Swing and Big Bands

The Swing Music category lists bands who have a great 1920's and 30's jazz repertoire. Playing in the tradition of Duke Ellington, Woody Herman and Count Basie, these musicians cover all the great swing jazz hits from the 20's and 30's. Varying from strong rhythms and fast tempos to cool, mellow beats. You better wear your dancing shoes! Big Bands consists of bands which have a large brass and rhythm section, and vocalists. Popular in the 1920's, 30's and 40's Jazz Swing era, Big Bands and orchestras can have between 10 and 20 musicians.

Also see 30's & 40's Hits, Jazz Bands Traditional/Dixieland Jazz, Jazz Bands

The Martini Sisters are a fresh, entertaining trio of singers that have captured the sound of the girl groups of the 1930s and 1940s, and brought it to the 21st century. Heavily influenced by the 3 part harmonies of groups like the Andrews Sisters and the Boswell Sisters, The Martini Sisters bring a new sound to an old style.  The Martini Sisters have expanded their repertoire to include covers from music made famous by some of the greats, including Nina Simone and Cab Calloway. Their repertoire also includes songs performed by more recent artists such as The Puppini Sisters and Gwen Stefani.

Bradley McCaw & The Get Happy’s (BM & The GH) are bringing back the presence and style of ‘the jazz clubs of old.’ Featuring old time stage presence, some of Brisbane’s finest musicians and lead by the beautiful tenor voice of Bradley McCaw, BM & The GH bring you a night of first class entertainment. BM & The GH are at the their strength as a feature act or band, but can be used as background music. If you want to dance, sing along or be crooned, look no further. Bradley McCaw & The Get Happy’s will get your night cooking with a new taste of an old favourite.

Bois et Charbon play a unique variation on traditional Swing music known as Jazz Manouche. The music is full of passion and colour and played in the flamboyant spirit of the original forebearers of the music, nomadic Gypsies from the South of France called the ‘Manouche’.  Professional and reliable performers, they have been favourably received at weddings, birthdays, community events and festivals as well as performing to high acclaim at inner city bars and restaurants. 

Jelly Tub Rollers play thigh-slappin' 1930s party jazz and blues. Featuring the flying feet and raucous rhythms of Thomas the Tap Engine, these over-dressed super-swing vaudevillians are guaranteed to get your party jumping! Combining the driving beat of drums, double bass and guitar with the tickles and moans of saxophone, trombone and vocals, the Jelly Tub Rollers bring an old-world energy to classic and original jazz tunes. To this day, Jelly Tub Rollers retain the spontaneity of their busking roots, and the joy of sharing their passion for music with a diverse audience, now performing at various venues, festivals, weddings and parties around Victoria.

Bittersweet is a quality musical act that boasts musical excellence, flexibility and great entertainment! Whether as a simple Duo with core members Rachel Juhasz (vocals) and Graham Bishop (piano), or as a sophisticated quartet (drums and double bass). Bittersweet is the perfect act for your venue, corporate event, festival or special occasion. Rachel Juhasz is a vocalist with passion and experience. Keyboardist Graham Bishop was initially classically trained, but his styles now include Blues, Jazz and most contemporary styles.

Musical styles include the best of the 30's, 40's & 50's, Male and Female vocals in the style of Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Latin, PopCovers, Swing, Jazz, Boogie, Jewish Horas, Continental and Ball Room classics. And at the end of the night this Orchestra can rock with the best! Hits from the 70's, 80's & 90's right up to the popular top 40 hit's of today.

Tina Delandre is Smooth, Sophisticated, Stylish and Sassy. Classic jazz to retro rock and more! Tina appeared on television in the original Keith Walsh Teen Time and the Johnny O’Keefe Show and performed with the Geoff Harvey Big Band in the 60’s. Tina also appeared in the numerous underground jazz joints and cafes that abounded in Sydney at the time.

Linda, Jennie and Helen pay tribute to The Andrew Sisters. Linda, and two other girls, were asked to put together a show to pay tibute to The Andrew Sisters for a conference in Darwin in 1995. While they had heard those famous songs, i.e. Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Don't sit under the Apple Tree, In the mood, Apple Blossom time, etc, it wasnt until rehearsals for the show that they fully appreciated the intricate harmonies.

Made with the double cream of Circus Oz, Checkerboard Lounge, Prayerbabies and a sweetened, condensed ilk, we introduce the debonair-heads of Fire&Theft. Ribald and Racy Rhythms, Luxurious Latin‘n’Lounge. Other Artistes who have enjoyed success with their own renditions from Fire&Thefts pleasure trove of golden fried hits include the Eurythmics, Bizet, Led Zepplin, Gnarl Barkley, the Who & Shirley Bassey to name but a few - as for the influences to which Fire&Theft tip their fez'z, please count Carmen Miranda, Brian Griffin, Louis Jordan, Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble-Pipe & Kylie and among their number.

The Bellhops are Australia's Premier Award Winning Rockin’ Blues, Jump'n'Jive and Swing exponents. The Bellhops lineup is big and brassy, featuring their very own Horn Mafia. The main musical influences of The Bellhops are the Swing and Jive era of the late 40's, the Rock'n'Roll of the 50's, the Soul and R&B of the 60's and the Blues music legacy of so many great Artists. The Bellhops pay tribute to these influences in their recorded work and also in their live performances with material drawn from artists such as Louis Jordan, Big Joe Turner, Chuck Berry, Bill Haley and Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett and James Brown.

Based in Sydney, the Itty Bitty Big Band is Australia's premier swing group. From the hottest jazz to the coolest grooves, the Itty Bitty Big Band presents a show that will keep them dancing all night!

Greg Poppleton & his Bakelite Dance Band play vintage, glamorous, 1920s & 30s Swing & Jazz exclusively, for background and dancing. You get the right look. Right sound. Australia’s only exclusively 1920s & 30s singer.
And only the best swing & jazz players in Sydney.

Featuring Swedish chanteuse, Leili Mander, Leili and her band will bring a touch of old world glamour and elegance to you. Leili and the Waiting List have played highly acclaimed residencies at Open Studio and Marquis of Lorne, while a residency at Wesley Anne awaits in October. As well as providing beautiful music for your function, Leili is also happy to arrange additional performances from Swing Dancers, in the style of Balboa, Tap Dancing and Lindy Hop.

It's swing that really swings, cool and mellow, fast and racy; suits all occasions. Glenda is well-known for her sensuous and full vocals, a professional entertainer - and has appeared in theatre, musicals, cabaret acts, television live spots and at exclusive private functions. As a Jazz and Swing performer, she's one of the best in Melbourne. Specialising in 30's, 40's and 50's jazz and swing classics, this entertainment will get your event swingin'. The Swing Combo can also perform at your Christmas function, playing all the classic carols.

The Melbourne based singing group The Swing Sisters has been performing together since 2004. Touring all over the world with their melodic harmonies and exciting musical arrangements, they’re sure to lighten up the feel of any event! The Swing Sisters can be hired for weddings, corporate events, parties, funerals, in fact, any occasion!

This Sophisticated Duo offer a blend of great musical arrangements and clever vocal harmonies, together with a mix of old and new songs, creating an entertainment experience to suit everyone. They perform songs in four languages and have a repertoire of over 600 songs which includes an eclectic mix of Jazz/ Swing, Cocktail, Latin, blues to up-tempo dance music… and everything in between! They have the ability to add some of Australia's finest musicians to re-create the “Big Band” era experience, utilising their library of top quality written musical arrangements.

Sydney Vocalist Leonie Smith has over 15 years experience as a Jazz Vocalist and Entertainer, with a background in Theatre. Her Music can be described as Swinging Loungin Torch Singer style Jazz. She can play as part of a Duo, with Guitar or Piano or any size band you require. She has played many many Festivals all the Large Hotels in Sydney and all the jazz Clubs.

The Swing Club is a unit of musicians currently performing jazz, rhythm and blues, swing and Latin classics at various venues and private functions in and around Melbourne.
Providing a proven and balanced repertoire, catering for a wide variety of audience tastes, The Swing Club consists of two founding members, Steven Zammit (Vocals) and Mark Rigoni (Guitar).

The East Side Jazz Band is one of Victoria's most popular Jazz Bands. The band is made up of some of Melbourne's finest musicians. They can move from very laid back swing style (Sinatra, Ellington, Connick Jr., Armstrong) to Latin Rhythms, Blues (Ray Charles), and Funk styles. They can play as small as a trio with a guitarist who sings in a Sinatra style with a sax player who doubles on trumpet and clarinet and a double bass player who sings. If you want the bigger sound the band adds drums and more brass or other instruments as required.