Features

Having been involved as a compere at the first Midsummer Music at Spencers in 2007 I'm delighted that the event has now firmly established itself on East Anglia's music calendar.

The Courtauld family must be congratulated on putting on so much wonderful music in the grounds of their beautiful family home on the Suffolk/Essex border.

This year's event takes place on Saturday 27 June and I doubt there's a better day of jazz and blues to be had in the whole of our region this summer.

Headlining will be one of the British music greats Georgie Fame. Georgie is celebrating 50 years in the business.

While he remains a sixties icon thanks to his three number ones (Getaway, Yeh Yeh and The Ballad Of Bonnie And Clyde) he is still making music, both on stage and in the studio, that is an absolute delight to listen to. 

Whether he goes out solo, as part of a trio with his sons or, as he's doing at Great Yeldham, leading The Blue Flames he is always worth seeing.

You can't say that about some of his peers! Among his Blue Flames at Spencers will be trumpet player Guy Barker and tenor saxophonist Alan Skidmore. Say no more squire.

Swing Out Sister

Co-headlining Midsummer Music will be leading late eighties group Swing Out Sister best known for great singles like Breakout, Surrender and Twilight World. Vocalist Corinne Drewery and keyboard player Andy Connell combine sixties-style pop with soul and jazz and have now released no fewer than ten albums.

They'll be leading a sextet at Spencers and their place on the bill will help pull in plenty of punters to this picturesque corner of Essex.

Earlier in the day Art Themen guests with the Roger Odell Trio, there's some Brazilian jazz from Monica Vasconcelos, guitarist Phil Robson fronts his group Partisans, award-winning Anita Wardell appears with her quartet while Robin Jones & King Salsa bring some Latino rhythms to Spencers.

There really is something for all jazz fans all in a magical setting and with plenty to do for the youngsters. For tickets contact Colchester's Mercury Theatre 01206 573948.

Cool country

The following weekend one of Suffolk's top tourist attractions plays host to the Maverick Festival. Last year's inaugural gathering of alt-country fans was a rip roaring success so much so that organiser Paul Spencer just had to do it again.

The 2009 festival rather appropriately takes place over American Independence Day weekend and features several top acts from across the Atlantic.

Some of the top names from the world of Americana will be converging on Easton Farm Park from Friday 3 July-Sunday 5 July and, as was the case in 2008, you'll be hard pressed to catch everyone.

In fact, I'd go as far as to say you'll be spoilt for choice and wherever you look on the bill there are class acts.

Eve Selis

There are no headliners as such but one of the best known names is San Diego's singer Eve Selis who needs no introduction to country enthusiasts but isn't so familiar outside those circles.

She has one of the most powerful female voices in American music and can certainly hold a candle to more commercially successful acts like Bonnie Raitt, Joan Osbourne, Maria McKee and Melissa Etheridge.

Her most recent album Angels and Eagles is well worth investigating as indeed are her previous releases. Last year Elizabeth Cook brought a touch of the honky tonk to Easton. This year it's Eve's turn.

Another not-to-be-missed act at Maverick '09 is singer-songwriter Otis Gibbs who for the uninitiated is a cross between Steve Earle and Seasick Steve but still very much his own man.

Otis Gibbs

Otis was in superb form when he opened for Billy Bragg on his UK tour towards the end of last year which took in Ipswich's Corn Exchange. His latest CD Grandpa Walked a Picketline is a glimpse of an America not seen on the evening news Stateside but it is the US most Americans see at their doorsteps.

Among the many other acts already booked to appear are the legendary Al Perkins whose pedal steel playing has graced virtually all the great country-rock records.

The artists he's performed alongside reads like a who's who of American music and he can also be heard on the classic Rolling Stones double album Exile On Main Street.

Also making music at Maverick will be ex-Lindisfarne stalwart Rod Clements, singer-songwriter Charlie Dore and returning after successful appearances last year Two Fingers Of Firewater, The Haley Sisters and Southern Tenant Folk Union.

I hope to see you there as I'll be MC'ing in The Barn and doing live reports on BBC Radio Suffolk during the day on Saturday. I might even find time to visit the bar where I'll no doubt be buying BBC Suffolk weatherman Steve Western a pint. He'll believe it when he sees it though!

 Skiffle is back

I'm delighted to report that three of Suffolk's best known blues musicians have joined forces to form an acoustic trio. Toni Vines, Nolan Wiltz and Darren Elden have come together to launch a new group called The Midnight Specials.

They take their name from a Leadbelly song made famous by skiffle king Lonnie Donegan. I caught a recent set of theirs at The Steamboat Tavern in Ipswich where they pulled in a good Sunday afternoon crowd.

The Midnight Specials

With Toni and Nolan sharing the bulk of the lead vocals The Midnight Specials treated us to skiffle, blues, soul, country and rock'n'roll all played in their own inimitable style.

With Darren slapping out the rhythm on his new stand-up bass the trio took us on a musical journey that left very few stones unturned. Nolan alternated between washboard, dobro and harmonica while Toni's acoustic guitar work was better than ever.

One of the many highlights was a rare lead vocal from Darren whose deep voice was well suited to Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues. I was suitably impressed with the whole band and at the time of writing The Midnight Specials are about to venture into BBC Suffolk to record a session for broadcast.

Talking of broadcasts, I'll give you a quick heads-up to our plans for Latitude. I'll be broadcasting live from Henham Park with my Drivetime show on Friday 17 July and there'll be a two-hour special on Sunday 19 July in the afternoon - times yet to be confirmed!

(Stephen Foster's regular gigs are presenting BBC Radio Suffolk's Drivetime show on weekdays 1600-1800 BST with Stephen Foster Introducing.. Mon-Thurs 1800-1900 BST. On Sundays, he's on 0900-1200 BST.)