Function band

The Big River Band

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(5.0)Read all 5 reviews
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About The Big River Band

Great party and function band from Berks. Private, corporate, Masonic and Military functions. Special events include 60s nights, Jazz/Swing.
Function band
Marlow
Public liability insurance of £10 million

We are a fun, versatile and high-quality band with male and female lead, backing and harmony vocals. We have been booked to entertain well-known stars including Rick Wakeman, Patti Boulaye, Anita Harris, Russ Abbot, the late Tom O'Connor, Jess Conrad and many others. It was great to have Patti Boulaye sing with us at the Les Reed tribute luncheon and great fun to support 60s nights special guests, The Swinging Blue Jeans, The Ivy League and the late Tom O'Connor.... We have an ever-growing repertoire that includes 50s to present-day covers, rock and roll, jazz, swing, pop, Soul, R&B and country music, so whatever your taste for a special event, I'm sure we'll be able to oblige. We specialise in jazz and swing as we also have another band, Renee Sears & The Jazz Set. Our original material can be heard on the Spotify link on out media page. We can be booked as a duo, trio, 4, 5 or 6-piece band so suitable for all venues and budgets, from intimate restaurants, hotels and clubs to large corporate events. We have performed at hundreds of Masonic Ladies Festivals and events and we are always happy to accompany the Ladies Song and Grace if required to do so. We are happy to play recorded/digital music throughout dinner and breaks. We have been together as a band for over 20 years and we love our work. It’s always a pleasure to see people enjoying themselves whether it be dancing or listening to the music. We will always do our very best to ensure that everyone has a good time and we will always be as flexible and accommodating as we possibly can be. And we are happy to chat about anything before the day to give you added assurance should you need it. Renee, lead vocalist also works as a solo singer so please do not hesitate to contact for further information.

The Big River Band
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5 out of 5
5 verified reviews

The Big River Band's Reviews

From customers:

AB
Alan B
9 months ago, for a Birthday party in Slough
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5 out of 5

Dear Renee, Thank you for singing at my friend, Robin’s birthday party on 1st July. I’m so glad I booked you. Robin was really pleased. You have a lovely voice and the songs you chose were perfect for us and the evening. Thank you also for being flexible with the timing and for your very friendly rapport with the audience. I will certainly recommend you for any future events. Best regards Alan

LW
Liz W
10 months ago, for a Private event in Bucklebury
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5 out of 5

Big River played for our family party on Saturday and they were a big success, creating a great atmosphere which worked for everyone from young families to their grandparents and everyone in between. Renee is a really engaging singer who listened to the brief and together with Gerry created a set of songs that worked perfectly and was exactly what we asked for. I should add that they were very easy to deal with, arrangements for the day worked perfectly and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.

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The Big River Band's Song list

A small selection of 2000s songs
A NIGHT LIKE THIS
CAN'T GET YOU OUT OF MY HEAD
DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT
DON'T KNOW WHY
EXS AND OHS
HAPPY
HUMAN
MERCY
THAT GIRL IS RED HOT
VALERIE
1000 Years
A small selection of 1990s songs
ANGELS
BELIEVE
DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY
GIVE ME ONE REASON
LIVING LA VIDA LOCA
MOVING ON UP
SIMPLY THE BEST
WHEN YOU'RE GONE
WHEN YOU SAY NOTHING AT ALL
YOU'RE STILL THE ONE
A small selection of 1980s songs
EVERYBODY NEEDS SOMEBODY TO LOVE
HOT HOT HOT
IT'S GONNA BE (500 MILES)
I WANT TO BREAK FREE
KARMA CHAMELEON
RED RED WINE
SLOW HAND
SUMMER OF '69
SWEET DREAMS
TAINTED LOVE
THE TIDE IS HIGH
YOU SEXY THING
WAKE ME UP BEFORE YOU GO GO
WALKING ON SUNSHINE
WALK OF LIFE
A small selection of 1970s songs
CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED LOVE
DANCING QUEEN
DREAMS
HOT STUFF
HOW LONG
IT'S TOO LATE
JUST THE WAY YOU ARE
LET'S STAY TOGETHER
MAMA MIA
PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC
ROCKIN' ALL OVER THE WORLD
STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU
THREE TIMES A LADY
WONDERFUL TONIGHT
YOUNG HEARTS
A small selection of 1960s
A HARD DAYS NIGHT
BROWN EYED GIRL
CAN'T BUY ME LOVE
CAN'T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU
DA DOO RON RON
DAYDREAM BELIEVER
ENJOY YOURSELF
HI HO SILVER LINING
HIT THE ROAD JACK
I FEEL FINE
I FEEL GOOD
IT'S NOT UNUSUAL
KISS ME HONEY HONEY
LET'S TWIST AGAIN
LOCOMOTION
MOON RIVER
MUSTANG SALLY
PRETTY WOMAN
SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME
SOMETHING STUPID
SWEET CAROLINE
UNDER THE BOARDWALK
A small selection of 1950s
BLUE SUEDE SHOES
FLIP FLOP FLY
HE'LL HAVE TO GO
JAILHOUSE ROCK
LA BAMBA
LIPSTICK ON YOUR COLLAR
SINGING THE BLUES
STUPID CUPID
SWAY
TEQUILA
THAT'LL BE THE DAY
A small selection of Motown
BE MY BABY
DANCING IN THE STREET
IT TAKES TWO
MY GIRL
MY GUY
THEN HE KISSED ME
WHERE DID OUR LOVE GO
YOU CAN'T HURRY LOVE
A small selection of Jazz
ALL OF ME
BLUE MOON
CHEEK TO CHEEK
FLY ME TO THE MOON
GIRL FROM IPANEMA
I GET A KICK OUT OF YOU
IT HAD TO BE YOU
LADY IS A TRAMP
LET THERE BE LOVE
MY BABY JUST CARES FOR ME
NIGHT AND DAY
PERHAPS PERHAPS PERHAPS
SMILE
THAT OLD DEVIL CALLED LOVE
THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU
TURN ME ON
A small selection of country music
CRAZY
HEY GOOD LOOKIN'
GONE COUNTRY
GUITARS, CADILLACS
MAN I FEEL LIKE A WOMAN
NEED YOU NOW
PASSIONATE KISSES
TENNESSEE WALTZ
WALKING AFTER MIDNIGHT
YOUR CHEATING HEART
YOU'RE STILL THE ONE
A small selection of Christmas songs
JINGLE BELL ROCK
JINGLE BELLS
LAST CHRISTMAS
LET IT SNOW
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE
ROCKIN' AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE
RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER
WHITE CHRISTMAS
WINTER WONDERLAND
A small selection of old time
AS TIME GOES BY
BYE BYE BLACKBIRD
QUE SERA SERA
SHINE ON HARVEST MOON
SLOW BOAT TO CHINA
TULIPS FROM AMSTERDAM
WE'LL MEET AGAIN
WHEN YOU'RE SMILING
MASONIC GRACE
MASONIC LADIES SONG

The Big River Band's Prices

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

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Up to 1 hour£1300
Up to 2 hours£1300
Up to 3 hours£1500
Packages
New Year's Eve Trio3 musicians
Includes 2 x one-hour sets and 1 x 30-minute set up until 12.45 am with music on iPad during all other times.
£1500
New Year's Eve4 musicians
Includes PA and stage lighting, a maximum of 2 x one-hour sets, and 1 x 30-minute set up until 12.45 am with music on iPad all other times.
£2000
Customer questions

Will the singer be the same as who I see in the videos?

The female singer seen in the videos is available at all times and we have an amazing male dep singer to take the place of the male singer seen in the videos on the rare occasion that he is unavailable. But we also have pre-auditioned 'dep' musicians available in case a band member falls ill or is unavailable and all are of a very high standard.

Do you have different line-up options?

Our main line-up as a 4-piece is as follows: Male and female lead, backing and harmony vocals, Guitar, Keyboard, Drums. Our 5-piece is the same with added bass guitarist, our six-piece also includes a sax player. The trio has male and female lead, backing and harmony vocals, guitar and keyboard, and occasional use of backing tracks for a fuller sound.

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

We always try our best to be flexible to help ensure your event runs as smoothly as possible. If timings change slightly in the run up to the event or on the night just let us know.

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

Absolutely. This is a really popular request and we actually offer this service for free.

How much time do you need to set up?

Depending on the access to the stage area and the number of musicians, it can take up to 2 hours to be set up and sound checked, but we try to make this 1.5 hours whenever possible. The duo and trio take less time, normally 1 hour.

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

Our set lists are crafted from countless performances and experiences learning what works best to ensure guests dance and have an amazing time. However, we're definitely happy to chat and play some or all of your favourites if those would work well for your event.

Is all of the equipment (e.g. PA & lighting) included in your quote?

Yes, our PA equipment and lights are included in our quotes.

Can you learn song requests before the event?

If a song isn't included in our song list there may still be a chance we already know it. If there is a special song you'd like us to learn we will do our best to do this for you providing we have enough notice and we have the time to rehearse it. We have always managed to learn every requested song so far.
Musicianship
Genres:
Covers, Christmas, 1930s era music, 1940s era music, 1960s era music, 1970s era music, 1980s era music, 1990s era music, Jazz, Blues, Cabaret, Gypsy jazz, Latin jazz, Swing, Postmodern jukebox jazz, Modern jazz, Jazz fusion, Easy listening, Originals, Pop, Acoustic, Americana, Disco, Motown, R&B, Soul, Classic rock, Rock 'n' Roll
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Event types:
Corporate event, Wedding, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Charity event, Concert, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve
See all event types