For one night only, take a step back into the glamorous world of the Roaring 1920s and ‘30s with the internationally acclaimed, Pasadena Roof Orchestra.
Featuring lovingly recreated orchestrations of classics from the likes of George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, and Irving Berlin, the orchestra showcase the very finest hot rhythms and sweet melodies of this iconic era of music.
So pack up your troubles, come on and get happy, and experience an evening of superlative live music, with more than just a dash of wit and humour
With an unparalleled reputation across the UK, Europe and beyond, The Pasadena Roof Orchestra have been re-creating the sounds of a golden era of music from the 1920s and ‘30s to widespread acclaim for over 50 years.
In this beautifully crafted new concert the orchestra take to the stage with sparkling selection of the their best-loved music and songs. Expect to hear classics from the pens of Irving Berlin, Ray Noble and Cole Porter, as well as electrifying hot jazz from the likes of Fletcher Henderson and Duke Ellington.
Presenting the show, and putting on his top hat and tails, is the suave singer and band leader Duncan Galloway, alongside a world-class orchestra of the UK’s finest musical talent. So, take a step back to a time of The Great Gatsby, The Charleston, and Speakeasies, and celebrate the stylish music of this iconic period!
An evening of rare musical entertainment
The Financial Times
For the PRO I have nothing but praise, they brilliantly evoked an array of 20’s and 30’s musical styles
The Sunday Telegraph
UK & European Tour
So where does the music of the Pasadena Roof Orchestra fit? It isn’t ‘pop’ (though some of it certainly was). It isn’t contemporary ‘jazz’, though its roots are in jazz and dance music traditions. It isn’t ‘classical’, yet it draws on the past for its material, in particular the classic jazz repertoire of Duke Ellington, music from the Great American Songbook and the likes of Gershwin, Porter, Berlin, Kern, which have become ‘standards’ in their own right (as have wonderful songs from Ray Noble, Hoagy Carmichael and a host of famous names).
This music is as vibrant (and influential) as the twentieth century has to offer. In its way, this is the classical music of the twentieth century. Listen to the sounds that grew out of New Orleans, New York and 1920s Europe. The growling trumpet, the muted trombone, the wailing saxophone and the clarinet glissando over the driving sounds of the rhythm section. The spot-light sharp focused on the vocalist at the microphone, crooning “Whatever hearts may desire, whatever fate may send....”. You’ll hear the sweet side in Paddlin’ Madelin’ Home and Me & Jane in a Plane …. But now Cotton Club Stomp heats up the atmosphere before the supercharged sound of Cab Calloway’s Minnie the Moocher brings the house down.
Over its 50-plus year history, the orchestra has built an un-matched library of music. Some of the arrangements are note-for-note as played by Ellington, Fletcher Henderson, Noble, Jack Hylton, or other classic outfits of the period. Others are their very own special arrangements, crafted in the style. It takes a special skill to change the attitude from a twenties ‘Charleston’ sound over to the ‘uptown swing’ of an arrangement from Duke Ellington or Fletcher Henderson from the early ‘30s. Of course it helps to have the right kind of period instrument and to have painstakingly researched the style. But it is the jazz spirit and passion of each member of the orchestra which brings the music alive.
But is it all nostalgic recreation? Not if nostalgia is merely a wistful, sentimental yearning for times past. For more than five decades the Orchestra has vividly captured an atmosphere, a mood which is stylish and elegant, yet forceful and vivacious - but above all, life-affirming good fun!
Early Bird Seating shown in Red
