The Chicago Crooner Swing jazz, pop and musical theatre. West End trained.

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Price Guide

Description Price
1 x 60-minute set (SOLO)£250
2 x 45-minute sets (SOLO)£300
2 x 60-minute sets (SOLO)£350
1 x 60-min set (DUO)£400
2 x 45-min sets (DUO)£500
Please note the above prices do not include travel expenses (where necessary); SOLO = David with backing tracks; DUO = accompanied on piano/keyboard by Nick Ridout

About / Biography

INTRO:

Hi, my name is David Mills and I specialise in American Songbook (jazz standards) and big band swing; the timeless music of legends such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Nat King Cole.

My extensive repertoire covers a variety of other artists including Michael Bublé, Billy Joel, Elton John, Elvis Presley and Tom Jones. Party classics such as My Girl, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You and I'm a Believer regularly feature in my dance sets.

As a West End trained performer, you can also request the inclusion of songs from the musicals (Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, West Side Story, etc).

I provide entertainment at house parties, garden parties, hotels, restaurants, jazz clubs, cabaret events, as well as wedding ceremonies and receptions.

My overriding priority is always client satisfaction. I will go the extra mile to ensure that my contribution to your event is tailored to your exact requirements and that my performance on the day exceeds all expectations.

I am currently available as a SOLO ACT (with prerecorded backing tracks) or as a JAZZ DUO (with pianist Nick Ridout).

I look forward to working with you to ensure that your event is a swinging success!


BIO:

Although I've been singing all my life, it was a fateful trip to the USA that put me on my current life path.

A maths teacher by profession, in 2011 I bid farewell to my students, packed my suitcase and boarded a flight to Chicago.

A few days into my adventure I walked into Davenport's Piano Bar where I had the opportunity to sing with nationally acclaimed jazz pianist and concert artist Beckie Menzie. This proved to be a defining moment in my life: The Chicago Crooner was born!

Before long, I was performing in piano bars and cabaret venues all over the city, attracting praise from the likes of Jimmy Damon (the only singer in the world authorised by Frank Sinatra to perform his material during his lifetime) and Judy Brubaker (film star, actress and close friend of Marilyn Monroe).

In 2012 I recorded my debut album - 'My Kind Of Town' - at the Uptown Recording Studio in Chicago, accompanied on piano by the inimitable Beckie Menzie. Inspired by my experiences in the US, I returned to the UK to train in musical theatre, making my professional London stage debut in the musical 'Damn Yankees' at the Landor Theatre in 2014.

My second American Songbook album - 'ZING!' - was released on Apple Music in May 2015 and features Peter Daley on piano (who has been touring the world with Paloma Faith since 2014). I am currently recording my debut album of self-penned songs, ‘Coming Home’.


TESTIMONIALS:

"Singers of David's calibre don't come along too often. He has that indefinable 'something' that crosses the footlights and makes people listen."
JOE MUDELE - Original member of Johnny Dankworth Seven

"David Mills' musicianship, vocal range, song selections and utter charm always leave you wanting more!!"
KEN BAKER - Broadway producer (Godspell Revival 2011), singer & actor

"Let me tell you something: this kid's gonna be famous. Believe me, I know talent when I see it."
EDDIE LONDON - LA, Las Vegas & Chicago cabaret singer

"David Mills captivates an audience with his smooth, confident vocals. He possesses the perfect combination of classic jazz stylings and hip, contemporary savoir-faire."
GEORGE HOWE - Award winning composer, lyricist, pianist & cabaret artist

"A wonderful voice combined with natural stage presence."
ROBERT SIMS - Internationally renowned lyric baritone

"You're gonna be a force to reckon with on the West End."
ANDY CHARLES - VSA Talent & Theatrical Agents

"You sound incredible!"
ANITA WARDELL - renowned English jazz singer

"Boy, you're smokin' hot tonight! You were marvellous."
JUDY BRUBAKER - film star & actress

"That was spellbinding. The vulnerability, the loneliness and the need for Christine were all there. It was a mesmerising performance. Very impressive."
ROBERT FRIED - Acting coach & director (commenting on David's performance of 'The Music of the Night' from The Phantom of the Opera)

Reviews (32)

There are currently 32 user ratings for The Chicago Crooner

AVERAGE RATING

10 / 101

Location

Based in Luton, Bedfordshire

Will travel up to 100 miles
green circle = areas covered (up to 100 miles)
pink circle = free travel (up to 15 miles)
Please note that the circles shown on the map are calculated "as the crow flies". By road distances may vary, so please get in touch for an accurate quote.

A Foggy Day (In London Town)

Ain’t That A Kick In The Head

All Of Me

Almost Like Being In Love

Angels

The Best Is Yet To Come

Beyond The Sea

Bring Him Home

Can't Help Falling in Love

Can’t Take My Eyes Off You

Come Fly With Me

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Cry Me A River

Daydream Believer

Delilah

Don’t Get Around Much Anymore

Don’t Stop Me Now

Everything

Feeling Good

Fly Me To The Moon

For Once In My Life

Gonna Build a Mountain

Have You Met Miss Jones?

If I Loved You

I Left My Heart In San Francisco

I’m A Believer

Is This The Way To Amarillo

I Won’t Give Up

Johnny B. Goode

Just The Way You Are

The Lady Is A Tramp

L-O-V-E

Love And Marriage

Let’s Face The Music And Dance

Let There Be Love

The Longest Time

Luck Be A Lady

Mack The Knife

Memories Are Made Of This

Moondance

The More I See You

Mr Bojangles

The Music Of The Night

My Girl

My Kind Of Town

My Way

New York, New York

On The Street Where You Live

Save The Last Dance

Shine

Smile

Straighten Up And Fly Right

Sway

That’s Amore

That’s Life

To Make You Feel My Love

Valerie

The Way You Look Tonight

What Kind Of Fool Am I?

When I Fall In Love

Wonderful Tonight

You Don’t Know Me

You Make Me Feel So Young

Your Song

Technical Info

What are your basic technical requirements?

1 parking space
2 power sockets


Do you provide sound and lighting equipment?

I bring my own start-of-the-art Bose cylinder-style PA system that distributes sound evenly throughout a room and is suitable for audiences up to 150. I can also set up a disco ball to facilitate dancing.


What information do you require about a venue?

Does the venue require me to hold more than £1 million in public liability insurance cover?


Can you provide a Spotify/DJ service before and between your sets?

Happy for client-chosen music to be played through my PA system between live sets. Client’s device would need to have a 3.5mm jack plug.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best gig you've ever done and the best venue you've ever played at?

Luton Hoo Hotel


Which artists have you been most influenced by, who is your favourite artist and what is the greatest song of all time?

Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Mel Tormé, Andy Williams, Michael Bublé, Billy Joel


What's your previous experience and how did you start gigging?

Please read main description


What's your favourite type of event to play at?

House and garden parties

Performance Info

What are your typical setup and performance times?

Set up time is 30-40 mins. I usually arrive one hour before guests start arriving.

I typically perform either a 1-hour set or 2 x 45-minute sets with a 30 minute break in between.


Are you happy to perform outside?

Yes, happy to perform outside but do require a roof or overhead cover of some description to protect my equipment in the event of rain and power supply close to the performance area.


Do the clients have a say in what you play or is it a set repertoire list only?

I typically prepare a set list and then select the order of songs on the night as I read and respond to the mood/energy of the room.

I can provide a spreadsheet containing my full repertoire upon request. However, the majority of my clients trust me to prepare a suitable set list.

I can learn specific songs before the event (provided these are within my vocal range), but require a minimum of 3 weeks notice to prepare and rehearse. This is usually limited to 2 songs within the quoted fee.


How do previous clients most commonly describe your performances?

Impressive voice, unique and diverse repertoire, West End quality, full of warmth and personality

Recent Clients

The Chicago Crooner has performed for these clients:

Luton Hoo Hotel (90th birthday dinner party)

Garden party in Guernsey, Channel Islands (birthday celebration)

Elderswell Retirement Village, Bedford (95th birthday party)

Spencer Hall, Sandridge - concert with MID HERTS JAZZ ORCHESTRA

Old Palace Lodge Hotel, Dunstable (charity dinner party)

Garden party in Pirton, Herts (20th anniversary)

Garden party in Ruislip, Middlesex (86th birthday)

The Compasses Craft Bar & Restaurant, Bedford (New Year’s Eve Black Tie Dinner Event)

Hedingham Castle, Essex (wedding reception)

Denham Grove, Uxbridge (silver wedding anniversary dinner party)

Woburn Gold Club (Dreamflight charity summer ball)

The Guildhall, London (wedding reception)

Garden party in Rickmansworth (new baby)

Garden party in Waltham Abbey (80th birthday)

The Bear Club (Jazz & Blues), Luton (cabaret show)

Private farm, Hinxworth - supported JARVIS COCKER & CC SMUGGLERS (summer festival)

FitzGerald's, Berwyn, Illinois - with JOHN BURNETT SWING ORCHESTRA

Petterino's, Chicago, Illinois - with pianist BECKIE MENZIE

Maggiano's, Chicago, Illinois - with pianist BOB SALONE

Brasserie Toulouse Lautrec, London (The Cabaret Lounge) - with pianist PETER DALEY

The Old Bull Inn Hotel, Royston - with OPUS 17 SWING BAND

Shenley Wood Village Wine Society, Milton Keynes (dinner cabaret show)

House party in West Byfleet, Surrey (Christmas)

House party in Biggleswade (40th birthday)

House party in Beaconsfield (Christmas)

Allianz Insurance Plc (corporate Christmas party)

Garden party in Brookmans Park (Christening)

Sculpture Gallery, Woburn (wedding ceremony & reception)

House party in Gerrards Cross (40th birthday dinner)

Harpenden House Hotel (wedding reception)

The Woburn Hotel, Woburn (New Year's Eve)

Childwickbury Estate (concert)

House party in Radlett (80th birthday dinner)

Hitchin Priory (80th birthday)

Bedford Swan Hotel, Bedford (wedding reception)

Putteridge Bury (wedding reception)

Wedding reception in Turin, Italy

Lansdowne Club, Luton (cabaret evening)

Venues

The Chicago Crooner has performed at these venues:

Luton Hoo Hotel

Putteridge Bury

Elderswell Retirement Village, Bedford

Old Palace Lodge Hotel, Dunstable

Hedingham Castle, Essex

Denham Grove, Uxbridge

Woburn Gold Club

The Guildhall, London

The Bear Club, Luton

FitzGerald's, Berwyn, Illinois

Petterino's, Chicago, Illinois

Maggiano's, Chicago, Illinois

Brasserie Toulouse Lautrec, London

Shenley Wood Village, Milton Keynes

Woburn Sculpture Gallery

Harpenden House Hotel

The Woburn Hotel

Childwickbury Estate

Hitchin Priory

Bedford Swan Hotel

Lansdowne Club, Luton

Contact

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