Jazz with a glint in it's eye! Oscar performs the hits and popular music of the 1940's with his all star band of virtuoso swingers: double bass, piano, sax, drums and vocals/trumpet - for your dancing, listening and party fun.
The Oscar Bernhardt Ensemble play music from an era of swing, latin ,blues and jump jive; songs penned by the likes of Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Irving Berlin etc and made famous by Sinatra and the Rat Pack, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and more recently, Jamie Cullum, Harry Connick Junior, Robbie Williams, Michael Buble etc.
Our music is song based and accessible, appealing to a wide range of tastes and people of all ages. We have a large repertoire of songs and styles which means we can keep our varied audiences well entertained, playing for dancing in the evening or creating a great atmosphere for receptions and dinners. We may play some Rat Pack swing , Glenn Miller, bossa’s , sambas , salsa, or even a ska or funky version of a jazz standard. Each performance is tailored to each individual audience and occasion and our clients preferences.
We love playing and entertaining and always aim to make the party happen!
Repertoire:
Bobby Darin
Mac the Knife
Beyond the Sea
Frank Sinatra
Witchcraft
I’ve Got You Under My Skin
You Make Me Feel So Young
Fly Me to the Moon
Young at Heart
Strangers in the Night
Come Fly With Me
Cheek to Cheek
Makin’ Whoopee
Harry Connick Jnr.
It Had to be You
Recipe for Love
Dean Martin
That’s Amore
Volare
Sway
Nina Simone
My Baby Just Cares for Me
Love Me or Leave Me
Ella Fitzgerald
The Lady is a Tramp
Manhattan
I Get a Kick Out of You
Blue Moon
Glenn Miller
In the Mood
Chattanooga Choo Choo
Moonlight Seranade
Fats Waller
Honeysuckle Rose
Ain’t Misbehavin’
On the Sunny Side of the Street
Nat King Cole
Let There be Love
Mona Lisa
A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square
Lets Face the Music and Dance
Gershwin
Summertime
Henry Mancini
Moonriver
Tony Bennett
I Left My Heart in San Francisco
Hoagy Carmichael
Georgia on My Mind
Stardust
Louis Jordan
Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby
Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens
Latin Tempos
Tea for Two
Guantanamera
Girl from Ipanema
Oye Como Va
Quando Quando Quando
Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White
La Vie En Rose (Cuban)
Brazil (Samba)
Cole Porter
From This Moment On
Night and Day
You Do Something to Me
Jamie Cullum
What a Difference a Day Made
Singin’ in the Rain
Blame It On My Youth
I Get a Kick Out of You
Ole Devil Moon
Robbie Williams (from ‘ Swing When You’re Winning’)
Mac the Knife
Do Nothing ‘til You Here From Me
They Can’t Take That Away From Me
Have You Met Miss Jones
Beyond the Sea
Michael Buble
A Foggy Day Iin London Town)
Quando Quando Quando
The More I See You
I’ve Got You Under My Skin
Amy Winehouse
There is no Greater Love
Bjork
Like Someone in Love
Muddy Waters
Hoochie Coochie Man
Mojo Working
……………..and many many many more!
Rat Pack:
We are not a Rat Pack tribute band, but in our vast repertoire of songs from the great American song book we cover many of the classic rat pack tunes , such as Sway, Volare, Come Fly With Me , Fly Me To The Moon, You Make Me Feel So Young, Thats Amore, La Mer, A Nightingale Sang In Berkley Square, Mac The Knife, Cheek to Cheek, I Get A Kick Out Of You, I left My Heart In San Fransisco, I Only Have Eyes For You, I've Got You Under My Skin, The Lady Is A Tramp, Lets Face The Music And Dance, Moonriver, Manhattan, New York New York, Strangers In The Night, What a Difference a Day Made, These Foolish Things, Witchcraft and many many more.
Testimonials:
What can we say??? Thank you, Fantastic, Absolutely Brilliant, First Class, Wonderful, Please pass on our thanks and compliments to the ensemble for the wonderful music you provided on the 23rd. From our first conversation right through to the evening we have been impressed with your attitude and competence, and now are still enjoying the memories of the music and your entertainment.
Please feel free to use us for any references for any future bookings you may have. You can be assured that we shall say nothing but praise for you and the ensemble With our thanks and appreciation etc. (Wedding)
What can we say,, you performed at our wedding and what a performance,!! you blew us away with your music and voice... it was such a perfect day. The evening was so jazzy and soul it was better than we imagined it could be. All of our guest could not believe how fantastic you were, and me and danny were just bowled over. Our wedding day was perfect from start to finish there is nothing we would do differently, we are so happy that we chose the oscar bernhardt ensemble for our wedding day, you have given us some unforgettable memories that we will treasure for the rest of our lives, (Wedding)
Just a short note to say thankyou so much for making Angela's party such a special night on Saturday. Everyone adored the Ensemble, as was clear from the packed dance floor. Singled out for special praise were your pianist, bass player and incredible multi-tasking saxophonist/flautist. One of your greatest new fans is on the house committee at the Club and has pocketed a card with the intention of re-booking you for future events. I hope that you all had a safe trip back to Manchester and am so grateful to you all for making the trip over, as well as our evening. (40th Birthday party at Southport Cricket club).The Jazz band <The Oscar Bernhardt Ensemble> were absolutely amazing. I loved them and everyone commented how great they were. Please pass on my thanks to the band as I didn’t really get a chance to speak to them on the night. I would definitely recommend them to anyone else.
(Wedding)
We just wanted to write a short letter to thank you and the rest of the Oscar Bernhardt Ensemble for making our wedding day so memorable. You all played fantastically and really added to the ambience of the evening. We saw friends of ours up on the dance floor we’d never even see dance before!
Thanks for all your hard work, etc (Wedding)
The Oscar Bernhardt Ensemble was outstanding. You were even better than your demo CD! As a professional musician, I have to say that you were FANTASTIC. WE have had so many compliments concerning the band. People enjoyed both dancing and listening to your music. Even the teenagers at the wedding thought you were amazing!
I wanted a swing band in honour of my Dad who used to be a jazz musician. Living in Paris I was slightly worried about finding a band that plays in tune! When I heard your demo I was knocked out by your professionalism, outstanding quality, musicianship and electric vibe!
My brother has already booked you for his wedding next year! You were sooooo funky – The Marquee: with your music, dim lighting and international ambiance resembled a chic New York jazz club (Wedding)
Hope you had a good journey back from London on Wednesday, following our Cocktail Party. This is just to say a big thank you to you and the other chaps for all your hard work in helping to make the party go with a swing. You pitched it just right and we had many complimentary remarks on your behalf, which I am only too pleased to pass on. It has been a pleasure to work with you and I shall have no hesitation in recommending you.
(Corporate function)
Thanks again so much, the music was spot on at our wedding! Everybody enjoyed it!
Including Gemma's 89 year old grandad! Did you see him move on the dance floor! I think this was a measure of your performance, your music caters for all ages and tastes! It was fantastic!! We keep playing your demo CD to remind us of our great day!!! (Wedding)
Once again, many thanks for the smashing programme you and the Ensemble put together for the dinner at Salters' Hall last month. I have had many gushing comments on the playing and the choice of pieces and I know you went down particularly well with one of my noble Law Lord colleagues, T L, who cannot believe that a stuffy ..…….. chemist like me can know such excellent players.
(Dinner at Salters Hall attended by The Lord Mayor of the City of London).
I
write to thank you and your fellow musicians for leading the party at the Stanneylands after F and M’s wedding. Your music was much enjoyed and had feet tapping all night, even for those who could not dance. I had to spend time out of the room looking after a child but each time I did return the floor was busy and people were obviously enjoying what you played. (Wedding)
Just a quick note to thank you very much for your efforts on Thursday evening. All the guests, without exception, thoroughly enjoyed themselves and everyone at Magnus are more than happy with the overall result. Thank you once again for your efforts. (Corporate function)