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Zingzillas!
In April, BBC children's channel CBeebies launches a brand new musical programme called Zingzillas. The Swingle Singers were thrilled to be the special musical guest for one of the episodes, and to appear at the recent press launch in London. The show will eventually air worldwide, so tell your under-6s and watch this space for more details as they come!
Zak, Tang, Panzee and Drum are music sensation ZingZillas. At home on their tropical island paradise, this band of primate friends live to play fantastic music. Gorilla and lead singer, Zak, provides vocals while musical genius and lead guitarist, Tang the orangutan, creates the toe-tapping, finger‐clicking compositions. The band is styled by chimpanzee bass guitarist and keyboard player, Panzee, and monkey percussionist Drum always lays down a great beat. Under the guidance of their mentor, music guru DJ Loose, they create their unique ZingZilla sound in time for their daily performance, The Big Zing, with a little help from their island friends: the Moaning Stones, Granite and Gravel, doo‐wopping on the bass line; the Beach Byrds, Maxine, Patti
and Laverne, harmonising their backing vocals; and, island caretaker and eccentric inventor, Todd, boogie-ing along on the beach.
During each episode, the tropical island is visited by a different musical guest, including some of the biggest names in the international music scene. They take inspiration from the guests and incorporate them and their sounds into each show-stopping number, The Big Zing. Ranging from a full concert orchestra to a bottle neck guitarist, this series embraces and celebrates musical genres from around the world.
Linda Bance, the show's Early Years Music Education Consultant, says: "When listening to or playing music it can help us relax, concentrate, be motivated and inspire us. It can keep us fit and healthy and allow us to express our emotions. Being involved with music‐making helps us to
communicate, socialise, concentrate, and be broad minded, forward thinking and creative. Young children are naturally musical and adventurous - they love new ideas, taking risks and trying things
out. We should not underestimate the power of music in our pre‐schoolers lives and ZingZillas will give them the quality musical experiences they deserve."
