The Jive Aces

“Absolutely Brilliant! That really put me in a good mood.” – Simon Cowell

“A Ray of Sunshine!” “I loved The Jive Aces.”  – Alesha Dixon

“Infectious, uplifting and marvelous!” – Len Goodman

"Wonderful" - Alan Titchmarsh

“Simply sensational!” - The Stage

"Britain’s Got Talent" stars, The Jive Aces, are the UK’s top Jive & Swing band. Together for over fifteen years, this extremely popular six piece group have performed at thousands of festivals, theatres and events throughout the UK, Europe and USA, as well as Japan, Israel, Africa and the Caribbean, over 30 countries in all.

In 2012 the band reached the semi-finals of “Britain’s Got Talent”, the first live band to do so! After wowing Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams with their show-stopping audition of “Jungle Book” favourite “I Wanna Be Like You”, they made national news as “the band that put Simon Cowell in a good mood”!

The Jive Aces are renowned for their high energy Jump Jive music (the exciting sound where Swing meets Rock ‘n Roll) and spectacular stage show. They combine a mixture of fresh arrangements of swing/Jive/R&B classics - songs made famous by such greats as Louis Prima, Cab Calloway, Bobby Darin, Louis Armstrong, Dean Martin, Big Joe Turner and Sammy Davis Jnr - along with some superb swinging originals.

The Jive Aces have worked with many of the top names in the business, including John Travolta, Status Quo, Isaac Hayes, Van Morrison, Jamie Cullum, Count Basie Orchestra, Keely Smith, Priscilla Presley, Kirstie Alley, The Proclaimers, Kenny Ball, Hayley Westenra, Chuck Berry, Tony Christie, Lee Evans and even Busted, to name just a few.

The band has performed at countless major events including: “In Full Swing” at The Royal Albert Hall (when they headlined and sold out the iconic venue’s first ever swing dance); The Berkeley Square Ball; Glastonbury Festival; The London Season; Montreux Jazz Festival (5 times); Lovebox Festival; Grand Order of Water Rats Annual Ball (3 times); Hop Farm Festival, Society of Distinguished Songwriters Ladies Night (twice); City of London Festival; The Ryder Cup; Cannes Film Festival (official party); Henley Festival; Conservative Party Conference (twice) and have performed to HRH Prince Philip at The World Pony Carriage Championships and to HM The Queen during the Diamond Jubilee tour.

The Jive Aces were the recipients of a number of awards, including the prestigious “City of Derry International Music Award”, previous recipients being Van Morrison and Jools Holland. They also received a special award from the Variety Club of Great Britain, for their contributions to entertainment and charity.

In addition to BGT, they have made hundreds of TV and radio appearances including a residency on BBC Radio London and appearances on "The Alan Titchmarsh Show"; “Children in Need”; “Come Dine With Me Royal Wedding Special”; CNN; “Good Morning Los Angeles”; Channel 4's “Holy Smoke”; BBC Radio 2; “DNA Stories”; “Wakey, Wakey Campers”; JazzFM;  “A Swingin’ Christmas” (I hour PBS Special); “I Fatti Vostre” (Rai TV, Italy) “Big Show Sic” (Portugal); and many more.

Their video for the band’s latest single, “Bring Me Sunshine”, has become a viral hit with two million views on Youtube and has won a Telly Award as well as a number of film festival awards.

The band has released seven studio albums and one compilation. Their latest “Recipe for Rhythm” features guest appearances from Chick Corea, Mark Isham, Mr Acker Bilk and Toni Elizabeth Prima.

With their high energy music, bright stage suits, wild stage show, irresistible humor and sheer professionalism, the Jive Aces will quickly get any audience on their feet - or dancing in their seat! Each and every show is guaranteed to go with a swing!

The Jive Aces are:
Ian Clarkson - Lead Vocals, Trumpet, Ukulele
"Big" John Fordham - Tenor Sax, Clarinet, Fiddle
Alex Douglas – Trombone, Percussion, Harmonica
Vince "Professor" Hurley - Piano
Ken Smith - Double Bass
Peter "Bilky" Howell -Drums

Quotes:

"These professional young musicians came on cold to an early evening audience and were simply sensational. The Jive Aces manage great freshness yet maintain an authentic accurate sound. Full Marks."
- The Stage

“Now back by popular demand for an incredible fourth consecutive year at Montreux Jazz Festival, their explosive live shows have become legendary”
- Montreux Jazz Festival

“I wanted to take a few minutes to write a note of personal thanks for the amazing contribution you made to the Children In Need event on Friday. I was extraordinarily impressed not just by the professionalism which you exuded on the night, but also by the willingness to work within the often very strange demands of television. I'm not sure if you have had the chance to see the result on television, but you looked and sounded great.”
- Executive Editor, BBC TV

"Life Is a Game by The Jive Aces has the most important ingredients: It is musically brilliant, it is great to listen to, songwriting is exceptional, the arrangements of the covers are superb. The Jive Aces really are a band of very talented musicians. The album gives loads of joy and pleasure."
- BBC Radio 2

"Opening up with The Jive Aces, the energy level quickly soars through the roof as the band starts stomping with some infectious, high-speed swing music that parallels the energy of 50's rock 'n' roll with all the silk and glamour of 40's swing. Truly modern, and making no claims otherwise, the band seems to be on a caffeine high as they shoot and dance around the notes with such clarity. I’ll give it an A."
- In Music we Trust - CD review