August 17, 201014 yr From Darius' facebook Darius Campbell Hi guys I recorded this video about The History of the Big Bands tour, not long to go now !! Who's coming to see it ? I can't wait to perform for you all. Love D xx The History of the Big Bands starring Darius Campbell bit.ly Neil Sean meets Darius Campbell to discuss The History of the Big Bands tour It's unlisted so Darius doesn't want the link spread, so if you go to his facebook, you'll be able to watch it. Edited August 17, 201014 yr by megham
August 17, 201014 yr iKNGWjAwts8 I'm not sure why it's unlisted but I know you can post the link & video anywhere you want to -
August 17, 201014 yr It's a shame it is because a Darius search wont bring it up. It'd get more publicity if it were public.
August 18, 201014 yr Author That's the best interview for ages, well thought out......and Darius singing :) Shame about the Westminster live in the middle.
August 18, 201014 yr The Surrey Herald Five of the best: Darius takes on his latest challenge Aug 17 2010 Surrey Herald THE History of the Big Bands is related in Woking for one night only, with the enigmatic Darius Campbell as both singer and producer. Campbell, who shot to fame in the TV talent show Pop Idol and had a number one single with Colourblind, follows in the footsteps of great crooners such as Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra in his most challenging role yet. The History of the Big Bands takes the audience on a musical journey through the big band and swing eras. Focusing on Frank Sinatra songs, this cleverly narrated show features the music of key names from those times, including Harry James, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Woody Herman and Buddy Rich. The show promises to be an outstanding evening of high energy, virtuoso musicianship and wonderful songs. what? The History of the Big Bands with Darius Campbell where? New Victoria Theatre, Woking when? Monday, October 25, 7.30pm cost? From £17 see: www.ambassadortickets.com/woking http://www.surreyherald.co.uk/surrey-lifes...86289-27087060/
August 20, 201014 yr I love this. It's the Surrey HHerald article again - but this time by someone who doesn't really know English http://www.thiscloud.net/five-of-the-best-...-surrey-herald/ FIVE OF THE BEST: DARIUS TAKES ON HIS LATEST CHALLENGE – THE SURREY HERALD August 20th, 2010 Aug seventeen 2010 Surrey Herald THE History of the Big Bands is associated in Woking for the singular night only, with the puzzling Darius Campbell as both thespian as well as producer. Campbell, who shot to luminary in the TV bent uncover Pop Idol as well as had the array the singular single with Colourblind, follows in the footsteps of good crooners such as Bing Crosby as well as Frank Sinatra in his many severe purpose yet. The History of the Big Bands takes the assembly upon the low-pitched debate by the large rope as well as pitch eras. Focusing upon Frank Sinatra songs, this deftly narrated uncover facilities the song of pass names from those times, together with Harry James, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Woody Herman as well as Buddy Rich. The uncover promises to be an superb dusk of tall energy, specialist musicianship as well as smashing songs. what? The History of the Big Bands with Darius Campbell where? New Victoria Theatre, Woking when? Monday, Oct 25, 7.30pm cost? From £17 see: www.ambassadortickets.com/woking
August 21, 201014 yr That was an article in the paper? Who on earth have they employed to write that piece, but I do like 'superb dusk of tall energy'?! Sue Edited August 21, 201014 yr by surrogatemum
August 21, 201014 yr Mind you, that article will probably attract far more attention as people point it out to others.
August 21, 201014 yr I love it - I'll now have to go and get The Surrey Herald to see which they had. I'd like it to be the second.
August 22, 201014 yr The English as we know it was in the the paper. Not the translation of a translation one. The page is headed '5 of the best' and Darius is #1 with a photo from popstar to operastar in the write up. He has about 1/4 of the page.
August 27, 201014 yr Thw Swing Thing A programme on BBC4 at 9.00 to 10.30 tonight, Friday Aug 27th. Documentary charting the history of swing 1920s to 1950s.
August 28, 201014 yr http://www.lovelincoln.co.uk/ll/2010/08/lo...arius-campbell/ AUGUST 27, 2010 LoveLincoln.co.uk meets Darius Campbell Filed under: Features — admin @ 9:17 am Darius Campbell will be bringing his swinging production of The History of the Big Bands to Lincoln next month when he takes the stage at the Lincoln Theatre Royal on 19th September 2010. LoveLincoln.co.uk caught up with Darius to find out a little more about the show and where his love of performing came from. When did you know you wanted to sing? I’ve always loved singing: from a very young age I was drawn to it. When I was 12 I was part of the Scottish Opera performance of Carmen in Convent Garden in London. I remember being backstage and it was absolutely cavernous, bigger than front of stage. It was filled with pieces of the sets, rigging, costumes and all sorts of things. It was kind of like walking into the wardrobe in the Lion, Witch and Wardrobe; I was completely enraptured with it. I knew that I wanted to be part of this idea of telling a story in the form of singing and acting and I’m very lucky that my career has allowed me to explore that. Was music a big part of your life growing up? Music was always a big part of my life in various ways and forms. I loved music and formed my first band when I was 14. I actually turned down an opportunity to train professionally as an opera singer to go back to Glasgow because I missed my mates and the next thing I knew I was at university and then here I am today. How would you say your music has developed over the years? The auditions on Pop Idol that I loved the most were Big Band auditions. Big Band has brought my music back full circle. I’ve learnt to use the lower register of my voice and do things I’ve never been able to do before. Big Band appeals to a whole range of people across generations. When you find out the stories behind the classic records they’re truly fascinating. Who are your musical inspirations? Nat King Cole is a big inspiration to me. His use of base baritone within pop music hasn’t really been done since and he had an incredible voice. The History of the Big Bands is a show that you’ve produced yourself and tells the story of the big band and swing era featuring jazz legends like Glenn Miller and Buddy Rich. What made you decide to put this show together? About a year ago I was sat with my grandfather talking about his life and he was telling me about music and about how Big Band had such a deep social and communal significance back in the day. You’d go to a local hall and meet your potential partner and dance to Big Band music and fall in love. He talked about how it was broadcast on the wireless and used to motivate the troops to lift their spirits. Also the idea of the pin up girl Is fascinating, I don’t think there’s a modern day equivalent to any of those things and I remember saying to him how much I wished I could go back and get a glimpse of what the world was like back then. I did my research and found an amazing co-producer and put together a show that will transport the audience back to that era. We’ll have an 18 piece orchestra and there’ll be such an atmosphere of decadence, style and swinging swagger, which was only around back then, and is only possible now because we were able to research the original sheet music that they used. The show takes the audience on a tour of the Big Band music greats and their lives and they’ll be an element of burlesque dance so the show will be great fun. What home comforts do you miss when you tour? My mum’s cooking! I only really get to eat my mum’s food once a year when I go home to Glasgow for Christmas. To be honest I’m so used to being away from home and up and down the country that home comforts are a very different concept to me. You’ve starred in some highly acclaimed West End shows like Chicago and Guys and Dolls – what is it you enjoy about acting and how does it compare to singing? I suppose it’s like when an artist uses oil paints and then uses the technique of sculpture to create something. They’re different techniques but expressions of the same art form. With acting you take a character and you mould it and shape it to create something that tells a story and singing is the same process: you take lyrics and music and shape them to tell a story, whether it be a story of love, loss, whatever. It’s the same idea and that’s what I want – to be a part of great story telling. You’ve recently appeared in Carmen with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in London, in the biggest Operatic production ever in the UK, at The O2 arena. What has been your most memorable performance? The performance at The O2 arena was just incredible, there were 20,000 people there and I was performing with 200 other people on stage. I was playing Escamillo, Carmen’s bull-fighting lover, it was a dream come true. I’d have to say that my most memorable performance though was at the Royal Albert Hall – not because it was the Albert Hall – but because it was extremely special to me personally. It was the first time my father was released from hospital. Well I say released what I mean is that he snuck out with two of his nurses who were on either side of his wheelchair; they didn’t tell the doctors! Although he had terminal cancer he was there to see and hear me perform and I sang a song I wrote for him called Live Twice and it meant so much to me. I hope I made him proud. You’ve recently had a very frightening experience in Spain, has this changed your outlook on life? I feel really lucky to be alive and very blessed to have the faculties that I took for granted before: my arms and legs and taste. I was very fortunate that I – literally – walked away from the accident. I’ve been through a process of reflection since and I’ve been recovering and taking the time to heal so that I’m ready for the tour. I’ve been doing physio every day and having chiropractic massages, acupuncture all sorts of things. I’m glad for the experience in a way. Although the pain that I’ve gone through is not great what I’ve got from the experience as a whole is. This is your second visit to Lincoln now after your appearance at the Lincoln Theatre Royal Gala Night. What do you like about the city? Lincoln’s got a really great sense of history and heritage. I love the castle and the cobbled streets and Bailgate area. It’s also very green, there’s this lush greenery which kind of reminds me of Scotland which I like. The people are very friendly and warm and the last time I was in the city I had such a great welcome and the audience was fantastic. What’s next for you after your Big Band tour? I’m a one step at a time kind of man. Right now I’m concentrating on getting fit for the tour – getting better – and working on putting the final touches to it so it’s the best that it can be when it kicks off. After that, who knows?!
August 28, 201014 yr Thursday, August 26, 2010, 10:00Comment on this story Share Darius Campbell moves from pop wannabe to big band leader Daruis Campbell. DARIUS Campbell will be making a big bang at the Lincoln Theatre Royal this September with his new swinging show The History of the Big Band. The 30-year-old Scot has had a colourful career, going from Pop Idol finalist to Popstar to Operastar winner, then on to starring roles on the West End stage. Darius first hit our screens ten years ago with his appearance on Popstars and has gone on to achieve five top-ten hits, including the number-one selling single Colourblind. His debut album went platinum and his book, Sink or Swim, was a Sunday Times number six bestseller. The former reality star is now no stranger to the big stage as he carved out a renowned reputation as a West End Star. He appeared in Guys and Dolls, played Billy Flyn in Chicago and, in 2008, took the Clarke Gable lead in Trevor Nunn's Gone with the Wind. Now Darius takes on his biggest role to date – his own big band show complete with a magnificent 16-piece orchestra. With such an exciting venture, Darius passionately talks about his up and coming visit to the area. He said: "I'm very excited about this project and taking the show to the Theatre Royal will prove an exciting return for me. I love Lincoln. They always provide a great crowd." The tour kicks off in St Albans on September 11. His one-night visit to Lincoln takes place on September 19. Darius therefore has had a hectic schedule. He said: "I have been so busy, but I thrive on it. I have co-produced the show as well as being a performer in it. I am enjoying every moment. "I love the big band era. It's timeless and can be appreciated across different generations. My grandfather adores this style of music, as does my 15-year-old brother. It's music for the soul, which evokes romance and a different way of life." The show features famous tunes from the world's greatest big band leaders, including Harry James, Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman and Buddy Rich. The audience is led on a musical ride from one band leader to another and a series of first-class soloists cover the famous solos as played by the original. Darius said: "The show aims to transport each and every audience member back in time and give them an insight into 1940s life. "The show is an audio and visual treat. There is going to be a burlesque dancer from America and the music is all going to sound authentic. The show is stylistically based on Chicago and will be a great spectacle for people of all ages. "The music in the show is just fabulous. It's something complete different for me. "I have mixed my talents like colours on a palette, adding different things which make me better as a person and more exciting as an artist. "I love to do and produce different things. It keeps everything fresh. I hope everyone will enjoy it." Darius talks warm-heartedly about his time on Pop Idol He said: "I look back with sheer fondness. The show launched me on to the international stage and it has opened up the most fantastic opportunities for me. I could not have wished for more from the show." With regards to the talent show culture, Darius divulges his personal insight and opinions on the X Factor's "autotune" row, in which it is claimed performers' voices are digitally enhanced. Darius said: "I feel it should not be deliberately used to enhance a performer's voice it is unfair to the viewers. The audience like to see growth and improvement in an artist and this use of autotuning is hindering that. "Simon Cowell is a great man and has helped me so much with my career. He gives great advice and we remain friends. This is a strange thing to do however I'm sure he will amend it." The History of the Big Band promises an outstanding evening of high energy, virtuoso musicianship and wonderful songs. With the talented, charismatic and hugely entertaining Darius at the helm it promises to be a night to remember. Tickets are on sale now priced from £17.50 to £22 from the Theatre Royal box office and all shows begin at 7.30pm. Call 01522 519 999. http://www.thisisretford.co.uk/news/Daruis...il/article.html Edited August 28, 201014 yr by megham
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