HE had been due to wow Ipswich with the acclaimed sound that has established him as one of the world's foremost black musicians but Eric Bibb's performance in town has had to be postponed.

By Jo Macdonald

HE had been due to wow Ipswich with the acclaimed sound that has established him as one of the world's foremost black musicians but Eric Bibb's performance in town has had to be postponed.

The blues and folk star who, in the words of The Times, has "a voice to die for" had been due to perform at Suffolk College on Saturday.

However, due to licensing problems the show has now been postponed and a new date has not yet been arranged.

The imminent arrival of the acclaimed musician in town had been one to eagerly anticipate.

He is held in high esteem within the music industry and regarded as one of the leading blues musicians.

Born in New York in 1951, the son of 1960s folk and musical theatre singer Leon Bibb, the nephew of jazz pianist John Lewis and godson of singer Paul Robeson, Eric's blues and folk roots were well embedded from his youth.

He was surrounded by major musical figures of the day and influenced by the likes of Richie Havens, Earl Robinson and Bob Dylan.

He received his first steel stringed guitar when he was seven and was soon consumed by music.

Britain's place in Eric's heart however, is a fond one. It was while here in 1996 that his musical fortunes changed, when he was invited to the London Blues Festival. Since then he has toured the world, been recognised with a Grammy Nomination and played many of the world's major festivals.

His appearance in Ipswich at the weekend was to be his first performance in town but fans will now have to wait and hope that the concert can be rescheduled.

Tickets for Saturday's gig can be refunded from where they were purchased.

Weblink: www.ericbibb.com