ONE of Britain’s most treasured jazz singers, award-winning Claire Martin OBE, joined forces with friend of 30 years, legendary saxophonist & singer Ray Gelato, in a ‘A Swingin’ Affair’, which has been touring the best venues in the UK since October 2014. A whole new host of 2016 dates are coming up can be found below.
This pair of beloved British performers celebrate the music of the Great American Songbook through a collection of specially arranged duets. Classics include Orange Coloured Sky, That Old Black Magic, They All Laughed, Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off and Come Dance With Me.
Claire says of the show: "Ray and I go back many years, he gave me my first musical break in my late teens! It’s wonderful that we have come full circle to put this show together. We are both passionate about this music and share the same love of great songs, which we will be singing and swinging with the world-class pianist Dave Newton. We also love to put on a show, so get ready to be entertained!"
BBC Radio 3 presenter and multi-award-winning singer Claire Martin’s love and knowledge of the American Songbook shines through beautifully in this show, in a return to her musical roots. Her long-standing friendship with consummate performer Ray Gelato also comes across, and how could it not – Ray’s stage presence and inimitable personality, not forgetting his musicality on not one but two instruments – are both charming and remarkable.
Claire and Ray are joined onstage by their trio, made up of top flight musicians Dave Newton (piano), Dave Whitford (bass) and Sebastian De Krom (Drums).
Ray says of the show: ‘It’s a pleasure to share the stage with one of my favourite singers, and dear friend Claire Martin. Our aim is to present jazz music for everybody, and to bring back a revitalised, new concept of the vocal duet. To Claire and I, music is about communication and telling a story. We hope to communicate our love of swingin’ music to you’.
If you like your music sassy, sharp and swinging – this is the show for you… A Swingin’ Affair indeed.
