Classical and Jazz: Preview - Hey Boy, Hey Girl duet with Ray Gelato and Kai Hoffman
Published: 9 December, 2010
by SEBASTIAN TAYLOR
THE style and panache of classic “boy-girl” duets are being revived by American swing vocalist Kai Hoffman and this country’s swing showman Ray Gelato, singing with his award-winning band.
Great artists such as Keely Smith and Louis Prima along with Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong helped to popularise the boy-girl concept in decades gone by.
While Kai Hoffman and Ray Gelato may not be in the same class, the twosome has developed a fun and jumpin’ show that will be performed at Ronnie Scott’s later this month.
Their numbers from the American songbook include such classics as That Old Black Magic; I’ve Got You Under My Skin; Papa Loves Mambo; Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off; and Baby It’s Cold Outside.
Ray Gelato and The Giants are playing their annual Ronnie Scott’s festive residency from December 13-23. and his Hey Boy, Hey Girl duet with Kai Hoffman on December 29 and 30.
Elsewhere in Soho at the Pizza Express Jazz Club are the Acoustic Alchemy funk-jazz band in residency from December 16-27 when it’s the turn of the associated G-Funk band and the two bands come together for a New Year’s Eve Spectacular.
In Camden Town, Jazz Café has the London Community Gospel Choir for a two-night residency, December 22 and 23.