PROFESSOR CUNNINGHAM AND HIS OLD SCHOOL
THE BAND
Take a growling horn section, a grooving and soulful rhythm section, a woodwind virtuoso/vocalist frontman, add the soul of a New Orleans party, and you've got Professor Cunningham and His Old School.
This award-winning, New York–based band is one of the most in-demand groups on the international jazz and dance scene, performing around the world at major events and festivals. They are the recipients of the Best Band award two years running at the World Jam competition in Madrid (2016 and 2017), and Best Band at Harlem 2017 (Vilnius, Lithuania). Its leader and frontman, Adrian Cunningham, received the Hot House Saxophone Award for 2017 (Hot House magazine, NYC).
Formed and fronted by in-demand vocalist and reedman Adrian Cunningham — an Australian native based in NYC — the band consists of some of the most energetic and accomplished musicians on the New York scene. With unparalleled energy, they present repertoire ranging from early jazz and the birth of swing to soulful NOLA rhythm and blues. They have performed at major events worldwide, including the Blue Note Jazz Festival (NYC), World Jam (Madrid), Snowball (Stockholm), Melbourne International Jazz Festival (Australia), Copenhagen Lindy Exchange (Denmark), Chase Festival (Heidelberg, Germany), Swing Crash (Como, Italy), BAL Festival (Toulouse), Smokey Feet (Amsterdam), Barswingona (Spain), Orient Lindy Express (Istanbul), Saigon Swing (Vietnam), Balboa Castle Camp (Germany), Illawa Jazz Festival (Poland), Sopot Molo Jazz Festival (Poland), Albany Jazz Festival, and Blue Skies (Lisbon).
Professor Cunningham and His Old School is like a New Orleans party, without the hangover.
"Award-winning multi-instrumentalist Adrian Cunningham has built a septet of young killers that can serve up pure, uncut old-school NOLA tunes."
— Albany Gazette
VIDEOS
"When I hear the Professor, my temperature rises and my feet start dancing and I let my singing gypsy soul roam free all night long! Opa!"
— Michael Katsobashvili, Director, New York Hot Jazz Festival"Professor Cunningham & His Old School are a new favorite at Boston Swing Central! Delightfully danceable, the Professor can study the old jazz records, carefully selecting material that is great for dancing!"
— Mike Hibarger, Boston Swing Central"We recently had the privilege of Professor Cunningham and His Old School play our monthly swing dance... though only a trio, the richness and fullness of their arrangements rivaled quartets and quintets we've had play for us. I was equally impressed with their sensitivity to playing tempos and musical styles that maintained great energy on the dance floor for the entire night. They clearly love what they do and love sharing it with dancers. Thank you, Professor!"
— Paul Rix, co-host of Helsinki Swings"Award-winning multi-instrumentalist Adrian Cunningham has built a septet of young killers that can serve up pure, uncut old-school NOLA tunes."
— Albany Jazz"When I first listened to Professor Cunningham at Swing 46 swing dance and supper club in New York, they just blew my mind! Exceptional musicians, great music choices, awesome atmosphere, vibrant energy, and besides, Adrian is a fantastic entertainer! I brought many colleagues to see them, and they all enjoyed the performance tremendously! Keep swinging guys, you are unbelievable! And I hope I'll see you also in Europe many, many times! Your fan forever and ever!!"
— Ambassador Simona Miculescu, Permanent Representative of Romania to the United Nations