The Swingle Singers have been around for nearly five decades, performed across the world and won five Grammys. But it probably took the pilot episode of "Glee" to introduce them to the majority of Americans.
Monday, the eight-member a cappella ensemble returns to Lee University as part of the Presidential Concert Series. Their 2003 performance at Lee was a sellout.
An international phenomenon, the original Swingle Singers released a groundbreaking debut record in 1963.
The latest lineup, based in London, represents the group's transformation from pioneering classical/jazz crossover artists to contemporary vocal supergroup. These days, their selections also cover Latin, pop and rock genres, all accompanied by their own vocal rhythm section.
"Along with the repertoire, the stage show has also grown into a full-blown lights-and-choreography spectacle," says the group's press material. "The beauty is that however the group has changed, the sound remains unmistakably that of the Swingle Singers."
In the "Glee" pilot, the unmistakable sound added flavor 14 times, by The Swingle Singers' count. Included were their versions of "Flight of the Bumblebee," "Soul Bossa Nova," "Golliwog's Cakewalk," "A Fifth of Beethoven" and "Moonlight Sonata."
IF YOU GO
* What: The Swingle Singers.
* When: 7:30 p.m. Monday.
* Where: Dixon Center, 1053 Church St., NE, Lee University, Cleveland, Tenn.
* Admission: $10 adults, $5 seniors and students.
* Phone: 423-614-8343.
* Note: Box office open 3-6 p.m. today and 3-7:30 p.m. Monday.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Swingle Singers began as an exercise in sight-reading to alleviate the monotony of '60s backing vocals. Eight Paris-based jazz session singers worked their way through some Bach keyboard repertoire one day and discovered a natural swing to the music. Without changing a note of the original score, they adapted the music for voice, added a rhythm section and persuaded Philips record company to record it for them as Christmas presents for family and friends. That recording, "Jazz Sebastian Bach," reached No. 1 on the charts and won the group the first of five Grammy Awards.
Source: www.swinglesingers.com.