The Crooners: Swinging & Spinning

A love of swing and jazz brought The Crooners together and, since forming in Brisbane as a duo and adding pizzazz to the concert festival circuit, Tim McCallum and his partner in rhythm and rhyme, Tony Doevendans, have enlisted a third voice – Micky Sattin – to make their group a full-fledged trio that echoes Frank, Dean and Sammy. But this is no deja vu Rat Pack tribute act. The Crooners’ set list has broader appeal, and the choice of songs is tailored to suit each performer’s unique vocal style to a tee – bringing in songs introduced by star interpreters such as Bennett, Nat King Cole and Sinatra, and re-worked by Connick Jnr and Bublé. Sinatra himself re-popularised songs that had been originally recorded by other artists such as Liza Minelli, Fred Astaire and Louis Armstrong, so it is fitting that The Crooners continue that tradition of putting their spin on modern classics. And why not – when you have the superior vocal chops? McCallum, Doevendans and Sattin are three superb voices that sound great individually, but also blend like cream, coffee and brandy for sweet-as, finger-snapping performances.

It was wonderful to hear so many tunes from the classic American Songbook sung to perfection by these talented performers. Songs by tunesmiths as clever as Kander and Ebb, Bricusse and Newley, and Arlen and Mercer – the set list built in light, shade and intensity, blending classic love songs by Cole Porter with show tunes, ‘Mack the Knife’ from The Threepenny Opera, ‘Well, Did You Evah!’ by from High Society, ‘One for My Baby (and One More for the Road)’ from The Sky’s the Limit, and new tracks including ‘Only You’, a stunning original by Tony Doevendans himself. The result was a one-hour rich mix of solos, duos and trios, leading to a rousing finale of ‘New York, New York’ and ‘My Way’ which had the RPAC crowd clapping and singing along.  

The live jazz quartet was superb – featuring Jeff Usher on piano, Todd Berlin on drums, Nick Maskell on bass, and Martin Kay on saxophone – to serve up that essential swing beat. Adding to the show’s accessibility and appeal was the on-stage barman who just happened to also be a wonderful Auslan interpreter, Allan Chilcott. I thoroughly enjoyed Allan’s interpretation of the show’s lyrics. Auslan is such a rich language and adds an extra visual layer and element of energy to the stage. Also contributing to that verve were the River City Ballroom Dancers – a class act. The Crooners themselves added the ‘spinning’ element by swerving their wheelchairs in time with the music. This was a reminder that these singers are remarkable in their own right as performers. However, the fact that they are also advocates for accessibility and casting equality, each overcoming their own challenges to take their rightful place centre stage, is a highlight worth spotlighting. This inspirational performance was for one night only, so I hope The Crooners decide to tour this show and take their feel-good vibes to other audiences who will love their Swinging & Spinning show.

Beth Keehn

Photographer: Stewart Ross Photography and Bulimba Studios

Read our interview with Tim McCallum: www.stagewhispers.com.au/news/access-all-way-swinging-and-spinning-crooners