The Jive Aces are a six-piece UK-based, swing band that was formed in 1989. They were Britain's Got Talent semi-finalists in 2012. They have released 11 albums, as well as compilations, EPs and singles and have performed at numerous music festivals.
The band was founded by vocalist Ian Clarkson, drummer Peter Howell (who went to school with Ian in Billericay), bassist Ken Smith and saxophonist "Big" John Fordham. The four met in East London jive and jazz clubs. They cut their teeth street entertaining and were soon being offered shows in UK and Europe. After several years of touring the band with various other musicians, the four met Alex Douglas (trombone, bongos, blues harp, washboard) and Vince Hurley (piano) who became permanent members. Grazia Clarkson, the band's publicist, has also become a regular performing member playing several featured songs on accordion.
The band is recognized as one of the top swing bands in the world, something borne out by their extensive international travel (the band has performed in over 40 countries). The June 2015 issue of Vintage Rock magazine described them as the "UK's number one jive and swing band".
They have received awards from Variety, the Children's Charity and the City of Derry International Music Award in 2006. On 12 September 2018 The Jive Aces won "Best Band" at the Boisdale Music Awards. The award was presented by Jools Holland, who then joined the band for a boogie woogie jam session.
The band is also notable for having strong links to the Church of Scientology as members of the Sea Organization, and for promoting the religion and its missions. Some critics of the Church of Scientology claim that The Jive Aces are used as a front group for Scientology; Mike Rinder, former senior executive of the Church of Scientology International and the Sea Organization, claims that the band is used for generating "positive PR" for the church.
Career
Notable highlights
On 9 July 2010, the band headlined at the first ever swing dance at the Royal Albert Hall. They played to approximately 1,400 dancers on the dance floor, with support from the Back To Basie Orchestra and Top Shelf Jazz.
In late August 2010, the Jive Aces performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in a show tributing one of their musical heroes, Louis Prima. In February 2011, after recording in Los Angeles, they toured the United States, including opening for legendary singer Keely Smith, the former wife of Louis Prima. Keely Smith has also sung with the band on a number of occasions, including shows in Los Angeles, Palm Desert, Phoenix and at the Edinburgh Fringe.
The band played London's famous jazz venue Ronnie Scotts for the first time in July 2011 and sold out. The band has since played there several times a year, selling out every time.
In Spring 2015, the band did their biggest tour to date, 6 weeks of major theatres around the US (mostly 1000-2000+ capacity). The tour was a huge success, with biannual USA tours every year since.
On 10 February 2019, the Jive Aces brought an expanded version of their Big Beat Revue tour to London's Aldwych Theatre. This is one of London's West End theatres (the UK equivalent of Broadway). The show, featuring special guests Cassidy Janson, BBC Radio London's Jo Good, The Satin Dollz, Antonio Socci and Lottie B, was sold out and received standing ovations.
Viral video "Bring Me Sunshine" In March 2011, the band produced a YouTube video for their cover of the Morecambe and Wise theme song "Bring Me Sunshine", in a Louis Prima, jive style. It went on to win several awards at film festivals, and a Silver Telly Award. The video is noted for its uplifting quality and has even been prescribed by a US doctor for depression, as noted in national media. As of May 2019, the video has been viewed over 3.3 million times on YouTube.
Britain's Got Talent
In January 2012 The Jive Aces auditioned for Britain's Got Talent, with the audition airing on week 6 on 28 April 2012, performing the band's version of The Jungle Book classic, "I Wanna Be Like You". The band greatly impressed the judges, with Simon Cowell calling them "Absolutely brilliant" and adding "That really put me in a good mood!" They went on to become the first live band to get through to the live semi-finals of BGT.