Sixteen Men Swinging
Well, actually 18 Men and Women Playing Really Good Swing Tunes, but it’s not as snappy! And as we’ve been around since 1968 playing at venues across the Fylde and further under that name (which you may recognise as a track from Count Basie’s 1954 album on Clef records, “Dance Session Album No. 2”), we’re sticking with it. We’ll always put a couple of Basie tunes into our setlist in respect to our founder, Peter Gleave, who was a big fan.
Our set will cover a wide range of music from film, TV and the charts – on top of all the swing! Our own Wiganer Mark Prescott drives the band on from his drumstool, alongside the tightest of rhythm sections. Our trumpets are ably led by Steve Bowsley, a king of improvisation, and the bones by Chris Mawdsley. The saxes are held together by Jacob McPhillimy-Lovelock on the mighty baritone and Molly Mclellan on 1st alto, and we’ll also be featuring our wonderful singer, Lynn Francis, covering Peggy Lee and Billie Holiday amongst others.