You next free concert features Ali and the Swing Cats on Sunday 24 September 3.00 pm (refreshments from 2.15) in St Mary’s Church, Main Road, Westonzoyland, TA7 0EP.

Ali and the Swing Cats play their own versions of those amazing tunes collectively known at ‘the great American songbook’.

‘With its haunting melodies and interesting lyrics, this wonderful music was written between the 1920s and early 1950s’, says Ali Foyle, the group’s founder, going on to mention composers such as George and Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington and Jerome Kern, who often wrote these tunes for the musical theatre and films. ‘They were written for stars such as Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and the songs were then picked up by many top bands and artists across America and Europe. Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong became international favourites by performing this music- the pop of their generation.’

Ali explains how the band was formed as a quartet in early 2020 ‘but only performed one gig before lockdown hit! ‘The band was reformed in summer 2021, performing previously at Music on the Levels as a Trio with Nick Strong on piano, and now back to its original line up of a Quartet, playing regularly at private parties, weddings and village halls across the South West.’

Featuring Ali Foyle on vocals and swing jazz violin, the songs are given a new lease of life, some with sounds reminiscent of the Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli of the Hot Club de Paris era. ‘Others get the more gentle, smooth jazz treatment,’ adds Ali, ‘with the odd Bossa Nova, as the band extends its music adventure into the 1950s world of Antônio Jobim.’

With pulsating rhythms, swinging bass lines, soaring solos and polished performances, the band will have your feet tapping along with these old favourites!

The full band line-up is: Ali Foyle (jazz violin/vocals), Alan Falkingham (guitar/vocals), Richard Llewellyn (guitar) and Adrian Smith (Double Bass).