This is London Magazine September Edition 2026 - Flipbook - Page 17
DOWN FOR THE COUNT BRING
SWING AND SOUL TO LONDON
Following a sold-out summer
celebrating Nat King Cole, acclaimed big
band Down for the Count returns to
London this autumn with four distinctive
shows spanning swing, soul, Motown
and festive favourites.
The season opens with the 10-piece
Down for the Count All-Stars at
PizzaExpress Soho on 13 September,
bringing an intimate dose of hot jazz.
On 13 October, the All-Stars head to
PizzaExpress Holborn for a Motowninspired set, offering a more compact
alternative to the band’s renowned largescale performances.
At Cadogan Hall on 22 December, the
35-piece Down for the Count Orchestra
presents Voices of Soul, reimagining
iconic 1960s and 1970s hits including
Young Hearts Run Free and Dancing in
the Street with the band’s trademark
energy and flair.
The celebrations continue on
29 December, when the 40-piece Swing
Orchestra returns to Cadogan Hall with
Swing Into Christmas. Blending fresh
arrangements of festive and non-festive
classics, the annual touring extravaganza
has become a favourite with audiences
across the UK. This year’s programme
will also feature music from the band’s
new crowdfunded album, recorded in
August and released ahead of the tour.
Founded in 2005 and led by
conductor and compère Mike PaulSmith, Down for the Count is renowned
for its fully live performances and ‘bigband with strings’ sound, bringing
together some of the UK’s finest
vocalists and instrumentalists.
Whether on an intimate stage or in
full orchestral splendour, Down for the
Count continues to put a fresh,
exuberant spin on the Great American
Songbook and beyond.
Find out more about the autumn and
winter season and purchase tickets at
downforthecount.co.uk
17
Down for the Count.
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