About
SWING SINGER & JAZZ SINGER
Being the son of a late-50’s model & a singer/pianist father, with family members who’ve acted in films with Richard Burton, Peter Sellers, Michael Caine & David Niven – and the stunt director of the epic film ‘Zulu’ also in the family – meant a career in entertainment was a strong possibility for this London born swing singer. At around the age of five, Kevin first discovered ‘the American songbook’, swinging Pennies from Heaven accompanied by his father, whose constant renditions of Gershwin, Porter and Berlin were to leave an irreversible impression. By his early twenties, Kevin found himself in the company of and performing with other like-minded aficionados and their profound knowledge and musicianship helped forward his studies; they included the late American saxophonist Spike Robinson, John Critchinson (piano accompanist with Ronnie Scott at his eponymous Club), and bass player Lennie Bush – who sessioned with Frank Sinatra himself, on his album “Great Songs from Great Britain”. Kevin has performed as a swing singer at a huge variety of venues ranging from world-class hotels, corporate events, jazz clubs, product launches, regional theatres, stately homes, palaces & chateaux, museums, TV companies, TV ads, racecourses, airshow & a premiership football match, and his long list of high-end clients is impressive (see Clients/References pages). They include media giant NBC Universal for a private party, and Anschutz Entertainment Group, owners of the 02 Arena, for a private event to celebrate their acquisition of the venue; London & Indonesia launches for the prestigious brand Hermes-Paris & promotional events for the equally prestigious brand Louis Vuitton; he recreated Frank Sinatra’s original vocals in a TV advert with Hollywood movie star Naomi Wattsvocals; recorded a San Pellegrino ‘Dinner at Eight’ radio advertising campaign aired in the USA; Dean Martin-style vocals for a Thats Amore-style nationwide radio campaign & vocals for TV ad campaign for Price-Drop.tv. His TV performances include ITV’s Loose Women, E4’s Made In Chelsea, BBC’s Don’t Tell The Bride & SKY’s Wedding TV. He was chosen by Reel Art Press to perform at both the London and New York launches of the book The Rat Pack (written by bestselling U.S. author of Rat Pack Confidential Shawn Levy); been endorsed by Ken Barnes (last record producer of Johnny Mercer/Sinatra family representative in Europe/president of Sinatra Music Society) who reviewed him for Perfectly Frank magazine. Stars from the world of show business and sport who’ve booked him for their own private events include BBC Dragon’s Den star Peter Jones; wedding swing singer for actress and EastEnders star Samantha (Janus) Womack for her celebrity-studded wedding featured in OK! Magazine and the wedding of Radio 1 DJ and TV Presenter Matt Edmundson featured in Wedding Magazine; England/Liverpool footballer Glen Johnson for a charity dinner in aid of Make-A-Wish foundation; Yorkshire/England cricketer Anthony McGrath for his ‘Question Of Sport’ Charity Dinner (hosted by England cricketer/Strictly Come Dancing winner Darren Gough). Another highlight was performing for a V.I.P. private client who loved Sinatra (at The Ritz hotel) attended by H.R.H. The Prince Of Wales as well as royalty from all over Europe, and performing for President Obama’s right-hand man in London, US Ambassador Louis B Susman, a huge Sinatra fan. One regret was being unavailable when asked to perform with Dean Martin’s daughter Deana Martin in her touring UK show about the life of her father. All private performances at your event, wedding or party will be delivered effortlessly and with bona fide presence. He can be booked as a singer for any type/size of event and with any backing from piano to orchestra or solo – and when solo only uses the highest quality live recordings of American big band singer arrangements.
As well as supplying the private entertainment on this site at countless weddings, parties & corporate events all over the UK, Kevin has a separate, public career on the UK jazz scene. Performing his own brand of fresh-sounding vocal improvisations to jazz standards, own jazz arrangements of iconic pop/soul tunes & jazz originals (including some co-written with Jools Holland sax star Derek Nash) has garnered his renowned musicians critical acclaim and fans far and wide. With performances at prestigious jazz venues like Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, The 606 Jazz Club, Pizza Express Jazz Club, jazz festival appearances including at one of Europe’s most prestigious (the EFG London Jazz Festival), releasing two critically acclaimed jazz albums that received airplay on BBC Radio and jazz stations and having a live concert broadcast on JAZZ FM. Find out more including live dates his own website: www.jazzwurx.co.uk
Swing Singer (Swing Singers for hire for events)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUxr2pZC-E0[/youtube]
London & Essex based Swing Singer for weddings whose top-drawer live vocal performances and natural ability to swing a song have made him one of the most popular Wedding Swing Singers /Michael Buble Wedding Singers (click to to hear live demos) throughout the UK & abroad. To enquire about hiring for your wedding or event – either as solo Swing Wedding Singer/Big Band Singer or with Rat Pack Wedding Band or Wedding Swing/Jazz Band – go to Contact Page or telephone Avril directly on 01702 219501/ 07905 169764.
