Leicestershire musician, Gareth John, has been a fan os swing music since a young age. Now, following his successful music career travelling around the world, he’s back in Leicester with his own Story of Swing show, which is coming to Athena in November.
From Sinatra to Buble, immerse yourself in an afternoon of swing classics, presented by Leicester’s very own internationally acclaimed singer, entertainer & trumpet player, Gareth John.
We caught up with Gareth for this week’s Music News to find out more.
Leicester music updates are brought to you every week from us and PPL PRS.
A Musical Journey Through Decade of Iconic Swing & Big Band Music… what can the audience expect from the show at Athena?
The Athena show will have a slightly different make up to it. For the first time, we will have an incredible support act, and I’ll be performing songs from my third album, which will be released at that time, alongside big band and swing classics from some of my favourite singers like Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Dean Martin, Michael Buble, Nat King Cole & Tony Bennett.
Tell us about your journey in music to now be headlining your own show at Athena?
It’s been an unusual, up and down journey as many of the best ones are! Starting aged 10 or 11 with a trumpet my Grandad gave me, I never thought I’d be doing my own show as such a classy venue in my hometown, as well as touring that show around the country and internationally.
I started off playing trumpet in the local Scouts & Guides marching band, Youth Brass 2000 and then East Midlands Youth Jazz Orchestra or EMYJO, where my love affair with big band music started to take shape. I’ve been part of the music scene both locally and further afield with various bands now for over a decade. Much of that time, I’ve been on the road with The South and I have to say that Gaz Birtles and that band have been a huge part of my journey.
It was only in 2017 that I really came to the decision to ‘become’ a lead singer, having been a backing vocalist/trumpeter/frontman in previous bands and playing regularly with Leicester Big Band. It was their singer at the time Morgan Perkins, who is a great friend, that encouraged me and mentored me down the path of becoming a big band singer. Story of Swing got off the ground after an enforced break for the industry due to Covid-19, but since then it has been all systems go, with 4Theatre coming on board in late-2023.
What are some of your favourite songs you perform during the show?
That’s a hard one! I’m a huge Bobby Darin fan so performing his hits like ‘Mack The Knife’ is always a thrill as we have a great arrangement of that one. I’m always most compared to Michael Buble and that section of the show is certainly a challenge – high energy with songs like ‘Sway’, ‘Cry Me A River’ and ‘Feeling Good’ but I love it! More recently though, I’ve really delved into Sinatra’s work listening wise, and really enjoy getting to grips with songs like ‘Luck Be A Lady’, ‘I’ve Got You Under My Skin’ and ‘My Way’. Sinatra was the master in terms of phrasing and delivery, the best in my opinion and putting the songs across to an audience in a way that made them feel. I learnt early days from Morgan that the delivery and emotion is the most important thing.
Do you have any other artists appear with you during the show?
Yes, we feature different special guests on different dates. For example, Alison Wheeler (formerly of The Beautiful South), joins me on select dates throughout the year and we work with an amazing trio up in Scotland called The Vintage Girls, who are all first class singers. We have some special guests lined up for the Leicester show, all will be revealed…
What inspired your love of swing music?
Grandma and Grandad lived downstairs in our family house and were huge jazz and big band fans. Grandma had a superb voice and Grandad would spend much of his spare time listening to the great big band leaders like Glen Miller, Ted Heath and Benny Goodman. That’s kind of where it started but it’s funny that I’ve come to singing and performing this style relatively late on. It’s definitely the style that suits me vocally and that I have the biggest love for!
Which artist would you say you most look up to?
Very very tough question! Michael Buble is probably the modern-day artist that I’ve studied the most. Bobby Darin is the most underrated of this group of singers in my opinion, but I also hugely look up to funk and soul singers like Sam Cooke and as a performer, James Brown is a huge hero of mine. In terms of the strength of his songs, Ray Charles is also right up there, and in today’s world Jamie Callum, Gregory Porter and Harry Connick Jr are all big heroes of mine. On my Youtube channel, I did a series of interviews talking about why certain singers resonate with me and it made me realise just how many there are/have been that inspire me.
You’re also in other bands, performing across the UK, tell us about those?
I’ve been a full time member of The South since 2014 and I’ve really enjoyed the challenge of stepping up to the vocal mic as the third singer, like they had in the original lineup of the Beautiful South, over the last few years. I also co-founded King Brasstards, a New-Orleans-inspired street band. We have done some incredible gigs over the years and we celebrate our 10th anniversary this year!
What has been your career highlight to date?
Way too many to mention! The first ever Story of Swing show at The Deco Theatre in Northampton was certainly a landmark, and the two Christmas specials at The Y Theatre were awesome. There have also been some phenomenal festival appearances with The South and King Brasstards over the years, and on nights like these I really do count myself lucky!
Tell us in 5 words why our readers should come along to the show at Athena?
Las Vegas Comes to Leicester
How can people purchase tickets?
Tickets are available from £27.50 via storyofswing.com.
The Story of Swing comes to Athena on Sunday 2 November.
