AS part of their national Poppy Appeal tour starting at London’s Leicester Square Theatre, Five Star Swing are coming to The Courtyard on Thursday, May 19 with “The Big Band”, an evening of vintage swing, featuring classic songs from Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Glenn Miller and many more.

As seen on the BBC's Children in Need and Dame Vera Lynn’s Charity Ball, the show is led by bandleader Chris Smith Jr, composer and arranger for the BBC Radio Big Band and a former composer for Herb Miller Big Band – (Glenn Miller’s brother). Along with Tony Bennett’s trombonists also featured is vocalist and saxophonist Simone, who was taught to play alto saxophone in the 1970s by the famous bandleader Ivy Benson, with whom she subsequently performed. Simone has recorded with Paul Weller, the Paul Merton TV Show and the Russell Harty show. The band’s local sax player, Justin Swadling says: "Fans have enjoyed this “feel-good” style of music for generations - following our extensive UK tour I’m excited to be bringing the sound of our big band brass, saxes, rhythm and vocalists back home!”. To book, call the box office on 01432 340555 or visit courtyard.org.uk