Country

:

France

Genre

:

Crossover

 

 

Vocal

 

The Swingle Singers is a classical music ensemble that has been entertaining audiences around the world for over five decades. The group was founded in 1962 by Ward Swingle, a jazz pianist and arranger who had previously worked with the French vocal group Les Double Six. The Swingle Singers quickly gained a reputation for their innovative arrangements of classical music, which combined intricate vocal harmonies with elements of jazz and pop. The original lineup of the Swingle Singers consisted of eight singers, four men and four women. The group's first album, "Jazz Sebastian Bach," was released in 1963 and became an instant hit. The album featured Swingle's arrangements of Bach's music, including the famous "Prelude in C Major" and "Fugue in D Minor." The album won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1964, and the Swingle Singers became one of the most popular classical music ensembles of the 1960s. Over the years, the Swingle Singers have undergone several lineup changes, but the group has always maintained its commitment to innovative arrangements and vocal excellence. Some of the group's most notable members have included soprano Christiane Legrand, who sang with the group from 1963 to 1972 and was the sister of composer Michel Legrand; tenor Simon Grant, who joined the group in 1984 and has been a mainstay ever since; and alto Joanna Goldsmith-Eteson, who joined the group in 2006 and has been a featured soloist on many of the group's recent recordings. The Swingle Singers have performed all over the world, from Carnegie Hall in New York to the Sydney Opera House in Australia. The group has collaborated with many other artists, including jazz pianist George Shearing, pop singer Jamie Cullum, and the London Symphony Orchestra. The Swingle Singers have also appeared on numerous television shows, including "The Ed Sullivan Show," "The Tonight Show," and "The Muppet Show." One of the Swingle Singers' most memorable performances was their appearance at the 1967 Newport Jazz Festival. The group performed a set of Bach's music, including "Air on the G String" and "Brandenburg Concerto No. 3," to a crowd of thousands of jazz fans. The performance was a huge success and helped to cement the Swingle Singers' reputation as one of the most innovative and exciting classical music ensembles of the time. In addition to their live performances, the Swingle Singers have released over 50 albums over the course of their career. Some of their most popular albums include "Bach's Greatest Hits," "A Cappella Amadeus," and "Ferris Wheels." The group's most recent album, "Folklore," was released in 2018 and features arrangements of traditional folk songs from around the world. The Swingle Singers have won numerous awards and accolades over the years. In addition to their Grammy Award for Best New Artist, the group has also won two other Grammy Awards for Best Choral Performance and Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella. The group has also been awarded the Edison Award, the Grand Prix du Disque, and the Cannes Classical Award. Despite their many accomplishments, the Swingle Singers remain committed to pushing the boundaries of classical music and exploring new musical territory. The group's current lineup includes eight singers from around the world, each with their own unique vocal style and musical background.

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