The fabulous 12 – piece Tuxedo Swing Orchestra is New Zealand’s finest swing sensation specialising in music from the great dance era! With performances ranging from specialist concerts to formal themed events and an extensive repertoire of over 360 songs, the Tuxedo Swing experience could be exactly what you’ve been looking for to complete your night’s entertainment.
The Tuxedo Swing Orchestra was formed in 1990 under the name “The 1932 Jazz Orchestra”. Since then the group has evolved beyond the boundaries of just the early 1930’s to perform the finest music of the 20’s through 40’s big band eras extending from the period when dancing was the most popular form of entertainment. It was the time when the great swing bands like Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Count Basie, Fletcher Henderson, Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington and others ruled the air waves and together they brought some of world’s great vocalists like Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billy Holiday to the hearts of the world – their music was truly rich in style, glamour, romance and rhythm.
The Tuxedo Swing Orchestra recreates this era with some of New Zealand’s best known musicians who have over their long careers in professional music, played and toured NZ with the likes of Michael Crawford, Gene Pitney, Elvis impersonator Max Pelicano, Shirley Bassey and shows like West Side Story, Les Miserables, Chicago, 42nd Street, Saturday Night Fever; but to name a few.
The Tuxedo Swing Orchestra has played to dance and concert audiences throughout New Zealand, for the King's 80th Birthday celebrations in Tonga, and they currently perform regularly at dance functions at different venues around Auckland. In addition to this, they are always in demand for corporate “Academy Award” style nights, themed events and specialist concerts.
The Tuxedo Swing Orchestra is made up of the following instruments:
Drums, Saxophones x 3, Vocalists (Male/ Female), Trumpets x 2, Piano / Keyboard, Acoustic “Upright” Bass, Violins x 2, Guitar + Banjo and Trombone
The group size can increase or decrease depending on the requirements of the event. However, 12 musicians and 2 vocalists is the standard/preferred line-up.
What you are guaranteed from an evening with The Tuxedo Swing Orchestra is an enjoyable musical experience that transcends the decades of popular swing music performed by a very polished group of musicians and a well-grounded step back in time.
