Function bands
Background musicians
Function bands
Background musicians
Hire a swing band for your wedding or party, to play the best danceable jazz, swing and jump jive across the decades: from Ellington, Louis Prima and Sinatra through to swinging versions of the latest pop music.
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Recreating the talent, charisma and experience of Frank Sinatra in both sound and style!
An elegant Rat Pack vocalist delivering the finest in swing, big band, and party classics, perfect for weddings, parties, and special events.
A charismatic Rat Pack swing vocalist renowned for their captivating vocals, prominently showcased on Made In Chelsea. Choose from options of backing tracks or a complete live band for your event.
Charming swing and Rat Pack singer with a great repertoire of classics by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Dean Martin plus modern versions by Michael Bublé and Robbie Williams. 20-piece big band also available.
Sharp and versatile vocalist and DJ singing Rat Pack, swing, rock‘n’roll and modern songs for weddings and events. Anthony also offers a professional DJ service with additional lighting.
A versatile jazz and swing singer crooning the timeless classics made famous by Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Michael Bublé. Additionally, a full band option is at your disposal for an even grander musical experience.
A sensational female close harmony trio that effortlessly channels the authentic vibes of The Andrews Sisters, captivating audiences across the UK.
Sophisticated soul and jazz covers band featuring a female vocalist and playing tunes from Aretha Franklin to Michael Buble. Smaller line-ups and additional musicians on saxophone and vocals are available.
Professional singer who specialises in Vintage, Swing and Jazz music with shows including ‘Lady of Swing’, ‘Vintage Hollywood Party’, ‘1940s wartime’, ‘1950s Rock n Roll’, and ‘Casino Royale’ James Bond themes.
Enjoy festive sounds, harmonious melodies, and Christmas classics with this stunning vocal ensemble with live piano. Perfect for receptions, dinners, soirées, and retail events.
Stunning close harmony 4-7 piece band featuring three fantastic female vocalists who re-arrange soul, rock and pop songs to give them a vintage style twist. Various line ups and acoustic sets available.
A classy vintage vocal trio, Pink Shoelaces offers a mix of modern and classic songs, and they're also available with a live band for a full musical experience.
Playing a selection of swinging jazz standards, traditional gypsy folk tunes, french musette, waltzes and bossa novas, the cheerful swing of their music and a light bounce creates a relaxed, happy atmosphere at every occasion.
Compact in size but delivering a grand sound, The Slick City Swingers masterfully recreate the vibrant swinging tunes of the classic big band era.
This lively and spirited guitar duo offers a diverse repertoire, spanning jazz and gypsy to Italian music, all reimagined with a fresh, unique twist. They provide the ideal, unobtrusive background ambiance for weddings and parties.
Superb 3-piece vintage vocal harmony band featuring 3 stunning female vocalists, also available with a full band and DJ service.
Swing music was popularised by bandleaders such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, and Glenn Miller, and became a staple of dance halls and nightclubs during the 1930s and 1940s.
Swing music is energetic and upbeat, so if you're looking to create a lively atmosphere and encourage people to dance, hiring a swing band is the perfect option!
Not always. Most swing bands play a varied selection of swing and related genres:
Classic swing and big band music
Classic songs from the swing band era (1930s and 1940s). Popular tunes include: Sing, Sing, Sing, In the Mood, Take the A Train, Chattanooga Choo Choo and Minnie the Moocher by Cab Calloway
Rat Pack and crooner standards
Songs from the late 1940s through to the 1960s, popularised by artists such as Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole. Songs include: Come Fly with Me, Fly Me To The Moon and L.O.VE
Pop songs performed in a vintage style
Often referred to as "postmodern jazz", this style became hugely popular thanks to bands such as Postmodern Jukebox and Nouvelle Vague. These bands re-imagine and perform popular songs in vintage musical styles, from swing and jazz to ragtime and bossa nova.
Other genres
Some of our bands will include uptempo songs in closely related genres, such as jump jive, soul, blues and gospel. Some examples are: Hallelujah I Love Her, Hey Bartender, Hit The Road Jack, Jump, Jive, and Wail and Straighten Up And Fly Right.
Yes! But this depends on the line-up. Make sure your swing band includes a drummer – providing an essential rhythmic element for dancing.
A vocalist/frontman/frontwoman is also recommended for dancing. This provides a focal point for your guests and makes the performance more interactive.
This depends on the line-up. For small swing band consisting of 5 members you'll need a performance area (or stage if you can provide one) measuring 5 metres across by 3 metres deep.
Before researching bands, consider the size and layout of your event space, as well as the number of guests you are expecting. A swing band can take up a significant amount of space and may be too loud for a small or intimate gathering. It's also important to consider your budget and the cost of hiring a band.
Lastly, don't forget to have a dance floor set up and encourage your guests to join in the fun!
Yes! Jive music evolved from swing music, but incorporates elements of jump blues, boogie woogie, and early rock'n'roll. It typically features a driving rhythm section, with a strong emphasis on the drums and bass, as well as a brass section with trumpets and trombones.
Jive music is often associated with dance, particularly the jitterbug and the swing dances of the 1930s and 1940s. The fast tempo and upbeat rhythm make it ideal for lively, energetic dancing, with dancers performing a range of kicks, flicks, and other fast-paced movements.
Some well-known examples of jive music include "Jump, Jive, and Wail" by Louis Prima, "Rock Around the Clock" by Bill Haley & His Comets, "Hound Dog" by Elvis Presley, and "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" by Louis Jordan.
Our swing bands typically perform for 2 hours. This can usually be divided into two sets of sixty minutes each, or three sets of forty minutes each.
Most bands will be able to play recorded music via their sound systems in the intervals, to ensure you're never in silence.
There are several reasons why we'd recommend booking a swing band for your wedding or event:
In summary, booking a wedding swing band will add a touch of class, energy, and fun, and create a memorable experience for you and your guests.
Most of our swing bands can perform within the limits of sound limiters with no problems, though always check the noise restrictions at your venue and let us know the decibel limit, so we can suggest appropriate bands.
In many cases, levels can be reduced by asking the drummer to use brushes or “hot rods” instead of wooden sticks.
Our swing wedding bands will be happy to learn and perform your first dance request – provided they think they can arrange it for their line-up and do it justice.
Firstly, check the band's profile page on our website, to see if the song is already featured on their song list.
If it's not, let us know your request and we'll run it past the band and let you know if they'd be happy to learn and rehearse it for you.
If they're not, don't worry, they'll make sure they play the recorded version through their PA system instead, at the right time.
Assuming you've booked a swing band to perform in the evening, they'll aim to arrive from 5pm or 6pm.
Their set up and sound-check will then take between 60-90 minutes (depending on the size of the band), so please make sure they have a closed off room for this period. If you can't close the room off, don't panic, we can arrange a silent "line-check" instead, so as not to disturb your guests.
Aside from sufficient space, you'll just need to allow the band access to at least two standard domestic plug sockets.
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