Kings Of Swing recreate big band era
CROONING GLORY ... The Kings of Swing are coming to the Sunderland Empire.
THE coolest cats around are vowing to take South Tyneside music fans back to the golden era.
The Kings Of Swing come to the region later this month with their show celebrating the greatest hits from the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Bobby Darin.
The show began at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom in 2003, and proved so popular that it went on to tour the country.
One of the stars of the show, Tony Benedict, said: “Big band is wonderful music, and the show is packed full of all those songs that we all know and love.
“The Ballroom was just a great place to start, and we were surprised by how well it was received.
“This kind of music is timeless, and there’s still a lot of people who were around when the likes of Frank Sinatra were, but the genre has also been given a revival lately, with people like Robbie Williams and Michael Bublé, so it’s reached a whole new audience – there’s always a real cross-section of people at the shows.
“Everyone knows the songs.”
The live concert, with Tony and two other singers, features famous songs like Mack The Knife, Fly Me To The Moon, I Get A Kick Out Of You, and New York, New York.
Tony said: “I think my love of swing music began when I first heard Nat King Cole’s voice.
“I can just remember thinking that was something else. And I come from a family that love to sing, and everyone had a different party piece, but we’d all get up and do a song.
“I’m a huge fan of Bobby Darin – he was someone who could do it all. He had a 17-year career and sang every genre of music there was.
“I love doing his songs, they’re always my favourite to sing. But we’ve got a few more recent songs in there as well, like Pencil Full Of Lead by Paolo Nutini.
“It took me a while to get my head round those lyrics, but it’s a great song to perform.
“I’m really looking forward to bringing the show to Sunderland because audiences up north are always really up for a good time, and it makes our job so much more enjoyable when we’re going out there, knowing that everyone is up for it.”
The Kings Of Swing are at the Sunderland Empire on Friday, February 24, from 7.30pm.
Tickets start at £20.50. Call 0844 871 3022 or go to www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland
* We’ve got two pairs of tickets to give away for The Kings Of Swing. To be in with a chance of winning, tell us who inspired Tony’s love of swing music.
Send your answers to: Kings Of Swing Competition, c/o Vicki Newman, Kings Of Swing, Shields Gazette, Chapter Row, South Shields, NE33 1BL.
Twitter: @ShieldsGazVicki
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Monday 21 May 2012
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