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Paul Munnery’s Swing Street

This is a well rehearsed six piece band whose love of the 1930s New York sound infects all who hear it. For inspiration these musicians look to the many small bands, such as those led by Fats Waller, Teddy Wilson, Coleman Hawkins, Red Allen and others, including singers such as Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald.  Their repertoire combines familiar favourites with ballads such as Where or When, You Go to my Head, blues, and “swingers” such as Shine, and Lady be Good.  This band frequently play with singers of the calibre of Marilyn Middleton, and Mellow Avstreith, and with them, have two shows suitable for theatres, arts centres or jazz clubs; "These Foolish Things", a show about the songwriters of the thirties such as Rogers and Hart, Gershwin etc, and "52nd Street", which takes a stroll through the nightclubs down the famous street in New York in the 1930s, clubs such as The Saratoga Club and The Famous Door, with stories and anecdotes about  fascinating people such as Fats Waller and the gangster Owen Madden. 

Paul Munnery – leader, trombone and guitar

Paul began by forming, leading and playing in this “freewheeling” environment as a contrast to leading “Harlem”, his well-known 1920/30s jazz orchestra, whose reliance on tight arrangements is enjoyable but sometimes restrictive.  The main musical influences on Paul have been the great new York trombonists of the interwar period – J C Higginbotham, Nanton, Benny Morton and Jimmy Harrison.

Hugh Roberts – clarinet and tenor saxophone

Hugh has worked mainly in and around Bristol.  He excels in all early styles of jazz, from new Orleans to swing, and his lack of exposure to a wider audience is incomprehensible!  Hugh’s talent and his good musical taste should be a feature of every club and festival in the country and beyond.

Nick Gill – piano

Nick is the founding father of the Oxford Classic Jazz Band, whose personnel is drawn from a select group of high profile experts in early jazz styles.  Nick’s repertoire covers the whole vintage gamut: ragtime, blues, stride, swing all delivered with great rhythmic and harmonic proficiency.  He is in much demand at festivals all over the country.

Rachel Hayward - guitar/banjo

Rachel gained most of her early playing experience with new Orleans bands, including a long and continuing membership of Ken Pye’s Creole Serenaders.  More recently she has become a valued part of “Harlem’s” rhythm section, where her accurate tempos and sheer sense of swing are much appreciated.

Tony Sharp – double bass

Tony is a consummate musician whose mellow tone and mature harmonic skills have commended him to just about every Midlands based band at some time or other over several decades.  He is another recent addition to “Harlem’s “ ranks.

Dion Cochrane – drums