Founder of the acclaimed acapella ensemble The Swingle Singers has passed away aged 87.

Ward Swingle, the founder of the internationally acclaimed acapella group The Swingle Singers, has died aged 87. Swingle passed away on Monday morning in London, after recently relocating from Paris to be nearer family.

In a touching statement, current and past members of the Swingle Singers described their sadness at losing their “founder, friend and mentor.” The statement continues, “As an arranger, composer and vocalist he redefined what singers could do, made us hear music in a new way and brought us so much joy. It has always been an immense honour and privilege to perform under his name.”

Growing up in Mobile, Alabama, Swingle was largely influenced by the vibrant local jazz and big band scene. He continued to be fascinated with jazz as a student of the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music before moving to Paris in the early 1950’s where he studied piano under Walter Gieseking. Swingle remained in Paris into the 1960’s and founded his first vocal ensemble, Les Double Six.

Swingle combined his love of jazz and classical music by applying the technique of scat singing to the music of JS Bach. This...