Sutton Coldfield Festival of Arts

[ July 12, 2008; 3:15 pm to 3:45 pm. ] Prodigiously talented Sutton violinist-vocalist Rebecca Kelly performs on the main stage in The Parade on Saturday July 12 from 3.15pm to 3.45pm.

Rebecca turned to the jazz-swing of Stephane Grappelli having first played in a variety of classical groups including the Birmingham Schools Symphony Orchestra and the Bravura string orchestra.

She also featured as a jazz soloist [...]

[ July 12, 2008; 4:00 pm to 4:30 pm. ]

This four-piece “dark rock” band, formed by ex-Plantsbrook and Bishop Walsh pupils, rounds off a top day of live music on The Parade on Saturday July 12, between 4pm and 4.30pm.

They studied at The Birmingham Music Academy for two years and then The London Academy of Music for a year, learning about the music business.

The [...]

[ July 12, 2008; 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm. ] Emerging Sutton Coldfield star Ben Drummond performs on the Main Stage at 13:30, July 12th.  He has just launched his much-anticipated debut EP in March with a performance at Jools Holland’s nightclub The Jamhouse in  Birmingham.

The self-taught artist, originally from Wednesfield but based in Sutton for the last three years, began playing bass at 12 and has [...]

[ July 12, 2008; 12:45 pm to 1:15 pm. ] The 30-plus members of Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School band the Funky Bishops promise “quite a mix of music, from swing through rock and some funk”, according to their leader, music teacher Mark Horner.

Among featured soloists will be saxophonist Anna Smith, who plays in MYJO’s second orchestra, and guitarist Rysio Skrakowski. They will be on on [...]

[ July 12, 2008; 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm. ]

Music on the main stage in The Parade on Saturday July 12 will commence with a performance by revamped band Caramany at 12 noon.

The group continues to perform original and innovatory material that draws on classic soul and rock influences. Founder member guitarist Alan Garwood is joined by vocalist Asha Jazz, guitar wizard Aaron [...]

[ July 12, 2008; 2:15 pm to 3:00 pm. ] Fresh from collecting his MBE from the Queen for services to Punjabi music, Streetly bhangra superstar Malkit Singh has agreed to play a 45-minute set for the Festival, at 2.15pm on Saturday July 12. See “Main Stage” for the full line-up.

The singer, who also plays the harmonium and the traditional, one-stringed tumbi, has made 21 [...]