August is definitely music month at the Colchester Arts Centre with 12 concerts in all. Here’s five of the best...

1. Sly and the Family Drone + Justice Yeldham + Buddy Lee Dickens + Mu2, August 1.

A ‘frenetic, wild, free jazz cacophony, with ultra-hyped horns and sonorous lowed drones, this is a music gig unlike any other as Sly literally breaks down their set with their drums and equipment scattered bare across the floor.

2. Darius Brubeck Quartet, August 4.

A welcome return for jazz pianist and composer Darius Brubeck and his group, who earlier this year released their new CD, Live In Poland. Recorded during their highly successful tour of that country, the concerts celebrated the 60th anniversary of Darius’ father, Dave Brubeck’s historic ambassadorial tour behind the Iron Curtain in 1958, which provided the inspiration for the 1959 hit Time Out.

3. D’Ukes, August 10.

Formed in Chelmsford ten year ago, D’Ukes are a highly entertaining six-piece electric ukulele covers band. They have sold out theatres, played major festivals, performed on both BBC and local community radio, made TV appearances, performed at music festivals in both the Czech Republic and Poland and performed alongside some of the bigger names in the international ukulele world.

4. Kaddal Merrill + Alex Rex, August 16.

The music and projects of Egyptian flautist Fayrouz Kaddal (High Dam Band, Africairo) and British violinist Daniel Merrill (Dead Rat Orchestra) is an exploration of a shared joy in folk and heritage. Their music is inspired by Nubian, Oriental and British musical traditions, utilising extended techniques on their instruments to create a distinctively intimate music.

5. Steamy Dan, August 24.

The tribute band return to the arts centre and will once again have you ‘Reelin’ in the Years’ during their dynamic performance of Fagen and Becker’s timeless classics including Josie, Peg, and The Fez.

This ten-piece have won praise from session guitarist Elliot Randall who performed the guitar solo on the original recording of Reelin’ in the Years.