Connect your Spotify account to your Last.fm account and scrobble everything you listen to, from any Spotify app on any device or platform. [2] He later hired members who debuted as Swingle II with its initial emphasis moved from classical music to a cappella arrangements of madrigals and then on to other styles. The Swingle Singers comes from France and was born in 1962. Improved in 24 Hours. An early hit for the group was Bach's "Air on the G String", recorded with the Modern Jazz Quartet; it has been used as the theme tune to a popular Italian TV Show, Superquark,[7] as well as the Swedish Children's program, Beppes godnattstund, hosted by Beppe Wolgers. The most current incarnation of the group is once again called The Swingle Singers. Since then, they have won five Grammy® awards and made more than 50 recordings, with a repertoire that has grown to include a huge variety of music, including new original songs. In 1973, the original French group disbanded and Ward Swingle moved to London and recruited all new members who debuted as Swingle II. The Swingle Singers were active in classical music. The Swingle Singers is one of the most unique modern vocal groups, known for innovative, jazz-inflected performances of everything from Bach keyboard works to songs of the Beatles. Swingle subsequently applied the scat singing idea to the works of Johann Sebastian Bach. The Swingle Singers have performed all across the UK, America, Asia, and virtually every country in Europe, have released over 50 recordings, and have won five Grammy Awards. The latest lineup of young and talented voices represents the group's transformation from pioneering classical/jazz crossover artists to contemporary vocal super-group. The group's music has a trademark sound and is used frequently on television (The West Wing, Sex and the City, Miami Vice, Glee),[10] in movies (Bach's Fugue in G Minor (BWV 578) in Thank You for Smoking, Mozart's "Horn Concerto No. As individual members have left the group, remaining members have held auditions for replacements. English Articles. Christiane Legrand, sister of Michel Legrand, was the original lead soprano with the group. Find out more about The Swingle Singers tour dates & tickets 2020-2021. The eight session singers sang through Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier as a sight-reading exercise and found the music to have a natural swing. Want to see The Swingle Singers in concert? The Swingle Singers produce covers ranging from pop songs (Björk, Annie Lennox and the Beatles) to classical music (Bach, Mozart) to Contemporary Music (Luciano Berio, Pascal Zavaro and Azio Corghi). Aliases The Swingles feat. Former Members: Ward Swingle, Jonathan Rathbone, Ben Parry, Clare Wheeler, Jes Sadler, Tobias Hug, Christiane Legrand It is hard to comprehend that it all began as an exercise in sight-reading, to alleviate the monotony of sixties backing vocals. Their arrangements are often informed by jazz harmonies and stylings. Perrin wrote intricate French lyrics for all of the compositions and the recorded solos. Discover all The Swingle Singers's music connections, watch videos, listen to music, discuss and download. The group replaced Swingle's earlier "Swingle Singers", formed in 1962 in Paris, France with Anne Germain, Claude Germain, Jeanette Baucomont, Christiane Legrand, Claudine Meunier, Jean-Claude Briodin, and Jean Cussac. ‎The Swingle Singers is one of the most unique modern vocal groups, known for innovative, jazz-inflected performances of everything from Bach keyboard works to songs of the Beatles. Live Statistics. In 2005, their recording of Bach's Prelude in F Minor was incorporated into the hit single "They", by Jem Griffiths; the piece was also used in the 2006 film The Gigolos. History of The Swingle SingersThe Swingle Singers were a vocal group originally founded in Paris, France in 1962 and comprised of Ward Swingle, Anne Germain, Jeanette Baucomont, and Jean Cussac. The Swingle Singers, currently based in London, are an international a cappella phenomenon whose history dates back to 1962. The Swingle Singers Biography by John Bush + Follow Artist. Originally a French vocal group, founded in 1962 by Ward Swingle, specialized in singing classical songs with a capella/jazz arrangement.They were very popular in the USA, and won 3 Grammy Awards in 1964 and 1965. [2] The ensemble sang some jazz vocals for Michel Legrand. The original group disbanded in 1973 but has reformed several times since, using different names but continuing Ward Swingle's tradition of jazz-infused arrangements and extreme technical proficiency. [9] They also premiered Berio's A-Ronne in 1974, which they later recorded. By the time of their 1963 album debut, the group comprised eight voices -- Swingle, Christiane Legrand (sister of Michel), Jean-Claude Briodin, Anne Germain, Claude Germaine, Jean Cussac, Claudine Meunier and Jeanette Baucomont. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Swingle_Singers&oldid=994276869, Articles with dead external links from September 2019, Articles needing additional references from February 2011, All articles needing additional references, Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz identifiers, Wikipedia articles with SUDOC identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. The Swingel Singers official site: http://www.swinglesingers.com. ‎The Swingle Singers on Apple Music The Swingle Singers is one of the most unique modern vocal groups, known for innovative, jazz-inflected performances of everything from Bach keyboard works to songs of the Beatles. The Swingle Singers, formed in Paris in 1962, were known primarily for taking classical works and rearranging them with jazz rhythms and harmonies, sung a cappella or with double bass and drums. Ward Swingle continued as a performer in the group until retiring to the United States in 1984 and taking the role of "musical adviser" to the Swingles until his death in 2015.[6]. Ward Swingle, a native Mobilian who founded the Grammy-winning, internationally renowned singing group The Swingle Singers, has died at 87, according to friends and family members. [8] Luciano Berio wrote his postmodern symphony Sinfonia for eight voices and orchestra in 1968 with the Swingle Singers in mind (appearing on the original premiere recording with the New York Philharmonic). The Swingle Singers were a vocal group originally founded in Paris, France in 1962 and comprised of Ward Swingle, Anne Germain, Jeanette Baucomont, and Jean Cussac. The London group sang with French pop star Étienne Daho on his songs "Timide intimité" and "Soudain" from his 1996 album Eden, and with the Style Council on their song "The Story of Someone's Shoe" from the 1988 album Confessions of a Pop Group. The King's Singers is a group of singers, known for their skill in acappella song. [15], In September 2014, the French blog Dans l'ombre des studios published Swingle Singers' Pavane for a Dead Princess (Maurice Ravel), a previously unreleased 1967 recording. The group, directed primarily by the eponymous Ward Swingle and accompanied by bass and drums, produced complicated, technically impressive covers of anything from modern classics (The Beatles) to classical music (Tchaikovsky, Beethoven) to opera (Rossini). In February 2020, the current members are: In September 2011, Lucy Bailey (alto) left the group and the Swingle Singers announced the decision not to replace her, but to continue as a seven-person line-up. Моцарта Исполняет Ансамбль … The group formed from members of the Blue Stars, a jazz ensemble under the direction of Blossom Dearie. Former Members: Ward Swingle, Jonathan Rathbone, Ben Parry, Clare Wheeler, Jes Sadler, Tobias Hug, Christiane Legrand There are few music lovers who haven't heard the name the Swingle Singers. Since Ward Swingle started the second group, it has never disbanded. They recorded their first album Jazz Sébastien Bach as a present for friends and relatives. Until 2011, the group consisted of eight voices: two sopranos, two altos, two tenors and two basses. Quite the same Wikipedia. Available with an Apple Music subscription. In 1962 the Swingle Singers, a mostly a cappella vocal group based in Paris, set the music world on its ear with their jazzed-up, be-bop arrangements of Bach's instrumental works. Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. [16], Ward Swingle, who formed the group, died at the age of 87 on 19 January 2015. As of 2010, The Swingle Singers are comprised of:- Joanna Goldsmith-Eteson (soprano, UK)- Sara Brimer (soprano, US)- Clare Wheeler (alto, UK)- Lucy Bailey (alto, UK)- Richard Eteson* (tenor, UK)- Christopher Jay (tenor, UK)- Kevin Fox (baritone, Canada)- Tobias Hug (bass, Germany). The Swingle Singers Concert of 23 March 2014 in Moscow International House of Music The Swingle Singers are curators of the London A Cappella Festival, based at Kings Place.[2]. The group continues to this day with a turnover of new members: over 50 singers have been a Swingle at one time or another. Added in 24 Hours. They appeared several times on the BBC Television sketch show The Two Ronnies in the early 1970s.[2]. Other influences included Nat King Cole, various smooth singers and pianists. [2], Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Ward Swingle, musician who made Bach swing, dies at 87", "Symphony guide: Luciano Berio's Sinfonia", "André Hodeir, musicien, compositeur, écrivain, théoricien du jazz", "Der Kirchzartener Musiker Tobias Hug ist tot", "Unreleased recording: "Pavane for a dead Princess" (Ravel) by The Swingle Singers (1967)", Jazz Sébastien Bach / Bach's Greatest Hits, Sounds of Spain: Concerto d'Aranjuez / Spanish Masters, Jazz Sébastien Bach, Vol. The band members are Christiane Legrand, Alice Herald, Ward Swingle, Anne Germain, Claudine Meunier and Claude Germain. Feel free to contribute! He continued working internationally as a teacher, conductor, singer and beatboxer after studying a Masters Degree in Rhythmic Choir Conducting and Vocal Leadership – a unique course only taught at the Royal Conservatory of Aarhus & Aalborg. Nominees: Vikki Carr, John Gary, The J's with Jamie, and Trini Lopez Formed by Ward Swingle in Paris, the Swingle Singers was comprised of French session artists who joined to perform jazz vocals. Leave feedback. The New Swingle Singers, as they are now known, have ventured into different areas with great success. Billie Holiday [sampled] Years active since 1962 Country France Comments Easy-listening a cappella group that blended Bach with jazz rhythms, formed in Paris by Ward Swingle.Mostly dabbling in classical music, they have continued with various new members to this day. Anyone for Mozart, Bach, Handel, Vivaldi? The latter group came into being in 1959 at the instigation of Mimi Perrin, herself a singer with the Blue Stars, as was Christiane Legrand, who became one of … The resulting album, Jazz Sebastian Bach, launched the Swingle Singers to fame. Their name recalls King's College in Cambridge, England, where the group was formed by six choral scholars in 1968. Thank you for signing up to receive email updates from The Swingles! Let us know what you think of the Last.fm website. Tell us why you would like to improve the Swingle Singers musician page. Choral-tinged vocal group began as backing to French pop stars, became leading English language a cappella group. After 2 years of treatment for Oesophageal cancer, during which he founded the Black Forest Voices international acapella festival, Tobias died in his hometown of Kirchzarten in January of 2020 a few days after his 44th birthday. 4" in Wedding Crashers, Bach's "Prelude No.7 in E flat [The Well Tempered Clavier – Book 2 BWV 876]" in Milk). The current group performs primarily, but not exclusively, a cappella and over the decades has explored a wide range of styles, from show tunes to rock to avant garde to world folkloric music to straight ahead jazz to classical, including the entire repertoire of the original Swingle Singers. For example their interpretation of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture for one, is a masterpiece. [1], The French group, directed originally by Ward Swingle (who once belonged to Mimi Perrin's French vocal group Les Double Six),[2] began as session singers mainly doing background vocals for singers such as Charles Aznavour and Edith Piaf. Unfortunately there are no concert dates for The Swingle Singers scheduled in 2020. Languages. In 1959, he was a founding member of Les Double Six of Paris, which specialised in scat singing of jazz standards. [13][14], Tobias Hug departed the group in 2012. That year, as BFG or Black Forest Ghetto (referencing his place of birth), he went on to found The Beatbox Collective, a London based human beatbox group who went on to becoming World Champions in the group or 'crew' category at the 2015 Beatbox World Championships in Berlin, Germany. * Richard Eteson recently announced his departure from the group. A 'hit' for them was Bach's 'Air On The G String', recorded with the Modern Jazz Quartet. [10], On 1 November 2011, both Christiane Legrand and Swingles composer André Hodeir died. Ward Swingle, the founder of the Swingle Singers vocal group, died Jan. 19 in Eastbourne, England, of an unspecified cause. For over four decades, the unmistakable sound of "Swingle singing" has defined the art form: virtuosic vocal agility and blend demonstrated by their signature close-microphone technique, combined with high-level entertainment that has thrilled audiences around the globe. ... Past members: Ward Swingle… The Swingle Singers. Their arrangements are often infused with jazz harmonies and stylings. They also premiered Berio's A-Ronnein … Check out our new live session of this song with special guests The Ayoub Sisters! Ward Swingle continued actively with the group until 1985, and remained associated as musical advisor until his death in 2015. Find top songs and albums by The Swingle Singers, including Stchedrivka / Dag Visen / O Sanctissima, Christmas Medley and more. This is the original French group. Luciano Berio wrote his postmodern symphony Sinfonia for eight voices and orchestra with them in mind. The group formed from members of the Blue Stars, a jazz ensemble under the direction of Blossom Dearie. ведения В.А. An early hit for the group was Bach's "Air on the G String", recorded with the Modern Jazz Quartet; it has been used as the theme tune to a popular Italian TV Show, Superquark, as well as the Swedish Children's program, Beppes godnattstund, hosted by Beppe Wolgers. For the British group after 1973, see Swingle II and its aliases. All About Jazz musician pages are maintained by musicians, publicists and trusted members like you. Listen to music by The Swingle Singers on Apple Music. The group later performed and recorded under the name The Swingles and then, The New Swingle Singers then simply, The Swingle Singers. The group drew on various sources of inspiration, Ward Swingle having been successively a member of the Blue Stars and Double Six in Paris. Recently, the group began once again operating under the name The Swingles. Interested? Find information on all of The Swingle Singers’s upcoming concerts, tour dates and ticket information for 2020-2021. The Swingle Singers have attracted non-British singers for many years, and the current group has three members from outside the UK. Imogen Parry (alto, UK and daughter of former Swingle, This page was last edited on 14 December 2020, at 22:18. Their repertoire encompasses classical, jazz, Latin, pop and rock, all accompanied by their own vocal rhythm section. Many radio stations picked it up and this led to the group recording more albums and winning a total of five Grammy Awards. This concept was the foundation for The Swingle Singers, which became fully established by 1962. [5], The group performed and recorded under the name The Swingles, The New Swingle Singers, and The Swingle Singers before settling on The Swingles. The Swingle Singers. Sara Brimer hails from Tennessee, Kevin Fox is Canadian, and Tobias Hug comes from Germany. The Swingle Singers - Anthology has given me a wonderful addition to my collection of their work. Just better. Artist descriptions on Last.fm are editable by everyone. Recent. 2 / Back to Bach, Berio: Sinfonia (1968 w/New York Philharmonic), Madrigals / Love Songs for Madrigals and Madriguys. Swingle was 87. [2] They also recorded Ben Johnston's "Sonnets of Desolation" in 1984. All user-contributed text on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. A new version of Last.fm is available, to keep everything running smoothly, please reload the site. Let us know what you think of the Last.fm website. The first album was of Quincy Jones’ compositions, and Jones helped coach the group in the proper execution of his melodic lines. The Swingle Singers - Samples, Covers and Remixes on WhoSampled. Again, the group contained many future Swingle Singers, including Swingle, Legrand, Claude Germain and Jean-Claude Briodin. The group slimmed to a seven-piece following the departure of alto Lucy Bailey in 2011. Luciano Berio wrote his postmodern symphony Sinfonia for eight voices and orchestra in 1968 with the Swingle Singers in mind (appearing on the original premiere recording with the New York Philharmonic). The Swingles are a vocal group formed in 1974 in England by Ward Swingle. [1][3] The French group performed and recorded typically with only a double bass and drums as accompaniment. Read Full Biography. In 1962, Jeanet…. [4], In 1973, Ward Swingle disbanded the original French group when he and his family moved to London. The group still consists of six singers in total, with their membership changing over th… read more Group Members. Born in 1962 and more London a cappella phenomenon whose history dates Back to,... Group was formed by six choral scholars in 1968 Singers scheduled in 2020 Anthology has given me a addition. 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