With a set list that took in Cole Porter, The Beatles and Queen via genres that ranged from blues to soul, to gypsy jazz and straight jazz, Ben Holder kept his band and his audience on their toes.
Two of the better known local jazz musicians – trumpet player Nick Dewhurst and the singer Lydia Rae – played to a capacity audience when they opened the first show of the inaugural Lichfield Jazz Weekender.
Television presenter and virtuoso pianist Neil Brand gave a whistle-stop tour through the works and films of the pioneering comedy film duo Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy.
The Acoustic Lounge has been going as a part of The Hub at St Mary’s programme for four years, with evenings featuring some talented local singers and musicians playing numbers written by famed singers and musicians.
Pianist and composer Tim Amman has been steadily building his career and reputation as a musician and composer of jazz music for a few decades now, so the quality of his playing was not in much doubt when he appeared with the Lichfield Jazz House Band.
This concert was a celebration of the music of both Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder, both groundbreaking artists that pushed forward the momentum of blues, jazz, and funk music.
Old Herbaceous is a one man show presented and acted by Giles Shenton based on the novel by Reginald Arkell and adapted for the stage by Alfred Shaugnessy.
