Jazz Band |  Swing Band |  Jazz Swing Bands For Weddings & Events

From sell-out dates at world famous Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club to royalty at The Ritz, Kevin Fitzsimmons unforgettable live jazz vocal performances with his Jazz Band and his natural ability to swing a song with his Swing Band have made them some of the most popular Swing Bands & Jazz Bands for weddings, corporate events & parties in the UK today. We’re specialists in all era’s of this music - 1920′s bands, 1930′s bands, 1940′s bands, 1950′s/60′s rat pack swing - right up to current day jazz/swing favourites.  Our bands are guaranteed to contain players picked from the cream of British Jazz Swing musicians transformed by lead singer/bandleader Kevin’s enthralling interpretations, contemporary meets vintage style & lead singer presence.

We have a huge repertoire of the Great American Songbook – everything from hot 20′s jazz Charleston style, via 30′s fav’s, 40′s swing/jive, 50′s/60′s rat pack, right up to current floor-fillers a la Michael Buble & modern cool jazz. And by adding a sprinkling of Latin/Bossa Nova or a jazz swing re-work to a pop classic too, if desired, makes them the perfect Swing Jazz Bands for weddings/parties or corporate events; whether its’s a full dance floor, memorable background sets, superb over-dinner entertainment or a wow-factor show that’s required. And for vintage-themed weddings or events/parties of a set era, we can always add in songs from other era’s (and if required the band can change to fit with a 2nd era’s theme for 2nd set (eg. 1920′s jazz age, changing for a rat pack set). You can also hire Kevin (or a captivating jazz chanteuse) with piano & upright bass backing band; this trio is the perfect jazz band for wedding breakfasts, drinks receptions, garden parties and soirees -  either is the perfect finishing touch that will stay long in the memory of your guests.  You can hire one of our London/ Essex based Jazz Swing Bands to entertain you anywhere in the UK or abroad & at any size of wedding, venue or event; all enquiries are sensibly priced according to date, times and location.

Audio Demos

These demos have been recorded in the most simplistic form without any vocal enhancements for a true representation of how our live Jazz Swing bands will sound for wedding or events.  And as its not always practical to hear what bands are like live before you book them, you’ll also find JAZZ/SWING/LATIN MEDLEY’S recorded 100% live with our 3 & 5 piece bands at recent public shows in London’s West End.  There’s also audio demos of our Frank Sinatra Tribute Band, Dean Martin Tribute Band, Michael Buble Tribute & Rat Pack Tribute Band pages – and live video footage on Video Page.

The Band’s Musicians

The musicians you’re guaranteed to get when you hire a Swing Jazz band from us are high profile and award winning session musicians in their own right. They’ve performed with some of the biggest music legends of our time including Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, Liza Minnelli, Shirley Bassey, Elton John, Barbara Streisand and too many other stars to list here. They’ve appeared on TV programmes such as The X-Factor, Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, Children in Need, The Paul O’Grady Show, Strictly Come Dancing, The South Bank Show, Parkinson, Top of the Pops and Later…with Jools Holland, and have performed everywhere from Ronnie Scott‘s to The Royal Albert Hall via the West End theatres as well as at the International Jazz Festivals the world over. Celebrities worldwide and crowned heads of Europe are among the many who have enjoyed their wonderful talents.  Our main band members for weddings & events are:-

Simon Colam – Piano: Head of Jazz at The Purcell School for Young Musicians & teacher at The Royal Academy of Music, ‘diverse’ Simon is also the current pianist on ‘The X Factor’ (since series 1 at Boot Camp, Judges’ Homes, & the Master Classes backing stars such as Michael Buble, Robbie Williams, Celine Dion, Tony Bennett, Mariah Carey, Take That, Rod Stewart), and rehearsal pianist on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ and Eurovision ‘Your Country Needs You‘.

Steve Fishwick – Trumpet: With a Batchelor of Music degree from the Royal Academy of Music & the 2002 British Jazz Awards ‘Rising Star’ prize, he has performed with such stars as Kylie Minogue, Jools Holland & Jamie Cullum and he can be heard playing the jazz trumpet solos on BAFTA nominated soundtrack to the Ian Dury bio-movie film ‘Sex And Drugs And Rock And Roll’ – he‘s also professor of jazz trumpet at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and London City College “Steve Fishwick’s trumpet crackles with energy. There are other young bands playing in this genre but few with such panache.” Dave Gelly, The Observer

Gareth Lockrane – Flute (& Piano): Head of Junior Jazz at The Royal Academy of Music, Gareth was a finalist in the Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2000 and with ‘Grooveyard’ won Best European Jazz Group in 2003 in the Granada Jazz Festival. He was also voted ‘Rising Star’ in 2008′s USA Downbeat Critics Poll.  “the formidable Lockrane…a stunning display” – John Fordham,The Guardian
“..Flute phenomenon!…” – Jack Massarick, London Evening Standard

Derek Nash – Saxophone: A swing band saxophonist at the cutting edge of the British Jazz Movement, he has had many TV appearances as current full member of the Jools Holland Orchestra and has played everywhere from Ronnie Scotts to a 100,000 crowd at Glastonbury.  “Derek Nash is one the most versatile saxophonists in the UK today” – The Guardian

Alex Garnett – Saxophone: Currently the semi-resident saxophonist at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, Alex is without question one of the most in-demand UK session musicians & has worked with amongst others Van Morrison, Paul Weller , Humphrey Lyttleton, Ruby Turner and Jools Holland. “Alex Garnett is one of Great Britain’s most accomplished post-bop musicians” – AllAboutJazz

Mike Smith – Drums: Sought after drummer on countless TV/Radio adverts and commercial recordings for, among others, Larry Adler, Sting, Elton John and the Spice Girls. Since the mid 90’s Mike has been the regular drummer to Dame Shirley Bassey, and for the BBC Big Band, BBC Radio Orchestra and the Syd Lawrence Orchestra.

Dominic Howles – Upright Bass: Studied Jazz & Studio Music at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Dominic has also works extensively on the British Jazz circuit, including Ronnie Scott’s & Jazz Festivals in Germany & Dubai. An ‘EastEnders favourite’ having performed at personal occasions for two high profile cast members of the show.

Dave Warren – Jazz Guitar: Currently an examiner and visiting tutor at The Guildhall School of Music, examiner and accompanist at Trinity College of Music, and in demand session musician.“Prize winning guitarist” – The Guardian
“Powerful guitar-led material by this exciting and fluent player” – Time Out
“Fluent guitarist leading a smart, versatile band through a lively mix of standards and originals” -The Times

Adrian Fry – Trombonist: Recorded and toured as a member of Incognito and has played in the Big Band of most West End shows inc. The Rat Pack – Live from Las Vegas.
“The band is excellent, especially Adrian Fry” – The Observer

Booking Options

We offer every size of jazz band and swing band for wedding, parties & corporate events – right up to a big band or orchestra with strings - but if you were looking for a compact band, a 4 piece (piano, drums, bass and saxophone) or 5 piece (piano,drums bass, saxophone and trumpet) swing jazz band are the most popular options.  An hour set, a 2 x 45 minute set, or 2 x 1 hour set is usually performed, and to give your wedding/event the very best these options can be tailored to your requirements.

For a quick quote to hire one of our fabulous swing jazz bands (incl. Michael Buble singer options) - for weddings/parties or corporate events in the U.K. & abroad  – go to the Contact  Page,  or telephone Avril directly on 01702 219501/ 07905 169764.