Music News

Teddy Thompson: The Apex

Called "one of the most gifted singer-songwriters of his generation" by The New York Times, Teddy Thompson is the son of singer-songwriters Richard and Linda Thompson and has collaborated on projects with Rufus and Martha Wainwright. He emigrated to the States, barely out of his teens, to embark on a career of his own. He was heavily influenced not by folk music, but by such artists as Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley and the Everly Brothers.He has released five critically acclaimed albums and contributed to the soundtrack of Brokeback Mountain. Now Teddy is set to take Bury St Edmunds by storm when he performs at The Apex on January 31st. www.theapex.co.uk

Award-winning cellist comes to Saffron Hall

On January 7th Saffron Hall hosts incredibly talented cellist and vocalist Ayanna WitterJohnson. Classical, jazz, alternative R&B: she’s all of these and much more, and her Saffron Hall debut (alongside a guest drummer and pianist) promises to be something very special indeed. A performer of extraordinary versatility, her live shows are intimate journeys that chronicle her experience as a female artist in the 21st century. Time Out claims she “has to be heard to be believed”. ‘I feel like my music will live in various places and hopefully in people’s heart,’ says Ayanna Witter-Johnson of her genre-defying, multi-award-winning music. ‘That’s where I want the songs to stay.’ www.saffronhall.com

Stonham Sounds - New Music and Arts Hub

Artists, bands, theatre groups and creative talent from across the East of England are invited to perform, collaborate and even record at a new Mid-Suffolk facility. Stonham Sounds - a new hub for music and the arts - has been developed by the owners of Stonham Barns Park who are looking to encourage emerging talent from the region to bring live music and entertainment to visitors of the leisure, retail and holiday venue - and to people from all over the UK by ‘live’ streaming events and performances. ‘Stonham Sounds’will include a new performance facility – The Aspal – and be fronted by musician and newly-appointed Music Director Ronan MacManus from West London. ‘This is the region that attracts the attention of global superstars and mega names from music, art and film,’ says Ronan. ‘It is a place where creativity has no bounds, and we want to support the emerging talent that has evolved here. We intend to work in collaboration, not in competition, with the other venues in the region who work tirelessly to promote local talent.’ Watch this space! www.stonhambarns.co.uk