Craig schneider &
the kings of swing
Step back in time to the music and style of the 1940s. Swing was king, and Craig Schneider’s Kings of Swing revive the memories of those glorious nights spent dancing to big bands. Think spats, hats and pinstripes, or elegant black tie and cocktails. And with a repertoire ranging from the classic swing of Count Basie and Duke Ellington, through the jump jive and R'n'B sounds of Louis Jordan and Louis Prima plus a healthy dose of the Rat Pack, Nat "King" Cole and Bobby Darin, Craig Schneider’s Kings of Swing take the audience on a journey from the 40s to today.
Led by award-winning pianist and vocalist Craig Schneider, the band features the cream of Melbourne’s musicians, providing a big, bright sound that immediately gets your toes tapping. The arrangements are all Craig's, lending a new and fresh sound to the classic repertoire.
Craig Schneider is a multi award-winning pianist, vocalist, composer, arranger, and musical director. Equally at home on the concert stage or in an intimate jazz club, he has performed all over the world.
Australian born, Craig moved to London in 2004. He soon became resident pianist at London’s famed Savoy and Dorchester Hotels and also appeared regularly at celebrity haunts Claridges and the Ivy Club.
As Musical Director of the West End show The Rat Pack, Live from Las Vegas Craig has played in concert halls and theatres throughout the UK, USA, Scandinavia and Germany. He has performed with his jazz trio at such notable jazz venues as Pizza Express Jazz Club, the 606 Club, Octave, Bennetts Lane, Dizzy's, Royal Albert Hall and the National Theatre and appeared at many festivals in the UK and Australia including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Bury St Edmunds Festival and London Jazz Festival.
Craig is currently Musical Director for the show SWING ON THIS. He directed the band for the premiere at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival and has since performed with the show at venues all over Australia including QPAC, the Arts Centre Gold Coast, Karralyka Centre, Bunbury Performing Arts Centre.
A respected jazz artist, Craig has shared the stage with such jazz greats as legendary bassist Ray Brown, vocalist Marion Montgomery and Australian trumpet virtuoso James Morrison. He has released six CDs: Craig Schneider, 'S Wonderful – Craig Schneider's Gershwin, The Start of Something Big, Swing Still Works For Me, Trio and Fly Right, celebrating the music of Nat "King" Cole.
what people are saying.
““If jazz is ever to gain another resurgence among the public in this country it will be through musicians such as the talented Craig Schneider. He’s an entertainer.” ”