Jazz up your Loughborough experience with Tuxedo Swing, the University’s Big Band.

About the Band

With its roots back in the 1980’s, Tuxedo Swing is one of Loughborough Students’ Union’s most longstanding and well-known societies. Now an established semi-professional function band, Tuxedo Swing (usually shortened to “Tux”) gives its members an amazing opportunity to rehearse and perform a wide range of music at a high standard. The band’s huge repertoire covers everything from classic jazz standards to arrangements of modern hits; there’s something for everyone and every occasion.

Tux has had the opportunity to perform several high-profile gigs, including a BBC Children in Need television performance; and has hosted an evening session at renowned jazz bar “Bert’s”, of Belfast. Closer to home, the band regularly hosts its popular ‘Gin and Swing’ event at local cocktail club, ‘The Kelso’; and provides music for the Athletic Union’s annual ball at the Athena, Leicester, amongst many other local and national gigs.

Highlights from Our Year

Standing out from Tux’s packed calendar of gigs is the band’s annual showcase event, Union Jazz. Room One, the main performance space in the Students’ Union, is transformed into a jazz club for the evening, with cheese and wine spread on cosy, candle-lit tables. The event offers the band the opportunity to perform at its very best for a large audience of mainly friends, family and other students.

The band also has a long history of raising money for charity. Every Easter holiday a charity tour heads off to somewhere exciting the in UK. Last year’s tour was to Northern Ireland, where the band raised over £840 for Anthony Nolan. We had a wide variety of gigs, from pubs and restaurants to a packed night-club; and when we weren’t performing, we had plenty of time to go sightseeing! One of my favourite outings was a hike at the Giant’s Causeway on the Northern Irish coast.

Part of the Family

I’ve been a part of Tux for nearly five years now; joining the band has had a huge positive impact on my time at Loughborough. I’ve learned a huge amount about jazz performance from all the gigs and rehearsals over the years and had the opportunity to perform at some amazing venues. Playing a dinner function in a hangar at a helicopter exhibition stands out as one of the most memorable! But Tux has always been just as much about people as it has been about the music. Through the gigs, tours and my time helping to run the band, I’ve made some brilliant friends. The band regularly hosts social events, bringing together a close-knit community of like-minded musicians, and can often be found occupying one of Loughborough’s pubs after rehearsals and gigs!

Join Us

If you’re a musician looking to study at Loughborough, or perhaps you’re already here and thinking of getting involved, I couldn’t recommend Tux enough to you. As I’m sure you’ve heard many times before, getting a good work-life balance is important; but I’ve always found that Tux is a flexible commitment and you can make as much or as little of it as you wish! We have parts available for any of the following instruments:

• Vocals
• Saxophone (Alto, Tenor, Baritone)
• Trumpet
• Trombone (incl. Bass)
• Keys/Piano
• Guitar
• Bass Guitar
• Drums/Percussion

We rehearse every Monday evening during term-time in the Cope Auditorium from 18:45; if you’re interested, we’d love to hear from you! (Auditions are only required for vocalists). If you have any questions, get in touch with us at chair@tuxedoswing.co.uk; and be sure to follow our social media!

Our Website: https://tuxedoswing.co.uk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LSUtuxedoswing

Instagram: @lsutuxedoswing

Nic Holmes – Chair, LSU Tuxedo Swing