Down For The Count – Swing That Music
Sutton Coldfield Town Hall
Friday 24th January
By Nigel Gambles
Photography – Nigel Gambles (WOISC)
After wowing audiences at Concerts In The Park in 2018, Down For The Count made a triumphant return to Sutton Coldfield performing to a sold out house at the Town Hall on Friday night promoting their latest album “Swing That Music”.
The show promised to evoke the atmosphere of the ballrooms and jazz clubs of the swing era, and that they certainly did!
The evening commenced with a taster swing dance lesson provided by “The Swing Era”, Birminghams hottest swing dance school, we were told we need no partner or experience just enthusiasm. I thought a few people might get up and join in how mistaken was I, the dance floor was full of potential “lindy-hoppers” yours truly excused for having two left feet and no rhythm according to Mrs G. After about half an hour of some very good dancing it was time for the band to take centre stage.
Opening with the title track to their new album “Swing That Music” the show continued with classics from the likes of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Glenn Miller and many more. The band were joined for various numbers by vocalists, Hannah Castleman, Katie Birtill and Max Fagandini. Halfway through we were asked to clear the dance floor and make room for The Suzy Q’s Swing Eras all female dance troupe who performed a fabulous routine. After a short interval for everyone to catch their breath we were off again. I have to say this was one of the most enjoyable evenings I’ve had in a while. It was fantastic to see so many people embracing the period including their dress and simply joining in and dancing the night away.
The band grabbed the audience from the first note and kept them dancing right up to the encore.”
