ABOUT SWINGSHIFT
The Swingshift Big Band is an 18 piece jazz orchestra which plays many varying styles of big band music, from the likes of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Stan Kenton and Buddy Rich, to more modern arrangements from musicians such as Tom Kubis, Jay Chattaway, Pat Metheney, Phil Collins and Gordon Goodwin. Swingshift pride themselves on being a versatile modern big band bringing big band music into the 21st Century with a fantastic line up of energetic and highly accomplished musicians. The band regularly works with some of the biggest names in British Jazz and has a strong association with the Southport melodic Jazz Club. Vocalist Emma Holcroft works regularly with the band providing her subtle and sweet tones to the vocal repertoire.
leading the way
The band is directed by the dynamic and charismatic musical director and tenor saxophonist Phil Shotton, who has been leading the band throughout its seven year existence. Phil has been playing jazz and big band music for most of his life and therefore has a wealth of experience to draw upon when fronting the band. The band also boasts some excellent jazz soloists, Cliff Ray on trumpet and flugel horn, Tom Sykes on piano, Matt McGrory on guitar and of course, Phil on tenor saxophone and woodwinds.
the line-up
The band utilises a line-up comprising of 5 Trumpets, 4 Trombones, 5 Saxophones, Piano, Guitar, Bass and Drums, with the addition of Emma on vocals. The musicians who make up the Swingshift Big Band are highly accomplished with more experience than you could shake a stick at! The line-up consists of mainly semi-professional musicians and music educators enjoying the increasingly rare opportunity to work regularly with a full size big band this of course means that the standard of the band is very high indeed. A couple of years ago the band recorded its first CD - Bar Lines, testament to the standard the band has reached. The CD is sill on sale - click here for more about the CD. We hope to be in the studio again soon to produce the follow up...
the future
The band continues to go from strength to strength and 2009 will see Swingshift performing more then ever before, in order to satisfy the bands every growing popularity. This Year sees us performing at three International Jazz festivals, and with the fantastic Dave O'Higgins and Liane Carroll.
To see Swingshift play live is a truly electrifying experience, the band has a great sense of fun and enjoyment and the programme is always varied to show off the versatility of the musicians. There really is something for everyone at a Swingshift gig!
The band perform both public and private functions throughout the year In addition to regular engagements at Southport Melodic Jazz Club and at jazz festivals throughout the UK.
The continuing concerts at the Southport Melodic Jazz Club have seen the big band perform with guest artists such as Alan Barnes (alto sax) who wrote a commissioned piece of music for the band entitled 'Falling Snow' which the band premiered in 2007 and performed with Alan once again earlier this year. Other fantastic guests have included Munch Manship (tenor sax), Neil Yates (trumpet), Bruce Adams (trumpet), Steve Waterman (trumpet), Georgina Bromilow (trumpet & vocals), Andy Wood (BBC Big Bands featured trombonist), Simon Spillett (tenor sax), Lee Gibson (vocals) and Liane Carroll (vocals) to name but a few!
Click here to see the forthcoming gig dates. We hope to see you at a gig very soon...