Function bands
Background musicians
Function bands
Background musicians
Shim sham to a jazz band or tap your toes to dixieland at your wedding or party. We also offer big bands, crooners, Postmodern and Gypsy jazz bands for hire.
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Experienced, sax-led jazz trio, performing jazzy takes on pop music from The Beatles to Sam Smith as well as classic jazz. Suitable for mellow background music at weddings, corporate events and more!
Swinging, vintage-themed band playing a mixture of modern hits in a quirky, vintage style alongside authentic 20s-40s material.
An intoxicating blend of swing, jazz and contemporary pop performed by experienced, world-class musicians. Additional musicians and afternoon sets also available.
Hugely entertaining and swinging 1920s-style jazz band, who have previously performed at Wembley Stadium. The band put their own unique and eccentric take on modern pop, from Taylor Swift to Motorhead! DJ laptop service available on request.
A traditional gypsy jazz and acoustic swing band, these folks masterfully play Django Reinhardt classics, along with swing-style covers of modern artists. Available as an instrumental line-up or with female vocals.
Upbeat, Dixieland jazz band playing songs in the classic New Orleans style. Great for toe-tapping background music. Also available as a marching band line-up is available for parades and funerals.
The Retro Pops re-interpret classic pop songs from the 1970s to the 2020s in a variety of other genres, from jazz and blues to calypso. A fresh approach to the traditional party band format.
Highly experienced and entertaining jazz / swing function band playing the classic hits from artists such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Michael Bublé, and more.
Refined and dynamic, this jazz, soul, and pop band brings timeless favourites to life with effortless charm.
Versatile jazz trio bringing mellow jazz vibes to any occasion, perfect for background ambiance or jazzing up a themed party. The trio can expand to include a singer or drummer on request.
Focusing on the vibrant music of the roaring twenties and capturing the era's glitz and glamour, Scotch & Soda stand out as the premier 1920s jazz band on the boardwalk.
Versatile and stylish, this trio’s large repertoire of smooth jazz standards and jazzy pop hits is perfect for setting a lively, laid-back mood at any event.
Tantalizing singer available as a soloist or with a live band in varying sizes. Lily sings the best of vintage and postmodern jazz in sparkling 1920s style.
Velvety and effortlessly charming, this jazz act brings timeless glamour, warmth, and golden-age sparkle to every occasion.
Combining smooth vocal harmonies, toe-tapping rhythms, and infectious melodies, The Swing Tigers play classic swing for dancing, breathing new life into timeless classics.
Fun and stylish, this international jazz ensemble brings a fresh twist to classic swing, bossa nova, and pop for an exhilarating, one-of-a-kind show.
A one-of-a-kind 5-piece jazz and swing band, specializing in a postmodern twist by performing pop standards with a classic jazz flair. If the mood calls for it, they effortlessly switch to funk and soul tunes to get everyone on their feet and dancing.
The Richmond Jazz Trio, a young and professional group making waves on the UK jazz scene, dazzles with jazz classics from legends like Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong, and others.
Two seasoned, award-winning musicians who have showcased their talents at prestigious UK jazz venues such as Ronnie Scott's and the 606 Jazz Club, as well as enlivened countless weddings and private events.
Elegant and entertaining, this jazz trio specialise in the sounds of The Great American Songbook – think Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald – delivering a timeless atmosphere and a classy touch to any celebration.
We understand that this may be the first time you've booked a jazz or swing band, and we're here to make it as stress-free as possible! Browse our FAQs or check out our jazz band booking guide.
Our jazz bands vary in price from under £500 for a guitar and sax duo, right up to £4000 for a 12-piece big band.
The typical price paid for a jazz band in 2024 was approximately £1000.
If you’re planning to hire a jazz band for a wedding or event, it’s important to know that jazz bands and live music acts can book up far in advance, especially for popular dates and peak season weekends. Many of the most in-demand bands are reserved 12–18 months before your event, particularly for Saturday weddings in spring and summer, and securing your ideal group often means booking as soon as your date and venue are confirmed.
Most swing or dance bands booked for evening parties are reserved between 6 and 12 months before your event, but the top bands can get snapped up a full 18 months in advance. So, we recommend starting your search as soon as possible. This is especially crucial if you're planning a Saturday wedding from April to September.
If you're booking a background jazz band for your afternoon reception, or if you're planning an off-season wedding between October and March, there will likely still be good options available at around the 6 month mark.
Finding the perfect jazz band can make a huge difference to your event’s atmosphere, so it helps to get personalised recommendations and expert advice on matching style, repertoire and performance experience to your occasion. Researching bands’ videos, reviews and event experience — and knowing what music will suit your venue and guests — are key steps in picking the best live music for your celebration.
If you simply can’t decide which jazz band is right for you, call us on 0333 242 0560 or send us a message to tell us what part of your day you need music for, and your musical preferences, and we’ll be more than happy to suggest suitable acts.
In the meantime, you can read this handy guide on how to book a band.
Many couples who hire a jazz wedding band want to know if the band can learn and perform their chosen first dance song live on the wedding day. Most professional wedding and event bands are happy to learn your first dance song request and play it live — as long as the song fits their style and they have enough notice to arrange and rehearse it to a high standard.
Check each band’s profile to see what they can offer and if they can’t do it live, if not they could just play it through their PA system using Spotify or an mp3 player.
When you hire a jazz band for your wedding or event, many couples also ask whether they need a wedding DJ to complement the live music. The short answer is not always — it depends on your music style, timeline and how you want the night to flow, because live bands and DJs offer slightly different benefits when it comes to dance music and continuous entertainment.
Our jazz bands will play pre-recorded music during any intervals. This music can be provided by the band, or you can give them a playlist of your own. Some bands are able to provide their own DJ service for before and/or after the performance but check out their individual profiles for more details.
There are a couple of instances where it might be worth hiring a separate DJ as well as the band:
Many couples and event planners who hire a jazz band for weddings or parties want to know whether the band can take song requests or personalise their performance set list, so here’s how it typically works when you ask your jazz band to play specific songs
First, check out the band’s song list on their profile page and send over any preferred song choices from the list in advance. Please let us know if there are any ‘do not play’ songs on the list too.
Jazz bands are unlikely to accept “on the fly” requests as they may not be part of their repertoire and the band may not have the appropriate musical or vocal arrangements to do them justice, especially if requests fall outside of the genre. Sticking to their song list and giving them chance to rehearse in advance will ensure your jazz band can give you their very best performance.
When you hire a jazz band for your wedding, party or event, most professional jazz and swing bands come fully equipped with their own sound systems and basic lighting, so you won’t usually need to source PA speakers or lighting separately for live music performances.
Some of our jazz swing bands will bring lighting for the stage or dance-floor for after-dinner entertainment too – check the band's profile page for more details.
Read our guide to the must-ask questions for your band before booking to cover this topic and more.
Yes, all of our jazz bands are fully insured and have PAT-tested equipment.
When you hire a jazz band for your wedding, party or corporate event, most professional live bands require a pre‑performance soundcheck to set up and balance their equipment for the best possible live sound at your venue.
All of our jazz bands will require a soundcheck ahead of the show and a soundcheck usually takes between 60 and 90 minutes. It's best if the venue is free of guests at this point, both for the band’s convenience and your guests’ comfort.
If the space cannot be free of guests, some of our jazz bands can arrange a ‘noiseless’ line-check in order to set up the equipment without disturbing proceedings.
Band setup time varies by group size, with jazz duos and trios typically completing setup and a quick sound‑check in about 20–30 minutes. Larger ensembles and full bands often require up to 90 minutes to properly set up and balance sound levels for the venue, and the exact setup time will be specified in your booking contract.
During breaks, most amplified bands (all line‑ups except traditional unplugged jazz) can play recorded jazz music between sets using either your audio equipment or their own at no extra cost. Many bands also offer an upgraded music service with virtual DJ software, allowing them to mix tracks and take guest requests — check the band’s profile page for full details.
Most venues hosting a jazz band need to provide a few basic things to ensure the performance runs smoothly, starting with power access and performance space. Bands typically require access to at least two standard domestic plug sockets for amplified equipment, while traditional jazz or Dixieland groups that perform unplugged usually don’t need power, making them ideal for garden or outdoor parties.
Allow enough clear, level space for the musicians — roughly 1.5 square metres per performer — and there’s no requirement for a raised stage as long as the area is flat and safe for equipment and guests.
For outdoor events, ensure there’s adequate shelter from rain and sun, or have a dry indoor backup ready.
If the band will be on site for only a few hours for afternoon or early evening background music, you generally won’t need to provide a meal, though refreshments are appreciated (and aren’t usually required in a rider) — check your booking contract for any specific venue or band requirements.
Read up on the 13 things you need to check with your venue when booking live music.
Most jazz bands can perform within the limits of sound limiters with no problems.
However, if you’re booking a larger swing band (upwards of a 4-piece) including drums and brass, it’s worth checking the noise restrictions at your venue.
In many cases, levels can be reduced by asking the drummer to use brushes or “hot rods” instead of wooden sticks.
Most jazz bands can perform outdoors as long as your event space offers adequate overhead cover to protect musicians and gear from rain, sun and other weather, and there’s a reliable power supply for amplified instruments and sound equipment. Outdoor performances usually require some form of shelter (such as a marquee, gazebo or canopy) to keep equipment dry and safe, and many bands will need access to mains power or a generator to run their PA system. Let the band know in advance that you’re planning an outdoor event so they can provide a full checklist of requirements to help you prepare.
Maximising savings when hiring a band for your event or wedding starts with smart planning and flexible choices. One effective way to save money on your wedding band is to book the same swing or jazz band for both your evening party and earlier daytime sets — many professional bands will offer background music for the ceremony or reception at a reduced additional fee, which can also reduce travel charges.
If your date isn’t fixed yet, choosing a midweek or winter date can significantly lower entertainment costs, as bands often offer more competitive rates outside peak weekend and summer seasons.
Other cost‑saving tips to consider:
These strategies help you keep live band costs down without compromising quality, giving you more budget flexibility for other parts of your event.
If a band member becomes unavailable before your wedding, the jazz band will arrange a fully-rehearsed substitute musician, so your event goes ahead without compromise.
In the unlikely case the entire band is unable to perform, we’ll work hard to find a replacement band (in a similar genre and price range) from our network of jazz wedding bands, musicians and DJs.
Most live jazz bands will play a set duration that typically totals around 1.5–2 hours of live music, often split into multiple performance sets with breaks in between.
Our jazz bands typically play two 1-hour sets or 3 x 40-minute sets of music, but they can play for longer (for an additional cost) if preferred.
If you need the band to play for longer or later than midnight, extra fees can apply.
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