The 30-piece Down for the Count Orchestra returns to The Olivier Hall at St. Edward's School, Oxford, for their annual festive extravaganza - it's time to Swing Into Christmas!

This is a Christmas celebration like no other, as Down for the Count recreate the music of Nat ‘King’ Cole, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and many more in a luscious 30-piece orchestral setting evoking the sounds of the great Capitol Studios recordings.

Expect to hear faithful recreations of the best music of the swing era including I’ve Got You Under My Skin, Let’s Face The Music and Dance and ‘S Wonderful, alongside original arrangements of jazz and festive standards written by the Orchestra’s principal conductor Mike Paul-Smith, including Winter Wonderland and The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting).

The Down for the Count Orchestra are one of the UK's most highly regarded vintage ensembles, having sold out numerous shows at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, The London Jazz Festival, Cadogan Hall and more. Their Christmas show is full of joy from the first note to the last and is the perfect start to the festive season for you and your family.

The Down for the Count Orchestra

Mike Paul-Smith Conductor
Lydia Bell Vocals
Ineza Kerschkamp Vocals
Marvin Muoneké Vocals

Running time: 2 hours 30 minutes including one 20 minute interval
The auditorium will open 30 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/accessible spaces: to book a wheelchair seat please call or email Mike (mike@downforthecount.co.uk, 07855 488 462).

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.