Swinging Little Big Band Rat Pack classics, Vegas-style versions, unique jazz mash-ups - since 2005

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Price Guide

Description Price
2 x 45 minute sets. Full band (Vocals, saxophone & flute, keys, bass, drums).£1550
3 x 45 minute sets. Full band (Vocals, saxophone & flute, keys, bass, drums).£1750
Trio (piano, vocals, saxophone & flute) for drinks receptions, wedding ceremonies, during wedding breakfasts.£900
Prices include VAT. Subject to add-on charges such as travel, increased waiting times, late finishes, extra equipment and staffing for large events.

About / Biography

The Original Postmodern Swing Band! Since 2005, this unbelievably tight 5 piece has been setting dancefloors alight with their truly unique swing versions of modern songs and their mash-ups of classic jazz tunes with indie bangers: Radiohead reimagined in a Vegas-style swagger; Oasis' Supersonic mashed-up with Dave Brubeck's Take Five; The Star Wars Cantina Band overlayed with Motorhead's Ace of Spades - this is a band that creates a truly original mix of surprises, alongside a flush of perfectly executed swing era classics and jump jive floorfillers from Sinatra to Louis Prima. Over the past twenty years, The Swinging Little Big Band has entertained at many of the UK's most prestigious venues as well as events across Europe. A true band of brothers who have racked up 1000s of gigs together and still setting the standard for creativity in live entertainment.

Reviews (4)

There are currently 4 user ratings for Swinging Little Big Band

AVERAGE RATING

10 / 101

Location

Based in Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Will travel up to 500 miles
green circle = areas covered (up to 500 miles)
Please note that the circles shown on the map are calculated "as the crow flies". By road distances may vary, so please get in touch for an accurate quote.

MASH-UPS:

Supersonic/ Take Five (Oasis vs Dave Brubeck)

Last Nite/ Take the 'A' Train (The Strokes vs Duke Ellington)

The Beat Goes On/ Loser/ The Sidewinder (Buddy Rich vs Beck vs Lee Morgan)

Star Wars Cantina Band/ The Ace of Spades (John Williams vs Motorhead)

Anarchy in the UK/ My Baby Just Cares for Me (Sex Pistols vs Nina Simone)

No Diggity/ Jeeves and Wooster theme (Blackstreet vs Anne Dudley)

Creep/ New York, New York (Radiohead vs Frank Sinatra)

VERSIONS IN A JAZZ, SWING, JUMP-JIVE or LATIN STYLE:

Common People - Pulp

Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana

Paint it Black - The Rolling Stones

Nobody Does it Better - Carly Simon

I Bet you Look Good on the Dance Floor - Arctic Monkeys

CLASSICS:

I Get a Kick Out of You - Sinatra

Lady is a Tramp - Sinatra

Moondance - Buble

Under my Skin - Sinatra

(You'd be) So Nice to Come Home To - Sinatra

Ain’t That a Kick in the Head - Dean Martin

Fly me to the Moon - Sinatra

That’s Life - Sinatra

Sway - Buble

Witchcraft - Sinatra

We are in Love - Harry Connick Jr

Recipe for Love - Harry Connick Jr

Jump, Jive an Wail - Louis Prima

Buona Sera - Louis Prima

Tu Vuo Fa L'Americano - from The Talented Mr Ripley

For Once in my Life - Buble

That’s Amore - Dean Martin

I’ve Got the World on a String - Buble

Let’s Face the Music and Dance - Sinatra

Beyond the Sea - Bobby Darin

The Good Life - Tony Bennett

The Way you look Tonight - Sinatra

Puttin' on the Ritz - Irving Berlin

Technical Info

What are your basic technical requirements?

We prefer a performance space of at least 8 meters x 5 meters but can be creative and adaptive in this respect. We require 2 x 13 amp power sockets and 3 parking spaces in most cases.


Do you provide sound and lighting equipment?

Yes, sound equipment for small to medium size venues with basic lighting included. Additional professional lighting and pro sound engineers provided at extra cost


What information do you require about a venue?

We will need loading-in points, number of available electrical sockets, whether there is a sound limiter


Can you provide a Spotify/DJ service before and between your sets?

Yes, we’re happy to play music from Spotify before, after and between our sets. We’re happy to choose the music ourselves or let the client choose the music

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best gig you've ever done and the best venue you've ever played at?

We've enjoyed star-spotting at many of our shows: we've entertained David Tennant, Amanda Holden, Kate Winslet, Martin Lewis and Susannah Reid to name a few. Perhaps the most beautiful venue we've played at was on the banks of Lake Como, Italy. Our monthly residence at Quaglino's in London was a fun way to spend a Thursday evening back in the day.


Which artists have you been most influenced by, who is your favourite artist and what is the greatest song of all time?

In addition to the Rat Pack era, which forms the bed rock of our set, we draw influences from 90's indie bands, classic movies, latin, jump jive, even heavy metal and punk!


What's your previous experience and how did you start gigging?

Our unique sound comes from the fact that we're drawn from all corners of the musical spectrum from 90's indie bands to funk instrumental outfits and classical orchestras. The core members of the band have been playing music together in one form or another for over thirty years and are lifelong friends, something that we're often told comes across on stage!


What's your favourite type of event to play at?

We've loved playing at so many different kinds of events: regardless of whether we're at a top London hotel or a client's back garden, a successful gig is about the connection that occurs between the band and the audience.

Performance Info

What are your typical setup and performance times?

We normally arrive 2 hours before the performance to set up. We normally perform 2 x 45 or 3 x 45 minutes but are happy to be flexible in all aspects of our involvement in your event.


Are you happy to perform outside?

Yes but only in a fixed position with shelter from rain and access to electricity.


Do the clients have a say in what you play or is it a set repertoire list only?

Clients can choose from our repertoire but we usually find the best set lists and running orders are borne of a collaboration of our extensive experience together with a discussion with clients about their wishes and the guests that will be attending.


How do previous clients most commonly describe your performances?

Example testimonial: "Amazing!!!!!! Not only are they brilliant performers they are a total laugh and great fun to be around. Also very professional providing their service. Couldn’t recommend them more. They made our wedding and loved them so much we booked them for a birthday party too. Guaranteed to have everyone on their feet!!!!!
Thank you so much for such a great evening . Dancing to you guys with Tower Bridge lit up behind us will be something we will never forget."

Recent Clients

Swinging Little Big Band has performed for these clients:

IBM

The National Trust

Royal Air Force

McKinsey & Company

3i

Cardboard Citizens

The Institute of Directors

The Children's Society

02

Venues

Swinging Little Big Band has performed at these venues:

The Dorchester, Mayfair

Claridge's, Mayfair

Quaglino's, London

The Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair

Hawksmoor, Guildhall

London Zoo

The Bluebird, Chelsea

Chateau Rigaud, Bordeaux, France

Madame Tussaud's

HMS President

HMS Belfast

Coq d'Argent, London

RAC Club, Pall Mall

Calendonian Club, Belgravia

The Belvedere, Holland Park

Clivedon House

Hampton Court House

Corte del Lago, Lake Como, Italy

Emmanuel College, Cambridge

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