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David Tughan

Jazz singer David Tughan studied in the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. Singing Jazz for twenty years now, David has worked worldwide with the best and brightest of today’s Jazz musicians across the globe. David’s voice stays true to the spirit of the Jazz greats, with his own unique timbre and style. Old standards & new songs with a fresh delivery, spanning across various genres. 

David Tughan was born and raised in Northern Ireland. He moved to London in 1994 to study at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama. His passion for Jazz began at 13 when he encountered the Count Basie Orchestra in Florida. Inspired by the swinging energy and joyful sounds of the big band, David began listening to many instrumentalists such as Oscar Peterson, Stan Getz and Stephane Grappelli and was strongly drawn to singers such as Nat ‘King’ Cole, Chet Baker and Mel Tormé. He began to sing in Jazz clubs in his early twenties, developing his “jazz chops”. At the end of his twenties, he made his first album,  “Just In Time”. This album was dubbed “CD of the week by the Guardian“(UK). David continued singing in jazz clubs and festivals throughout the UK and Ireland.  Then, it was time for his second album, “Builders’ Brew”, featuring the Jim Mullen Organ trio. His performances brought him to some of the great venues throughout London, the UK and beyond. Places like Ronnie Scotts, The 606 club, The National Concert Hall Dublin, The Royal Garden Hotel, The Waldorf Hotel, The Dorchester, The Grand Hotel Brighton, The Soho Theatre, Pizza Express Jazz Club Soho, 59E 59th St Theatre NYC, New York, and last but not least, The International Jazz Festival in Kuala Lumpur.  Currently alongside his work with his own combo in clubs and festivals across the globe, David is singing with big bands such as the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (UK), the Skelton Skinner Allstar Big Band (UK), the RTE concert orchestra (Ireland) and Grammy award nominee John Wilson and his Orchestra (UK), famous for its contribution to Kevin Spacey’s film “Beyond The Sea” about the life of singer Bobby Darin. David was interviewed on the Russell Davies Show on BBC Radio 2 as well as receiving airplay on the Jonathan Ross show and on various BBC Radio stations   from the likes of Humphrey Lyttleton, Walter Love, Clare Martin, David Jacobs, Desmond Carrington, Helen Mayhew, Campbell Burnap and Jacqui Dankworth.

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Take Five With...

Take Five With David Tughan

Read "Take Five With David Tughan" reviewed by David Tughan


Meet David Tughan: I was born and raised in Northern Ireland. My passion for jazz began at 13 when I encountered the Count Basie Orchestra while vacationing in Florida. Inspired by the swinging energy and joyful sounds of the big band, I began listening to many instrumentalists like Oscar Peterson, Stan Getz, Stephane Grappelli, and singers like Nat “King" Cole, Chet Baker, and Mel Torme. Currently, alongside working with my quintet in clubs and festivals in UK ...

121
Album Review

David Tughan: Builders Brew

Read "Builders Brew" reviewed by Jim Santella


Cool and swinging, David Tughan sings the songs that we've come to know and hold dear. Builders Brew is his second album. Born and raised in Ireland, he performs throughout the United Kingdom, where audiences can soak up the tradition that he carries with him. With Frank Sinatra's phrasing and a delivery all his own, Tughan reaches out to a broad audience.

Surrounded by an organ/guitar trio that's augmented with tenor sax, the vocalist sails smoothly through each ...

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Career

David Tughan JoinszzZing Agency

David Tughan JoinszzZing Agency

Source: Zzzing Agency

Singer David Tughan (UK) has officially joined the ranks of zzZing Agency. David fits the zzZing Agency Bill to the letter. “DAVID TUGHAN DOESN’T SEEM TO BE FOLLOWING IN ANYONE’S FOOTSTEPS. IT’S RARE TO FIND ORIGINALITY OF THAT KIND IN A SINGER..." —The Observer, UK David Tughan was born and raised in Northern Ireland. He moved to London in 1994 to study at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama. His passion for Jazz began at 13 when he encountered ...

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Recording

Introducing David Tughan - UK Jazz Vocalist

Introducing David Tughan - UK Jazz Vocalist

Source: All About Jazz

"OBSERVER JAZZ CD OF THE WEEK" “With Frank Sinatra's phrasing and a delivery all his own Tughan reaches out to a broad audience" - Jim Santella, All About Jazz “Tughan has produced a gently swinging jem" - Roger Trapp, The Independent “The Perfect Jazz vocal album." - Jazz UK “A Rising star... a cross between Chet Baker and Mel Torme." - Crescendo & Jazz Magazine Described as “the epitome of cool" David's light vocal touches, crisp diction and witty interpretations ...

“The epitome of cool…One of the most swinging and delightful combinations imaginable” The Observer

“A rising star... a cross between Chet Baker and Mel Torme.” Crescendo & Jazz Magazine

“With Frank Sinatra’s phrasing and a delivery all his own” All About Jazz

“The Perfect Jazz vocal album.” Jazz UK

"David Tughan doesn't seem to be following in anyone's footsteps. It's rare to find originality of that kind in a singer at the beginning of their career and it points to an interesting future." 
Dave Gelly - The Observer

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Builders Brew

OT Records
2005

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Little Girl Blue

From: Builders Brew
By David Tughan

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