The LP Swing Orchestra will soon be appearing on Sky Arts (Freeview Channel 11) performing their ‘100 Years of Big Bands’ set which was filmed at Cadogan Hall at the end of last summer.

Tracing the history of Jazz from Louis Armstrong’s New Orleans, the orchestra celebrates a century of Swing. From the golden age of Basie, Miller, Ellington, Goodman and Ted Heath, through to current artists Harry Connick Jr and Michael Bublé. They pay tribute to legends Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald along the way.

The eighteen strong outfit features the cream of British Jazz musicians as well as two of the country’s top jazz vocalists, Matt Ford* and Nicola Emmanuelle.* The orchestra is led by the charismatic Joe Pettitt, a talented multi instrumentalist as well as an inspirational conductor.

Matt Ford’s debut in Los Angeles saw him performing alongside Seth McFarlane. He has been voted Best UK Big Band Vocalist. Other performances have included Hampton Court, Cheltenham and Aldeburgh, 6 BBC Proms with the John Wilson Orchestra and many appearances on BBC Radio 2’s Friday Night Is Music Night.

Nicola Emmanuelle has been described by Time Out Magazine as ‘The Real Deal……a charismatic, charming performer’. Nicola recently completed a run in the West End in the cast of The Rat Pack in which she played the role of Ella Fitzgerald.

Watch The LP Swing Orchestra on Sky Arts on 20th and 27th May at 7pm.