Big news…
Those of you who have been following the band for some time will have seen how, over the past few years, we’ve been picking up momentum, with more and more gigs and many other exciting developments.
Fifteen years ago, when Joe started running the band, we had two holiday camp weekends, a Warner break and a dozen-or-so club gigs. It was always his ambition to get us back to the band’s heyday from when Len was in charge. Even Joe didn’t foresee quite how amazing things would turn out. Now we’re playing in the region of fifty gigs each year including dates at the Royal Albert Hall, TV programmes, recordings and overseas bookings. Not only are we busy but the quality of our musicians and arrangements mean that we can honestly say we’re now the best band in Britain.
Like any business that expands, there comes a point at which some re-structuring is necessary. Joe’s days are no longer than anyone else’s and he’s now completely at capacity; if we’re to continue to grow and to pursue the many amazing avenues that are open to us, we’re going to need help!
So we come to the great news itself: We’re delighted to say that two of the most talented musicians and experienced people in the industry, who crucially share my passion for big band music, have agreed to come on board in managerial roles within the LP Swing Orchestra. From the end of the year, the amazing Georgina Jackson and Mike Feltham will be joining Joe as directors of the organisation.
No doubt most of you will know Georgina; an international soloist and award-winning trumpet player and vocalist, she has appeared many times with us as well as the BBC Big Band, BBC Concert Orchestra and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra. Mike will be a familiar face to many of you. He is one of the country’s most respected trombonists and a regular deputy in our own trombone section. He is a regular in West End orchestra pits and has worked with all the major big bands in the UK.
Mike will be handling much of the behind-the-scenes work whilst Georgina will be sharing band-leading duties with Joe. Most importantly, with three of them on the case, we’re thrilled at the prospects of what we can achieve in our crusade to put big band and swing music back on the map in Britain and beyond!
On behalf of the three of them, thanks for all your support. It’s this that has built the LP Swing Orchestra into what it is today. Watch this space for great things to come!
