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PASADENA ROOF ORCHESTRA
Roots of Swing
For over thirty years the Pasadena Roof Orchestra, based in the UK, has delighted audiences all over the world with its mix of swing and hot dance music. Swing is much more than a musical genre, it personifies a lust for life, with its infectious beat. Its roots lie in the pre war dance bands, and the roaring twenties which inspired the later big swing bands. In contrast to many other musical genres swing has never really gone out of fashion over the decades, particularly in recent years. The Pasadena Roof Orchestra has played an important role in this resurgence of popularity.
In the past, the orchestra’s kind of music provided a boost in the background to some calamitous times, pre and post war. Today, not only is the orchestra bringing its music to young audiences all over the world, it is introducing new generations of young musicians to the music. The reputation of the orchestra is as legendary in its own right, as the bands from the 1920’s and 1930’s that inspired it.
40 recorded vinyl LPs, singles, CDs, and DVDs containing over 300 titles have been released since 1974. The timeless sound of the orchestra has led to ever more recordings. In Japan the orchestra's first five vinyl albums have recently been rereleased in a CD format.
When it comes to authentic swing music the orchestra has no equal. The orchestra performs year-round with a line up of eleven excellent jazz musicians who have perfected their craft and studied jazz at the top conservatories. Many years of working together with top class arrangements, result in the ensemble sound for which the orchestra is renowned. The show is presented in a way that not only showcases this talent, but adds some wit and humour.
Duncan Galloway is the band-leader and vocalist and is also responsible for the musical direction. With a background in theatre and music, Duncan has been part of the orchestra for over ten years.
The repertoire currently comprises over 200 titles of jazz, early swing and dance music from the era.
The orchestra was founded in 1969 by the master baker John Arthy, a long time devotee of the 1920’s and 30’s dance band music. In an old attic, the bass and sousaphone player discovered more than 1000 forgotten arrangements of swing and dance tunes from the 1920's to the 1940's (for more details see History). In autumn 1974 the first album was released and at the beginning of 1975 presented to the world music market at MIDEM in Cannes. The orchestra’s first tour followed.
In 1993, following successful concerts around the globe, the first tour of the USA was completed. 75 days from Seattle down to Los Angeles, across Arizona, Texas, Chicago, New York, Florida, and perhaps most notably, the Ambassador Theatre in Pasadena. Another 6 week tour across the USA followed in 2001.
You name it, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and across Europe from the Royal Festival Hall London to MIDEM in Cannes, Musikhalle Hamburg, Prinzregententheater in Munich or the Montreux Jazz Festival - all over the world, the orchestra has won praise for its entertaining band show. |
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