Kiwi sax star plays for the Queen   21 May 2012

Grazia Clarkson

Click for a larger image

The Jive Aces perform in front of Queen Elizabeth II

John Fordham

Related articles

• Wellington Band At Top British Film Awards Living
• New Zealand Music Month turns 10 Living

Kiwi sax player John Fordham and his band the Jive Aces were thrilled to make it through to the semi finals of Simon Cowell's Britain's Got Talent.

But they were even more thrilled when, following their exposure to 19 million viewers of the show, they were chosen to play for Her Majesty the Queen as part of her Diamond Jubilee celebrations in Bromley South London.

Auckland born John and and the yellow suited band were described by judge Aleisha Dixon as "a ray of sunshine" and " a world class act". They beat 60,000 other acts to get through to the semi finals of what has been described as the most watched talent show in the world.

John said "We initially entered the show because part of the prize for the winner was to perform on the Royal Variety Show which was a dream for us .. We didn't win the show but our dream has come true and we have played for the Queen anyway!"

John is a former member of the Ngati Ranana Maori culture group in London and used to attend the regular Wednesday night meetings before the Jive Aces became very busy with a full on schedule of concerts and shows all over the world.

He said " Ngati Ranana is a little piece of home right in the centre of London. It has been there since the sixties and it does a great job of promoting New Zealand culture in the UK."

The Jive Aces caught the eye of Britain's Got Talent researchers who saw them play at the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland.

They also have a music video, “Bring Me Sunshine”, which has become a viral hit with
nearly 2 million views on Youtube and has won a The International Telly Award as well as a
number of film festival awards. Watch it on: www.jiveaces.com/sunshine

The Jive Aces are playing live at the Chelsea Flower Show on 26th May.
For more information about the band see www.jiveaces.com 

(Jive Aces)

Add a comment

Your Comments: