The Swingles

This is the British group. For the original French group, see Les Swingle Singers. When the original French a-cappella group disbanded in 1973, leader Ward Swingle went to England where he formed [Swingle II] with an expanded repertoire. Renamed The New Swingle Singers in 1978, The Swingles in 1986, The Swingle Singers around 1988 and The Swingles again around 2014. Ward Swingle continued actively with the group until 1985 and remained associated as musical advisor until his death in 2015. Both name changes to The Swingles coincided with his leaving the group, first as a singer and then as an advisor. The group continues to this day with a turnover of new members: Over 50 singers have been a Swingle at one time or another. The group slimmed to a seven-piece following the departure of alto Lucy Bailey in 2011. The current members (late 2018) are: Sopranos: Joanna Goldsmith-Eteson, Federica Basile; Alto: Liz Swain; Tenors: Jon Smith, Oliver Griffiths; Baritone: Kevin Fox; Bass: Edward Randell