Celebrating musical icon Sammy Davis Jr. on his centenary
2025 marks a hundred years since the birth of one of the all-time greatest performers: the legendary singer, actor, dancer, musician, comedian and Rat Pack member Sammy Davis Jr.
To celebrate Sammy Davis Jr.’s life and music in style, the 30-piece Down for the Count Swing Orchestra - one of the UK’s most highly-regarded swing bands - will be on tour this summer, presenting an evening of extraordinary live music guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
Celebrating Sammy Davis Jr. tour:
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Celebrating Sammy Davis Jr. will be stopping off in Nottingham, Manchester, Bristol, London and Cambridge this summer, for what promises to be a very special night in honour of the legendary entertainer.
The Down for the Count Swing Orchestra features a sensational array of some of the UK’s top jazz instrumentalists and vocalists, including powerhouse singer Marvin Muoneké. The Orchestra will bring the music of Sammy Davis Jr. to life, with recreations of his greatest hits, including Birth of the Blues, What Kind of Fool Am I, Me and My Shadow and, of course, Mr. Bojangles — all performed with the group’s trademark warmth and energy.
“Sammy Davis Jr. was a real trailblazer,” says conductor Mike Paul-Smith, who not only conducts the Orchestra but also compères the show, introducing each song with short anecdotes. “His music has really stood the test of time, with songs like Mr. Bojangles still resonating with audiences, and in some cases moving them to tears, more than 50 years after Sammy recorded it. It’s certainly the most requested song in our repertoire and audiences just love listening to us perform it.”
Singer Marvin Muoneké agrees. “Mr. Bojangles is more than just a song,” he says. “It's actually based on a true experience by the song's writer, Jerry Jeff Walker. It tells a sad yet enchanting story.” Speaking of the song’s effect on audiences, he observes: “It takes them back to a specific moment in time. If I'm honest, I sometimes get a lump in my throat knowing that the music we bring continues to touch audiences both young, and young at heart.”
"If I'm honest, I sometimes get a lump in my throat knowing that the music we bring continues to touch audiences.""
Marvin Muoneké, Vocals
But this show is about more than Sammy’s (arguably) greatest hit. It will also include context on the man’s life, career, and the obstacles he faced.
Marvin expands: “In spite of the awful challenges that were continually thrown at him, from losing his eye in a terrible car crash to being denied some of the basic human freedoms solely because of the colour of his skin, he continued to astound audiences across the world with his enormous talent. His amazing command of the stage can never be debated or denied!”
While the show revolves around Sammy Davis Jr., it will also serve up music by some of his contemporaries, such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Carmen McRae, giving audiences a rounded picture of the life and times of this terrific entertainer.
Marvin adds: “I hope the show will remind our audiences that there was so much more to this great artist than just Mr. Bojangles and Me and My Shadow, as lovely as those two songs are!”
Conductor Mike Paul-Smith agrees, adding: “One of the joys of preparing for a tour like this is having the opportunity to delve into the archives, to discover some unappreciated gems that we can bring back to life. Ultimately, these shows are going to be a joyful celebration of the life of an extraordinary man, with a sensational group of musicians and vocalists giving it their all. There is nothing like the power of completely live music and we can’t wait to head off on tour this summer.”
"Ultimately, these shows are going to be a joyful celebration of the life of an extraordinary man."
Mike Paul-Smith, Conductor
This exclusive set of shows will highlight the genius of a true icon, whose work continues to entertain, thrill, and move audiences down the decades. And will likely do so for a hundred years more.
Tour dates
Tue 17 Jun: Nottingham Albert Hall
Thu 19 Jun: Manchester The Stoller Hall
Fri 20 Jun: Bristol St. George's Bristol
Sat 21 Jun: London Cadogan Hall
Fri 27 Jun: Cambridge West Road Concert Hall
Celebrating Sammy Davis Jr. tour:
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About the author
Polis Loizou-Denyer is Down for the Count's marketing and communications officer. Though it's a long time since he played an instrument himself, he likes to keep creative with his own writing, performing, theatre making, filmmaking and oral storytelling.
