Celebrating Nat King Cole with the Down for the Count Swing Orchestra: Cambridge

The Down for the Count Orchestra returns to West Road Concert Hall, Cambridge, for a celebration of a musical icon, Nat King Cole. 

Enjoy timeless classics such as Mona Lisa, Let’s Face the Music and Dance and L-O-V-E brought back to life by the instrumentalists and vocalists of the sensational Down for the Count Swing Orchestra – one of the few UK Jazz ensembles to feature a string section.

This is not a tribute show, but rather a celebration of Nat King Cole’s life and music. The show will be a joyful journey through Nat King Cole’s music, from the intimate trio recordings he made early in his career to the later luscious orchestral work with arrangers such as Nelson Riddle and Gordon Jenkins. Compèred by musical director and conductor Mike Paul-Smith, the show will feature anecdotes about Nat King Cole’s life, recreations of some of his greatest recordings, and original arrangements of other Nat King Cole classics penned by members of the Orchestra.

The Down for the Count Swing Orchestra is one of the UK’s leading swing ensembles with performance credits including Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, the London Jazz Festival, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and Twinwood Festival. Join them for this one-of-a-kind celebration of a true musical legend in 2026.

The Down for the Count Orchestra

Mike Paul-Smith Conductor
Marvin Muoneké Vocals
plus further vocalists to be announced

Running time: 2 hours 45 minutes including one 20 minute interval
The bar will open 60 minutes before the concert start time.

Praise for the show:

“Awesome!” Michael Bublé
“A sonic ride back to the sounds of Capitol Studios in the 1950s” DownBeat Magazine
“A breath of fresh air on the swing scene” Twinwood Festival

Wheelchair and accessible spaces: 

• There are 3 wheelchair spaces available to book in row E. Each wheelchair space is automatically allocated a complimentary companion seat in row F. 
• In addition, row D is step-free with no stairs to navigate from the street to the seat. We ask that you be considerate of other concert-goers and only book these seats if you need step-free access to the auditorium.
• Please contact Mike on 07855 488 462 or mike@downforthecount.co.uk if you have any questions about wheelchair or accessible spaces.

The venue

This event takes place at West Road Concert Hall, Cambridge CB3 9DP.

Parking

There is on-street parking available close to the venue which is free of charge in the evenings.

Bar

There will be a bar open in the foyer from 6.30pm serving beer, wine, soft drinks, tea and coffee. Please note that only bottled water may be taken in to the auditorium.