Presented by Award winning vocalist and World Class trumpet player, GARETH JOHN and featuring the stunning SOS Big Band – The Story of Swing takes us on a musical journey through decades of the iconic genre of swing and big band music.
Featuring the classic, much-loved hits of Bobby Darin, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr, right through to modern day crooners such as Michael Bublé, Robbie Williams, Matt Goss, Paul Anka and Harry Connick Jr.
Gareth is renowned for his top-class showmanship, performing from the heart with huge passion for the genre. His stage presence and natural rapport with the audience are second to none. Not surprising, as he has shared the stage with many household names, including The Beautiful South, The Specials and many more.
Gareth will also be joined by some very special guests on the night.
Gareth told us how he came up with the idea of ‘The Story of Swing’…….
“I grew up around swing and big band music. My Grandparents lived in the basement of our house for much of my childhood and with Grandma being a Musical Theatre singer and actress, and Grandad being heavily into the great big band leaders like Glen Miller and Ted Heath, I formed a strong affinity with the style. It was almost a foregone conclusion that I would be a performer of some sort. Having started on keyboard, Grandad bought me my first trumpet when I was ten years old and it all started from there.
Fast forward to 2017 and I decided, for a whole host of reasons, to become a lead singer. My Dad always instilled in me that you can do anything you put your mind to if you’re willing to put in the work, and I did exactly that, going to singing lessons and starting to perform after under my own name. I released my debut album in 2018 and, having had a taste of performing in theatres as part of The South, I started to develop the idea that has now become The Story of Swing.”
The Story of Swing gets to the Memo Arts Centre in Barry on Saturday 28th February. For more details and tickets, go HERE.
