BJ Cole was in Wymondham on Friday to visit the Abbey in advance of his Wymondham Music Festival concert there, at 7.30pm, on Wednesday, July 1.

The pedal steel guitarist, whose career took off after he played on Elton John’s Tiny Dancer (1972) and has worked with countless rock luminaries, has never performed at Wymondham Abbey. “I can’t believe it has taken so long to get here”, said BJ Cole, “it is a wonderful building.”

BJ Cole has recorded three albums with Sting, who dubbed him the “best pedal steel player in the World, I’d say.” Other collaborations from his extensive CV include Marc Bolan, Bjork, Garth Brooks, Roger Daltrey, Free, Mark Knopfler, Olivia Newton John, Tom Jones, Katie Melua, Dolly Parton,  Robert Plant, REM, The Stranglers, Robbie Williams and Womack & Womack.

“I began experimenting with classical repertoire in the 1980s,” added BJ Cole, “and have performed with Emily Burridge, who is a classically trained cellist, for 12 years.”

The Wymondham Abbey concert will feature BJ and Emily’s interpretations of Henry Purcell’s Dido, Aaron Copeland’s Appalachian Spring, Debussy’s Claire de Lune and much more.

Tickets are adult £12 and under 18 £3 from www.wymfest.org.uk or Puff’s Toyshop, Wymondham Market Place.

For more information about Wymondham Music Festival Fortnight, which runs to Saturday, July 4, see www.wymfest.org.uk, e. [email protected], t. 01953 333500.