Wedding Swing Band and Wedding Entertainment

Great Gatsby Wedding Band/Great Gatsby Themed Band

Posted on May 9, 2013

The Simply Swing Band has had numerous requests for a Great Gatsby themed wedding band and jazz band for all sorts of parties and events. The lavish screen version of The Great Gatsby premiered in New York last week and immediately brought the stylish music of the jazz age – 1920’s and 1930’s – roaring back to life.

Inspired by F Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, this movie remake evokes the glamour of an age when men were suave, women were chic and everyone danced the night away to the music of Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Noel Coward and The Charlston.
Brides and party organisers are now designing their event to a Gatsby theme, but are also looking for a band, which can give this music a more modern twist and, perhaps, play a more varied repertoire later on in the evening.

The Simply Swing band is a perfect choice for an Art Deco, Vintage or Gatsby themed corporate event, wedding or party and is able to adjust its pace and prominence for regular dancing if required.

Surrey Wedding Band: Simply Swing

Posted on April 7, 2013

Another lovely, but very cold, wedding at the Elvetham Hotel in Hartley Wintney on Friday night where the Bride & Groom chose ‘At Last’ as their first dance. That’s the second time this week that we’ve played that song as a first dance and so far this year it’s been our top wedding first dance song choice with ‘The Way You Look Tonight’ and ‘Cheek to Cheek’ bringing up the rear.

Off to Coltsford Mill in Oxted this week where Sting’s ‘Fields of Gold’ is the first dance choice.

For anyone about to book their wedding band this month we have a fabulous SPECIAL OFFER! If you book your wedding band by the end of April, we are offering a FREE £50 Marks & Spencer voucher to the first 5 lucky couples. Hurry, as this offer must end by 30th April!

Posted in Live Wedding Music, Special Offers, Wedding First Dances | Leave a comment

Wedding Music Trends for 2013 – Swing Bands

Posted on January 11, 2013

1950′s vintage glamour – Grace Kelly

The leading wedding industry experts predict that in 2013 we are going to see a return to elegance. Yes the vintage look is back! According to the top bridal magazines the biggest dress trend for 2013 is likely to be an abundance of lace, reminiscent of a time when brides like Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor all wore dresses that symbolised glamour and decadence.
2013 brides are likely to draw inspiration from old world glamour with cinematic and literary influences like The Great Gatsby, Anna Karenina, Downton Abbey and A Royal Affair.

Musically then, swing bands are bang on trend. The style of the 20’s, 30’s 40’s and 50s will be roaring back into popular culture and the repertoire couldn’t be more romantic. Think Charleston, Fred & Ginger, Glenn Miller, Swinging Sinatra then give them a modern twist to make an up to date party for the 21st century Bride & Groom.
Given our high level of swing band enquiries so far this year we know glamour is back. We expect to be performing at more formal wedding receptions with the band’s dress code being mostly black tie and cocktail dresses and perhaps more themed weddings such as Great Gatsby. It follows then that this year’s wedding first dances will be selected from the Great American Songbook from composers such as Gershwin, Porter and Berlin.

Book your swing band early to avoid disappointment. Make an enquiry

Posted in Live Wedding Music, Themed Parties, Wedding Band, Wedding First Dances, Weddings | Leave a comment

Simply Swing Band – Park Lane Hotel Afternoon Tea Dance Band

Posted on November 28, 2012

With our superb Ballroom and Latin American Dancing Repertoire and our team of professional musicians who have performed at the World Ballroom Dancing Championships, Simply Swing couldn’t have been a better choice for the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel’s Inaugural Tea Dance last Sunday. Following in the Waldorf’s tradition, The Park Lane Hotel hosted its Afternoon Tea Dance in its beautiful Art Deco Ballroom. And quite a past this Ballroom has had too. Having opened its doors in 1927, it quickly became the venue of choice for top socialites and aristocrats and was actually a substitute venue for the Commons should the Palace of Westminster be damaged. It also featured in a scene in the James Bond film Golden Eye.

Simply Swing performed all ten Ballroom and Latin American dances – Cha Cha Cha, Samba, Rhumba, Paso Doble, Jive, Waltz, Foxtrot, Quickstep, Tango and Viennese Waltz – at exactly the right tempos, keeping the guests on the dance-floor all afternoon.

What a huge success this tea dance was and fully booked too. Here’s to many more! We hope to bring you photos of the event very shortly.

Posted in Ballroom Dancing Band, Live Band, Public Gigs, Tea Dances | Leave a comment

Jewish Wedding Band, Middle Temple Hall, London

Posted on November 20, 2012

What a great night the band had last weekend at Middle Temple Hall. This is where Queen Elizabeth I dined whilst Shakespeare performed and you could feel all the wonderful history in this stunningly beautiful building. The band played a short Hora set followed by our usual swing band repertoire for regular dancing. I should also add that the food was also amazing!

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Frist Dance Wedding Songs

Posted on October 24, 2012

It’s always a joy when a couple comes up with a fresh new choice of wedding first dance song that is very special to them. Last Saturday was no exception, when our Bride & Groom chose “Im In the Mood For Love” as their wedding first dance. They wanted the first part of the song in the style of Rod Stewart and then brightening up to a version more in keeping with Louis Prima. We were happy to accommodate them at the beautiful Elizabethan mansion in Farnham, Surrey – Cain Manor.

To make a wedding first dance song really work, we believe it should be danced firstly by the Bride & Groom on their own, swiftly followed by the guests joining them to complete the song. The dance-floor should act like a womb – once people get on it they should never want to leave. To achieve this, the first dance at a wedding should be something of a medium tempo which will allow all age-groups to get up and dance – see Simply Swing’s top 10 wedding first dance songs and vote for your favourite!

Article by Sandra Lambert from Simply Swing

Posted in Live Band, Live Wedding Music, Wedding Band, Wedding First Dances, Weddings | Leave a comment

Help For Heroes – Live Swing Band for Charity Ball Auction

Posted on October 18, 2012

The Simply Swing Band has been privileged to perform at four Help For Heroes Charity Auction Events over the last two years including events at the Runnymede Hotel in Egham, a Shopping Centre in Romford and, last weekend, at the Southcrest Manor Hotel in Redditch. It is wonderful to be part of such an important Charitable cause where our swing band provides quality live entertainment to ensure that guests enjoy themselves to the full and, in so doing, give generously to this Charity. Last Saturday was no exception, with a beautifully staged evening which included a silent auction.

Help For Heroes provides direct, practical support to wounded, injured and sick Service personnel, veterans, and their families. This is provided through grants to individuals and other Service charities, capital build projects and support for life at four Recovery Centres across the UK.

Article by Sandra Lambert

Posted in Band for Charity Auctions, Themed Parties | Leave a comment

Swing Band at Elvetham Hotel – Hartley Wintney

Posted on September 29, 2012

Another first for us at the beautiful Elvetham Hotel in Hartley Wintney near Hook, Hampshire. The Quintet played for dancing followed by our auto disco at, what was, probably our busiest week of the year. With our band bookings that week at Hever Castle, Haymarket in London, Cadogan Gardens London, Reading and Southend we certainly clocked up the miles! Off to Farnham Castle, Surrey this weekend for a wedding.

We also have a couple of public gigs coming up on 10th and 17th October 2012. Full details can be found on our GIGS page at our website or alternatively download our FREE APP and we’ll give you a gentle reminder.

Posted in Auto-DJ, Band with Disco, Live Wedding Music, Public Gigs | Leave a comment

Band for Corporate Family Fun Day

Posted on September 13, 2012

Another lovely gig last weekend on what was probably the hottest Saturday of the year. The band played at Huntswood’s Corporate Family Fun Day near Reading. Beautiful venue, great food and lovely to see all the children of the company staff splashing in the swimming pool.

Posted in Corporate Entertainment Band, Live Band, Themed Parties | Leave a comment

Ballroom and Sequence Dancing Band

Posted on August 29, 2012

A first for us at the Concorde Club, Heathrow, playing for strict tempo ballroom dancing. The crowd especially liked our sequence dancing songs and we were invited back again in January. A new ballroom band line-up and set list proved hugely successful and it was great to play on a beautifully lit and very large stage.

Posted in Ballroom Dancing Band, Live Band, Tea Dances | Leave a comment