Antonio Socci

Performing onstage has never been a problem for Antonio, with his professional show debut in Hello Dolly with Dora Bryan at Birmingham Hippodrome aged just 5. Whilst a keen singer and dancer, his real passion came when he was given an old battered trumpet to play, soon tooting away at school and in his father's ballroom dance band Tony & The Sapphires with every opportunity that arose. Performing with various bands, credits include BBC Songs of Praise, The Big Breakfast and tours of Europe with The Bevin Boys, Rosemary Ashe and The Jive Aces. On a trip to New York, Antonio first heard the sound of Louis Prima, Keely Smith and his band, The Witnesses and knew instantly that was the sound he wanted to create. Now with his debut album French Poodle released and a BBC Radio tour under his belt, Antonio and his jive swing band can be found jumping on tables and performing throughout the UK. Antonio studied Jazz at the Birmingham Conservatoire and is currently Bandmaster of The Band of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, Warwickshire, conducting them at engagements all over the Midlands. He has also been guest conductor for West Midlands Police Brass Band and often performs as the Ceremonial Bugler for the National Memorial Arboretum, Staffordshire and the City of Birmingham. Most recently, Antonio has been performing on the UK-wide 2019-20 theatre tour as a guest artist with the UK's leading jive & swing band, The Jive Aces to great reviews. Antonio is the Festival Director for the Vintage family festival Swingtime in the Gardens, raising funds for Acorns Children's Hospice and The Not Forgotten Association and is the director of Bugler For Hire, supplying Ceremonial buglers for funerals and events throughout the UK.