Swing Machine Jazz Orchestra
Edward's Big Band
SMJO is an 18 piece Jazz Orchestra that draws together some of the finest musicians in the country to form one of the South West's leading professional Big Bands.
Swing Machine Jazz Orchestra brings together some of the South West's finest jazz musicians under the
leadership of South West based saxophonist Edward Leaker.
The band’s repertoire consists of big band favourites as played by the likes of Count Basie, Duke Ellington,
Thad Jones, Buddy Rich and Sammy Nestico as well modern pop arrangements and latin jazz that will get you
dancing in the aisles!
Edward’s original concept for the band was to form a professional big band that would display the talents of
the many excellent jazz musicians in the South West whilst performing classic and modern big band music to
the highest level. So far the audience response has been staggering with a string of sell out concerts to their
name.
The band members collective experience is truly exceptional. Between them they have played for some of
the top musical groups in the country including: Piccadilly Dance Orchestra, Strictly Come Dancing Live
band, NYJO, BBC Big Band, LSO, RPO, Syd Lawrence Orchestra and literally hundreds of smaller bands.
Each member is an established player of note based in the West Country today.
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NEXT PUBLIC CONCERTS:
Saturday 3rd March 2012
SWING MACHINE BIG BAND
with vocalist Heather Wensley
Taunton School Arts Centre, Taunton, Somerset
Tickets: £15 Adults / £12 Concessions(OAP/under18)
Tickets from Taunton School Box Office: 01823 703111
Saturday 18th June 2012
SWING MACHINE BIG BAND
with vocalist Heather Wensley
Dillington House, Ilminster
Tickets: £16 (£8under 18's)
Tickets from Dillington House Box Office: 01460 258613
If you would like us to let you know about future events, please click HERE to join the mailing list.
BAND MEMBERS
Swing Machine Big Band has featured the following musicians:
Saxophones: Edward Leaker, Andy Tweed, Karen Street, Jamie Phippen, Lisa Tregale, Jake McMurchie, Chris Caldwell
Trumpets: Jonny Bruce, Nick Malcolm, Graham Hutton, Paul Denegri, Andy Hague, Andy Champion
Trombones: Jon Hopes, Terry Kelly, Andy Fawbert, Keith Thomas, Bob Martin, Luke Gilbert
Piano: Colin Mitchell, Ruth Hammond, Paul Buck
Bass: Al Swainger
Guitar: Neil Burns
Drums: Mark Whitlam
Vocals: Heather Wensley
Swing Machine Jazz Orchestra are available for all types of private and corporate functions as well as concerts and festivals.
TESTIMONIALS
Here are some lovely comments that were emailed to me from audience members after our last gig:
"Ed! Just wanted to tell you asap that tonight's concert was totally tremendous, so glad we made it, Basie and Ellington eat your heart out!! Great bunch of musos, great arrangements and a truly unique experience, where today could you go to hear 16 great players and the glorious talent that is Heather? Nowhere! Very special, the folks next to us had been before and thought this was even better...."
"It was very satisfying to hear a west country based big band that is as good as any of the big name touring bands we see on the circuit... I have to congratulate you on your leadership. I hope that you won't think this as patronising, but to firstly want to take on such responsibility at a comparatively young age speaks a great deal about you. You obviously command the respect of all your musicians and your gentle and appropriate sense of humour makes a comfortable bridge between band and audience. Not all band leader have that quality...."
"Fantastic performance tonight. We loved it all..."
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