Marcus Reynolds has his foot hard down on the accelerator, refusing to slow after spending 2009 planning, organising and performing at various dances and events throughout the UK, whilst supporting the charity " Help For Heroes "


2010 is set to be another busy year for Marcus firstly in his capacity as MD to the Brass Wind & Fire Big Band, and the Rutland Big Band based in Leicestershire. Both these bands have already completed a number of concerts in January and February with more to come.

Secondly, the debut of the" Marcus Reynolds Big Band ' featuring Marcus himself and a collection of top class players. The band will be providing live music for a new show called "When Frankie Met Robbie." This high-concept show was devised by two great performers Mel Peake and James Reynolds (no relation), and was inspired by a musical mix of the Rat Pack and the extremely successful album "Swing When You're Winning" by Robbie Williams.
The show imagines a meeting of the two music greats on stage, the legendary Frank Sinatra and the cheeky heir apparent, Robbie Williams.
Marcus became involved when he met the duo by chance after one of their shows. So impressed with Mel and James' performance and feeling that they would benefit enormously from having a live outfit supplying the music. Marcus offered the duo a band and as fate would have it he was working up a quality band that would help them become top of the bill.

Bedford Corn Exchange 4th March.

Spa Centre, Leamington Spa,

7.30pm, Friday 12th March 2010
with The Marcus Reynolds Big Band -

Tickets £19.50



http://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/RoyalSpaCentre/default.htm
  

 

Marcus has an impressive CV having played and conducted with such bands as the Herb Miller Orchestra, The Memphis Belle Orchestra, The Bert Kaempfert Orchestra, John Miller and his Orchestra, The Ray McVay Orchestra and the Bill Baker Big Band, also he has spent ten years touring internationally with Jake and Elwood's Blues Brothers show. Marcus has worked in TV and Radio as well as performing in the west end on a variety of musicals including the award winning Chicago. All this convincing Mel and James that they had found the right man to take their show to audiences around the country.

The show blends the music and attitude of the two greats with Mel Peake performing as the tough yet smooth Sinatra and James Reynolds as the cocky, unpredictable Williams; expect plenty of Rat-Pack style fun and shenanigans between numbers! The set list is of course, stellar.

You can also expect to hear classic after classic tunes spanning the generations from I've Got You Under My Skin, My Way, and The Lady Is A Tramp to Angels, Eternity, and Let Me Entertain You. With duets and the fantastic playing of the Marcus Reynolds Big Band you'll be singing along and tapping your feet from start to finish. They plan to tour the country through 2010.

The Silver Wings Swing Orchestra will be heading your way sometime soon.

Not one to rest on his laurels or to accept anything less than a truly hectic schedule Marcus has lined up another new Big Band. Styled around the wartime U.S. Air Force and the RAF in the forties the "SILVER WINGS SWING ORCHESTRA" will be bringing a dash of blitz
inspired glitz to ballrooms and hangar dances all over the UK. The first for the bands inauguration will be at the famous Hangar One at Sywell Aerodrome
in Northampton NN6 0BN in VE week on May the 1st.The MAY DAY- MAY DAY ball is a 40's dinner and dance also featuring the tremendous Paul Harper who is a walking, talking singing 40's event on his own. As MD Marcus has hand picked a collection of quality players to create a full 17 piece orchestra to help him bring to life the sounds and style of the WW11 Big Bands. Bearing in mind that every forces band needs a touch of glamour Marcus has invited Renate' Faye', a very talented vocalist, to be the "SILVER WINGS SWING ORCHESTRA'S own "Forces Sweetheart"
The Band will be performing all the classics of the time evoking memories of the great Glenn Miller, and vocalists Marion Hutton our own Anne Shelton and our very own chart topping talent Vera Lynn.

It's quite ironic really having asked Marcus if he fancied forming his own band, he has always said he was quite happy leading other peoples, then on arriving back from Clarinda (Glenn Miller's birth place) in 2009 and actually handling and playing Glenn Miller's very own trombone, he forms not one band.......................... but two! .

Talk about inspiration from the Man himself!" (No not me……….Glenn Miller)

At the time of going to press Big Band Buddies has just learned that Marcus has been invited by Bill Baker (The Dutch Band Leader) to return to Clarinda Iowa, to play at the June Glenn Miller Festival, and as our readers will know from last year, Marcus was invited to play Henry Mancini's "Too Little Time" from the film the Glenn Miller story on Glenn's original trombone which you can see on 'YOU TUBE' a quick link on our website www.glennmillertrust.co.uk (just scroll down the index page and your' see the video link.)
I asked Marcus what had happened since his playing debut in the states, and he told me that his album sales have gone through the roof world
wide as well as enquiries about the Marcus Reynolds Big Band. Also with now over 2000 hits on his You tube performance at Clarinda he has received many questions on what it was like and how he felt playing Glenn's very own trombone.
We asked Marcus if he is likely to bring out a new CD soon with the new bands, we wait in anticipation for his answer.
Spectacularly Micheal Rath Trombone's has invited him to work on a proto-type trombone, which he is hoping to take to the States this June for the forth coming Glenn Miller festival.

With all this growing interest. Marcus told me "It's all quite humbling really"

Sat Feb 27th
Matthews 40's Gig

 

contact: marcus@marcusreynolds.com
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