David Mills

Although I've been singing all my life, it was a fateful trip to the USA that put me on my current life path. In 2011 I bid farewell to my life as a maths teacher, packed my suitcase and boarded a flight to Chicago. A few days into my adventure I walked into Davenport's Piano Bar where I had the opportunity to sing with nationally acclaimed pianist and concert artist Beckie Menzie. This proved to be a defining moment in my life: The Chicago Crooner was born! Before long, I was performing in piano bars and cabaret venues all over the city, attracting praise from the likes of Jimmy Damon (the only singer in the world authorised by Frank Sinatra to perform his material during his lifetime), Robert Sims (lyric baritone) and Judy Brubaker (film star, actress and close friend of Marilyn Monroe). In 2012 I recorded my debut album - 'My Kind Of Town' - at the Uptown Recording Studio in Chicago, accompanied on piano by the inimitable Beckie Menzie. Inspired by my experiences in the US, I returned to the UK to train in musical theatre. I made my professional London stage debut as Mr Welch in the musical 'Damn Yankees' at the Landor Theatre in 2014. My second American Songbook album - 'Zing!' - was released on iTunes in May 2015 and features Peter Daley on piano. I'm currently working on an album of original songs.