Singer

Lydia Bell Vintage and Jazz Vocalist

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About Lydia

Lydia's jazz tone is a rich, mature and unique sound. She commands the stage with her vintage voice, music, and fabulous wardrobe.
Singer
Tonbridge
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Lydia's is a classic jazz voice, reminiscent of the greats, influenced by a lifetime of listening to Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Peggy Lee, and the great vocalists of the jazz era. It is this style and elegance that she brings to her performances, and her versatile vocals lend themselves to contemporary jazz styles, vintage performing and Motown and soul projects. Her own vintage band is ready to swing you into the new '20s! ​ Having completed a Masters in Jazz Performance from the world renowned Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 2018, Lydia has since been singing in jazz clubs around the country, as well as running an annual charity Big Band Swing Dance event in her home town of Colchester, The Swing Spectacular. Since 2017 she has been working closely with several UK bands; her most noteable collaborations are with the Hot Shoes Swing Band, Down For The Count, and Essex-based Sweeting Swing Band as well as brand new Swing Orchestra Soaphouse Social Club. With these bands she has performed all over the UK and Europe, and headlined the UK's top vintage festivals, Notable performances include Twinwood Festival, Retro Festival, The Swing Spectacular, Sutton Coldfield Concerts in the Park, and Jazz Clubs around London and the South East.

Encore badges
8th Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over 8 years
Musicianship
Genres:
1920s era music, 1930s era music, 1940s era music, 1950s era music, Jazz, Dixieland, Postmodern jukebox jazz, Swing, Vintage
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Instruments:
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Event types:
Wedding, Wedding proposal, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Recording session, Cruise, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve
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Other skills:
Arranger, Transcription, Instrumental teaching, Singing teaching, Theory teaching
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Lydia's Song list

Jazz Standards:
A Ghost of a Chance
After you've Gone
Ain't Misbehavin'
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Almost like being in love
Alright, OK, you win
Blue Skies
Body and Soul
Bye Bye Blackbird
Caravan
Cheek to Cheek
Come Fly with Me
Cry me a River
Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans
Dream a little Dream
Everybody Loves my Baby
Fly Me to the Moon
Get Happy
Have you met miss Jones
Honeysuckle Rose
How High The moon
I could write a book
I didn't know what time it was
I Get a Kick out of You
I Got Rhythm
I Thought About You
I'm beginning to see the light
I'm glad there is you
In love in vain
It could happen to you
It Don't Mean a Thing if it Ain't Got that Swing
It Had to Be You
It's De-lovely
I've Got You Under My Skin
Jitterbug Waltz
Just Friends
Just in Time
Just one of Those Things
Just you, just me
King of The Swingers
Lady be Good
Let's Call the Whole Thing Off
Let's Do it (Let's Fall in Love)
Let's Face the Music and Dance
Like someone in love
L-O-V-E
Love For sale
Love is here to stay
Love me or leave me
Lover Come Back to Me
Lullaby of Birdland
Mack The Knife
Misty
Mood Indigo
Moonlight in Vermont
My Baby Just Cares for Me
My Heart Stood Still
My Romance
Nature Boy
Never will I marry
Night and Day
Night in Tunisia
Nobody's Fault but Mine
One Note Samba
Orange Coloured Sky
Pennies From Heaven
Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps
Prelude to A Kiss
Puttin on the Ritz
Save your love for me
So Many Stars
Spring Can Really Hang you Up the Most
Stella By Starlight
Stompin' at the Savoy
Sunny Side of The Street
Tea For Two
Tenderly
Tenderly
That Old Black Magic
That old feeling
That's All
The Lady is a Tramp
The Masquerade is Over
The Song is You
There's a Lull in my life
These Foolish Things
They Can't Take that Away From Me
Too Marvellous for Words
Wave
What a Little Moonlight Can Do
Where or When
Why Don't you Do Right
With a Song in my Heart
Wrap your troubles in dreams
You Are Too Beautiful
You Make Me Feel so Young
You must believe in Spring
You're The top
Vintage backing tracks:
Sunny Side
Let there be love
It had to be you
Blue moon
Fly me to the moon
Moon river
Night and day
Our love is here to stay
The way you look tonight
I get a kick out of you
have you met miss jones
Too Darn Hot
Cry me a River
The Lady is a Tramp
You Make me feel so young
Ive got you under my skin
Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps
White Cliffs of Dover
White Tie and Tails
Puttin on the Ritz
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Diamonds Are a girl's best friend
Night and Day
What a difference a day makes
Mad about the boy
Que sera, sera
PMJ:
All About That Bass
Bad Romance
Blank Space
Call Me Maybe
Forget You
All of Me
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
Livin' on a Prayer
Roar
Seven Nation Army
Sweet Child O' Mine
Stay With Me
Umbrella
Valerie
Shape of You
Single Ladies
Wake Me Up
No Diggity
Love Yourself
Crazy in Love
I Want you Back
Hey Ya
Toxic
Pencil Full of Lead
Customer questions

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

I aim to be flexible with my performance times. Most events tend to change and evolve leading up to the event, and don't always run on time on the day. I am experienced in this and aim to help wherever possible. I normally stipulate the latest time that I am able to stay at an event.

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

Of course. This is a popular request and I am happy to tailor this to your exact wishes for your event. This is a free service, and If you'd like a DJ service via my PA after the final set until the venue closes, I provide this for an additional £100.

How much time do you need to set up?

As a solo singer, I need very little time to set up (30 minutes minimum before I am due to sing). If I am coming with a larger ensemble, I will require more time. If there is a drum kit, I should aim to set up 1-1.5 hours before the set, at the latest.

Can I pick the pieces you play from the set list?

I work very hard to pick the best songs for each individual event. I aim to judge the atmosphere of the event accordingly, as I have done this so often. I am very happy to discuss requests before the gig to find something that works for you.

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

Yes! I have a PA system, backing tracks and everything needed for a small ensemble including lights.

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

If a song isn't included in my song list there may still be a chance I already know it. If there is a special song you'd like me to learn I am happy to do this for you. There is a fee of £30 for this service to take into account rehearsal times etc.

What do your clients love most about your performances?

My warm vocal tone and familiarity with the swing tradition. Audiences love my connection to the lyrics and delivery of songs in a confident, charming manner.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

I have performed at venues and festivals all over the country, including The Savoy Hotel, other high end Hotels in London, as well as Jazz clubs around London, also large festival stages such as Twinwood Festival, Sutton Coldfield Summer Festival Retro Festival and so on.

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

I am influenced mostly by classic jazz singers such as Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, and the smooth tones of Nat King Cole and other jazz legends.

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

I performed on the main stage at Twinwood Festival 2018.

Lydia's Prices

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Short performance (up to 15 min)£120
Up to 1 hour£250
Up to 2 hours£320
Up to 3 hours£400
Packages
Wedding ceremony
This includes music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave.
£250
Drinks reception
Two performances of up to 45 mins each during your drinks reception
£350
Wedding ceremony + Drinks reception + Dinner
- Music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave. - 2 x 45 min performances at the drinks reception. - 2 x 45 min performances as dinner is being served.
£450

Add-ons

Skype Consultation and 3 New Songs Learned
+£100

Lydia's Reviews

From customers:

FM
Filabusta M
8 years ago

'Lydia Bell... whose sultry vocal acrobatics and innate inner rhythm all adds up to a sparkling, versatile performance'

TS
The B
7 years ago

Lydia has the classic sound of the great singers of the 1940s and she sings our repertoire with great style and class! We love to have her perform with us and love the musical partnership that we have.

Read all 3 reviews