How art and songs have the power to improve lives – and businesses

In a dazzling display of resilience and revival, Guildhawk’s friend, British 1920s style bandleader Alex Mendham and his Orchestra have taken the international stage by storm since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Embarking on global tours that have seen them perform aboard Cunard's flagship ocean liner, the Queen Mary 2, enroute from Southampton to New York City, the band has brought the opulence and excitement of Britain’s Jazz Age to the high seas.

Their tours also graced the historic Los Angeles Theatre, a venue as steeped in grandeur as the music itself, while further European performances in Berlin and Switzerland have captivated audiences across the continent.

So, what can we learn from this vivacious, vintage themed British music sensation? And how can other artists and businesses unite to create a kinder world with songs?

From the Savoy to Shanghai in 100 years

Alex and his musicians emerged from the dark days of lock-down in stunning style with the "Fascinatin' Rhythm" concert, the orchestra's inaugural post-pandemic show staged at the resplendent Art Deco surroundings of Conway Hall in London.

This electrifying event premiered the orchestra's new album, "Facinatin Rhythm", a collection of high-energy, uplifting dance hits from the 1920s. The audience were taken on a magical journey from the dance band’s imaginary formation in Britain after the pandemic of 1918, through to the present day, with seductive stop-offs in Old Shanghai, to foot-tapping fun at Hollywood’s Cocoanut Grove.

The new musical works for the album and high-definition video recording, produced in collaboration with Alex Mendham and Guildhawk's art loving founders, Jurga Zilinskiene MBE and David Clarke, resonated with all the hope and exuberance that followed the end of the Great War and pandemic of 1918, offering a timely parallel to a contemporary moment.

Enjoy a clip from the premiere below

Increasing wellbeing with old hit songs

The artistic collaboration between Alex and Guildhawk was more than just a musical undertaking; it was a mission to support artists during the challenging times of COVID-19 and to lift spirits through the power of music.

The project aimed to deliver these timeless tunes with historical accuracy, allowing modern audiences to experience the magic as it sounded a century ago. Reflecting on the show, Abi Hinterleithner said, ‘I never realised how awesome the jazz songs from the 1920s are; Alex’s story telling is such fun, especially the scene when he went missing following a romantic fling with Shanghai Lil.

The songs came to life, we were there, that’s so memorable.’’

Songs that inspirate millions

The time-travellers voyage through the Jazz Age was not only auditory but also educational. As part of the initiative, the Orchestra and Guildhawk delved into the lost narratives of this Golden Era, bringing to light the heart-warming stories behind these great songs—stories that had either been forgotten or were unknown to today's young listeners.

The authenticity of the remastered songs provided a genuine taste of Britain’s remarkable dance band heritage that provided the glamourous escape for millions of workers in towns and cities across the United Kingdom after their hard week’s work.

From factory to foxtrotting on the dancefloor

The music of the 1920s and 30s touched the hearts of millions and became the spark that ignited a new global phenomenon. The sight of coal miners, steel workers and machinists from the country’s hard-graft industries trading their hard hats and workwear for evening attire and flying elegantly across the dancefloor to the tunes of a foxtrot, turned dance into a British institution.

The adults and children from across the entire social spectrum that became fans of the dance bands ultimately turned cities like Blackpool in Lancashire into the global centre of Ballroom Dancing.  

Today, millions of young ballroom dancers across Southeast Asia are rekindling that same spirit and Michael Williams, Director of the Blackpool Dance Festival told the FT, “China is an emerging nation in ballroom dancing without a doubt. It’s a billion-dollar business.”  Blackpool has hosted the world’s festival since 1920 and in 2017, a deal was brokered to host the event at Shanghai’s Art Deco Paramount Ballroom.

The Jazz and ballroom dancing culture is experiencing a resurgence of the popularity it had in both the East and West in the 1920’s, and the 2019 festival in Shanghai was a hot hit.

Artists and business uniting for good

Guildhawk, known for its innovations in Artificial Intelligence (AI) software with Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) and for developing multilingual digital human avatars, brought its localisation expertise to ensure that the cultural and historical essence of the songs was captured in every performance. Guildhawk song translators Sam Lee-Potter and Helen Han brought their own special expertise to bear through research into the history of jazz songs in 1920’s China.  

Despite facing business disruptions themselves, Guildhawk CEO Jurga Zilinskiene emphasized that the challenges faced by artists like Alex Mendham were far greater. "Our problems paled in comparison to those faced by performers like Alex. While we could transition to remote work and weather the storm, entertainers lacked that option, and we felt a moral imperative to provide our support," Jurga said.

How music improves wellbeing and kindness

We can take important lessons from Alex’s experience and the collaboration with Guildhawk. The songs created together during lockdowns and then the sparkling performance, remind us of the extraordinary resilience of artists and the power of songs to transport us to a happier place. In an age dominated by social media, where people young and old feel increasingly detached and even divided, communities need artists more than ever because they have the special magic to make negative feelings subside.

Best of all, a band sows the seeds of hope in the heart, be it a glamorous dance orchestra like Alex’s or an amazing cappella group like our friends at The Mockingbird group that uses voices to mimic the sounds of nature and pretty much any song ever known to mankind.

The artists ability to connect, inspire and uplift in ways that words alone cannot do, is perfect for something else too – promoting kindness with the loving lyrics in songs. The "Fascinatin' Rhythm" concert was not just a musical milestone; it was also a heartfelt homage to the tireless efforts of NHS staff, Care Workers, and other frontline heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Special invitations were extended as a token of gratitude for their selfless service during the darkest period in living memory. Alex’s dedication of the evening to all those on the frontline who did not make it through the pandemic was especially touching.

Boosting productivity with music

As nations grapple with how to increase productivity and operational efficiency with new AI technologies like those we research and develop at Guildhawk, one must not overlook the amazing power of music. The awesome levels of creativity and ingenuity exhibited by artists and businesses during the COVID-19 lockdowns resulted in sensational new collaborative works.

‘The pandemic was horribly tough for musicians and it was great to partner-up with the teams at Guildhawk’, says Alex, ‘Our duty is to inspire our audiences, there was no more important time to do that.’ He added.

When businesses unite with artists, they assemble the ingredients for innovation. Nurtured and cherished, this is the fertile soil where the seeds flourish, wonderful things emerge and lasting legacies are made.

Alex Mendham and his talented musicians are a beautiful depiction of this evolution. Globally revered for his impeccable portrayals of the glamour and flair of the Art Deco and jazz era, he is now going from strength to strength. With new appearances on the BBC and entrancing crowds at festivals and emblematic venues such as London's Claridge’s Hotel and LA's Cicada Club, Alex’s return to the stage after the pandemic, has been nothing short of triumphant.

Embrace Human Art in the age of AI

If your company in contemplating the benefits of forging new links with artists in the age of AI, do think about the partnership between Alex Mendham and Guildhawk because it serves as a reminder of what can be achieved for a common cause.

As the orchestra continues its global tour, delivering hot jazz hits from a century past, they promise an enduring uplift to spirits, long after the shadows of the pandemic have faded from people’s minds. Now, that’s a beautiful result that Generative AI is some way off replicating, so be sure to embrace human artists as part of your digital transformation journey.

Learn more about the Orchestra, the Fascinatin’ Rhythm premiere and where you can see them performing, visit their website.