Guildhall Big Band: Ella Swings Lightly

Guildhall Big Band, directed by Matt Skelton and with vocal direction from Emma Smith, are joined by special guest Callum Au to perform a programme featuring material from Ella Fitzgerald’s 1958 album recorded with the Marty Paich Dek-tette, 'Ella Swings Lightly'. This performance will also feature material from the Thad Jones, Mel Lewis and Ruth Brown 1968 album The Big Band Sound of Thad Jones/Mel Lewis featuring Miss Ruth Brown.

Director of the Guildhall Big Band, Matt Skelton, is equally at home in modern and vintage Jazz styles, enjoying a diverse musical career that has already spanned three decades. As a drummer, he has accompanied many leading Jazz luminaries such as Harry ''Sweets'' Edison, Conte Candoli, Bucky Pizzarelli, John Pizzarelli, Warren Vache, Scott Hamilton, John Hendricks, Kurt Elling, Curtis Stigers, Gregory Porter, and most recently Georgie Fame. He has recorded and appeared with singers such as Marion Montgomery, Dame Cleo Laine, Claire Martin and Dame Jessye Norman.

Emma Smith is recognised as one of the most exciting voices of her generation, spanning many genres, scenes and stages, she has performed everywhere from the O2 Arena to the Graham Norton Show to the top jazz clubs of NYC. Emma has been performing and recording with some of the biggest artists in the world, (Michael Buble, Robbie Williams, Georgie Fame & Seal) and has been collecting awards in her own name along the way; the 'London Music Awards rising star of 2015' and winner of the 'Worshipful Company of Musicians Medal of 2013'. Emma is proudly one third of the chart topping vocal harmony group 'The Puppini Sisters'. Her immersion in music has taken her all over the world and more recently into the broadcasting house, where she hosts a weekly show on BBC Radio 3. Emma has also been featured in a four-part BBC TV documentary about vocalists hosted by Gregory Porter.

Callum Au is a British composer, arranger, orchestrator, and trombonist. He writes music across a wide range of genres, with a particular passion for big band and large jazz ensemble music. He is highly regarded for his stylistic awareness and versatility, and has worked with some of the world’s biggest artists, including Quincy Jones, Jamie Cullum, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.