Swing Into Christmas With The Down For The Count Swing Orchestra at Olivier Hall (st Edward's School)

Celebrate the festive season in style with the sensational Down for the Count Swing Orchestra, as they head to the Olivier Hall in Oxford for their much-loved annual show, Swing Into Christmas!

Fast becoming a holiday tradition for audiences around the country, this is a Christmas spectacular like no other – Down for the Count’s 30-piece big band with strings is one of the largest swing bands currently touring the UK. Directed by conductor and compère Mike Paul-Smith and featuring some of the UK’s top vocalists and instrumentalists, the orchestra recreates the sounds of Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Billie Holiday in a unique performance full of joy and humour, which has won the hearts of music lovers up and down the country....

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Celebrate the festive season in style with the sensational Down for the Count Swing Orchestra, as they head to the Olivier Hall in Oxford for their much-loved annual show, Swing Into Christmas!

Fast becoming a holiday tradition for audiences around the country, this is a Christmas spectacular like no other – Down for the Count’s 30-piece big band with strings is one of the largest swing bands currently touring the UK. Directed by conductor and compère Mike Paul-Smith and featuring some of the UK’s top vocalists and instrumentalists, the orchestra recreates the sounds of Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Billie Holiday in a unique performance full of joy and humour, which has won the hearts of music lovers up and down the country.

Audiences of all ages will be captivated by vibrant takes of iconic songs, including The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting), I’ve Got You Under My Skin, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year and New York, New York, alongside many fantastic new song selections for the 2025 show – all performed in authentic big-band-with-strings style.

The Down for the Count Swing Orchestra is one of the UK's most highly-regarded vintage ensembles, having sold out shows at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, The London Jazz Festival, Cadogan Hall, and many other prestigious venues.

It may be cold outside, but a night with the Down for the Count Swing Orchestra is guaranteed to leave you and the whole family in the warm glow of the holiday spirit!


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“A sonic sleigh ride back to the sounds of Capitol Studios in the 1950s” – DownBeat Magazine

“Awesome” – Michael Bublé

“The whole show was almost faultless” – Liverpool Echo

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PROGRAMME INCLUDES:
I've Got You Under My Skin
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting)
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Theme from New York, New York
…and many more!

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