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The Swingle Singers is a vocal group formed in 1962 Paris, France with Ward Swingle, Anne Germain, Jeanette Baucomont, and Jean Cussac. Christine Legrand, the sister of composer Michel Legrand, was the lead soprano in the group. There were a total of 8 members in the group: two sopranos, two altos, two tenors, and two basses.

Contents 1 History 2 Today 3 Discography 4 Trivia 5 External links

The group, directed primarily by the eponymous Ward Swingle (who once belonged to the famed French vocal group Double Six) began as session singers mainly doing background vocals.

They sang with French pop star Etienne Daho on his songs "Timide intimité" and "Soudain" from his 1996 album Eden, and with the Style Council on their song "The Story of Someone's Shoe" from the 1988 album Confessions of a Pop Group. (Style Council leader Paul Weller claims the song was inspired by the Swingle Singers' 1967 album with the Modern Jazz Quartet, Place Vendome.)^{[citation needed]}

• First incarnation: French, 1962-1973
• Second incarnation: English, 1973-Present (also under the names "Swingle II", "The Swingles", then "The New Swingle Singers")

Each of the above incarnations included different singers at different times.

The group is now based in London, England. The Swingle Singers are an a cappella group that sometimes uses accompaniment by bass and drums. They produce complicated, technically impressive covers ranging from modern classics (The Beatles) to classical music (Tchaikovsky, Beethoven) to opera (Rossini). Their arrangements are often informed by jazz harmonies and stylings. Other influences included Nat King Cole, various smooth singers and pianists.

The Swingle Singers are also active in classical music. A hit for them was Bach's "Air on the G String", recorded with the Modern Jazz Quartet. Luciano Berio wrote his postmodern symphony Sinfonia for eight voices and orchestra in 1968 with them in mind (appearing on the original recording which is now out of print). They also recorded Ben Johnston's "Ci-Git Satie" and "Visions and Spels". In 2005, their recording of Bach's Prelude in F Minor was incorporated into the hit single "They", by Jem Griffiths; the same piece was also used in the 2006 film The Gigolos. In the same year, their recording of Bach's Fugue in G Minor (BWV 578) featured in the film Thank You for Smoking.

The group currently comprises:

• Joanna Goldsmith (Soprano)
• Julie Kench (Soprano)
• Clare Wheeler (Alto)
• Johanna Marshall (Alto)
• Richard Eteson (Tenor)
• Tom Bullard (Tenor)
• Kevin Fox (Bass)
• Tobias Hug (Bass)

Going Baroque (2007)

1. Badinerie
2. Aria And Variations: The Harmonious Blacksmith
3. Giga
4. Largo
5. Prelude No. 19 In A Major
6. Preambulum
7. Fugue
8. Allegro
9. Prelude No. 7 In E Flat Major
10. Solfegietto In C Minor
11. Der Fruehling (Spring)
12. Prelude No. 24 In B Minor

Unwrapped (2006)

1. Concerto Grosso
2. In The Bleak Midwinter
3. Christmas Song
4. River
5. Walking In The Air
6. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
7. O Tannenbaum
8. Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree
9. Santa Baby
10. Away In A Manger
11. Carol Of The Drum
12. Amazing Grace
13. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
14. Last Christmas
15. Happy Christmas (War Is Over)
16. Hotaru No Hikari

Dabadaba Swing (2006)

1. So What
2. Surfboard
3. Insensatez
4. Girl From Ipanema
5. Milonga Del Angel
6. Time For Love, A
7. Timeless Place, A
8. What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?
9. Have You Met Miss Jones?
10. My Funny Valentine
11. Lady Is A Tramp
12. Just One Of Those Things
13. My Foolish Heart
14. All The Things You Are
15. It Don't Mean A Thing
16. Soul Bossa Nova

American Look (2005)

1. Country Dances
2. When Jesus Wept
3. Negro Spirituals
4. Patriotic Songs
5. He's Gone Away
6. Saints Fugue
7. Stephen Foster Medley
8. Porgy And Bess Suite

Concerto d'Aranjuez (2004)

1. Romanza Andaluza
2. Adagio
3. Rondalla Aragonesa
4. Tango In D Major
5. Granada
6. Sevilla
7. Romance Espagnole
8. Spanish Tango In A Minor
9. Sonata In D Major
10. Andaluza

• Contrary to popular belief, the Burt Bacharach-penned song "South American Getaway" from the 1969 film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was not performed by the Swingle Singers.

• They appeared on The Two Ronnies singing The Windmills of Your Mind (which was written by Michel Legrand). They were also the featured performers in the musical section of the 1975 series of The Two Ronnies.

• They were part of the UK's first human beatbox choir, 'Shlomo and the Vocal Orchestra' alongside some of the UK's premier beatbox artists.

• The Swingle Singers