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Lydia James

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About Lydia

Jazz singer with 20+ years' experience, creating elegant vintage-inspired ambience for weddings, private parties and corporate events.
Singer
London
Public liability insurance of £10 million

With over twenty years' professional performance experience, including nine West End productions, Lydia now returns to her first love—jazz. Bringing her distinctive vocals to London and the surrounding areas’ finest venues, weddings and private events, she delivers sophisticated performances inspired by the great jazz vocalists and the timeless melodies of the Great American Songbook. Renowned for her velvet voice and signature vintage style, Lydia brings elegance, warmth and a touch of old Hollywood glamour, creating the perfect atmosphere for every occasion. Available as a solo vocalist with tracks, a piano-and-vocal duo, or as a trio, quartet or quintet featuring bass, drums and brass, Lydia tailors each performance to the occasion, whether providing ambient background music or a captivating focal point for the evening.

Lydia's Reviews

From customers:

S
Sue
1 year ago

I booked Lydia for my partner's big birthday party and she was brilliant. She arrived on time, set up without any fuss, and she looked so cool! Her voice is amazing and she had everyone's attention from the start-not just because she sings beautifully, but also because she's so warm and full of energy. She really helped make the night special. I'd definitely recommend Lydia for any event - she's fab!

S(
Sophie (
1 year ago

We were lucky enough to enjoy Lydia’s beautiful singing for our wedding reception celebrations. It was the absolute highlight of the evening, our guests were completely blown away and the room fell silent. She approached the whole event with such ease and elegance, just like she was born to do it. I cannot recommend her highly enough.

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Lydia's Song list

JAZZ
A Love That Will Last
A Tisket A Tasket
Ain’t Misbehavin’
Alfie
Almaz
Anything Goes
Autumn Leaves
Barbie Girl
Bei Mir Bist du Schon
Beyond the Sea
Black and Gold
Black Coffee
Blue Moon
Blue Skies
Boy from Ipanema
But Not for Me
Can’t Help Lovin Dat Man
Can’t take that away from Me
Cheek to Cheek
Crazy He Calls Me
Creep
Cry me a River
Desperado
Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend
Don’t Know Why
Everything Happens to Me
Everything’s Coming up Roses
Everytime we say Goodbye
Falling in Love Again
Fever
Fly Me to the Moon
For Once in my Life
Georgia
Get Lucky
Girl from Ipanema
Give Me the Simple Life
Happy Together
Honeysuckle Rose
How High the Moon
How Insensitive
How Long Has This Been Going On
I Can’t Give you Anything But Love
I Get a Kick out of You
I Got Rhythm
I Heard it Through the Grapevine
I Just Called to Say I Love You
I Miss you So
I Will Survive
I Wish You Love
I Won’t Dance
If I Only Had a Brain
I’m Beginning to see the Light
I’m Confessin’ That I love You
I’m Glad There is You
I’m So Excited
I’ve Never Been in Love Before
It Could Happen to You
It Don’t Mean a Thing
It Wasn’t Me
It’s Not Perfect but It Might Be
It’s Only A Paper Moon
June in January
Just One of Those Things
L-O-V-E
Lady is a Tramp
Let there be Love
Let’s Do It, Let’s fall in Love
Lets Face the Music and Dance
London By Night
Look of Love
Love for Sale
Love Letters
Love Me or Leave Me
Lullaby of Birdland
Mean to Me
Meditation
Misty
Moon River
Moonlight in Vermont
My Baby Just Cares for Me
My Cherie Amour
My Favourite Things
Nature Boy
New York State of Mind
Night and Day
Nobody Does it Better
On the Sunny Side of the Street
Our Love is here to Stay
Part of Your World
Part-time Lover
Pennies from Heaven
Polkadots and Moonbeams
Pure Imagination
Rio de Janeiro Blue
S’Wonderful
Saving all My Love for You
Secret Love
September in the Rain
Skylark
Slow Boat to China
Someday My Prince Will Come
Someone to watch over me
Stormy Weather
Summertime
Sunday Kind of Love
Sunny
Sunny Gets Blue
Sunny Side of the Street
Sway
The Best is Yet to Come
The Lady is a Tramp
The Man I Love
The Nearness of You
The Very Thought of You
The Way you Look Tonight
This Masquerade
This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)
Thou Swell
Two Sleepy People
Umbrella
Valentine (Laufey)
Valerie
Walk on By
What a Difference a Day Makes
Whatever Lola Wants
When I Fall in Love
When Sunny gets Blue
Why Don’t You Do Right
CHRISTMAS
Blue Christmas
Christmas Time is Here
Frosty the Snowman
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Holly Jolly Christmas
I’ll Be Home for Christmas
It’s Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Jingle Bells
Last Christmas
Let it Snow
Merry Xmas Everybody
Mistletoe and Holly
My Favourite Things
O Christmas Tree
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer
Santa Baby
Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town
Silent Night
Sleigh Ride
The Christmas Song
The Christmas Waltz
What Are You Doing NYE?
White Christmas
Winter Wonderland

Lydia's Prices

Last updated: 2026

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Standard Prices
DurationPrice
Short performance (up to 15 min)£125
Up to 1 hour£312.50
Up to 2 hours£375
Up to 3 hours£500
Packages
Drinks reception2 hours
2 x 45 minute sets during your drinks reception.
£375
Wedding ceremony2 hours
This includes music before the service begins, a special song request to walk down the aisle, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave.
£450
Wedding ceremony + Drinks reception4 hours
- Music before the service begins, special song request to walk down the aisle, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave. - 2 x 45 min performances at the drinks reception.
£750
Wedding ceremony + Drinks reception + Dinner8 hours
- Music before the service begins, a special song request to walk down the aisle, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave. - 2 x 45 min performances at the drinks reception. - 2 x 45 min performances as dinner is being served. - the first dance song (as requested)
£1500
Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

The relaxed ambience it creates and my easy, elevated, vintage-twist style. I love bringing old classics to modern audiences.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

The RAC Club, Belmond British Pullman launch, The Ideal Home Show Christmas.

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

Samara Joy, Amy Winehouse, Stella Cole, Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae, Anita O’Day.

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

I have performed in West End shows for twenty years - they are pretty high profile!

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

That’s ok - I aim to be flexible and will try my best to cater to your new timings!

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

Of course, I provide atmospheric jazz before and in the set breaks so the atmosphere doesn’t drop.

How much time do you need to set up?

I will usually arrive at least 1 hour before start time. My setup is very straightforward. As soon as my equipment is set up, I can provide atmospheric music in a similar style to my own to set the mood.

Can I pick the pieces you play from the set list?

My set list is created with experience and understanding what songs work best for each occasion. I have a huge range of jazz standards and more modern songs to choose from, and I tailor my set lists to suit occasions, but I will always endeavour to include your specific requests if the tracks are available.

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

Yes, I provide everything! I just need some space and access to power, and cover if I am outside. All my equipment is PAT tested.

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

Of course - if you’d like a song for your first dance or a special request and the track is available, I will make it happen.
Musicianship
Genres:
Jazz, Christmas, Musical theatre, Swing, Postmodern jukebox jazz, Easy listening, Vintage, 1940s era music, 1950s era music, 1960s era music, 1930s era music
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Instruments:
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Event types:
Bar / Club / Venue event, Wedding, Wedding proposal, Hotel / Restaurant event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Birthday party, New Year's Eve, Christmas party
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Other skills:
Dancer, Actor, Musical comedy
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