British trumpet virtuoso, Mike Lovatt and his unique 25-piece brass orchestra

Following sell-out performances at The Harrogate International Festival and Britten Pears Snape Maltings Summer Festival, the all-star line up features vocalists Louise Clare Marshall and Matt Ford as they take the stage with Mike and his Brass Pack to perform brand new musical arrangements, unveiling a fresh take on the iconic music of these legendary artists.

“This is no pastiche tribute act. The scope and originality of Colin Skinner’s superlative arrangements, the sheer pizazz of the performers (a fantastic 25-piece band complete with French Horns, tubas, harp, 3 percussionists and a jazz rhythm section to supplement the main brass) and the supple, leonine leads of both Mike Lovatt and Matt Ford marked with an authenticity all of their own.’ Harry Blackledge, 4barsrest

Mike Lovatt is a UK virtuoso trumpeter, recording artist, sought after teacher and musical director who is internationally recognised for his wide-ranging stylistic ability. He was the Principal Trumpet of the Grammy nominated John Wilson Orchestra, and the Principal Trumpet of both the BBC Big Band, Superbrass and Andrew Cottee’s Dreamtown Orchestra, and is featured as soloist on many film scores including most recently Marvel’s ‘Avengers Endgame’ and the Judy Garland biopic, ‘Judy’.

“As for Mike Lovatt’s trumpet solo…it should have been X-rated!” Sir Simon Rattle

Louise Clare Marshall is a hugely experienced performer who has featured on many movie soundtracks including Love Actually, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Great Train Robbery, Mama Mia, Ray and many more. TV appearances include Jools Holland’s ‘Hootenanny’ (since 2006), ITV’s Stepping Out, and BBC TV’s Top of The Pops. She is a regular performer in London’s West End musicals, including Jesus Christ Superstar and Hair.

“I have been fortunate to work with some of the greatest singers in the world. I can truly say that Louise is one of these” Jools Holland

Matt Ford is a name synonymous with the Swing Era, and for good reason. With an unrivalled resume that includes over 2000 Big Band concerts, scores of live National TV and Radio broadcasts, four appearances at the BBC Proms, Matt is the UK’s most experienced Swing Era vocalist. He was voted ‘Best UK Male Big Band Vocalist’ in 2006, and nominated alongside Jamie Cullum in the inaugural Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Awards (Best UK Male Vocalist category). Matt made his US Debut in October 2013 in Los Angeles with the John Wilson Orchestra alongside Seth MacFarlane.

“One of the finest voices this country has ever produced” Clare Teal, BBC Radio 2

The performance will be filmed and recorded for future release, offering the audience the opportunity to be a part of this monumental occasion, and to experience the unique and magical fusion of talent and creativity. Let’s Get Together!

“I’m really looking forward to hearing Colin Skinner’s exciting new arrangements played by this hand-picked powerhouse of a brass orchestra, celebrating the extraordinary musical legacy of Frank and Ella best-loved songs from when cool was king.” Mike Lovatt

“What a terrific night!” Roger Wright, CEO Britten Pears Arts

“Fantastic gig, amazing arrangements and just incredible playing” Harrogate International Festival

For more information, images and press tickets, please contact:

Mike Lovatt – [email protected] 07973 882701

Rachel Whibley – [email protected] 07827 014878

Mike Lovatt’s Brass Pack was inspired by Billy May’s iconic album, Big Fat Brass. Recorded at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, this album featured Hollywood's top studio musicians, including those working with legends such as Frank Sinatra, Nelson Riddle, Nat King Cole, and Ella Fitzgerald.

The Brass Pack not only recreates the sound of Big Fat Brass, but also introduces new arrangements and compositions for this unique brass ensemble: essentially a big band with french horns taking the place of saxophones, plus piano, guitar, bass, drums, tuned percussion, harp, and two tubas.

The hand-picked players are some of the finest musicians in the country, 11 of whom are current or former members of the John Wilson Orchestra / John Wilson’s Sinfonia of London.

Find out more at www.brasspack.co.uk

B:Music is a Birmingham-based music charity with a mission to inspire a love of live music, through performance, participation and learning. B:Music believes that music is essential to everyone and has the power to transform and change lives, to entertain and uplift, to create shared experiences and to educate.

B:Music venues Town Hall and Symphony Hall are the centre of Birmingham’s cultural heart – presenting the world’s most exciting and diverse artists, orchestras and bands, including Kraftwerk, The British Paraorchestra of Great Britain, Satinder Sartaaj, Chineke!, Gary Barlow, Joan Armatrading and the world-renowned City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Each year, a programme of nearly 800 concerts and events brings the best jazz, folk, world, roots, classical, rock and pop performers to audiences of over 550,000. The Jazzlines programme is a key part of the region’s jazz infrastructure, nurturing new talent and creating performance opportunities, while the Learning and Participation team works with 18,000 people from across Birmingham each year.

Find out more at bmusic.co.uk