“Jeff Hooper is one of my favourite singers.
His rendition of 'Windows of the Worls' on his album 'A Passing Glance' is new, fresh, and wonderful.”
Hal David. (Bacharach & David)
“I was totally blown away with this CD.
An intelligent and challenging choice of songs, played by the cream of the UK jazz scene.
I especially loved the original lyrics written by Jeff, who sings with depth and passion throughout.
His vocal range is stunning, and he swings too! A real treat."
Claire Martin. Jazz Singer and Radio 3 Presenter
Biography
Jeff Hooper breathes new life into the music of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Nat “King” Cole, Vic Damone, Jack Jones, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jnr, Matt Monro and Mel Torme with a relaxed, emotive style. In a music world dominated by cyber-pop and short-lived wonders, Jeff’s enduring quality is a breathtaking voice and sheer magnetism that has survived the changing trends. This isn’t only because the songs he sings are time-honoured masters in their own right, its down to his unique voice, chestnut warm and chocolate rich, classic, certain and reassuring.
Born in Llantrisant, South Wales, Jeff launched his career at the tender age of fourteen when he won ITV’s New Faces competition outright. He went on to appear on a variety of TV shows, gaining a recording contract with EMI and a place in the charts with his debut single. A favourite on the big-band circuit, he ventured to America to perform with the Charlie Shaffer Trio at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas and on his return to the UK became lead singer with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra.
During that time he worked with Matt Monro (who taught him how to tie a bow tie and play poker!) Mel Torme, Wynton Marsalis, Stephan Grappelli and Morecambe & Wise. He also represented Britain and the BBC three times in the international Festivals of Song in Denmark, Yugoslavia and Holland. Jeff came second in the Star Search USA show in Hollywood, California and was then voted one of the top three rising stars in the world by the Frank Sinatra Music Society.
In 1992 he toured Britain with his own band, A Swing Affair, which paid tribute to the big band greats. Its success led to Jeff presenting a six week series on BBC Radio 2. He went on to write and present his own twice-weekly show, Bandwagon for BBC Radio Wales for almost ten years.
As well as his many solo cabaret appearances at home and abroad, and performing with his own jazz trio, Jeff regularly appears with the BBC Big Band and lately performed with the Woody Herman Orchestra, Kathryn Jenkins, Chris De Burgh and Charlotte Church at a gala concert. He has also had the pleasure of performing twice for the late Diana, Princess of Wales on two private occasions and she became a member of his fan club.
Jeff sang with Dame Shirley Bassey and Sir Tom Jones at the official opening of the National Assembly of Wales in 1999. He recently performed with Sir Cliff Richard at the wedding of Gloria Hunniford, made a guest appearance on BBC TV’s Eastenders and is regularly flown to European cities for private concerts and corporate events.
Jeff cruises regularly aboard the worlds greatest luxury liners and is a favourite on BBC 2’s Big Band Special and Friday Night is Music Night. Jeff recently recorded a CD with the London Symphony Orchestera and is the featured vocalist on the classic Hollywood CD with the New World Philharmonic Orchestra, His other CD releases include "In My Dreams", "A Swing Affair", "Help Yourself", "As Long as I’m Singing", "Singing and Swinging"," The Essential Jeff Hooper,” and his latest, “A Passing Glance” Jeff Hooper and his Swing Easy Band is currently the show band for the BBC Strictly Come Dancing UK Tour in the Warner Leisure Hotels.