The University’s new academic year is starting on a high note with exciting musical events at the Lakeside Theatre.

The autumn season begins with the University hosting the opening concert of the Roman River Music's annual festival. This year the festival is celebrating French music, food, film and culture, with the Lakeside Theatre concert at 7.30pm, Friday 10 October. The performance features the romantic beauty of Franck's Violin Sonata, Chopin's Polonaise and Debussy's Rhapsody, culminating with the intense drama of Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time. 

Following this is the Colchester debut of the cool jazz soul grooves of Mellow Baku at 8.30pm, Friday 17 October. An emerging sensation with an amazing voice, Mellow Baku has already collaborated with Courtney Pike, Jimmy Cliff and Rebel MC. She will be promoting her first release, the self-titled Mellow Baku.

Jazz at the Lakeside is presented by Segue each month until Christmas, starting with Polar Bear who perform at 8.30pm, Saturday 25 October. A London-based avant-garde group, Polar Bear transcend genres, creating their own unique form of British jazz. Their new album, Polar Bear, is the first since 2005's Mercury-nominated Held On The Tips Of Fingers, which was included in Jazzwise "100 jazz albums that changed the world".

To book tickets for the Roman River Music, please contact their Box Office on telephone: 01206 729356 or visit: www.romanrivermusic.org.uk

To book tickets for Mellow Baku and Polar Bear through the Lakeside Theatre’s new partnership with the Mercury Theatre, please telephone: 01206 573948 or visit: www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/artson5

Ends

Notes to editors:
The attached picture is of Mellow Baku who will be performing at the Lakeside Theatre on Friday 17 October.