Please check our homepage for more information closer to the time of each event.
All the events from March 2020 onwards were cancelled due to the lock-down caused by the Covid 19 pandemic.
Although that is by no means over, we have decided to programme more concerts from November 2021 to June 2022, starting with Ali and the Swing Cats on Sunday 28 November 2021, 3.00 pm in St Mary’s Church, Main Road, Westonzoyland, TA7 0EP.
In order to keep everyone as safe as possible we are going straight through with no interval to avoid too much milling about. We regret that we shall not be providing refreshments on this occasion but please bring your own tea and cakes if you want! As a courtesy to each other and to help us provide a comfortable and enjoyable experience for everyone, we are encouraging the wearing of a face covering at least until seated, unless exempt for medical reasons. And there will be a QR code for checking in.
There will be no raffle but we are encouraging donations to help with the artists’ and other costs. Finally, we are restricting numbers so that social distancing can be observed.
Those wishing to come to Ali and the Swing Cats are asked to contact Frank Challenger on 01278 699071 or email f.challenger@icloud.com so that Music on the Levels can control numbers if necessary.
Ali and the Swing Cats play their own versions of those amazing tunes collectively known as 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. Composers such as George and Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Duke Ellington and Jerome Kern 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 of the 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 that the band was formed as a quartet in early 2020. ‘But we managed only one gig before lockdown!
‘Then over the summer of 2021 the revised trio line-up emerged and the band is now playing at private parties, weddings and village halls across the South West.’
Featuring Ali Foyle on vocals and jazz violin, the songs are given a new lease of life, some with sounds reminiscent of the Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli Hot Club de Paris era. ‘Others get the more gentle, smooth jazz treatment,’ adds Ali, ‘and you’ll also hear the odd Bossa Nova as the band extends its music adventure into the 1950s world of Antônio Jobim.’
With pulsating rhythms, swinging base 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), Nick Strong (piano/ bass), Al Falkingham (guitar/vocals).
A reminder of the concerts put on in 2019 and until lock-down in March 2020:
Sunday 29 Sept 2019, 3.30 pm St Mary’s Church
Serenados Tango
Sunday 29 Sept 2019
Wildwood Jack
Sunday 24 Nov 2019
Wallscourt Brass Quintetand Friends
Sunday 26 Jan 2020
Swing Fever
Sunday 23 Feb 2020
Reg Meuross
Sunday 29 March 2020
. . and ones we had programmed but had to cancel:
Platform for young musicians
Sunday 29 March 2020
Madrigals and songs for voice and lute
Sunday 26 April 2020
Kitty Macfarlane
Sunday 31 May 2020
Church fête concert: Rough Round The Edges
Saturday 20 June 2020
A reminder of early season’s concerts:
Sunday 30 September 2018, 3.30 pm Church Hall TA7 0ED
Friendly Spirits Swing Quintet
Sunday 28 October 2018, 3.30 pm Church Hall TA7 0ED
Sally Jenkins
Sunday 25 November 2018, 3.30 pm St Mary’s Church TA7 0EP
Colin Bloch: Sound the Trumpets!
Sunday 27 January 2019, 3.30 pm St Mary’s Church TA7 0EP
Mitchel and Vincent
Sunday 24 February 2019, 3.30 pm St Mary’s Church TA7 0EP
Trio Paradis:the Latin American Collection
Sunday 24 March 2019, 3.30 pm St Mary’s Church TA7 0EP
Centre for Young Musicians Taunton (CYMT) and Taunton Preparatory School
Sunday 28 April 2019, 3.30 pm St Mary’s Church TA7 0EP
Scythia
Sunday 26 May 2019, 3.30 pm St Mary’s Church TA7 0EP
Black Cat Jazz
Saturday 22 June 2019, 3.30 pm St Mary’s Church TA7 0EP
Church Fête Concert- Si Barron
