The Swingle Singers present 'Beauty and the Beatbox'
The Swingle Singers
featuring special guest artist Shlomo
The Swingle Singers present Beauty and the Beatbox - a very special performance to launch their brand new album, released in September. They will be joined by special guest Shlomo, one of the world's leading beatboxers, as they da-va-da-va-da, hip-hop, do-wap and beatbox their way through the music of Beethoven ('A Fifth of Beethoven'), Ravel ('Bolero'), Starksy and Hutch ('Gotcha'), Chick Corea ('Spain'), Purcell ('Dido's Lament'), Bach ('Badinerie - revisited'), and a whole lot more! "the Swingle Singers were never less than dazzling" - Washington Post
The Swingle Singers are an international 'a cappella' phenomenon. Originally formed by American Ward Swingle in the 1960s’ heyday of swung Baroque (their groundbreaking debut album ‘Jazz Sebastien Bach’ in 1963 won the first of the group’s Grammy Awards), the current group has transformed into a contemporary vocal ensemble whose repertoire and influences encompass classical, jazz, latin, pop, rock, and most recently, beatboxing. ‘Swingle Singing’ has now come to represent the Swingle Singers’ unmistakable sound; incredible vocal virtuosity, blend and agility; the intimate, close-microphone technique; the quasi-instrumental sound; and the high-level of entertainment the shows always bring to their audiences across the globe. This year the group celebrate the 80th birthday of their founder, Ward Swingle, who may also be popping in tonight...
Making a special guest appearance will be Shlomo, a great friend of the group, talented musician and awe-inspiring beatboxer. After inviting him to join us for our London Jazz Festival appearance at the Vortex Jazz Club in 2006, we knew that we had to collaborate with him again. Developing the idea of the Swingle Singers being a human loop-station, Shlomo called on us to create the UK's first beatbox choir: a mixed force of singers and beatboxers, all influencing and learning from each other, and blurring the boundary between singing and beatboxing.
The world's first 'Vocal Orchestra' (the Swingle Singers & 5 beatboxers) premiered at the 2007 Human Beatbox Convention at London's Southbank Centre, and have since also performed together at the Big Chill.
Tickets £20, (£15 concessions)
