The Manhattan Swing Band-English version stll swinging

MANHATTAN SWING BAND

Far from the sidewalks of Manhattan, we find several swing bands in Great Britain are keeping the sounds of the swing/big band era alive. We have written about two terrific bands touring the U.K.; the Glenn Miller band and the Nick Ross Orchestra...now we find The Manhattan Swing Band. It is led by Freddy Staff. The band has become a huge favorite in Hornchurch, England over the years. They are scheduled to return in July with vocalist Lee Gibson. The Band will perform romantic ballads and great swing hits from the golden era of big band music.

Freddy Staff's career spans 60 years and has seen him share a stage with showbiz icons including Tom Jones, Barbara Streisand, Judy Garland, Louis Armstrong, Sammy Davis Jr, Shirley Bassey and Tony Bennett. He was also lead trumpet, soloist and leader of the acclaimed Syd Lawrence Orchestra (where many members of Nick Ross's fine band had their first success) and, now a sprightly 81, Freddy is still going strong!

The show will be packed with swing hits from Big Band greats such as Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman, Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Harry James, while Lee Gibson will perform romantic ballads from Gershwin and Cole Porter.

Lee has worked with some of the world's best big bands at a variety of high-profile venues including The Barbican, The Queen Elizabeth Hall and Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club.

Manhattan Swing Band returns to the Queen's Theatre,
Billet lane, Hornchurch, England on
Sunday 19 July at 5.30pm.
Tickets cost £17 and £16 for concessions.
To book, call the Box Office on
01708 443333
or to book online, visit
www.queens-theatre.co.uk