With influences ranging from the swinging jazz of Oscar Peterson, Nat King Cole and Bill Evans, through to the Latin styles of Chick Corea and Michel Camilo, the Craig Schneider Trio perform a diverse and engaging repertoire of jazz standards and original compositions.
Join award-winning pianist and vocalist, Craig Schneider, as he explores the full spectrum of piano music from classical through ragtime, jazz and blues to rock and roll.
Step back in time to the music and style of the 1940’s. Swing was king, and Craig Schneider’s Kings of Swing revive the memories of those glorious nights spent dancing to big bands. And with a repertoire ranging from the classic swing of Count Basie and Duke Ellington, through the jump jive and R'n'B sounds of Louis Jordan and Louis Prima plus a healthy dose of the Rat Pack, Bobby Darin, the Blues Brothers and Michael Buble, Craig Schneider’s Kings of Swing take the audience on a journey from the 40’s to today.
“Cole was one of the smoothest of the swing-era musicians, and Craig Schneider's interpretation of his work matched that quality.” The Canberra Times
Award-winning pianist and vocalist Craig Schneider presents his jazz cabaret show Unforgettable celebrating the music of Nat "King" Cole, one of the most beloved entertainers of the 20th Century.
“Immensely talented, virtuoso performers...” Joel Taylor, Camden New Journal
Featuring music and songs from BILLY JOEL, ELTON JOHN, GEORGE GERSHWIN, IRVING BERLIN, NAT “KING” COLE, DAVE BRUBECK, PETER ALLEN, JERRY LEE LEWIS, OSCAR PETERSON and the queen of “honky tonk” - WINIFRED ATWELL, the show is a tour de force of piano music.
From the great classical composers to popular and rock artists and the technical wizardry of the jazz greats, Craig takes the audience on a journey of discovery of the wonderful music made by the men and women who, like him, love the piano.
The show includes Your Song (Elton John), Blue Rondo A La Turk (Dave Brubeck), This Joint is Jumpin’ (Fats Waller), Sweet Georgia Brown (Oscar Peterson), Black and White Rag (Winifred Atwell), The Vatican Rag (Tom Lehrer), Great Balls of Fire (Jerry Lee Lewis), Rhapsody in Blue (George Gershwin), a medley of Peter Allen hits, and, of course, Billy Joel’s classic song Piano Man.
Step back in time to the music and style of the 1940’s. Swing was king, and Craig Schneider’s Kings of Swing revive the memories of those glorious nights spent dancing to big bands. Think spats, hats and pinstripes, or elegant black tie and cocktails. And with a repertoire ranging from the classic swing of Count Basie and Duke Ellington, through the jump jive and R'n'B sounds of Louis Jordan and Louis Prima plus a healthy dose of the Rat Pack,Bobby Darin, the Blues Brothers and Michael Buble, Craig Schneider’s Kings of Swing take the audience on a journey from the 40’s to today.
"Craig Schneider has fronted big bands for many years and it shows...Schneider's voice does the trick...sharp arrangements - delivered with zest and snap..." Australian Financial Review
"And then you get Schneider's vocals. He's pitched closer to the Bobby Darin and Bobby Scott end of the scale with intonation and phrasing to match Sinatra's" Chuck Hall - Jazz Action Society (NSW) newsletter
Led by award-winning pianist and vocalist Craig Schneider, the band features a five-piece horn section (two saxophones, two trumpets and trombone) and three-piece rhythm section. Musical Director for the UK, European and US tours of the hit West End show The Rat Pack – Live from Las Vegas, and SWING ON THIS, Craig has extensive experience in the jazz and music theatre scene and has assembled a band featuring the cream of Melbourne’s musicians, providing a big, bright sound that immediately gets your toes tapping. Craig Schneider’s Kings of Swing performs Craig’s own arrangements of classic jazz and swing tunes as well as original compositions, lending a new and fresh sound to the classic repertoire.
“Cole was one of the smoothest of the swing-era musicians, and Craig Schneider's interpretation of his work matched that quality.” The Canberra Times
Award-winning pianist and vocalist Craig Schneider presents his jazz cabaret show Unforgettable celebrating the music of Nat "King" Cole, one of the most beloved entertainers of the 20th Century.
To the accompaniment of double bass and guitar – the original “King” Cole trio format – Schneider takes his audience on a trip down memory lane, at the same time giving the classic songs a fresh treatment.
The show follows the development of the music which charmed a generation and includes such hits as Sweet Lorraine, Hit That Jive Jack, Straighten Up and Fly Right, Route 66, Paper Moon, Orange Coloured Sky, Mona Lisa, Too Young, When I Fall In Love, The Very Thought of You, Nature Boy and, of course, Unforgettable.
Widely known as a balladeer, Nat "King" Cole was also a very fine and influential jazz pianist. Schneider recreates some of Cole's early work with The Man on the Little White Keys, Honeysuckle Rose and I Got Rhythm.
The show includes anecdotes and stories about Nat "King" Cole's life and career, providing an insight into the man behind the music.