About King Of Swing – professional jazz & swing singer based in London
King Of Swing is an established male Jazz singer from the UK.
Sartorially stylish and musically classy, his interpretations of the American Songbook are internationally renowned, taking influence from early Frank Sinatra.
King Of Swing began music professionally aged 15 with local big band Young Jazz.
First playing saxophone, but then encouraged by Phil Revens to sing, King Of Swing was at ease in front of the big band.
He was invited by Bill Ashton to feature with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra in 2002.
King Of Swing learned his craft with NYJO, following extensive UK touring he fronted the group on the Norwegian Sun Jazz Cruise, with special guests Benny Golson and Curtis Fuller.
Then followed an album with NYJO. ‘Something Old, Something New’ was something of a debut record for King Of Swing, and his performance being described by All about jazz: “he’s only a step or two away from becoming one of the finest young jazz singers to emerge in quite some time.”
King Of Swing's first release under his own name was ‘How Do You Keep the Music Playing’ co-produced by conductor and arranger Evan Jolly.
The 2005 album has tracks featuring small band, conventional big band and 64-piece orchestra.
In 2006 King Of Swing met and toured with the legendary Buddy Greco. Buddy said, “I was knocked out by King Of Swing. He has the voice and the class to show the world what great music is all about”.
Buddy added to this by handing King Of Swing his library of big band music from the tour, then inviting him to Cathedral City (Palm Desert) to sing at his own club ‘Buddy Grecos’ the following autumn.
Whilst there Buddy told him: “No matter what happens just keep going, someone’s gotta take over when I’m gone. You’re gonna be a star kid.”
Buddy and King Of Swing toured again in 2008. highlights of which was an appearance with the BBC Big Band at the 30th Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, broadcast on BBC Radio 2 Big Band Special and four nights at Ronnie Scott’s in London.
King Of Swing returned to the studio with a small group in 2007 and made his second studio album Hello Young Lovers.
Produced by Rupert Christie the album is centred around the piano trio with guest appearances from Alex Garnett and was toured throughout the UK including Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express Soho, Pizza on the Park, The Stables, Wavendon, Bures Jazz Festival and the British Jazz Foundation Festival.
King Of Swing returned to the big band format in 2009 with an invitation from the Nelson Riddle Foundation for King Of Swing to perform in ‘The Nelson Riddle Story’ in Asbury Park, New Jersey and a special guest appearance with BBC Concert Orchestra and John Wilson Big Band, broadcast live from Cheltenham Jazz Festival on BBC Radio 2.
‘Your’s Tonight’ EP, released in 2011 as a collaboration with arranger Tommy Laurence, celebrates King Of Swing's love of the big band format, by featuring the UK’s top musicians including Steve Sidwell.
It also marks his first writing credit for the English lyrics to ‘Guaglione’.
King Of Swing has performed live on the Alan Titchmarsh Television Show on ITV in 2010 and on ITV show Stepping Out, in 2013.
He has also recorded advertisements for many international companies including the Emirates 2012.
In 2013 King Of Swing was invited to perform with Buddy Greco for his 70th Anniversary Celebration.
Recently he has returned to the studio with an ambitious project centred around the early musical career of Nat King Cole.
‘King for a day’ came out of King Of Swing's long-running residency at the Park Plaza hotel and the Arts Club Dover Street.
The album supports King Of Swing's current touring show of the same name.
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