1. The Swing Spectacular, Moot Hall, High Street, Colchester, tomorrow, 7.30pm until 12am. £17.50. 01206 573948. Click here

Colchester jazz singer, Lydia Bell, is putting on another spectacular show complete with professional dance acts, cocktail bar and vintage dress code, as well as Lydia (pictured) singing throughout the night, backed by the popular Sweeting Swing Band.

2. Pieces of String, Mercury Theatre, Balkerne Gate, Colchester, until Tomorrow, 7.30pm and 2.30pm (Thursdays and Saturdays), £27 to £12 plus discounts. 01206 573948.

This is one of the best new shows I’ve seen in many years and with the buzz about it, Gus Gowland’s story of love and loss spread across the generations looks certain to make it to the West End. If only for bragging rights, make sure you see it here first.

READ MORE: REVIEW - PIECES OF STRING

3. Chris Allard, Fleece Jazz Stoke by Nayland Golf Club, Keepers Lane, Leavenheath. Doors 7.30pm. £18. 01787 211865.

More homegrown talent, this time from Wivenhoe jazz guitarist Chris Allard who fresh from playing the Pyramids brings his acclaimed band to the popular Fleece Jazz Club.

4. Steve Lamacq: Going Deaf For A Living, Colchester Arts Centre, Church Street, Colchester, Tuesday, doors 7.30pm. £15. 01206 500900.

And the local boys done good keep on coming with the welcome return of Colne Engaine’s Steve Lamacq who started off buying records from the money he got delivering this very newspaper. He’s in town with his one man show about life as a devoted music fan and being one of the country’s most respected DJs.

5. Glenn Miller Orchestra, Mercury Theatre, Balkerne Gate, Colchester, Wednesday, 7.30pm. £27 to £12. 01206 573948.

Hear the music that got the country through the war and laid the foundations of pop right up to the present day. That includes In the Mood, Moonlight Serenade, American Patrol, Little Brown Jug, Tuxedo Junction and the song that became pop history’s first gold disc, Chattanooga Choo Choo!