Spatz & Co Showband is a uniquely formed group of 8 professional musicians, all band leaders, all accomplished solo performers, all multi-instrumentalists, and all specialists in one music genre or another. They only come together for stage and theatre performances and have been touring themed shows in theatres throughout Scotland since 2016. During a stage performance they move from big band to rhythm & blues, from jazz to pop, from soul to american songbook, from folk to latin and even classical references. Such a range of musical style demands a high level of musicianship that their growing reputation and popularity speaks volumes for.

The album comprises mostly songs and instrumentals from the band’s 2018 theatre Roadshow “Something In The Air…”. The numbers covered have been selected, as has the running order, on the same basis as Spatz produce their set lists for live performances, namely to constantly hop from one music genre to another, to continually vary the rhythm, tempo and mood, and to feature each member of the band as a soloist at some point in proceedings.

The band member’s musical pedigree speaks for itself. They are all based in Scotland and have been selected because of their musical background and specialist knowledge of one genre of music or another. Collectively they have over 200 years of professional  performing experience.

Musical director Gordon McNeil (tenor sax) travelled the world for years as MD on high-end cruise ships, and has played at festivals as far afield as Las Vegas and Thailand. Other band members also have international experience. Gus Andrews (trumpet) toured with The Drifters, worked with Deep Purple and spent 20 years in New Mexico becoming a specialist in Latin American music. Malcolm MacFarlane (lead guitar) toured internationally with the jazz/funk band Shakatak, recorded with Jamie Cullum, and has accompanied Carol Kidd, Jacqui Dankworth, and Curtis Stigers among others. Dick Lee (sax and clarinet) is an award-winning composer having written the music for Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games. Tom Gordon (drums) holds the drum chair with the national BBC Big Band, has played West End Theatre, accompanied Cleo Laine, Al Jarreau, Patti Austin and James Morrison. Andy Mitchell (bass) studied classical guitar before switching to bass. He has performed alongside world-class guitarist Martin Taylor, the New York trumpeter John Faddis, Barry Ries (Blood Sweat and Tears) and toured with New York vibraphone sensation Joe Locke. Spatz keys and synth player Iain Mathieson played with members of Dundee’s Average White Band and has accompanied many of Scotland’s top vocalists over the years. Lastly, Spatz bandleader and vocalist Roy Mac has a theatre background, sang with The John Scrimger Singers, shared the stage with Gerry Rafferty, Billy Connelly, folk legends Archie Fisher and Matt McGinn and has TV and radio performances to his name.

Together they represent a formidable musical force – hence their growing popularity and sell out theatre shows.

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