St Mary’s Heritage Trust is delighted to welcome one of the most exciting combinations of musicians to play and sing from the Sinatra Songbook at St Mary’s Church, Westerham
Matthew Ford is widely regarded as the finest big band singer in the UK, having performed for 5 years with the award winning Syd Lawrence Orchestra. He has sung at the BBC Proms and has many radio, recording and festival credits to his name.
John Horler worked closely with the late John Dankworth and Cleo Laine. He has a flair for accompanying soloists, and has applied his talents to classical work.
Dave Green started his musical career playing a tea-chest bass in local skiffle groups before buying his first double bass at fifteen. He has worked with Humphrey Lyttelton, with whom he remained for eighteen years.
Matt Skelton appears with several groups, often at Ronnie Scott’s as a member of the James Pearson Trio. He has recorded and appeared with singers such a Marion Montgomery, Cleo Laine and with Jesse Norman in her Ellington-Gershwin Concert
Westerham resident Michael Coates moved to London from Toronto in 1992 and soon became known at jam sessions in the West End. He has since appeared in dozens of London’s jazz venues including Ronnie Scott’s Club. In 1998 he was awarded the BBC’s Jazz Soloist of the Year and recorded as a featured soloist with the BBC Radio Big Band. That year he released his debut CD “This Is” featuring his original compositions.
St Mary’s Heritage Trust is grateful to Michael Coates for assembling this group of musicians, who will delight and enthral all those who hear them.
