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Many
different looks -- always the same great sound!
Southern
Charm and Swing accommodates any event size and budget with ease,
delivering the same great tunes with band configurations ranging from two to 10
musicians. Under the direction of creator/director Chris Chandler, who himself
is a songwriter, pianist, stylist, and vocalist, the core group includes
several talented individuals widely recognized for their contributions in the
field of music, including Steve Mays on bass; Allen Murphy on drums and vocals,
former touring musician with Count Basie; Dave Ferguson on trumpet and
flugelhorn, a 1996 Helen Hayes Award Winner, Stone Temple Pilots' studio
musician, and former member of the '60's group Ripple; and Sil Austin on tenor
saxophone, Mercury Records recording artist with the international number one
hit 'Slow Walk;' and Dub Hudson on alto saxophone. The 10 piece orchestra
incorporates career musicians on trombone, jazz guitar, percussion, and female
vocals.
The band -- the experience!
Southern
Charm and Swing is based on the album by the same name released by
Chris Chandler in 1993. Dedicated to the works of Jonny Mercer, the project
includes 10 songs which feature the lyrics of Mercer with the exclusive
arrangements of Mercer protégé, Ken Palmer. Palmer, an extremely talented
musician and arranger with a strong connection to the music of Johnny Mercer,
worked closely with Chris in the developmental stages of the CD Southern Charm
and Swing, and is featured musically on the project, as well. Chris Chandler
retains the exclusive rights to these Palmer arrangements so the performance of
the material is unique to this group. This recording project garnered a great
deal of critical acclaim for Chandler, and enabled the group to develop a
significant following in the coastal regions of the Southeast, extending into
the Atlanta metropolitan area. In 1996, Southern Charm and Swing was asked to
headline for the Gala Opening of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. During their
performance, they were joined briefly by Connie Haines, former big band
vocalist with Frank Sinatra, Harry James, and Tommy Dorsey, for a medley of
Mercer favorites.
The
heart of the past-- the soul of the present!
In
addition to the Mercer songbook, Southern Charm and Swing
covers a wide range of big band/swing, jazz standards, shuffle/ New
Orleans jazz/blues, and the ever popular classic R&B/Motown/shag. Chandler
originals from "88 Keys and the SwingKats," released in 2000, "Lovers'
Holiday," released in 1997, and the newest release, "King Ivory" are also
performed.
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