Jivin' Miss Daisy

This fantastic, highly in-demand swing band returns to PizzaExpress Live, playing an exciting variety of swing-jazz favourites and beautiful songs from throughout the era of classic jazz. Featuring male and female vocals, popular instrumentals and solo spots, the band puts on a wonderful show, with plenty of favourites - and lesser-known gems - from the great songwriters including George Gershwin, Cole Porter and Harold Arlen as well as Duke Ellington, Count Basie and many others, with original arrangements by bandleader Simon Thorpe. A guaranteed swinging Sunday session!

Top London jazz bass player Simon Thorpe formed Jivin’ Miss Daisy in 1999, hand-picking his favourite players from the scene to play this great music for jazz audiences, club and swing dance nights across the UK and abroad. The band lineup has remained constant since its formation, with singer Liz Fletcher joining in 2013. Liz is a particular asset to the band, with her unique velvety tones, influenced by Peggy Lee and Julie London, and with a love for Ella Fitzgerald and Chet Baker.
JMD has released three albums to critical acclaim, (including “Rhythm & Blue”, recorded live at Pizza Express Soho), all of which contain a mix of vocal and instrumental numbers, duets and solo features.
The band is much in demand for its unique blend of songs and instrumentals from across the years - classic jazz and swing from the 1920s and 30s through to the early 1960s.
Jivin’ Miss Daisy has made numerous appearances on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune, where they were invited to the studio to celebrate VE Day anniversary in 2024 with a live broadcast of songs from 1944.
In performance, the band creates a great feeling, with the music by turns intimate, bouncy and barnstorming, with the many great soloists to the fore, and the top-notch rhythm section driving it all along.