The Velvet Crooners

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Last Show: Thursday 10 th November 2022

The Pheasantry (Chelsea)

Both celebrated and timeless, the Crooners' story spans nearly 100 years. The Velvet Crooners' silky and smooth interpretations honour Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, who inspired many incredible singers: Louis Armstrong, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Nat King Cole, Matt Monro, Dean Martin, Mel Tormé, Perry Como, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jnr, Bobby Darin, Andy Williams, Neil Sedaka, Michael Bublé, Harry Connick Jnr and many more. A superb five-piece band Under the musical direction of Steve Ridley accompany West End performers Christian Gibson and Rory Campbell as the The Velvet Crooners.

 

 

Both celebrated and timeless, the Crooners' story spans nearly 100 years. The Velvet Crooners' silky and smooth interpretations honour Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, who inspired many incredible singers: Louis Armstrong, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Nat King Cole, Matt Monro, Dean Martin, Mel Tormé, Perry Como, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jnr, Bobby Darin, Andy Williams, Neil Sedaka, Michael Bublé, Harry Connick Jnr and many more. A superb five-piece band under the musical direction of Steve Ridley  accompany West End performers Christian Gibson and Rory Campbell as the The Velvet Crooners.

Christian and Rory have a similar background in theatre with many credits to their names covering West End Musical theatre, Operetta and International concerts. The Velvet Crooners’ show combines their shared passion for singing the standards of the artists they’ve idolised. With their wide range of singing styles, The Velvet Crooners has a truly international feel, featuring songs made famous by the iconic crooners of America, Italy, France and the UK.

Christian is producer and director of The Velvet Crooners. His West End and touring work includes: Chess, Saturday Night Fever, Kiss Me Kate, The Producers, Grease, The Boyfriend, My Fair Lady, Singin’ In The Rain, Anything Goes, Thoroughly Modern Millie, White Christmas and The Sound Of Music. Recent work includes entertaining audiences internationally as one quarter of comedy/cabaret act 4 Poofs and A Piano who featured for 9 years live on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross. Christian is company director of Performance Hub International producing bespoke, high quality vocal/ variety acts to all areas of the entertainment industry.

Rory’s love for the standard songs of the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s was due chiefly to his mother being the once celebrated radio, early TV and West End leading lady Lizbeth Webb.

Rory’s West End, UK and European theatre credits include: Ralph Rackstraw in H.M.S. Pinafore, Richard Tauber in My Heart and I, Bastien in Mozart’s Bastien and Bastienne, Joaquin in The Girl With The Roses,  Gus/Growltiger and Bustopher Jones in Cats (Zurich and in London’s West End), Freddy in My Fair Lady, Evelyn/Rupert in Corpse, Edward in On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, George Kitteridge in High Society and Nigel in Salad Days. Film/TV includes: Miguel in Delta of Venus, Mephistopheles in Batman Begins, Bernard Edgewood in the Italian global series Gomorra, Nigel in South Kensington and The Baron in ITN’s The Sinking Of The Bismark.

Band Lineup

Steve Ridley (Musical Director/piano)

Joe Pettitt (bass)

Matt Regan (keys)

Jon Shenoy (reeds)