The EFG London Jazz Festival and Cadogan Hall are proud to host the exclusive premier performance of ‘The Big Swing’: the world’s first double female fronted big band. Jazz luminaries Georgina Jackson and Emma Smith launch the historically male dominated world of Big Band Swing into unchartered territory, by assembling a formidable group of master musicians to present their own unique interpretation of this old school tradition, adding contemporary style and charisma in abundance.
Both highly regarded, multi-talented women in jazz and swing, Smith and Jackson’s extensive experience includes Ronnie Scott’s residencies, BBC Proms, and collaborations with artists such as Seal and The Puppini Sisters in chart-topping releases. Now they lead their own handpicked, diverse and dynamic mix of world-renowned musicians including pianist Nikki Iles, saxophonists Rachel Cohen and Josephine Davis and the spectacular guest vocalist Vula Malinga of Basement Jaxx.
Staying true to the genres roots while adding new-wave attitude and inimitable flair, The Big Swing’s mission is to radically reimagine the big band tradition. Audiences can expect a night of music that combines a mix of undeniable classics and new repertoire with swing at its heart and soul. The type of joyful music which makes sitting still in your seat impossible, with a whole host of surprises which will set the place alight. The Big Swing is an unprecedented concept that will undoubtedly one of this years’ EFG London Jazz Festival highlights – a special show not to be missed.
Musicians:
Georgina Jackson – band leader, trumpet & vocals; Emma Smith – band leader and vocals; Vula Malinga – guest vocalist.
Gemma Moore & Rachel Cohen – alto sax; Josephine Davis & Nadime Theimore – tenor sax;
Jessamy Holder – baritone sax.
Tom Walsh, Craig Wild, Alexandra Ridout, James Davidson – trumpet; Callum Au, Carol Jarvis, Daniel Higham – trombone; Sarah Williams – bass trombone.
Jason Brown – Drums
Conor Chaplin – Bass
Nikki Iles – Piano
About The EFG London Jazz Festival:
The EFG London Jazz Festival is the capital’s biggest pan-city music festival, taking place annually in November, which has long been acclaimed for showcasing a heady mix of talent from around the world. Widely acknowledged for delivering world-class artists and emerging stars, the Festival continues to take jazz to a massive audience, in one ofUK’s landmark music events.
The festival was created in 1992 by live international music producers, Serious. The festival emerged from the long-standing Camden Jazz Week which was created in 1970; with the active support of the London Arts Board (now Arts Council England, London). Serious – who had for some years produced the Camden Jazz Week – engineered a transition that saw the evolution of the festival.
Taking a mix of international and British artists and a commitment to education activity, the London Jazz Festival began to spread its wings. The aims of the festival still remain the same today: celebrating the place of jazz in a city which is at ease with its rich cultural diversity and drawing in a multitude of venues across London who present the music, week in, week out, throughout the year.
EFG London Jazz Festival 2022
Friday 18th November 2022, 7pm
SimplyJazzTalk 