dominic halpin

Dominic Halpin

Dominic Halpin is a singer, guitarist and entertainer associated with swing revival and vintage-style popular song. He is based around Manchester in the UK, and his work draws on rock and roll, swing and classic standards. He is described as a capable player of several instruments, with guitar as his main instrument, and his vocal style is often compared to a blend of Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra.

Early life and influences

Halpin grows up in many different places because his father serves in the RAF. Family house parties play a major part in shaping his taste, with records by Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, Elvis Presley, Louis Prima and Frank Sinatra forming an early musical backdrop. He gets permission to stay up late in order to change records, and this is presented as the beginning of his attachment to that style of music.

Early bands

At 15, Halpin forms his first band, a rockabilly group called Rocking Red Roosters, and plays local gigs in and around Manchester. In his early twenties he moves to Australia, where he meets other musicians and forms a band that becomes Dominic Halpin & The Suspects. The group gains a strong reputation in the Sydney area and becomes a regular act at the Sydney Harbour Casino.

Dominic Halpin & The Suspects

The Suspects are invited in 1998 to perform on the inaugural cruise of the Grand Princess, then the largest cruise liner in the world. In 2002 the band is awarded Best New Swing Club Act after its work in Sydney. The group also performs at an official event connected with the 2003 Rugby Union World Cup in Sydney.

Return to the UK and The Honey B’s

Halpin returns to the Manchester area in 2005 and joins up with saxophonist Nigel McGill. Together they form Dominic Halpin & The Honey B’s, a swing band that becomes a regular live act in the UK and beyond. Their appearances include Blenheim Palace, a headline show at the Abu Dhabi International Jazz Festival, and private and corporate events for clients such as Simon Cowell, Elle Macpherson and The Savoy, London. The act also performs at a birthday party held by Simon Cowell for his mother, at the reopening of Peckforton Castle in Cheshire, and alongside Emeli Sandé as part of the bill. In 2011 Halpin also performs with Tony Bennett at an intimate private concert in Canada.

Writing, recording and screen work

Alongside live performance, Halpin writes songs and musical pieces, some of which are used in overseas media. His music appears in the film Dorm Daze II in 2007 and in American television series including Brothers and Sisters and MTV’s Runs House. His version of “Sway” is used in the Russian film Hitler Kaput and appears on the soundtrack. He also releases a CD titled Traditional, which includes his version of the title song from A Taste of Honey. In 2009, after the performance is heard on that release, he is invited to appear at a tribute event for Dora Bryan and sing the song live. Halpin also produces recordings and videos for local artists and corporations, and for his own song “Senor Blue” he writes, directs, produces and edits the video, which gains many views on YouTube.