SwingFest 2025 - The Bands
Two world-class swing bands to keep you entertained, your toes tapping and the dance floor swinging!
This year we've chosen two female-led bands. Two of the finest vocalists on the London scene, with musicians hand-picked from the very best.
Louise Messenger
Louise Messenger and her Savoy Swing
Louise Messenger is an Australian Jazz/Contemporary vocalist, now based in London.
Louise loves all things swing. Her greatest influences are Carmen McRae, Ella Fitzgerald, Doris Day, Keely Smith and the Boswell Sisters. As well as classic standards, she is always seeking tunes that are a little left of centre, and loves to bring back to life songs from Tin Pan Alley and the Great American Songbook that have been forgotten in the jazz canon.
With a dynamic and smokey voice, Louise loves to entertain and connect with her audiences. An avid swing dancer herself, she loves to sing for dancers as well as jazz lovers, and can most often be found on stage completely unable to stand still.
Louise's career has been wide and varied - beginning her career in the early 2000's, her love of jazz led her to study at the Elder Conservatorium of Music in Adelaide.
Louise has been lucky in her career to have a wide variety of performance experiences - from major television appearances to performing all over Australia, Asia and touring to New Orleans. Since moving to London she has performed both in London and Europe with such wonderful ensembles as The Gordon Webster Band, The London Dance Orchestra, The Palace Avenue Dance Band, The Swing Ninjas, with her vocal trio The Shout SIsters and of course, as the Louise Messenger Swingtet at venues such as The London Lindy Exchange, The Ned, The Oriole Bar, Nightjar, Crazy Coqs, Oxo Tower, Cafe Boheme, The Boisedale, Tiger Rag and The Blues Kitchen.
Louise has also written, directed and produced several stage shows and has enjoyed sold out seasons in the Adelaide Fringe, and Adelaide International Cabaret Festival. For more information, head to Louise's Projects tab.
Elise Roth
Elise Roth & Her Harvard Squares Big Band
Elise Roth & Her Harvard Squares is a swing ensemble devoted to playing music from the 1930s and 40s, with songs and arrangements especially suited to dancers. Band leader, American songstress Elise Roth, grew up listening to the likes of Judy Garland, Helen Forrest, and Ivie Anderson, as well as the famous big bands of Artie Shaw and Glenn Miller. Known for both her expressive vocals and her authentic presence, Elise has charmed audiences internationally, from swing dances to supper clubs to vintage events... and she's always delighted to introduce lesser-known songs to listeners and dancers alike!
This is a rare opportunity to see, hear, and dance to, three full sets from Elise's swingin' 9-piece big band... not to be missed!