Preview: Norwich full gig guide June 1-7

STACEY KENT

Norwich Playhouse, June 1

Stacey Kent, a bestselling member of the Blue Note roster of recording artists, now boasts eight bestselling albums, a string of awards, including the British Jazz Award and BBC Jazz Award for 'Best Vocalist'.

Her 2007 album Breakfast On the Morning Train was nominated for Grammy Award, whilst her follow-up Raconte-Moi was released in more than 37 different countries making her a truly international artiste.

She was personally invited by Clint Eastwood to sing at his 70th birthday celebrations. And her career continues to go from strength-to-strength.

A regular visitor over the years, she arrives back in Norwich as part of a world tour supporting Dreamer in Concert her first live album after a string of studio albums.

The album, recorded last year at La Cigale in Paris, features Stacey at her absolute best singing some of the most sublime and enchanting songs from her repertoire, including classics from the Great American Songbook such as The Best Is Yet To Come, They Can't Take That Away From Me and It Might As Well Be Spring.

It also visits the classic French songs Ces Petits Riens, Samba Saravah and Jardin d'Hiver.

t Further listening: www.staceykent.com

TIPITINA

Norwich Arts Centre, June 1

Lancashire-based soul and R&B band TipiTina — who take their name from a legendary music venue in New Orleans — bring their honky-tonk sound to Norwich.

The band is led by vocalist/guitarist Debbie Jones and pianist Justin Randall. They have their own take on the blues, barrelhouse, boogie, funk and gospel of New Orleans in the manner of Professor Longhair, The Meters, Dr John, Tom Waits and Allen Toussaint.

New Orleans music is like an underground stream that rises to the surface every now and then. It happened for Fats Domino in the 1950s, Dr John in the 70s, The Neville Brothers and The Meters in the 70s and 80s and for Jools Holland.

Having played at Ronnie Scott's Club in London and toured parts of Europe, with their hypnotic songs, they have a bit of a following. Their debut album, I Wish I Was In New Orleans, did rather well in 2008. Last year they followed it up with Taking Care Of Business,

The band's stage act is a blend of classic covers like Hit The Road Jack, Blueberry Hill, Sway, It Don't Mean A Thing, along with their original works.

t Further listening: www.myspace.com/tipitinaartist

HEATHER PEACE

Norwich Arts Centre, June 3

Having begun her professional career in theatre, professional debut being a 'loverly' stint as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, Heather Peace made her name on TV appearing in a variety of top shows, notably Emmerdale, Waterloo Road and BBC3 lesbian chic drama Lip Service.

As well as acting, Heather has always had a passion for music. She started learning piano at the age of six and began singing and writing music at an early age. She paid her way through drama school by holding a three year Sunday jazz residency in Manchester.

She was once signed to Simon Cowell's label BMG, releasing a cover of The Rose on the back of London's Burning. But despite continuing to write and sing in her spare time, the quick success of her acting career meant that her music was kept on the back burner. However in 2010 she made the decision to throw her white Gretsch guitar over her shoulder and embark on an acoustic tour. She duly recorded an acoustic album, This Is Me. She arrives in Norwich following the release of her debut studio album, Fairytales, part funded through fan pledges.

t Further listening: www.heatherpeace.com

ZUBY + MR SHAODOW

Waterfront, June 7

From hip-hop and grime, to rock and dubstep, expect amazing music, hard-hitting lyrics and huge bass lines as Zuby and Mr Shaodow stop off in Norwich on their joint Black & Purple Tour.

Zuby is an anomaly in the hip hop world. British-born, Saudi Arabia-bred and Oxford University educated, he refuses to fit into the 'generic rapper' category.

Having burst onto the scene in 2006 with the aptly titled Commercial Underground, he personally sold over 3,000 copies of the album. The video for his track Steppin' 2 Me was duly playlisted on Channel U (now AKA).

Similarly Mr ShaoDow is the very definition of a DIY Artist. Trained in Shaolin Kung Fu in China he now travels the UK selling his CDs, performing and promoting his music without record label help.

Selling over 7,500 copies of latest CDs he has organically built a formidable fan base for his intelligent, witty, often razor sharp lyricism. He has appeared on Tim Westwood's show and received national radio for his self-released his latest single Get Stronger ft. Ghetts. Support comes from Settle For Second, De'Vide and Lee Gibling.

t Further listening: zubymusic.com/mrshaodow.com

SOUNDS IN THE CITY

JUNE 1

Play Fest 2012 — New Eccles Hall

Stacey Kent (jazz) — Playhouse

Pout At The Devil + Pocket Gorillaz + more (rock) — Waterfront

Tipitina (blues/boogie) — Arts Centre

Gameplan + more (indie/rock) — B2

Fourplay (rock/blues) — Brickmakers

Dave Thomas Band (blues/big band) — Brewery Tap

Ramon Goose (blues) — Walnut Tree Shades

Fuelled By Rose (acoustic/folk) — Red Lion

Johnny Jump Band (rock/blues) Silver Road Cottage

Lou & The Diamonds (60s) — Rackheath Green Man

Chibber (rock) — The Otter

Bee Bee (50s/60s) — Bridge House

Joe Bloggs — Lakenham Cock

Janie K — Preseverance

JUNE 2

Play Fest 2012 — New Eccles Hall

Jacqui Dankworth (jazz) — Norwich Cathedral

Hollow Earth (prog rock) — Brickmakers

Bill Downs — The Voice UK — Angel Gardens

Steemy Dan (jazz/rock/tribute) — Olives

Blind Tiger (rock) — King Edward VII

Bee Gee Tribute (pop) — The Talk

Storm (rock) — Walnut Tree Shades

Night Rollers (rock'n'roll) — Arkwrights

Electricity (blues/rock) — Golden Star

Moneyshot (rock) — Hog In Armour

Aviator (rock) — The Leopard

Honeydripper (rock/blues) — Eaton Cottage

The Indebtors (folk/pop) — Heartsease

Shannon — Quebec Tavern

Tony Cann — Bread & Cheese

Rob Charles — Heath House

Chippy — Robin Hood

JUNE 3

Play Fest 2012 — New Eccles Hall

Heather Peace (jazz/pop) — Arts Centre

The Dirigibles (rock'n'roll) — Brewery Tap

Electricity (blues/rock) — Golden Star

Johnny Jump Band (rock/blues/4pm) — Micawbers Tavern

John Solo (acoustic) — The Jubilee

Lee Vasey Big Band (12pm) — Brickmakers

Sally Taylor & The Midnight Soul Band — The Whalebone

Dave Thomas Band (5pm) — Silver Road Cottage

Ian Larkins (4pm) — Lakenham Cock

JUNE 4

Jubilee Bank Holiday Bash: feat. 10 local bands incl. Firewire + The Collective + more — Brickmakers

Stonecold (rock) — Angel Gardens

Copperplate (folk/3pm) — Brewery Tap

The Offbeats (4pm) — The Whalebone

Lou & The Diamonds (60s) — Wensum Social Club

Band With No Name (4pm) — The Jubilee

Jazz Jam: feat. Rich Buddie — Walnut Tree Shades

Shannan (3pm) — Bread & Cheese

JUNE 5

Against The Odds (pop/rock) — Brickmakers

Allison Neale (jazz) — Rackheath Green Man

John Solo (blues/acoustic) — The Jubilee

JUNE 6

The Petebox (hip hop/drum n bass) — Waterfront Studio

Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash (rock/tribute) — Maddermarket

Electric Youth Revolt + more (indie/rock) — B2

Lee Vasey & Friends — Trowel & Hammer

Pure Acoustic (open mic) — Brickmakers

JUNE 7

Zuby + Mr Shaodow (hip hop/grime) — Waterfront

Red Beryl & The Plastic Attic (acoustic/vintage) — The Whalebone

Thin Ice (rock/pop) — Brickmakers

Ghostriders Western Club: feat. Glen Rogers (country) — TA Centre

Johnny Jump Band (blues/country) — Micawbers Tavern

Part-Time Blues Band (blues) — Walnut Tree Shades

Electricity (blues/rock) — Rumsey Wells

Swingball (pop/swing) — Rose Tavern

Lee Vasey (rock/blues) — Eaton Cottage