The Big Band at Christmas Show set to perform at the Regent Centre in Christchurch

THE Big Band at Christmas Show is set to swing into the Regent Centre in Christchurch next month.

The concert promises an evening of vintage hits as Five Star Swing perform a medley of festive tunes in the style of musical greats including Glenn Miller and Nat King Cole.

The concert will feature Simone Smith from the latter days of the Ivy Benson Orchestra, plus Chris Smith, composer and arranger for Glenn Miller’s brother Herb and the BBC Radio Big Band.

Five Star Swing founders Chris and Simone moved from Milton Keynes to New Milton three years ago and have regularly performed at local venues including Forest Arts and Hangar Farm Arts Centre in Totton.

The band has previously performed at Dame Vera Lynn’s Charity Gala Nights on BBC’s Children in Need, at Blackpool Tower Ballroom, and at London’s Leicester Square Theatre.

Chris said: “I’ve been brought up with this style of music as my father played trombone for Frank Sinatra on his European tours. It’s a great atmosphere during the show as there’s a strong resurgence in jazz and swing music enjoyed by all generations these days.

“The evening promises a dynamic swing band treatment from Glenn Miller, Sinatra, Basie and Nat King Cole – jazzing up those Jingle Bells!”

The Big Band at Christmas will be at Christchurch Regent Centre on Sunday 1st December at 7.30pm. Tickets are £23 but we’ve teamed up with Five Star Swing to give two lucky readers the chance to win a pair of tickets each in this week’s What’s On competition – pick up the latest A&T tomorrow to find out how.

For more information and bookings visit www.regentcentre.co.uk or contact the box office on 01202 499199.