FLYING into action in Swindon will be the all-girl big band, Swing Birds, featuring guest drummer Crissy Lee.

Swing Birds and Roundabouts is the new show from the Swindon-based band, which takes place on Sunday, May 13 at the Wyvern Theatre.

Swing Birds was the brain child of Mo Squires who wanted to bring together local musicians to fullfill her ambition of creating an all female line-up in the style of the Ivy Benson Band.

The wartime band of the 1940s, led by Ivy Benson, headlined variety theatres, topped the bill at the London Palladium, and became the BBC’s resident house band.

For Mo, having got together a band for a one-off performance, she was delighted to find that her girls were gaining a loyal fan base. The Swing Birds sold out the Swindon Arts Centre two years running, so they are migrating to the Wyvern Theatre for their fourth concert.

The show consists of wartime era swing numbers, blues and current hits from stars such as Taylor Swift, all given the Swing Birds feather-light touch.

Mo said: “Our special guest will, once again, be the immensely talented drummer, Crissy Lee. Crissy has been drumming all her life and is widely acclaimed as being Europe’s finest female drummer.

A distinguished career has seen her travel the globe, appearing on numerous TV shows and sharing the stage with some of the world’s greatest celebrities, even touring with the Beatles.’’

Crissy is drummer with The Skinnerettes, the resident band of the Frank Skinner Show.

She is no stranger to the West having played at the Marlborough Jazz Festival. She has also worked with another veteran of the local jazz festival, Clare Teal. Her television appearances including playing with the Jack Parnell Big Band and the Ray Conniff Big Band. She has her own projects, the Crissy Lee Jazz Orchestra and the Crissy Lee Trio and started playing when she was just four years old.

Swing Birds are supporting Swindon Cares at this event, to help raise money for The Nelson Trust and Swindon Women’s Aid via a collection on the night.

Tickets are £16 from 01793 524481 or www.swindontheatre.co.uk - Flicky Harrison