There is just one month to go until Joburg gets to experience the magic of Christmas coming alive in Swingle Bells
The anticipation is building in Joburg with just one month to go until renowned entertainer Jonathan Roxmouth, the world-class 19-piece Johannesburg Big Band conducted by Adam Howard, along with their Guest Artists Timothy Moloi and Monique Steyn, grace the stage this Festive Season in Swingle Bells – A Christmas Concert Spectacular.
Image supplied by The CoLab Network
The magic comes alive for 8 performances only from Friday 15th – Sunday 24th December 2023.
Jonathan gives us a peek behind the scenes of what the show is all about.
He explains;
“SWINGLE BELLS! Is more than a love letter to Christmas. It is a throwback to the golden age of Christmas Swing Music when Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Bobby Darin were the custodians of "yule cool”. The concept is straightforward: to have the most joy and fun with the music of everyone’s childhood.”
He continues;
“Most important – the music is LIVE. No backing tracks in sight. 19 of South Africa’s finest musicians come together on stage with us vocalists to bring these Christmas songs we all know and love, to life. What better way to celebrate with family, friends and colleagues?”
Toes will soon be tappin’ and hands a-clappin’ as audiences old and young enjoy the Big Band take on instantly recognisable traditional Christmas carols from All I Want for Christmas is You and Swingle Bells to It’s the most wonderful time of the year, Jingle Bell Rock, Silent Night and more.
In amongst all of this yuletide joy, there are countless surprises, familiar favourites and nostalgic hits.
- View the promotional video of Swingle Bells:
- Jonathan and Adam took a moment from Swingle Bellsplanning, to give us some additional insight into Swingle Bells. View the behind-the-scenes EPK video:
SWINGLE BELLS ALBUM NEWS!
In 2020, Jonathan and The Johannesburg Big Band headed into Howard Audio studios to record the 14 track Christmas album Swingle Bells which was released on CD and downloads - and they are thrilled to now be able to bring those recordings to life in spectacular fashion on the Teatro stage.
The good news is, to celebrate their live performances of this album, it has now been signed to distribution company Platoon where is will be available on ALL streaming platforms - and has been re-mixed into Dolby Atmos immersive audio (spatial audio) - the first South African Big Band Album to be mixed in Atmos.
Swingle Bells will be released on Friday, 1st December across all digital platforms.
Q & A: WHAT DOES CHRISTMAS / THE FESTIVE SEASON MEAN TO YOU?
While this preparation for Swingle Bells is underway, we sat down with Jonathan, Adam, Timothy and Monique to get some insight into what Christmas and this time of year, means to them.
Here’s the Q&A with each artist.
JONATHAN ROXMOUTH
Q: What’s your favourite Christmas memory as a child?
A: I loved the Carols by Candlelight Concerts at Cresta Centre and then walking around the little market with my grandparents.
Q: Your favourite way to celebrate the Festive Season?
A: I love having an open house where I cook up a storm and my people come and go as they please with drinks on tap and enough laughter to annoy my dinosaur neighbour.
Q: If you could choose any way to celebrate Christmas/New Year and money was no object, how would you celebrate?
A: I would fly my people and I to Paris and walk along the Champs Elysees and then do their incredible Christmas market. Dinner would then be at The Ritz before we go and listen to the carols at Notre Dame.
Q: Favourite Christmas song/hymn as a child?
A: I adored O, Come All Ye Faithful - especially the “O, come let us adore Him” part as it got higher and higher. No one ever sang it properly and it never mattered. We did it at full volume.
Q: Your wish/message for South Africa for 2024?
A: We have had enough separation and survival over the past three years. Hug as many people as you can and tell them you love them.
ADAM HOWARD
Q: What’s your favourite Christmas memory as a child?
A: I was born in Manchester in the UK and I think it has to be the many Christmas eves and mornings as a young boy of waking up to freshly fallen snow - and being convinced that I could see Santa’s footsteps he left in the snow!
Q: Your favourite way to celebrate the Festive Season?
A: With my family in the UK and my wife’s family in Australia - it’s usually about travelling with the family and spending time with them.
Q: If you could choose any way to celebrate Christmas/New Year and money was no object, how would you celebrate?
A: It would be first class flights and 5 star hotels all the way - to some amazing interesting destination - like Japan, India, Peru - and immerse ourselves in the music, food and traditions of the place.
Q: Favourite Christmas song/hymn as a child?
A: The same one as it is now - The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) by Nat King Cole
Q: Your wish/message for South Africa for 2024?
A: Christmas is a time for coming together, celebrating life with family and friends and remembering those who have passed. I hope you have yourselves a merry little Christmas – which you will if you come to Swingle Bells!! Ho ho ho
TIMOTHY MOLOI
Q: What’s your favourite Christmas memory as a child?
A: My favourite childhood Christmas memory, was when my parents took us to buy new clothes for the holidays when I was young. Back then, growing up in Orlando East, Soweto, life was pretty hard, so Christmas was the only time we got new clothes to last us through the year. I remember how excited we used to get, and how much we couldn’t wait for Christmas to come.
Q: Your favourite way to celebrate the Festive Season?
A: Music is one of the most special ways to celebrate the festive season, so performing Christmas music, and sharing the joy and cheer that the season brings, is one of my favourite things to do. I can’t wait to share the stage with the incredible Jonathan Roxmouth, the fantastic Johannesburg Big Band and wonderful Monique Steyn in Swingle Bells in a few weeks.
Q: If you could choose any way to celebrate Christmas/New Year and money was no object, how would you celebrate?
A: I would be to spend the entire holiday season on a holiday vacation island.
Q: Favourite Christmas song/hymn as a child?
A: This Christmas’ by Donny Hathaway.
Q: Your wish/message for South Africa for 2024?
A: As we prepare to ring in the new year it’s important that we appreciate and celebrate the gifts that life has given us. To live in the moment and show our loved ones how much we care about them. Wishing everyone the very best for 2024!
MONIQUE STEYN
Q: What’s your favourite Christmas memory as a child?
A: Christmas is by far my favourite time of the year. Quality time with family to reminisce and look back on all the special times together. One of my favourite memories is actually more recent…
About 5 years ago.
My sister has two lovely little ones. Her son, Röhan, about 5 years old at the time, really relished the idea of Santa and all the ‘magic’ that goes with it.
My sis would sprinkle flour on the floor, put out some milk and cookies out and then make me and my dad sit with him at the window in his bedroom, awaiting Santa’s arrival. She would then ring Christmas Bells and her husband and my mom would go ballistic with flashlights in the garden, announcing the big moment. As Röhan watched out the window, his face would absolutely light up with excitement and disbelief.
We would then run out to the lounge with him to see if we could catch Santa in the act, only for him to find Santa’s ‘footrprints’ in the flour and the milk and cookies devoured. We have since done it every year… The boy still believes with his whole heart that Santa comes to visit. If only we could catch him… :-)
Q: Your favourite way to celebrate the Festive Season?
A: For ten years of my career I had to work over the Christmas season and was unfortunately hardly ever home to celebrate with my family and loved ones. In 2015, I made the decision to end my working year off earlier in December. This meant that I could be with my folks, sister and my granny (she just turned 90 years old) through this special time. We don’t buy each other gifts at all as we see it for a time of giving, not receiving. We already have so much to be thankful for. Being in their company is a blessing and more than enough.
Q: If you could choose any way to celebrate Christmas/New Year and money was no object, how would you celebrate?
A: I would buy a huge piece of land, design a Christmas fairyland with lights and magic trails and then invite as many elderly people and children who can’t be with their families to come spend the week!
PS: All animals welcome too… When do we start? Haha!
Q: Favourite Christmas song/hymn as a child?
A: Noel: Lauren Daigle. As a child… Laurika Rauch: Somer Kersfees
Q: Your wish/message for South Africa for 2024?
A: Merry Christmas everybody! Cherish your loved ones, be in the moment and remember to spread the love. It is a gift. Pay it forward. See you all at Swingle Bells, we can’t wait!
Swingle Bells will be on stage at The Teatro, Montecasino for 8 performances only, spanning two weekends in December; from 15 – 24 December 2023.
Performances are Fridays at 19h30, Saturdays at 14h00 & 19h30, Sundays at 14h00 (incl. Christmas Eve)
Tickets range from R200 – R310, and bookings are at Webtickets or at Pick ‘n Pay outlets.
Discounts for groups of 10 or more, senior citizens, scholars and students apply.
Swingle Bells is brought to you by Howard Events in association with The CoLab Network.
