The Swingles in Tempe

The Swingles are a British vocal ensemble descended from the group founded in Paris in 1962 by American singer and arranger Ward Swingle. They became known for wordless, jazz-shaped versions of Bach, recorded with a rhythm section on Jazz Sébastien Bach, issued in English-speaking markets as Bach’s Greatest Hits. Later lineups broadened the repertoire to a cappella arrangements of classical music, pop and original songs. In 1968, the original Swingle Singers joined the New York Philharmonic in New York for the world premiere of Luciano Berio’s Sinfonia, which uses eight amplified vocal parts. Ward Swingle established a successor ensemble in London in 1973, and orchestral performances of Sinfonia stayed in its live repertoire alongside standalone vocal concerts. The ensemble later co-founded the London A Cappella Festival and performed in its programs at Kings Place.