Tag Archives: The Jive Aces

EdFringe Talk: The Jive Aces

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2024 by

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“There is no festival like it on the planet, and believe me we have played at a lot of different festivals all over the world!”

WHO: Ian Clarkson (no relation to Jeremy..)

WHAT: “Together for over 25 years, The Jive Aces have been keeping the show on the road and are renowned worldwide for their high-energy live show in over 40 countries. The band spread smiles and cheer with their swingin’ music and classic vintage style, from crooning smooth swinging ballads to blasting the roots of rock’n’roll. Having played for Her Majesty the Queen, selling out the Royal Albert Hall and becoming the first band to reach the finals of Britain’s Got Talent, they continuously showcase why they are the UK’s No 1 jive and swing band!”

WHERE: Pleasance at EICC – Lomond (Venue 150) 

WHEN: 20:00 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

No, we have been coming to the Ed Fringe for countless years! Who would miss the Fringe?!

From our first experiences when we drove up overnight and slept on the hills and used to just play a few dates in a club nearby and we gradually sleazed our way into the festival to becoming part the official Fringe and onwards.. We have played many different venues over the years, always with great creative teams, and we love it! There is no festival like it on the planet, and believe me we have played at a lot of different festivals all over the world!

The streets are paved with clowns and Shakespearian characters and the air is rife with tourists of all nationalities – an equalizer where the a novice juggler rubs shoulders with international celebs and all to entertain! This is what we it is all about!

We also promote the Fringe in any country/city we go – it is a unique experience! We also encourage other fellow artist to bring their show to the Fringe and experience it for themselves. And we are talking about Edinburgh, what a fascinating and beautiful town!

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Wow! So much! I’ve learned that as life goes on there is nothing I enjoy more than entertaining a crowd of people, anywhere, and playing good upbeat music! It sounds so obvious but nothing replaces it.

I’ve learned that it is as a team that we really create a show and that the team chemistry and getting on together is one of the most important aspects.

I’ve learned not to take things too seriously and that love really does make the world go round.

I have learnt that it is also important to support fellow artists, going to see their shows, encourage them with their creativity, with their careers. The artist has a major role in society, as we bring art into people’s lives which would be very dull otherwise, so it is important to me to really make sure that art thrives.

Tell us about your show.

The show is called “Keeping the Show on the Road” and it comes from a song I wrote about getting back out on tour after the pando (during which we kept going with a daily live stream for 500 consecutive nights/shows) and this is also the title of our new album which we are releasing on July 19th which ties in with the show as this features all the tracks featured in the show.

This is the first we bring the show to the Fringe and the first time we have had an accompanying album for our show! So, a big celebration!

The show features a mixture of swing, boogie, jazz and Rock n Roll, yellow suits and cheeky grins plus our secret weapon from Italy, Grazia on the accordion!

After the Fringe, this show will also be hitting the road as we take it to local and regional theatres around the UK later in the year and hope to bring it to the Adlwych Theatre in the West End, so fingers crossed! (Send us your prayers!)

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

After seeing our show – of course! – we recommend people also go and see other shows that do music from the same era (from 1920’s to 1950’s) like and also a short comment on why we recommend them:

– Swingology (Venue 67) – because It Don’t Mean a Thing If You Ain’t Got That Swing!

– Sundown Swing (Venue 111) – because the title says it all

– Django at the Fringe (Venue 293) – love a good gypsy jazz!

– In the Mood (Venue 111) – because it is a tribute to Glenn Miller and the music of the 40s, who doesn’t like the big bands era?

– 1954: Ella, Etta, Eartha (Venue 152) – because those ladies knew how to make your heat sing.

– Mervyn Stutter’s Pick of the Finge (Venue 33) – because he really picks great shows of the Fringe and if you don’t know what to pick, his show will help you decide.

But do explore MORE! The more the merrier! Recharge your batteries for the rest of the year! These are only a fraction of what you could see at the Fringe. Splurge on it! Go and explore, there is something for everyone!

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EdFringe Talk: The Jive Aces

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2023 by

“There is nothing like walking up the Royal Mile being given flyers by everything from Shakespearian characters to vikings or animals and seeing every possible room or building turned into a venue for artistic creation.”

WHO: Ian Clarkson: Singer, trumpet player, ukulele player and band leader

WHAT: “Get ready to swing with the UK’s No1 jive and swing band, The Jive Aces! Semi-finalists on Britain’s Got Talent, a Royal Albert Hall sell out and a viral YouTube video, the band has performed for the Queen and celebrities like John Travolta, Priscilla Presley and Van Morrison. They take you on a musical journey from the roots of Elvis to sizzling swing classics, hot jazz to rockin’ R&B. An energetic and entertaining show that will lift your spirits! With their infectious music, dazzling musicianship and yellow vintage-style suits, they have won fans all over the world!”

WHERE: Gilded Balloon Teviot – Debating Hall (Venue 14) 

WHEN: 14:30 (60 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

I have lost count how many times we have actually performed in Edinburgh, or at the Fringe but it definitely isn’t the first.

I have personally always loved the EdFringe since our first visit because I love art and performance in general and the performers of all kinds which adorn every street and corner of Edinburgh at this time. I always tell people wherever we are in the world to visit Edinburgh and particularly in August to catch the acts and atmosphere of the Fringe. There is nothing like walking up the Royal Mile being given flyers by everything from Shakespearian characters to vikings or animals and seeing every possible room or building turned into a venue for artistic creation and as a performer you end up talking to and/or performing to, more people when you are promoting than usually at your actual show, but it is all part of the spirit of the festival. Just as it is a sort of leveller in that whether unknown or famous you have to get out and promote your show.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

What have I learned since 2022? Hmm well when we came to the Fringe last year we had pretty much just recently “escaped” fully after the “pando” and I had really finally understood what it means to do what we do and had sort of had to analyse it in order to “get back on the bicycle and ride” again after doing mainly just a live stream for a year or two. I realised why I love it and why I love really people and a real audience and that it was like flying but as natural as breathing and that this IS what I love to do!

Unfortunately, also due to this, we had less budget and could only stay a very short time at the Fringe in 2022. Plus actually we had never done a very long run here. So after 2022 I decided we should take the plunge, take the “risk” and stay for at least two weeks. Which we are doing this year for the first time! And I know the EdFringe won’t let us, we’re having a ball!

Tell us about your show.

Our show is a culmination of the best songs and musical numbers from our forthcoming album, “Keeping The Show On The Road”, (inspired by continuing to perform despite all the obstacles due to the pandemic – I am sure all artists went through this) with added high energy showmanship of course. It features swing music, jive, some rhythm and blues and some brilliant classic vintage hit songs.

There is humour, fun, nostalgia and exhilarating competence. Inspirations include everyone from Dean Martin to Elvis Presley, Duke Ellington to Little Richard and Marilyn Monroe to Ella Fitzgerald.

There is much to watch but some space to dance should you feel the need. Some of the band met at school or just after they left school and have been playing together for years and years, adding Grazia on the accordion in the last 7 years and Noelle Vaughn more recently, since last year.

Basically the perfect recipe for an energy filled 60 minute show and I can say without a doubt it may be hard for people to just sit still in their seats!

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

What should you go and see after you have seen our show?

Well we haven’t been here long and haven’t had much time between performing or promoting since we have but I would recommend John Culshaw at the Gilded Balloon because he is simply a great impressionist /impersonator and is so incredibly talented vocally it is a joy to experience, especially in his easy going natural style.

Otherwise, I would recommend diversity and searching out and finding different and interestingly creative shows. Sometimes a great show is someone well known in a big venue and other times it is some students in a small venue doing Much Ado About Nothing Rat Pack style… It is a big art packed festival waiting to be discovered.

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