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Singer Tony Swings his way into the Limelight
By MICHELLE RUSHTON
AT the age of 38, Tony Martin is possibly the youngest swinger in town! For Tony is an international Rat Pack/swing artist who sings all the big band favourites by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, Bobby Darin and the likes.
Tony performs at all kinds of occasions, from birthday parties and weddings to corporate events.
His aim is to replicate the soundsof th 50s and 60s, moving around the audience, which is otherwise known as 'table crooning' - hence his stage name - The Crooner.
But Tony, who is originally from New Brighton, is quick to point out he is not a tribute act.
"I don't model myself on anyone, Tony revealed. "I don't believe you should imitate the Rat Pack - they had the greatest voices of all time. I just try to recreate the sound that typifies the swing era."
Tony's interest in swing music grew from listening to his dad singing Frank Sinatra songs in the bath! At the age of 21, Tony met a girl on holiday in Baton Rouge who introduced him to the music of Harry Connick Jr, and he was hooked.
"At the time, I was more into jazz and blues," explained Tony "But she gave me his tape and I became a great fan."
Singer Tony Swings his way into the Limelight II
By MICHELLE RUSHTON
Tony wondered whether it would be possible for him to become a crooner back then, but in the late 80s people were more interested in indie music and his only experience of performing was singing along to the car radio while travelling around in his job as a medical sales rep.
Then his next door neighbour Jay, a bass guitarist, encouraged him to have a go at singing with a local band, Jonville Road.
"I sang Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd and got a good reception," remembered Tony.
This spurred Tony and Jay to setting up their own band and performing a few gigs, but they eventually split up and Tony got a job running a restaurant.
"The manager wanted to bring in entertainment in the form of a live band, but the layout of the restaurant wasn't suitable so I suggested we got a guy in a dinner suit walking around the tables and singing in the style of Harry Connick Jr," explained Tony.
Taken with the idea, the manager suggested Tony for the job, which went down a storm with customers, especially as swing music was starting to become more popular.
Juggling a day job with performing took its toll, so Tony decided to devote all his time to becoming a modern-day table crooner.
Singer Tony Swings his way into the Limelight III
By MICHELLE RUSHTON
Tony said: "My guitarist friend Kevin kindly provided me with the backing tracks, and I did a gig here and there. It took me a while to get off the ground, then it just snowballed. I got a regular slot at the Blundell Street Music Lounge and at Reform - an exclusive restaurant in Manchester where I performed in front of Manchester United players and Corrie stars."
Since then. Tony has serenaded celebrities such as Roger Moore, Charlotte Church, Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta Jones and Ant & Dec, and has performed all over the world. His favourite gig was to entertain A-listers at the All Stars Ryder Cup.
But he admits Robbie Williams and Ray Quinn have played a big part in his success.
Tony said: "Robbie released an album Swing When You're Winning in 2002. It helped me launch my career, as swing music became fashionable again.
"And Ray Quinn made it more appealing to younger audiences on the X Factor."
During the day, Tony is kept busy keeping up with admin, responding to queries, updating his website and organising publicity. By night he dons his dinner suit, grabs his portable PA system and heads off to his next venue.
It's a labour of love for Tony, who says he wouldn't swap his work for anything. He said: "My mum is my biggest fan, and my friends are very supportive. I've got the best job in the world!"
