Puttin’ on the Ritz at the Apex

A vintage dance band in every sense of the word … and it is due on stage at the Apex, in Bury St Edmunds, later this month.

The Pasadena Roof Orchestra, whose musicians have been employed by big stars such as Robbie Williams and Bryan Ferry, has been faithfully re-creating the glories of popular swing music for 45 years.

It re-creates the golden era of music from the 1920’s and 1930’s. Enjoy beautifully arranged songs from Irving Berlin, Ray Noble, Cole Porter and their contemporaries, and re-live the electrifying hot jazz from Fletcher Henderson and Duke Ellington.

Suave singer and band leader Duncan Galloway explains that it is is the quality of the music itself that stands out as timeless: “The great thing about 1920s and 1930s music is that it can be really complex, and still sound effortless. All of the musicians need to be equal masters of two different disciplines; they must be classically-trained to give them an in-depth understanding of the sheet music as well as being excellent jazz musicians because there will always be 16 or 32-bar passages intentionally left open for improvisation. These disciplines are not easily combined, and it takes time to find musicians who are capable of performing to this level of expertise”.

The concert at the Apex is on Friday, June 23. Tickets are £22, ring the box office on 01284 758000 or see the website –www.theapex.co.uk for details.