Jeff Hooper

It was inevitable that the country’s finest Big Band would choose the country’s finest Big Band singer as its vocalist.

The radio 2 Big Band, featuring Jeff Hooper, was established as a marriage made in heaven for music lovers, and here he is again, with a selection of great songs from his own show, with his own band.
For those unfortunates not acquainted with Jeff we are talking ‘class’. Hal David, of Bacharach and David, gets Jeff to demo all his songs. He’s recorded albums with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. He’s hung out with “Tone,” [Tony Bennett to the rest of us], won new faces as a 14 year old with the highest recorded vote, performs with the Radio2 Big Band, and sung in Vegas for 5 weeks with Charlie Schaffer. And most annoying of all, he’s such a great bloke.

Click below to hear sample tracks from the album

CLICK TO HEAR 'AS LONG AS I'M SINGING'

CLICK TO HEAR 'TONIGHT'2

CLICK TO HEAR 'MARIA'

As Long as I'm Singing

This album is a gem. Great songs, originally performed by some of the legends of Vegas, (incidentally the title of his highly successful theatre show), done in Jeff’s own inimitable style. There’s a full orchestra on here too. Great string arrangements, a grooving rhythm section, and sizzling brass make this a must for your collection, and a perfect introduction to Jeff Hooper the Artiste. Look out for Dave Ford’s trumpet solo’s, on which Digby Fairweather comments in his critique. “ is some of the best playing I’ve heard from a brass person in Britain.” Jon Mainwaring,s searing lead trumpet adds to the excitement, and he too features on “An Affair to Remember” with a seemingly effortless, controlled solo. And done in one take too.
Sumptuous strings are a prominent feature in the sound of this album. The Matt Monro medley (a man Jeff knew personally and attributes to having taught him to tie a dickie bow, and play poker), is a classic rich collection of Matt’s finest. I’ve no doubt Matt himself would have approved of Jeff’s interpretations. Digby also enjoyed Nigel Hart’s arrangements of “Tonight” and “On The Street Where You Live”, but for me the “Jack Jones Medley” is the treat. The rhythm section are superb and Jeff himself is just “The Business.”
If you aren’t yet familiar with this truly quality performer then it’s about time you were.‘cos you’re missing out! This guy is class.

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