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Kings of Swing is a two-hour dynamic Swing and Las Vegas review saluting the stars of the Big Band Era. The show features the music of kings of swing: Frank Sinatra, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey, the Andrew Sisters, The Pied Pipers and others.
This musical showcase has a cast of 24 performers and is headlined by the 14-member orchestra who entertain with show-stopping group and solo numbers, instrumental as well as vocals. (five show dancers can be added if desired.)
This fast-paced stage show features VILI VERHOVSEK singing Frank Sinatra’s greatest hits; Canada’s best Big Band vocalist ROBIN LEA; vocals by the three sisters of swing THE MOONGLOWS; plus high-steppin’ and splashy dance numbers by the THE STARDUST DANCERS.
The Kings of Swing Big Band Show salutes the memorable music of the 40s (including Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Artie Shaw). Through music and anecdotes, the show follows the career of Frank Sinatra from his Big Band beginnings to his superstar Las Vegas years.
Kings of Swing has been a huge box office success for numerous theatres in southern Ontario. The production has received rave reviews and has a proven sales record.
The show has been featured in such venues as the Winter Garden Theatre; Kitchener’s Centre in the Square; the Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts, Kingston’s Grand Theatre and has been invited to return to the 2000-seat ArtPark Theatre in Lewiston, New York to open their 2004-2005 season.
THE GALAXY ALL-STAR ORCHESTRA
The Galaxy All-Star Orchestra has performed together since early 1998. This highly acclaimed 14-member unit has in its ranks some of Canada’s finest musicians who are each ‘stars’ in their own right. They present a well-rehearsed showcase that displays outstanding musicianship in both group and in front-and-center. solo performances…instrumental as well as vocal. Stalwarts such as jazz great Russ Little, trombonist Laurie Bower (a founding member of the Spitfire Band), Dan Bone, Steve Crow (touted as one of the best young trumpet players around) and Jason Logue are examples of the high calibre of performer that is in this popular band. The Galaxy All-Star Orchestra headlines the new music review Fabulous Crooners scheduled to premiere in the fall of 2003.
Since 1999 the Galaxy All-Stars have fronted the popular Kings of Swing Big Band Show which has appeared in such theatres as the Elgin Winter Garden Theatre, St Lawrence Centre for the Performing Arts, Ford Centre for the Arts, the Living Arts Centre, Brantford’s Sanderson Centre, Brockville Centre for the Arts, Oakville Centre for the Arts, Grand Theatre Kingston, Capitol Theatre North Bay, Heritage Theatre in Brampton and have up-coming dates in Brock University, Leacock Theatre in Keswick and numerous other venues including Art Park in Lewiston, N.Y..
Eddie Graf - Alto Sax, Clarinet (Music Director)
Laurie Bower - Trombone
Dan Bone - Tenor Sax, Clarinet, Flute
Russ Little - Trombone
Kurt Lund - Alto Sax, Clarinet, Flute
Dan Douglas - Trombone
Lennie Graf - Tenor Sax, Clarinet, Flute
Gary Binstead - Bass
Steve Crowe - Trumpet
Jessie Barksdale - Guitar
Jason Logue - Trumpet
Jay Alter - Drums
Johnny Liddle - Trumpet
Ross Wooldridge - Piano, Clarinet (Music Director)
Eddie Graf (Music Director)
A respected musician (clarinet, alto and soprano saxophone), Eddy Graf is Canada’s most acclaimed Big Band arranger and composer. Every Big Band across Canada is bound to have at least one of his arrangements in their repertoire. A popular bandleader, he has performed with international stars such as Victor Borge, Jack Jones, Gordie Tapp, Dinah Shore, Catherine MacKinnon, Jerry Vale and countless others. He has arranged music for Maureen Forrester, Dal Richards, Sharon, Lois and Bram, Mart Kenney, Dick Haymes, Henry Questa and for Frank Sinatra when he appeared in Toronto. Graf was chief arranger for the Juliette and Tommy Hunter series on CBC network television.
Ross Wooldridge (Music Director)
A phenomenal soloist, Ross Wooldridge not only plays piano, clarinet, flute and saxophone but also writes, arranges and composes. His original Big Band score for the highly acclaimed musical Orpheus in the Underworld was produced in 1995 for Sheridan College. He was also a member of the award-winning Canadian band Mad About Plaid winner of the grand prize for Star Search (1990) in Los Angeles. Wooldridge has performed with a number of famous artists including Ben E. King, The Drifters, Jeff Healy and currently he leads his own jazz group the Dixie Demons.. He astounds audiences with skilful clarinet solos performances reminiscent of Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw. Wooldridge has been honoured by his peers by being nominated in the Best Clarinettist category in the 2003 and 2004 National Jazz Awards.
Kings of Swing is produced by award-winning Diamond Entertainment Inc. For more information please call us at 416-861-0288.
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