognise his new incarnation as an R‘n’B and swing guy.

For Si and his brother Tyber have been a familiar duo busking on the streets of Canterbury, Maidstone and Ashford for years as a ska act named the Dualers.

But in recent times Si has been snapped up by music giant Warner in a reported million-pound recording contract and has changed his direction and styled himself as a debonair swing king of yesteryear. His vocal talent that has been compared to the likes of Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke, while his music offers a blend of northern soul, Motown and vintage pop.

You can check out Si’s new sound when the former Canterbury Chaucer School pupil takes to the stage at Folkestone’s Grand Burstin Hotel at 8pm on the night of Saturday, September 6 to launch his UK tour.

The tour is expected to build on his fast-growing reputation, which was cemented when Radio 2 DJ Terry Wogan backed him and his debut single Caught in the Moonlight was shortlisted on the Radio 2 playlist, securing Si a new fan in Sir Terry’s fellow DJ, Chris Evans.

When news of the Warner contract broke earlier this summer, Si said: “There were stages where I felt like it wasn’t going to happen but in my heart I thought this is the path I wanted to go down.

“That mentality just got me through the day. Now I’m just thanking my lucky stars. When I was played on the radio my family came over and my parents were in tears. They are so proud. It has been a wonderful life and street entertainment is all about lifting people’s spirits and enjoying the music.”

Si recently appeared at last month’s Lounge on the Farm music festival, as well as at festivals elsewhere in the UK, including Twinwood, Car Fest and Secret Garden Party.

He will be releasing his album Modern Life and single Dance For Ever More on Monday, October 1. Modern Life can be ordered at itunes.apple.com

Si Cranstoun is at Folkestone’s Grand Burstin Hotel on Saturday, September 6, at 8pm. Contact the hotel on 0871 222 0048.