IT’S going to be a busy with weeks for a certain group of Colchester musicians.

First of all the town’s very own keyboard maestro Reg Webb is back at the Colchester arts centre on Friday for the one gig he looks forward to all year.

And for someone who has played with the likes of Suzi Quatro, Chubby Checker, the Searchers and Lenny Kravitz, that’s high praise indeed.

Born in Chelmsford, but now based in a village just outside the town, Reg developed retinal cancer at a very early age. Despite his blindness Reg has gone on to achieve a very successful career as a much in-demand keyboardist.

Briefly signed to EMI in the Seventies, he would later go on to launch the career of Nik Kershaw who was the guitarist in his Reg Webb’s Fusion band, before carving out a good career as a session musician.

He also toured with East End power rock band, Outfield, who had several hits in the US, and then Lenny Kravitz for his Mama Said tour.

But it’s his annual gig, which has been running at the arts centre since 2000, featuring Reg’s group, the Short People, alongside the Fabs and the Judith Charmers, which he loves the most.

Reg says: “The start of it was back in 1998 when we did a gig at the Oliver Twist, which got so popular, we ended up doing two or three nights in the row. In the end it got so big, we moved it to the arts centre.

“Music has always been a collaborative thing for me, which is why I love doing this gig.”

The Short People, The Fabs, and The Judith Charmers, play the Church Street venue on Friday with doors opening at 7.30pm and the show starting at 8pm.

Tickets are once again £13, available from 01206 500900.

Members of the Judith Charmers return to the arts centre with another gig that is strating to become a firm fixture in the town’s gig-going calendar.

Inspired by the loss of one of the country’s greatest acts, Anton Pace and Paul Rutterford are putting on another night celebrating the genius of David Bowie.

The first Prettiest Starman event took place at the Three Wise Monkeys and due to countless requests to ‘please do it again’ the pair along with Nelson Nice and Car Bruns (Surfquake, Park and Ride) and DJ Ben Howard from Keep Colchester Cool are bringing it back to the arts centre.

Anton says: “We’re so excited to be doing this again, especially at the Colchester Arts Centre. Paul and I were both deeply affected by David Bowie’s death and felt a real need to get out and sing some of his songs – as much for our own satisfaction as anything else.

“There has always been a more than healthy dose of Bowie in the Judith Charmers’ set, and hosting a night dedicated to his memory was a really obvious thing for us to do. The reactions to the other events shows that there are plenty out there who feel the same and we’re really looking forward to spending another evening with like-minded Bowie fans.”

Since starting The Prettiest Starman Band has played sold out shows in Colchester and beyond, performing on the main stage at the Norwich Lanes Summer Fayre in July and in November providing all the live music for a big Bowie Weekend (Bowie Blast Off) in Blackpool.

Playing songs from David’s golden period in the Seventies, The Prettiest Starman is at the Colchester Arts Centre on January 13 at 7.30pm with tickets priced £10.