The Apex in Bury St Edmunds announces spring season

From swinging jazz to serial killers, there’s all manner of entertainment on offer at The Apex next year. Kicking off the event calendar on January 9 are Beverley Craven and Judie Tzuke, who had to postpone their November show. Their classic and new songs will be complemented by the Gabriella Swallow string quartet.

Another distinctive singer songwriter, Thea Gilmore, plays on February 5.

The latest album in her distinctive, strident and bold recording career, Thea Gilmore is entirely written, played and produced by Thea herself.

The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars are swinging in the new year with live jazz on January 12.

Bandleader and clarinettist Pete Long (who has played with Ronnie Scott’s Big Band and Jools Holland’s Rhythm and Blues Orchestra) recreates one of the greatest concerts in jazz history - The Benny Goodman Orchestra’s Famous 1938 Carnegie Hall Concert on January 31.

Swinging songs abound at Bublé meets Sinatra: The Showdown on February 9, with award-winning ‘Michael Bublé’ Luke Hingley and “flawless, must-see Sinatra” Kevin Fitzsimmons.

Swinging at The Cotton Club, on March 14, is an action-packed show celebrating the 1920s and ’30s music and dance at New York’s famous nightclub. The Harry Strutters Hot Rhythm Orchestra take care of the big band classics, while the fabulous Lindy Hop Dance Company perform their exhilarating dance routines.

Former songwriter with The Stranglers, Hugh Cornwell was responsible for hits like Golden Brown, Strange Little Girl, Always The Sun, Peaches and No More Heroes. He plays The Apex on January 17, supported by The Primitives.

The Blues Band are now retiring from touring but their two lead vocalists Paul Jones & Dave Kelly return with an Acoustic Duo concert on January 26.

Guitar sensation Laurence Jones was inducted into the British Blues Awards Hall of Fame for winning Young Artist of the Year for three consecutive years. The multi-award-winning guitarist, vocalist and songwriter returns to The Apex on February 4.

Another Blues rock guitar prodigy making a return visit on February 28 is Joanne Shaw Taylor, with her signature guitar riffs and inspired songwriting.

If you like your rock with a bit of roll, Marty Wilde & The Wildcats will take you back to one of the most exciting times in musical history on March 2.

Cregan & Co (January 24) includes Rod Stewart’s former guitarist. “If you can’t afford my ticket, go see these guys. . . they’re just as good and half the price!” - Rod Stewart; and Kast Off Kinks (March 30) features former members of the legendary band The Kinks. In between, there’s top tunes from some of your favourite artists at a variety of tribute shows; Michael Starring Ben (Michael Jackson, January 23); Simon & Garfunkel Story (January 30); Johnny Cash Roadshow (February 1); The Story of Guitar Heroes (February 2); 80s Mania (February 16); Barry Steele & Friends (Roy Orbison Story, February 17); Maet Live & The Never Neverland Express (Meatloaf, February 24); James Brown vs Prince (February 25); Clearwater Creedence Revival (March 1); Chaka - The Music of Chaka Khan (March 7); Bon Jovi Experience (March 15); and Pink by Vicky Jackson (March 22).

Ten-piece collective, Brit Funk Association (March 16) have had number 1 albums on Amazon’s R&B chart, the UK Soul Chart, Network Soul Chart and Sweet Rhythms Chart.

RUSH - A Joyous Jamaican Journey (March 28) tells the story of the Windrush Generation and how Reggae music took the world by storm.

As usual, The Apex has a great line-up of folk music gigs. . .

Celtic Fiddle Festival on January 29 celebrates the violin’s globe-trotting variations and the group have been described as “three of the finest folk violinists anywhere” by The Washington Post.

Sharon Shannon (February 8) is still breaking new musical ground by mixing Irish traditional music with genres as disparate as reggae and classical.

Contemporary folk poster boy, Seth Lakeman (February 23) will mark the 20th anniversary of the release Kitty Jay by playing the album and other favourites.

There’s also folk royalty Fairport Convention (February 13); The Fureys (March 13); Scottish duo Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham (March 18); Clannad’s Moya Brennan (March 21); and Home Service (March 25).

Classical music lovers will enjoy Academy of Ancient Music, celebrating their 50th anniversary on February 15 with a concert of Italian concertos. The 2024 season also features our local orchestras EAChO with Michael Foyle (January 27); Wolsey Orchestra (February 3); Bury Friendly Orchestra (March 3); Bury Bach Choir (March 9) and Suffolk Sinfonia (March 23).

But it’s not all music!

Bring the family to Ministry of Science on February 11 and dive deep into the world of science, with exploding oxygen, bottle rockets, ignited methane and even a self-built hovercraft.

Enjoy science with less loud bangs at The Amazing Bubble Man on February 21.

There’s stand up comedy from Chris McCausland on February 20 and 21, Daniel O’Reilly on March 29 and Fat Cat Comedy Club on the second Sunday of each month.

Brian Bilston & Henry Normal bring humorous poetry and chat on February 22, while Fascinating Aida bring sassy musical cabaret on March 26 and 27.

Jed Stone hosts an evening of entertainment and banter with Liverpool Legends Peter Beardsley and Ray Houghton on March 5.

One of the UK’s most notable psychological therapists and crime commentators, Emma Kenny talks about The Serial Killer Next Door on March 24.

Sandra Robinson