The 30-piece Down for the Count Orchestra returns to The Olivier Hall at St. Edward's School, Oxford, for “a sonic ride back to the sounds of Capitol Studios in the 1950s” (DownBeat Magazine) as they play timeless classics from The Great American Songbook.

Composers such as George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Hoagy Carmichael and Irving Berlin transformed the art of popular song in the first half of the 20^th Century, providing the material that would spring artists such as Frank Sinatra, Nat ‘King’ Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Judy Garland and many more to international stardom.

The music of these great artists and composers will be bought to life by the Down for the Count Orchestra, featuring some of the UK’s top musicians and arrangers under the baton of musical director Mike Paul-Smith. The orchestra preserve and protect the musical heritage of these unforgettable songs, whilst also looking to the future by presenting original arrangements of classic standards written by members of the orchestra.

Expect to hear hits such as I’ve Got You Under My Skin (Cole Porter/Frank Sinatra), Stardust (Hoagy Carmichael/Nat ‘King’ Cole), ‘S Wonderful (George Gershwin/Ella Fitzgerald) and many more in a joyful celebration of some of the best music of the 20^th Century.

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

Wheelchair/accessible spaces: to book a wheelchair seat please call or email Mike (mike@downforthecount.co.uk, 07855 488 462).

Running time: 2 hours 30 minutes including one 20 minute interval

The venue

This event takes place at The Olivier Hall, on the site of St. Edwards School in Oxford (OX2 7NN).

Parking

We strongly encourage you to use Oxford's excellent Park & Ride service to attend this event. There is a bus stop for Pear Tree Park & Ride outside the school entrance, with regular buses to and from the car park until midnight (route 300).

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

Please note that the only parking on the school grounds is for customers with mobility issues. Please contact us if you would to park in the closest spaces to the venue.

Bar

There will be a bar open in the foyer from 7pm serving beer, wine, soft drinks, tea and coffee.