aaamusic | On 04, Feb 2011

With just 1 week to go until CMP Entertainment’s dazzling big band extravaganza SIMPLY BIG BAND jives into Cardiff, Cambridge and Sheffield, producers are delighted to announce that acclaimed vocalist Iain Mackenzie will join the cast to compére the show.

Iain Mackenzie has a plethora of celebrity fans including actor Kevin Spacey, who exclaimed ‘this guy is the real deal.’

In addition to being principle vocalist for Ronnie Scott’s jazz orchestra, Iain has received rave reviews for his performances at legendary venues worldwide, including The Royal Albert Hall, The Berlin Jazz Festival and The Burj Al Arab in Dubai, with London Jazz commenting ‘his dynamic voice that has a solid masculine snap that truly whips the band into the groove’. Iain has most recently been touring as guest singer on Strictly Come Dancing spin-off show, Brendan Cole – Live and unjudged.

Iain said: ‘’I’m really excited to be coming on board as compére for this new show. It’s a rare treat to be able to perform with such a large ensemble of fantastic musicians and in a show which also incorporates great costumes and dance routines – just like they did it in the old days!’

From the raging razzmatazz of Harlem’s Cotton Club in the 20s, the halcyon post-war days of swing and Sinatra’s bobby-sox girls – to the glamorous glitz of Las Vegas in the swinging 60s, SIMPLY BIG BAND takes the audience back to a time when music meant magical songs, larger-than-life performers and legendary venues.

Jive, Salsa, Lindy Hop, Tap and Foxtrot along in the aisles as the electrifying 26-piece orchestra perform spine-tingling renditions of some of the most memorable music in history including ‘It Don’t Mean A Thing’, ‘Let’s Face the Music, ‘Sing Sing Sing’ ‘Cry me a River; and ‘Let the Good Times Roll’, accompanied by a troupe of stunning dancers and guest singers.

SIMPLY BIG BAND is the show that puts the ‘show’ into showbiz and will have you clicking your fingers from the first beat, bopping in your seat by the interval and dancing in the aisles by the final encore.

With just a few tickets remaining, make sure you don’t miss your chance to catch this glittering celebration of Big Band; it’s the perfect night out for all of the family. Come along and strut your stuff dressed up in your favourite vintage finery and experience the evening as if you were in an old American Music Hall. Don your biggest Circle Skirt and Petticoat, best Prom Dress, frilliest Rockabilly Frock or your Zoot Suit, Dickie Bow and Spats and then add your photos to our Simply Big Band facebook page.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS

Cambridge – Corn Exchange

Sat 12 February 2011, 7.30pm

Tickets: £22.50, £26.00, £28.50

NEW Groups of 10+ – Tickets; £15

How to Book: In person at the Corn Exchange box office 3 Parsons Court, Wheeler Street,
Cambridge, CB2 3QE. Alternatively; call 01223 357 851 or click www.cornex.co.uk

Cardiff – St David’s Hall

Sun 13 February 2011, 8pm

Tickets: £24.50, £26.50 & £28.50

NEW Groups of 10+ – Tickets; £15

How to Book: In person at the St David’s Hall box office The Hayes, Cardiff, CF10 1SH. Alternatively, call 0292 087 8444 or click www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

Sheffield – City Hall

Sat 26 February 2011, 7.30pm

Tickets:  £24.50 & £28.50

NEW Groups of 10+ – Tickets; £15

How to Book: In person at the City Hall box office Barkers Pool, Sheffield, S1 2JA. Alternatively; call 0114 2789 789 or clickwww.sheffieldcityhall.co.uk