Inverclyde Now Logo SWING Orchestra ‘Down For The Count’ Performing At Beacon, Greenock

6 January, 2020 | Noticeboard

DOWN For The Count swing orchestra bring their Swing That Music tour to the Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock this month.

The show — on Saturday 18 January — recreates the informal atmosphere of the best-loved jazz clubs with performances of Swing era favourites and big band classics of the 1930s and 1940s. combining top-class musicianship with humour and informal on-stage banter.

It features songs from the likes of Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Count Basie and Glenn Miller, and classics from singers such as Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Nat ‘King’ Cole.

Down For The Count was formed by Mike Paul-Smith in 2005 whilst he was still at school. He said: “We always loved playing jazz and soul music, but it was when we started getting asked to play for swing dance events that we really started to love the big band music we play nowadays.

“Because the band started when we were so young, we’re only in our late 20s and early 30s now –- and we find that audiences are often surprised to see people of our age playing vintage music.”

The band is a regular at London jazz clubs and has even performed at the oldest jazz club in Europe, Le Caveau de la Huchette in Paris, which featured in the film La La Land. It includes award-winning jazz musicians and West End performers, who have appeared at events across the globe. 

The format of the band’s show means that no two performances are ever exactly the same. Mike said: “We make sure our show is entertaining, bringing our own humour and personalities to the stage, recreating the intimate atmosphere of a jazz club so that every moment feels spontaneous and exciting.

“Ultimately the music is the star of the show, and we want audiences watching and listening to feel as uplifted as we do when playing. We hope our joie de vivre is infectious and that audiences leave sharing our love for all that swings!”

Tickets cost £22 and are available by calling 01475 723 723 or online

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