Manly Jazz Directors Choice Concert

John Morrison's Swing City

Drummer and band leader John Morrison formed Swing City with his business partner Roy Ferin in 1999 in preparation for playing the 2000 Sydney Olympics opening ceremony along with John’s brother James. The band continued on to become not only one of the premier big bands in Sydney, but one that John could use as a vehicle for mentoring and developing young talent.

In March 2022, Swing City embarked an Australian national tour playing 29 “Celebration of Swing” concerts in five states. For John Morrison, it was the opportunity of a lifetime and a long-held dream come true.

The Swing City big band features some of the best musicians in Australia plus fabulous vocalists Jacki Cooper and Gregg Arthur. The band’s sound is synonymous with the classic swing era and their repertoire pays tribute to the big bands, big band leaders, singers, composers and arrangers who defined the genre, including the hits of Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald.

“Our performance at the Manly Jazz Festival this year will be a special moment in our history. Coming off the back of a national tour and celebrating 20 years of experience playing together, we are at our very best.”

(John Morrison)