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From the early 1900s until, roughly speaking, 1950, the
American popular song reigned supreme.
From the creative geniuses of of such tune-smiths as Irving
Berlin, Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, George & Ira Gershwin,
Duke Ellington and Hoagy Carmichael and many others came the
golden evergreen songs that dominated the Broadway musical,
the films of
Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire and
Ginger Rogers and the soundtrack to World War ll. Sinatra,
King Cole, Ella, Billie, Anita and Peggy all relied on this
amazing body of work for inspiration. Louis Armstrong, Gene
Krupa and Benny Goodman helped to popularise the jazz and
swing era with their interpretation of this unique music. |
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Shows
Swinging
Down Memory Lane |
John Petters Swing Band
John Petters : Drums & Leader ("…England's finest
traditional Jazz drummer.."
The Mississippi Rag, USA).
Born in London, John Petters is regarded as one of the
UK's top traditional jazz and swing drummers. Self
taught, he was influenced primarily by the great Gene
Krupa and developed a driving swinging style whether
soloing or accompanying.
Val Wiseman : Vocals "..The Jazz idiom comes to
her so naturally that her simplest phrase swings .."
Dave Gelly -
The Observer
Always a big draw wherever she plays, Val has a natural
understanding of jazz time and phrasing. She has been
playing the role of Billie Holliday in Lady Sings The
Blues - a tough assignment, yet Val, who has made a
lifelong study of Billie's music succeeded in getting
uncannily close to her idol whilst avoiding the danger
of becoming a clone.
Nick Dawson : Piano Vocals & Arranger "…He sounds
like a young Sinatra .."
Jon Richards BBC
Radio
Royal College of Music educated, Nick is a unique
performer. A young performer with a musical maturity far
beyond his years. A jazz musician from the age of 11, he
starred in the hit show 'S Wonderful and has been
featured on many top selling jazz CDs.
James Evans : Clarinet & saxophones
James is another young performer who simply exudes
excitement. He recently fronted a hand picked band of
musicians for a recording session in New Orleans. He is
also a composer of considerable originality.
Keith Donald : Bass
A band member since the '70s, Keith a a natural musician
with an uncanny ear, which has enabled him to share the
stage with such legends as Lonnie Donegan, Ken Colyer
and Slim Gaillard.
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