Don’t miss our fabulous special offers for October and November 2011. See our swing band special offers page for details.
Don’t miss the Paul O’Grady Show live next Friday 29th April – Royal Wedding Day – on ITV at 9 pm and see three members of Simply Swing – Sandra, Jeff and Simon – in the Paul O’Grady big band!
As promised, here is the video of our Ballroom Dancing Band which we hope you will enjoy. Ballroom Dance Band
Another great night at the Belvedere last night when the band performed a Strictly Ballroom Dance Night. We played EVERYTHING in the perfect ballroom and latin american dance tempos solely for dancing. The band included Steve, Sandra, Simon, Rob and our time man – Jeff. The evening featured a latin american dancing cabaret from Ryan and Robyn Marsh who did a great job in demonstrating the Jive, Cha Cha, Samba and Rhumba. Once again, the evening was filmed by Iain (who’s quickly becoming our resident video man!) and the video should be live on YouTube in the next few weeks. We’ll keep you posted.
We’re thrilled to tell you that our video of Steve Pert’s Cabaret night filmed last month with the live band at The Belvedere is now available to view. We hope you enjoy it. Rat Pack and Michael Buble Tribute Singer with Band
We had a fantastic night at the Belvedere on Wednesday 16th February 2011 where we performed our cabaret show to a packed house. A huge success, we’ll be running another cabaret show probably in November. We also had some amazing comments posted on our facebook page – thank you everyone! Our next public gig at the Belvedere is Wednesday 23rd March which will be our Strictly Come Dancing Night. The band will play only for Ballroom and Latin dancing which is also another ‘first’ for us at the club. Full details on our public events can be found on our gigs page.
Traditionally, the first dance song at every wedding was always a waltz and still today the first dance is often referred to as the ‘first waltz’ or ‘bridal waltz’. Although a waltz is still a great choice, for the 21st Century Bride and Groom there is an incredibly diverse repertoire of music available. What you choose for your first dance on you wedding day is also a serious statement of personal style: sleek and modern, sexy and simple, refined, decadent or demure – the choice is yours.
If you are a little nervous, or you don’t like all eyes on you, then go for a song that you can easily move to and then let the band invite your guests to join you on the dance floor.
Do check out the lyrics. Every year the song “I Will Always Love You” is in the top 20 list of top wedding first dance songs. Nevertheless, the line “I’m not what you need” is clearly about breaking up!
Divided into categories for the dancers and non-dancers among you, here are a few great suggestions along with the suggested dance.
Traditional Waltzes
A waltz is a great choice for a first dance as it has reasonably simple dance steps and looks very majestic.
Moon River (Andy Williams)
I’ll Be Loving You Always (Frank Sinatra)
Around The World (Nat King Cole)
True Love (Bing Crosby)
Fly Me To The Moon (Frank Sinatra)
Fascination (Al Martino / Nat King Cole)
Fred & Ginger Film Songs
These great movie songs from the 1930’s form an integral part of the Great American Songbook repertoire. Songs by composers such as Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Jerome Kern and Cole Porter are ideal for an elegant choreographed first dance routine or for an informal spin around the dance floor.
The Way You Look Tonight – Foxtrot
Night and Day – Foxtrot or Quickstep
Cheek To Cheek – Quickstep
Let’s Face The Music and Dance – Quickstep
Nice Work If You Can Get It – Quickstep
Rat Pack Swinging Love Songs
A little more informal, the Rat Pack songs make ideal wedding first dances and have a certain bounce to them that is both uplifting and classy. They could be easily choreographed if necessary but are equally just as good to sway along to.
Come Fly With Me – Quickstep
Fly Me To The Moon – Foxtrot
Sway – Cha Cha
The Best Is Yet To Come – Foxtrot
I’ve Got You Under My Skin – Foxtrot
Nice ‘n Easy – Slow Foxtrot
Classic Standards
These timeless evergreen songs have wonderful lyrics with meaning and a great melody too. You really can’t go wrong with a wedding first dance to one of these!
It Had To Be You – Foxtrot
At Last – Slow Dance
Just The Way You Are – Rhumba
I Only Have Eyes For You – Foxtrot
When I Fall In Love – Slow Foxtrot
What A Wonderful World – Slow Dance
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You
Unforgettable – Slow Dance
You Are The Sunshine Of My Life – Rhumba
You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You – Slow Foxtrot
Simply Swing has been advising couples on their wedding first dance songs for many years. To hire our band for your wedding entertainment see our Wedding Band for hire page.
We’re pleased to announce that on Wednesday 16th February 2011 Simply Swing will be hosting a Cabaret Night live at the Belvedere in Billericay. Featuring international entertainer – Steve Pert – in a multi-tribute show saluting the legendary heavyweights of entertainment including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tom Jones, Bobby Darin, Tony Bennett, Andy Williams, and Sammy Davis Jr right through to the more contemporary sounds of Michael Buble, Tina Turner and Robbie Williams.
It’s rare to see a live Cabaret floor-show these days and we’re thrilled to bring you some timeless entertainment
.
The show starts at 8.15 pm – 10.45 pm. Tickets are £10. Avoid disappointment and book your tickets ONLINE NOW.
Well this week saw three members of Simply Swing – Sandra, Jeff and Simon – in the Paul O’Grady Big Band at ITV studios recording The Paul O’Grady Christmas Show! The Big Band was featured accompanying Bette Midler, Cilla Black and Paul O’Grady. The show will be on TV on Christmas Eve at 9 pm. We hope you enjoy these photos taken live on the set.
We’re really proud to announce that our drummer – Jeff Lardner – did two sell-out shows with the legendary Van Morrison on 23rd and 24th October 2010. Here’s a snapshot of Jeff with Van on the The Royal Albert Hall gig on 24th October 2010. Well done Jeff!
Jeff Lardner plays drums with Van Morrison
