Remember the music of Nat King Cole, Glenn Miller and others when swing was the name of the game? Well, now you can relive it with Down for the Count in Eastbourne

FROM the world-famous Le Caveau de la Huchette in Paris to Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, Down For The Count are taking 2020 by storm by bringing back Swing Era favourites.

After a string of sell-out shows last year, Down For The Count bring their Swing That Music tour to Eastbourne’s Royal Hippodrome Theatre on Sunday March 15.

Performing swing era favourites and big band classics from the Thirties and Forties, the show recreates the informal atmosphere of the best-loved jazz clubs, combining Down for the Count’s irresistible humour and outrageous onstage banter alongside some top-class musicianship.

Treating audiences to joyous instrumental solos and sublime vocal performances, the Swing That Music show breathes new life into some of the best music of the 20th century.

Described as “one helluva celebration of vintage music” by Time Out London, you can expect to hear music 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.

Founded in 2005, the band have gone from strength to strength with their latest tour marking the release of their latest album Swing That Music.

Band leader Mike Paul-Smith, who founded the band while still at school, describes the album as “a celebration of my favourite musicians and singers from the swing era.

“At that time young people were cramming themselves into ballrooms to hear incredible music from pioneering musicians – and our album and show aims to recreate that energy and sound.

“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 – we find that audiences are often surprised to see people of our age playing vintage music.” added Paul-Smith.

Since then, Down for the Count has become a favourite among fans of retro nostalgia, making regular appearances at events such as Twinwood Vintage Festival, which describes them as “a breath of fresh air on the swing scene”

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

The format of the band’s show means that no two performances are ever exactly the same, catering for all types of shows to corporate events in venues big and small.

Paul-Smith 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!”.

Down For The Count’s latest album is available to buy from dftcswingorchestra.co.uk.

Down for the Count are playing at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre in Eastbourne on March 15