Swing & Jive Bands available to hire in County Durham

Find the perfect live swing band in County Durham for your wedding, party or corporate event. Whether you want to jive the night away, or lindy hop into the early hours, our professional bands will definitely keep your guests on their feet. Browse our selection of over 254 swing bands right here. All are available in County Durham.

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Swing & jive bandsinCounty Durhamforany price, sort bybest match
All the bands below are available to travel to County Durham
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Hire Modern Swing Band Swing & jive band with Encore
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£2625 - £3525
Swing & jive bandLondon

London's #1 Modern Swing Jazz band, guaranteed to 'wow' guests with renditions of 90s 00s songs complete with 4 piece horn section!

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Hire The Unswung Heroes Swing & jive band with Encore
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£812.50 - £4500
Swing & jive bandLondon

Top diverse London band with everything from vintage covers to function classics. Nothing but 5* reviews, book now!

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Hire Green Chimneys Swing & jive band with Encore
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£1250 - £2800
Swing & jive bandLondon

A young and energetic band that guarantee to give you a night that you'll never forget.

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Hire Victoria & The Foxes Swing & jive band with Encore
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£1250 - £3750
Swing & jive bandLondon

#1 International Jazz, Soul, Funk, and Party band in London. We bring sass, style and soul to any event!

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Hire The Rockabellas Swing & jive band with Encore
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£1500 - £3500
Swing & jive bandHalstead

Killer heels, killer curves, killer harmonies - Today's answer to The Andrews Sisters!

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Hire Ruby & The Dukes Swing & jive band with Encore
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From£900
Swing & jive bandLondon

Vintage 1950's Rock’n’Roll, Rhythm&Blues, Rockabilly & Retro Swing…a great party & dance band!

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Hire The Ministry of Swing aka Romacaleo  Swing & jive band with Encore
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£5 - £2000
Swing & jive bandGlasgow

Joyous swing jazz with a twist, from relaxed chilled drinks reception to vibratious toe-tapping infectious swing and electro-swing DJ.

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Hire Mista Trick Collective Swing & jive band with Encore
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Swing & jive bandBristol

Live Multi Genre Knees Up Experience with Live Drum and Bass. We’ve played Glastonbury, Boomtown and SGP

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Hire Hetty and the Jazzato Band Swing & jive band with Encore
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£437.50 - £2250
Swing & jive bandUpminster

Anglo-Italian swing band giving a quirky modern twist to vintage Italian songs, gypsy-jazz, & swing standards to get your feet tapping! 🇮🇹

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Hire Natty Congeroo & The Flames of Rhythm Swing & jive band with Encore
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£4375 - £6250
Swing & jive bandLondon

A jaw dropping live immersive party experience guaranteed to have you dancing all night!

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Hire Frankly Jazz Swing & jive band with Encore
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£2000 - £3000
Swing & jive bandHarrogate

UK's number 1 swing band. Performed across the UK and Europe - guaranteed to get your guests dancing.

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Hire St Louis Express Swing & jive band with Encore
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From£800
Swing & jive bandPontypridd

6/7 piece Swing / Jazz/ Jump Jive band. Fun music from the 1920's to 60's to get feet tapping & people on the dance floor.

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Hire One Jump Ahead Swing & jive band with Encore
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£1375 - £1875
Swing & jive bandCaterham

Highly entertaining - vast repertoire of 1940s - 50s Swing/Jive, Rhythm & Blues, Great American Songbook, Rat Pack, etc. Dancers love 'em!

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Hire Aisha Khan & The Rajahs Swing & jive band with Encore
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£600 - £1875
Swing & jive bandLondon

Aisha Khan & The Rajahs are a seven piece band performing 1940's and 50's Blues, Rhythm & Blues, Swing, Jazz and Rock & Roll

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Hire King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys Swing & jive band with Encore
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£2.50 - £2500
Swing & jive bandBirmingham

High energy jump, jive and swing in the style of Louis Jordan, Big Joe Turner and Eddie Cleanhead Vinson

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Hire The Sweet-Spots🎷🎙 Swing & jive band with Encore
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£650 - £950
Swing & jive bandLondon

Sax & Vocals Duo. Vintage-inspired, Pin-Up, Rock n' Roll, Swing, Jive, & Blues, this classy pair are ready to entertain guests at your event

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Hire Kal's kats Swing & jive band with Encore
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£1600 - £1800
Swing & jive bandDerbyshire

A brilliant rhythm and blues Band - playing 20's, 40's, 50's and party tunes as well as dance tuition provided. First Class entertainment!!

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Hire The Numbers Racket Swing Band Swing & jive band with Encore
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From£960
Swing & jive bandSwansea

The Numbers Racket is a high energy, six-piece jive and swing band playing classic and modern tunes.

Latest reviews of our Swing & Jive Bands in County Durham

St Louis Express
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star

"St. Louis Express was absolutely perfect at our wedding. They are not only the most excellent musicians with a great variety of songs that really anyone can dance and have fun to, but they are so kind as well and really added to the atmosphere of the wedding. They learned a song for us and it could not have been better as well !! Amazing all around. They kept our guests on the dance floor which is a lot considering we started at 9pm! We highly recommend them :)"

Michaela hired St Louis Express for a Wedding (available in County Durham)

Verified Review, 2 September 2024
Natty Congeroo & The Flames of Rhythm
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star

"Exceptional! Superb! Highly recommend this band to anyone! "

Ian hired Natty Congeroo & The Flames of Rhythm for a Wedding (available in County Durham)

Verified Review, 15 June 2024
St Louis Express
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star

"This band was simply amazing.everyone that attended the party could not believe how good they were. In a word they were absolutely fantastic. They made the whole night go with a bang.Thank you very much indeed. Roger Hopkins (very satisfied customer)"

Roger hired St Louis Express for a Private event (available in County Durham)

Verified Review, 26 May 2024

FAQs about hiring Swing & Jive Bands in County Durham

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What is a swing band?

A swing band is a musical ensemble specialising in swing music, a genre popularised during the 1930s and 1940s. It typically comprises brass instruments such as trumpets, trombones, and saxophones, accompanied by a rhythm section including piano, bass, drums, and guitar. Swing music is characterised by its upbeat tempo, syncopated rhythms, and a lively "swing feel" that encourages dancing. Big band leaders like Benny Goodman and Duke Ellington were instrumental in its popularity. Today, swing bands often feature vocalists and continue to perform at corporate events, drinks receptions, and clubs, preserving the energetic and nostalgic spirit of the Swing Era.

What's the difference between jazz and swing?

Jazz and swing are closely related musical genres, but they have distinct differences in terms of style, era, and influence. Jazz: Jazz is a broad musical genre that originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily in African American communities in New Orleans, United States. Jazz encompasses a wide range of styles, including Dixieland, bebop, cool jazz, and fusion, among others. It emphasises improvisation, complex chord progressions, and varying rhythms. Jazz musicians often explore experimental and avant-garde techniques. Jazz can be slow and soulful or fast and energetic, and it allows for a high degree of individual expression and creativity. Swing: Swing is a subgenre of jazz that became popular during the 1930s and 1940s, particularly in the Big Band Era. Swing music is characterised by its lively and infectious rhythm, often referred to as the "swing feel." It features a strong emphasis on the offbeat or upbeat rhythms and typically includes a brass section, woodwind instruments, and a rhythm section. Swing music is highly danceable and is known for its catchy melodies and arrangements. While swing is a style within the larger jazz genre, it specifically refers to the music that was popularised during the Swing Era. In summary, swing is a specific style of jazz known for its energetic rhythm and danceability, while jazz is a broader musical genre encompassing various styles, including swing, with an emphasis on improvisation and creativity.

What does a swing band consist of?

A swing band, also known as a big band, typically consists of a group of musicians playing instruments that contribute to the characteristic lively and rhythmic sound of swing music. Here's what a swing band commonly includes: 1. Brass Section: - Trumpets: Usually multiple trumpets provide the bright and bold melodies. - Trombones: Trombones add depth and richness to the brass section. - Saxophones: Alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones provide the harmonies and often play the famous saxophone solos in swing music. 2. Rhythm Section: - Piano: The pianist provides harmonies, chords, and sometimes solos. - Double Bass (or Electric Bass): The bassist plays the low-end rhythm, anchoring the band. - Drums: Drummers maintain the swing feel with their rhythmic patterns, including the distinctive ride cymbal pattern. - Guitar: The guitarist plays rhythm guitar, providing additional harmonies and accents. In some bands, a guitarist might also play solos. 3. Vocalists: - Some swing bands features vocalists who sing the lyrics, adding another layer to the performance. 4. Occasional Instruments: - Clarinet: Clarinets are sometimes used in addition to saxophones, especially in earlier swing bands. - Flute: Flutes might be used in specific arrangements to add a different texture to the music. - Additional Percussion: Some swing bands incorporate additional percussion instruments for specific songs or effects. The combination of these instruments creates the dynamic and energetic sound that defines swing music. Swing bands are known for their versatility, allowing for various instrumental combinations and arrangements to suit different songs and styles within the swing genre.

What is gypsy swing music?

Gypsy swing, or Gypsy jazz, is a style that emerged in 1930s France, blending Romani music with American jazz and swing. It's characterised by fast, virtuosic acoustic guitar and violin performances, driven by a rhythmic "pompe" technique. Improvisation plays a significant role, and musicians often use unique Manouche guitars. Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club of France popularised the genre. Gypsy swing remains vibrant, with musicians worldwide honouring its lively, improvisational spirit, making it a cherished subgenre in the jazz world.

What music does a swing band play?

A swing band typically plays swing music, a genre that became popular during the 1930s and 1940s, particularly in the United States during the Big Band Era. Swing music is characterized by its lively and infectious rhythm, often referred to as the "swing feel." Swing bands play a variety of tunes, including: 1. Swing Standards: Timeless classics such as "In the Mood," "Take the 'A' Train," and "Sing, Sing, Sing" are common in swing band repertoires. 2. Big Band Jazz: Swing bands perform famous compositions by renowned bandleaders like Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Glenn Miller. 3. Dance Tunes: Swing music is highly danceable, and swing bands play tunes like the Lindy Hop, Jitterbug, and Charleston, encouraging dancers to showcase their skills. 4. Vocal Jazz: Swing bands often feature vocalists who sing jazz standards from the Great American Songbook, adding a vocal element to their performances. 5. Latin and Blues Influences: Swing bands may incorporate Latin rhythms and bluesy tunes into their repertoire, showcasing the diversity of the swing genre. 6. Original Compositions: Many contemporary swing bands compose and perform their own original swing music, adding a modern touch to the traditional style. Overall, swing bands play a wide range of music that embodies the lively, rhythmic, and upbeat spirit of the swing era, delighting audiences with both instrumental virtuosity and vocal prowess.

Are swing bands good for weddings?

Swing bands are an excellent choice of wedding entertainment due to their danceable tunes, timeless appeal, and versatility. The infectious rhythm of swing music encourages guests of all ages to hit the dance floor, providing a lively atmosphere for the celebration. Classic swing tunes, with their nostalgic charm, add an elegant and vintage touch to the wedding. Swing bands also often cater to diverse musical preferences, offering a mix of romantic ballads and high-energy tunes, ensuring a delightful experience for everyone. You can look through Encore's curated collection of swing bands for weddings or talk to one of our experts to get more tailored advice.

Hiring a Swing & Jive Band in County Durham

Useful information

Popular genres:
Jazz, Pop, Rock
Average response time:
1 hour
Busiest times:
June, August, September

How much does it cost to hire a Swing & Jive Band in County Durham?

The typical price per group member for Swing & Jive Bands is:
£Budget£220
££Pro£330
£££High-end£400+

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A guide to hiring Swing & Jive Bands

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