Sensational acts bringing down the curtain for festival

On Saturday night, fans of The Kinks will be able to lap up many of the group’s favourite hits in a new light courtesy jazz supergroup called The Ben Crosland Quintet.

The band will be performing their original melodic and inventive arrangements of songs.

It’s Yorkshire bassist Ben Crosland has been a fan of The Kinks since he was 13.

Ben has gathered together an ensemble made up of some of the finest musicians on the current jazz and rock scene.

Soft Machine guitarist John Etheridge leads the attack accompanied by keyboard maestro Steve Lodder and saxophonist Brandon Allen.

On drums is Dylan Howe, son of Yes guitarist Steve Howe and regular Sticksman with the Wilko Johnson Band.

Then, on Sunday night the spotlight is on the West End and Broadway with singing star Earl Carpenter.

Earl will share stories and songs from playing some of the greatest leading and title roles in musical theatre from The Phantom of the Opera to the role that brought him international recognition to Inspector Javert in Les Misérables.

He has had the accolade of performing the title song from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical as one of four Phantoms handpicked by Lloyd Webber at the Royal Variety Show accompanying superstar Nicole Sherzinger.

He will be joined on the stage by Olivia Brereton, who made her debut in the UK tour of Phantom in the part of Christine, with musical accompaniment by renowned cellist Yvonne Marie Parsons.

The Harwich Festival’s Simon Ashley said: “These will be two highly artistic and entertaining events to conclude the Festival.

“As expected these events have attracted a lot of interest with bookings coming in from up and down the country.

“They both promise to be great nights.”

Both concerts are at St Nicholas’ Church with The Ben Crosland Quintet at 7.30pm and Earl Carpenter at 6.45pm. Ticket prices for each are £12.

All information and tickets is on harwichfestival.co.uk or the festival box office on 07425 145022.