*
banner

4BR Monday Interview with Matt Ford

4BR catches up with the fantastic Big Band singer as he prepares to return to concert performances — starting with a gig at the iconic Ronnie Scott's night club this weekend.

Matt Ford
  Matt Ford has performed all over the world — including with Foden's Band

Can't see the audio player below? Visit soundcloud.com/4barsrest

4BR catches up with the fantastic Big Band singer Matt Ford as he prepares to return to concert performances — starting with a gig at the iconic Ronnie Scott's night club this weekend.

As with a huge number of professional musicians his musical life was turned upside down in 2020 with Covid-19 — losing 18 moths of bookings in the process.

Kept busy

However, as he tells 4BR Editor Iwan Fox — he has been keeping busy — from shelf stacking at Lidl and grass cutting for the local council to becoming part of the NHS vaccination teams.

He has also set up a fantastic new musical initiative entitled 'Sing, Swing, Sing' which offers free lessons to people aged over 65 in his local area to learn how to sing in the authentic big band, swing style.

He talks all about its aims and ethos and how he hopes it will help reduce isolation, build self confidence and even get a new generation of people loving the classics found in the Great American Songbook.

Performance this weekend

All this and he is getting ready to return to the stage for a special online performance at the iconic Ronnie Scott's nightclub on Saturday evening (17th April at 8.00pm).

Find out more:

To find out more about sing, swing, swing go to: www.singswingsing.com

Or to: www.mattford.info

www.ronniescotts.co.uk/scheduledaily/2021/April/17

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Results: 2024 Swiss National Championships

November 24 • Valaisia returns to the top of the podium in Lucerne.


Perth

Result: 2024 Besson Scottish Open

November 23 • Milnrow play like angels to repel rivals and claim Scottish Open title in Perth.


King

Superbrass Saturday: Good King Wenceslas (trad. arr. Jock McKenzie)

November 21 • One of the most famous festive tunes of all is ready and waiting to be performed in a fantastic series of arrangements.


bbe

Rule changes to Youth Championships

November 21 • Brass Bands England announces rule changes to help competing bands at their National Youth Championship events in 2025 and 2026.


Dobcross Silver Band - Wardle Anderson Brass Band

Sunday 24 November • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane Dobcross OL3 5AD


The Hepworth Band - Christmas Brass & Voices

Saturday 7 December • Thornhill Parish Church, Dewsbury WF120JZ


Longridge Band - Christmas Concert

Saturday 7 December • Longridge Civic Hall, 1 Calder Avenue, Longridge, Preston PR3 3HJ


York Railway Institute Band - Voices & Brass Christmas Spectacular

Saturday 14 December • Selby Abbey YO8 4PU


Bilton Silver Rugby Band - Festive favourites - Music for Christmas.

Saturday 14 December • St Mark's Church, Bilton, Rugby CV22 7LX


Hathersage Band

November 25 • Hathersage Brass Band is a thriving community band. We enjoy making music and have a good gig schedule. An opportunity has arisen for the right person to join our Principal Cornet Ed as co-principal. Are you up for the challenge? This is our only vacancy.


Wakefield Metropolitan Brass Band

November 23 • Bb Cornet, Euphonium, Eb Bass and Percussion required to complete the line-up.. Under the Direction of Duncan Beckley, the band is keen to fill these few remaining seats.


Bilton Silver Rugby Band

November 22 • Bilton Silver (Rugby) requires a cornet player to join our Championship Section band (Position negotiable). Under MD Brad Turnbull we have a varied programme of events. Rehearsals are held on Monday and Friday at 7-45pm in our own purpose built bandroom.


James Garlick

BMus (Hons), QTS
Conductor, Band Trainer, Adjudicator, Tutor


               

 © 2024 4barsrest.com Ltd