BBC Big Band Brings The Music Of James Bond To Storyhouse

Internationally acclaimed BBC Big Band will perform at Storyhouse this Spring to celebrate the music of the world's most iconic movie franchise, James Bond.

Joined by special guest vocalists, Wirral-born Emer McParland and Iain Mackenzie, the band will bring the sounds of James Bond to life on stage in Chester.

BBC Big presents The Music Of James Bond And Beyond at Storyhouse for one night only on Sunday 29 March 2020.

The concert comes in the same week as the 25th Bond film is released in UK cinemas - with Hoylake's very own Daniel Craig continuing in the title role as James Bond in No Time To Die, which hits the silver screen on 2 April 2020.

The concert will feature classic numbers including Diamonds Are Forever, Thunderball, We Have All The Time In The World, View To A Kill, Goldfinger and, of course, John Barry's iconic James Bond theme. These screen favourites will be heard alongside a selection of more contemporary numbers from the James Bond library including Adele's showstopping Skyfall - all performed in the BBC Big Band's own fantastic style.

The BBC Big Band will also perform a sprinkling of numbers inspired by film - including Mission Impossible and Austin Powers - to give audiences a truly unique evening of world-class musical entertainment. The show is arranged and composed by Barry Forgie, who has been the band's Musical Director since 1977.

Widely regarded as the world's leading and most versatile jazz orchestra, BBC Big Band entertain audiences around the world through their broadcasts on BBC Radio and live performances.

Wirral-born lead vocalist Emer McParland grew up in Bebington and went on to study piano and singing at London's Trinity College of Music. She spent 25 years in the capital performing as a soloist, backing vocalist and is also a vocal coach, before moving back to Wirral eight years ago.

Emer's musical career has seen her perform with the Royal Philharmonic Concert orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, Halle Orchestra, city of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, RTE Concert Orchestra, BBC Big Band and Ronnie Scott's Big Band, as well as work with a host of high-profile singers including Dame Shirley Bassey, Peter Gabriel, Bjork, Kylie Minogue, Gary Barlow, and Andrea Bocelli.

Emer added: "Storyhouse is a fresh and exciting venue, and I'm really looking forward to bringing such an iconic programme of James Bond music to Chester. The Bond movie songs are dramatic and great fun to sing, especially with the fantastic and exciting BBC Big Band. I've performed throughout the UK and around the world, but this is the first time I will have sang live on stage in the North West for a long time. This will also be my first time at Storyhouse, it's going to be very special."

The concert will also feature Iain Mackenzie, who is renowned for his collaborations with Club Des Belugas, Tape Five and JoJo Effect. Having co-written and recorded close to 50 tracks with these giants of lounge, nujazz and electro swing, his tracks have been released on over 100 compilation albums.

The band's musical collaborations features an international who's who, including Tony Bennett, Martin Taylor, Robert Palmer, Louis Stewart, Van Morrison, Amy Winehouse, Mel Torme, Clark Terry, Michael Bublé, Dr John, George Benson, Van Morrison, and Ray Charles.

In addition to its regular studio and broadcast work, BBC Big Band regularly performs live at venues across the UK and have included Proms In The Park in Hyde Park, Cadogan Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Manchester's Bridgewater Hall, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, and The Sage Gateshead.

Tickets for BBC Big Band are on sale now priced from £27.50. Each ticket is subject to a £1.50 booking fee.

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