This week of events certainly begin with a treat. Changing traditions to bring you something completely differently and timeless is ESKA, performing on Thursday (Nov 26), writes Jordan Burnish.
The singer has worked alongside many original acts; Nitin Sawhey, Courtney Pine and Tony Allen among them.
This has left her on the 'want' list for many people, but her own music is something else – as her appearance among the recent Mercury Prize shortlist testifies.
Her voice delivers melodic twists and a powerful mixture of soul and folk.
Friday evening (Nov 27) kicks off with the 30th Anniversary Tour for number one Eric Clapton tribute band, Classic Clapton.
Starting at 8pm, the two hour show will take you right back to the beginnings of Clapton’s renowned career, featuring all the hits - Wonderful Tonight, Tears in Heaven and Layla will all make a connection.
Lead singer and EC lookalike Mike Hall has been with the band since their beginnings in 1985.
It's fair to say they know what they are playing, and are a taut proposition at this point!
Over in Stage 2, Ben Maggs (below) returns from 8:45pm.
A one time member of Solace, when the band split, Ben's love affair with music was suspended. The guitar was put down and he took a job, looking for a more sensible future.
But the lure of music proved impossible to ignore in the end and he returned to the sounds in 2009. Music was a release for his grief, following the death of a close friend.
“It was an immensely challenging tome, but without doubt was the birth of something,” he recalls, “Eighteen months later I'd quit my job to focus on music full time.”
Ben will be playing material from his debut album Come As You Are, and some of you will have seen him here before, supporting the Christians.
“We always ask Ben if he wants to guest on our gigs,” said Garry Christian, “He's really understated but brilliant. His songs have depth and feeling, but are free flowing and mesmeric.”
On Saturday (Nov 28), Elkie Brooks will be grabbing attentions as she performs her classic hits spanning blues and jazz.
Now in the fifth decade of her career, Elkie is a stunning performer, and the swift sale of tickets says that she is still one to watch - buy quickly to avoid disappointment - only a handful of standing tickets remain.
The legendary Barron Knights are back here on Sunday (Nov 29) bringing their highly popular show, Soundtrack of our Lives.
Creating beautiful harmonies and bringing new songs, the usual enjoyable set up is to be expected from the comic-driven collective from the Leighton Buzzard area.
They even had former Rolling Stone Bill Wyman singing their praises: "The Barron Knights changed my life,” he declared.
Just in time to see us into December and adding some festivity to The Stables will be a brand-new adaption of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol here on Monday (Nov 30).
Actors from Box Clever Theatre will bring the story of Scrooge to life and take him through his journey of past, present and future.
The performance brings fun, lively action and music, and with audience participation, creates a show that all the family will enjoy.
On Tuesday (Dec 1) Buddy Holly & The Cricketers will be taking to the stage and hope to get everyone up on their feet. It shouldn't be too hard with Holly classics aplenty, and added humour.
If you want an excuse to get up and party, call in.
Also on Tuesday, the Natasha Seale Quartet will be live over on Stage 2.
Natasha is a stage familiar – having wowed the West End and toured the world in the role of Donna in Mamma Mia.
She will be joined by her acoustic quartet to showcase her debut album Walk AWAKE.
By sticking to the classics, it will be a delight for the ears of music lovers.
Last up this week is Wednesday's (Dec 2) show A Celebration of Peter Cropper (1945-2015).
The event, which features Katharine Gower (violin), Moray Welsh (cello) and Martin Roscoe (piano) marks what would have been Peter’s 70th Birthday.
Following his sudden passing in May, the three musicians have come together to reflect and celebrate on work he did with the Lindsay String Quartet, Music in the Round and also the impressions he made on chamber music worldwide.
To book any of these tickets, call 01908 280800 or visit www.stables.org
