Down for the Count Orchestra’s Swing Into Christmas concert took us back to the 1950s.
Outside, it was cold and very wet, but inside we were we bathed in the warm glow of thirty musicians who were clearly enjoying themselves.
It is rare these days to listen to a full orchestra outside a major classical concert series. Yet here we were, the stage full of strings, rhythm, wind and percussion, all delighted to be swinging.
A full band accompanied by a full string section was a feature of the Swing Era, when Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole walked on to packed stages. Mike Paul-Smith, conductor, musical director and pianist, has gone back to original orchestrations by people such as Nelson Riddle, Billy May and Tommy Dorsey, recreating the rich history of swing in Down for the Count Orchestra’s Swing into Christmas concert. Downbeat magazine described their sound as a ‘sonic ride back to the sounds of Capitol Studios in the 1950s.’
Alongside a wonderful selection of instrumentalists, there were great vocalists. Marvin Muoneké delivered a rich bass-baritone in the tradition of the great crooners. In this show, he paid homage to Sammy Davies Junior, who we were reminded was born a hundred years ago. Saara Kaldma, originally from Estonia, and Lydia Bell, provided female vocals. Both have clear voices with great phrasing. When all three took to the stage for some songs, we were in for a real treat.
The concert was not all about Christmas, but there was a good smattering to bring seasonal cheer. A medley of Christmas tunes opened the second set, including many well-known melodies. A few Christmas crowd pleasers appeared elsewhere, but there were also some more unusual Christmas songs revived. These included Hawaiian Christmas and Louis Armstrong’s ‘Zat you Santa Claus?’ The comic song asks Santa to just slip presents under the door, delivered with gusto by Marvin Muoneké.
Not every composition required every instrument throughout, but everyone seemed constantly engaged. There was a wide range of percussion. During a Mambo, the strings picked up maracas instead of their bows. There was even a large set of tubular bells, employed during a unique rendition of Get Me to the Church on Time.
The show was great value for money. There thirty performers to entertain us and each set was over an hour long. This was also an orchestra who engaged with their audience. Audience participation was well organised, including the lively Mambo and some scat singing. During the interval, audience members were welcome to make requests for the second set, visit the merch stall (hosted by a variety of musicians) and sign up to a newsletter, with the chance of winning free tickets to a future concert.
Some of the suggested tunes were played, although Metallica was rejected, with Mike Paul-Smith’s usual bonhomie. Yorkshire-based Jordan Earnshaw, lead of the string section, successfully requested a composition for her mother, who was in the audience. There was, of course, an encore. All I want for Christmas and New York New York continued with the great combination of Christmas celebration and swing classics.
Down for the Count also performs with smaller line ups. Not everywhere has space for a full orchestra. The Down for the Count All Stars, a ten-piece band, will be performing at Leeds City Varieties on Friday 30th January. The exuberance of these musicians is likely to be even greater when their numbers are fewer.
Book your tickets now if you want to see a unique performance by great musicians delivering classic music by Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Glenn Miller, Nat King Cole and, of course, Count Basie. These are musicians that make these classics their own, with original arrangement by Mike Paul-Smith, staying true to their roots but with a modern sound.
Book now for Swing That Music: Down for the Count All-stars
Friday 30th January at Leeds City Varieties
https://leedsheritagetheatres.com/whats-on/swing-that-music-2026
