Sing Louder Swings Louder

Sing Louder Choir: Swing Louder concert

Saturday, March 29

at St Nicolas Church, Newbury

Swing Louder: A Night of Jazz and Swing Magic

It was a joy to attend Swing Louder, an enchanting evening of jazz and swing music performed by the Sing Louder Choir. The 30-strong ensemble dazzled the audience with a well-curated selection of beloved swing tunes and popular songs reimagined in a jazzy style. Highlights of the evening included renditions of classics like Fly Me to the Moon, Something Stupid, Swinging with The Beatles, and The Rhythm of Life.

It was delightful to witness the choir's growth since my last visit, as the group now boasts a good array of talent. Sarah Scott, for instance, showcased her impressive vocal prowess in Blue Skies by Irving Berlin, proving she can “scat” with the best of them—a surprising and delightful revelation. Lisa McGhee kicked off the second half with a passionate opening of Feeling Good, a song that set the tone for the choir’s evident enjoyment throughout the performance.

Special mention must be made of guest singer Hannah Gadsby, whose vocal prowess shone brightly with beautiful renditions of At Last, made famous by Etta James, and Norah Jones' I Don’t Know Why. Between the songs, Daniel Maskell's witty and engaging repartee added a touch of light-hearted charm to the evening.

The choir’s performance was elevated by the exceptional backing of a talented jazz trio: James Ellicott on piano, David Beynon on bass, and Matt Langdon on drums. Their skilful support provided a solid foundation, really showing off the choir's voices. James Ellicott's piano arrangement of Yesterday added a fresh and captivating twist to the classic tune.

It was clear that the choir had put in a great deal of effort to perfect their varied set. The joy they found in performing was evident, and that enthusiasm can be attributed to the choir's dynamic and talented conductor, Hannah Maskell. Sparkling both literally and figuratively, Hannah’s passion for her art was contagious, and her masterful leadership brought out the best in her choir.

Overall, Swing Louder was an evening filled with wonderful music, great talent, and undeniable energy. A night to remember for all who were lucky enough to attend.

MTK