Swing band invites new members

This new year marks a new era for Johannesburg’s oldest established swing band, The Swingtones Big Band, as some of its longest serving members enter retirement.

Based at Marks Park in Emmarentia, the Band has been together for just over 20 years with the focus on keeping big band swing alive in Johannesburg.

This is a big band in the true sense consisting of up to 16 musicians with full trumpet, saxophone and trombone sections together with the usual rhythm group of keyboards, bass and drums. There is also a resident male vocalist for those ever popular arrangements made so well known by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, Bobby Darin, Harry Connick Jnr and Michael Bublé.

Now, with some of its member’s stepping away from the stage, the Swingtones are seeking new players. The current vacancies are in the Trumpet and Trombone sections but approaches from other section players are also welcomed.

Potential band members are required to be literate, have their own transport and be willing to attend rehearsal on a regular basis.

Details: Ted Parrett 011 476 5242, 082 420 225, www.swingtones.co.za