This orchestra will definitely prepare you for the holidays.
Any opportunity to go to the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall is a treat and watching The Down For The Count Swing Orchestra was no exception. This collective return each year with their annual Swing Into Christmas concert. As a first time attendee, I was overjoyed with the atmosphere they were able to create!
The enthusiasm of The Down For The Count Swing Orchestra was infectious. Even just little things like the musicians swaying along in moments when they weren’t playing or the smiles on their faces kept the audience in high spirits. This orchestra will definitely prepare you for the holidays.
Sammy Davis Jr., Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald are just a few of the titans whose songs you’ll hear that really capture the spirit of jazz in this Christmas concert. “White Christmas” and even “Zat You, Santa Claus?” are on a set list well curated to provide a mix of jazz, swing and Christmas that will cater to everyone. The most awe-inspiring song of the night goes to “It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas” sung by vocalist Lydia Bell. This was no simple rendition as it was performed in fast-paced 7/4 time. There is barely a glimpse of a moment for the individual singing to breathe and Bell’s breath control is exceptional. Her ability to remain conscious and not pass out during this song is a true feat.
Saara Kaldma didn’t shy away from excellence herself and only got better with every song she sang. Her rendition of “Angel” could have convinced me she was one and was easily one of the highlights of the evening. She excelled in those quieter songs where it felt like she was having an intimate moment with the audience. I look forward to hearing her heavenly voice in future concerts.
Marvin Muoneké brought the stage to life with the enthusiasm to which he took to everything he did. Any time he made his way onstage, did a little jig during an orchestral moment, teased the conductor, he brought the audience in on his fun. It’s clear this is a performer who loves what they do and does it well. Aside from being one of the happiest singers I’ve ever seen, he has a voice smoother than velvet. Muoneké provided a lot of highlights including “Mr Bojangles”, a song which he clearly mastered over the years but my personal favourites of his were “What A Wonderful World” and “You’re Sensational”. His voice just sets the listener at ease, an underrated quality in any performer as it’s really the thing that draws an audience in and makes them return to hear it all over again.
This orchestra is full to the brim with superb musicians. This was probably demonstrated best in the songs requested by audience members, some of which they had no time to prepare for and had to sight read. If the composer hadn’t mentioned it, you would not have been able to tell as they sounded beautiful and these were perhaps some of the best examples of true jazz. It felt like everyone had their moment to shine and there were points where some musicians would chime in and add their own flavour if they felt it was right. While I can’t shout out every musician in this collective (as the composer so thoughtfully took the time to do before the evening ended), Alex Clarke deserves a special mention. No jazz collective worth their salt lacks a strong sax player but Clarke’s dedication was undeniable, especially when recreating music note by note without any sheet music. A quick nod also to the inclusion of tubular bells in this orchestra as it just isn’t Christmas without some tubular bells.
Whether you’re there for jazz, swing, Christmas vibes or all of the above, this group has you covered. The performers infuse passion into every number and ultimately, seem to be having a wonderful time doing it. Live music would be nothing without the people behind it and neither would Christmas. They have fully embodied the spirit of the season and I look forward to seeing them again in the future.
The Down For The Count Swing Orchestra sound amazing and make you feel even better. They brightened my week and they’re sure to brighten yours.