Party Classics With A Sophisticated Big Band Spin

​

The perfect fusion of Golden Era Hollywood style with the power and exuberance that comes of being London's ultimate party band.  With musicians in evening dress and great singers who engage with the audience, this elegant big band sets a scene of opulence and old fashioned charm, playing non-stop party classics, from Motown to the Black Eyed Peas, from Elvis to Joss Stone and everything in between, packing the dance floor from first to last. Over the last two years, the band has worked at all the major London hotels, and delighted clients have included Madonna, Mikhail Gorbachev, Bill Clinton, The Olivier Awards and Sir Elton John.

1920s and 30s Music - Dancing and Background Music

​

Are you tired of parties where the strident music drowns the gentle art of conversation? Do you yearn for the days when popular music had tunes you could whistle and words that were witty and romantic? Do you prefer Fred and Ginger to Kanye West and Beyoncé?  The Rio Trio performs the music of the 1920’s and ’30’s, but what distinguishes this band is versatility and an ability to sound bigger than it really is when needed.  Our crooner doubles on hot clarinet, our jazz guitarist also plays banjo and the mighty sousaphone is featured alongside gentle double bass. 

Swing, Swing, Swing!

Pete Long's small jazz bands (6 piece upwards) such as his Benny Goodman Sextet and Pocket Basie, his mid-size bands (10 piece) such as 9.20 Deluxe and his big bands (15-17 piece) such as The Goodman – Miller Tribute Orchestra and Echoes of Ellington all provide the very best in authentic vintage swing music with minimal amplification just as it was in its heyday.  Using the very finest swing musicians in the UK Pete’s bands re-create the very best of swing music from the 30s through to the 50s – Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller, Gene Krupa,  Lionel Hampton, Count Basie and much more.

Looking for jive and rock-n-roll? Award winning musician and Rockabilly hall of fame inductee Pete Pritchard's biog reads like a whos who of Roots music. He spent twenty four years working with Elvis guitarist Scotty Moore and ten years with Woodstock guitar legend Alvin Lee.

Fine Parisian-Style Jazz & Tango

The gorgeous Gabrielle Ducomble and her wonderful band perform some of the most seductive, romantic and beautiful songs of all time.  Singing in both English and French, chanteuse Gabrielle Ducomble specializes in Paris-style jazz music with an exciting, modern-day Gallic groove. After reaching the final of Pop Idol in France, she had a huge hit with her debut album and then settled in the UK where she has become an ever more popular performer.  With a repertoire that includes Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel, Serge Gainsbourg and Antonio Carlos Jobim, Gabrielle’s dreamy, haunting voice shimmers and shines as it weaves its way in between the wonderfully evocative accordion led backing band.

Mainstream & Modern Jazz - Harmonica, Bass, Piano & Drums

The Richard Pite Quartet plays mainstream and modern jazz music and features the young virtuosic harmonica player Philip Achille alongside pianist/singer Phil Phillips and female singer/bassist Charlie Pyne.  A wide variety of music includes their own unique versions of popular classical music as well as contemporary pop given a jazz flavour.  The jazz music they perform is equally entertaining as background music or for dancing or for cabaret.

Prepare To Rock Like There's No Tomorrow

Permageddon is the ultimate party band.  A five-piece band, featuring a fantastic female singer backed by guitar, bass, keyboards and drums, which takes the very best of anthemic rock and party pop and creates a night of bespoke party entertainment.  Whether it's popular covers of hits for weddings, corporate events or Christmas parties or one of their special 80's Tribute shows, Permageddon is the party band for you!  Also available as an "unplugged" acoustic act.

From House Parties to Highgrove

Omnibus Edition is an encyclopedia of popular music. Its repertoire stretches right back to ragtime and the roaring twenties and comes right up to date with 21st century hits. On the way there is 30's and 40's swing from Glenn Miller, 50's Rock 'n' Roll and Latin American, Classic 60's pop from the Beatles and the Stones, Soul from Stax and Tamla Motown and the greatest hits from the 70's, 80's, 90's and beyond.  The variety of musical styles makes Omnibus Edition the perfect choice for parties where the age range is from 5 to 95. The experience of the musicians ensures a wonderful mix with the right party music at the right volume and a dedication to keeping the dance floor full.

From The Golden Days Of British Light Music

A refreshing alternative to the more conventional jazz band. A trio recreating, in miniature, the golden days of British light music.  Clarinet, banjo and tuba play a charmingly eccentric selection of arrangements: Sousa marches (The Liberty Bell, Stars and Stripes Forever), the music of Eric Coates (The Dam Busters, In Town Tonight), Ragtime (The Entertainer, The Maple Leaf Rag), light classics (Dvorak’s Hungarian Dances, The Blue Danube) and novelty pieces (Flapperette, Dizzy Fingers). A plethora of melodies which are surprisingly familiar but often overlooked.

A Tribute To The Smooth Soul Of The Crusaders

Soul Shadows is a six piece band performing the instrumental funk and soul music of The Crusaders.  Hugely popular in the 1970’s and beyond, their timeless music lives on in this superb tribute band.  It features classic soul music such as Keep On That Same Old Feeling, Southern Comfort, Put It Where You Want It and Street Life.

The Music Of Parisian Swing Masters Django Reinhadt & Stephane Grappelli

The sophisticated Stephane Grappelli and the Belgian gypsy Django Rheinhardt were the first great European jazz musicians and their wonderful swinging and stylish music lives on in this ensemble.  The music of the Hot Club features the delightful sound of jazz violin and jazz guitar and is a popular choice for all types of events. The violinist MIke Piggott has for many years led a superb ensemble recreating this wonderful jazz music.  His ensemble "The Hot Club Trio" comprises violin, guitar and bass (and can be augmented with an additional guitar).  Fascinatin' Rhythm is a quartet adding clarinet (doubling saxophone) to the conventional Hot Club line-up.

Dixieland Jazz Music On The Move

​

A 3 or 4 piece jazz band that can perform al fresco or play in as many different locations as you wish. Unencumbered by electricity the musicians can pop up anywhere, playing around the tables and adding to the fun of your event entertainment.  Happy Feet can either be dressed in blazers and boaters or in formal black tie.  Dixieland jazz is such a popular choice for any kind of party thanks to its "feelgood factor".  This happy music is a great accompaniment to any party and helps set the atmosphere from the arrival of your first guests. The other great advantage of this style is that the volume of the instruments makes it perfect for outdoor events. The music started in the street parades of New Orleans and the infectious rhythm of the style of jazz music is still hugely enjoyable today.

All Your Favourite Music (Only Quieter)

​

The world of background music has changed.  In bars and clubs, high-energy groovy hits are played at a low level over the speakers. Until now, no band has been able to offer this as a live option. Until now, there has not been....The Hush Puppies!  Take seven musicians, unplug their instruments, turn their amps off, lock the drum kit in the cupboard and get them to play the best in soul, R'n'B,  jazz and classic pop.  The Hush Puppies play hard and funky, but on acoustic instruments. The result?  High energy, low volume party entertainment which never intrudes.  Should you want them to lift the  level of your party music, we simply plug everything in and play on into the night.

Latin Funk Sensation

Formed by the wonderfully sensual Colombian female singer Martha Acosta and bass guitarist/MD Don Fiora over 10 years ago, Manteca has been at the cutting edge of the UK Latin music scene and recently led over 3,000 people at the World Music Stage dancing into the New Year with their unique style of Urban Latin Funk. 

The Rockin' Roman Of Blues

​

Blues pianist and singer Eric Ranzoni specialises in the music of Muddy Waters, Ray Charles, Robert Johnson, Otis Span, John Lee Hooker, BB King, Fats Domino and many more.  He can also turn up the heat with his two handed (and one footed!) piano style a la Jerry Lee Lewis and also pays tribute to Elvis and other giants of rock n roll music.  When required, Eric can also mix in his large repertoire of classic pop hits and provide highly entertaining party music.

Big Band Music From The Roaring 20's

​

The 10 piece Blue Devils features the jazz music of such stars as Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson, Louis Armstrong, Jean Goldkette and many more. Jazz songs include Puttin' On The Ritz, Singing In The Rain, Button Up Your Overcoat, It Had To Be You,  Anything Goes, Ain't Misbehavin' and Night and Day. This much in demand jazz band can be booked with either of its featured female singers, Joan Viskant or Janice Day.​​​​

Celtic & Ceilidh Music With A Repertoire Of Popular Music Available On Request

​

Combining traditional Celtic and current popular music with joie de vivre, this band is perfect for weddings and events requiring a variety of music to please all guests.  They are happy to provide early evening mood music, followed by a ceilidh set and ending the night with popular music for all ages.  And if you just want a ceilidh, The Beckett Band can play that all night long!