Sutton Coldfield Festival of Arts

Not content with just one High School Reunion, in which he will team up with fellow former pupil Natalie Powers for a one-off concert, drummer Ian Palmer arranged another one this week.

Ian made his first return to Arthur Terry School 16 years after leaving, to drum up support for the Sutton Festival Of Arts, for which he will be providing the launch concert on Wednesday (July 9).

The accomplished Streetly-based percussionist, who is in Georgie Fame’s band, led a drum workshop for Year 8s and 9s at his former seat of learning.

Pupils revelled in the opportunity to participate, and picked up a few tips as Ian handed out cowbells, maracas and other items of percussion. They performed their own version of South American music, and heard how modern drumming had developed through the military using a snare during the American Civil War, through to jazz, blues and the Beatles.

Ian and Natalie, who has made the top ten with the group Scooch several times and has had leading West End roles, used to appear in musicals together when they were just one year apart as pupils at the school.

They will be joined on stage by a world-class, jazz-leaning band including guitarist-vocalist Dave Day, keyboard player and arranger Marcus Byrne, trumpeter Bryan Corbett, and bassist Roger Inniss for this special night, which will be introduced by Central weathergirl Charlie Neil, the Festival’s patron.

Tickets are £15 on 0121 464 8990 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 2.30pm) or at any time via www.suttonfestivalofarts.co.uk

*Ian is also performing with the Ocean’s 11 Big Band at the Captain’s Summer Ball at Aston Wood Golf Club on Saturday July 12. Tickets for that one are £39.95 on 0121 580 7800.

Pictured with Ian are budding percussionists (from left) Arron Woolley, Chante Morris, Rob Quinn and Liam Good.