March 13, 2017

Your event should be glitzy, but it doesn’t have to be glacial too. The mood should be light-hearted, throwing everyone into the fizz of your entertainment. Choosing the right musical act for the main stage will define the energy of your ‘do’ – imperative for a night that sweeps the guests along in its stride. How best to find a group that the young, old and party-going in-betweeners will appreciate? Book a swing band to discover what time-tested charm can do for your celebrations.

Come fly with us as we drift through the perks of swing music, ensuring your prep ain’t a kick in the head…

Loud, jovial songs

For a high energy performance, most event planners gravitate to rock n’ roll or a pop covers duo with perma-blonde wigs. Contemporary tunes are fine, for some, but the swing genre has been lighting people on fire for 80 years or more, which speaks to how much it can lift our spirits.

It’s hectic and rich, with constant fluctuations in the interplay of brass, percussion, bass and piano. With a sneezing chorus of trombones before them, your guests have no choice but to pay attention, bobbing helplessly to the dancefloor.

It helps that swing tracks are, by and large, extremely happy. They have a free-wheeling attitude that can be tender, cheeky and obnoxious, sometimes all at once. That’s a recipe for a wild atmosphere!

Between-song banter

Book a swing band, and get ready for a bright, black-tied helping of personality on your stage. Classic swing singers, like those jostling chums in the Rat Pack, got by as much on their charisma, jokes and sharp suits as their music ability. Dean Martin was an amazing crooner, for sure, yet his legacy also recalls quips and patter delivered behind a whiskey glass.

While we don’t expect any lesser known performers to be quite so hedonistic, they’ll definitely try and emulate the whip-smart cracks of their idols, making everyone laugh before they launch into a fab rendition of ‘Mac The Knife’ or ‘Me & My Shadow’.

A lick of class and style

What do we picture when we imagine the classic swing music backdrop? A bar, perhaps, in New York, where finely dressed women sip cocktails in feather boas? Or how about an old-fashioned ball, the kind with lashings of gold drapes and silver cufflinks peeking out from a tuxedo sleeve?

After you book a swing band, the cat’s in the bag for an elegant affair. Your guests will be transported back to the 30s, 40s and 50s, carrying themselves with a little more finesse than usual. Big band sounds tend to unleash our suave side: conversation tinkles like two champagne flutes, whilst our heads rear a bit higher, admiring the talent that’s crossed generations to reach us.

In terms of some event functions, it don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing… The Silk Street Swing Band can arrive at your venue, unleashing a huge repertoire of songs over a several-hour-long setlist. Our event entertainment is highly sought after in the UK – we’ll put the brash, jazzy touch on your special evening, getting fingers clicking in no time at all!

Contact us if you have any questions, or want to book our swing band right away.

January 20, 2017

When you mention swing music it tends to conjure up certain images in your head. We don’t often think of acoustic swing. We think of swing bands or big bands. The emphasis is often on the ‘big’ too. We think of something that is spectacular. Something grand – even grandiose – often springs to mind.

Depending on the party or event you are planning, something of that scale might be exactly what you are looking for. You might want a big band sound to match a big occasion.

But big isn’t always better, is it? Something of this scale might not always be appropriate either. For starters, some venues have noise restrictions. Some have decibel limiters. For smaller venues, the logistics of trying to accommodate a large band, with mics, amps and sound systems in tow might not be practical. It could end up being a big headache – especially for the event organiser.

You might want your wedding, party or event to be more of an intimate occasion anyway. Or you might just be planning a smaller gathering. You might want the music at the event to provide an ambient background and backdrop to proceedings. You might not want a full in-your-face live band.

Well, if swing’s your thing, why not consider an acoustic swing band for hire?

Acoustic swing – perfect if swing is your thing

Silk Street Swing is available for hire with a variety of different line-ups. This means it is easy to choose the option that is best suited to your needs for an event.

Hire a Soloist

If you want a sound that is smooth, slick and seductive then there is no better instrument than the saxophone.

The Silk Street solo saxophonist can perform a mix of Latin favourites, cool jazz melodies and acoustic swing. The sound of the sax is sure to create an atmosphere of pure sophistication for your event.

Hire a 2-piece

A 2-piece line-up offers you another great acoustic swing option. A compact duo is ideal to play in small and intimate performance spaces. A saxophone and double bass duo is a great choice of instruments. The Jazz Two can play a blend of swing, soul and subtle background jazz. These are the sounds that are a superb complement for more intimate occasions, such as a wedding reception or a product launch.

Other line-up options

Silk Street Swing really can meet your every need. Yes, if you want big, we can give you BIG! Larger line-up options will give you a swing sound that will fill any room. From full cabaret-style to cosy and intimate, we can do it all.

You choose just how much you want to scale down the sound. A trio, for example, will give an ambience that is ideally suited for when guests are mingling and munching on canapés or sipping champagne.

If you are planning an event then nothing will make it swing like live music does. Acoustic swing is a great choice for a wide variety of occasions, from champagne receptions to parties in restaurants. Get in touch today to find how we can help your event truly swing.

December 30, 2016

Strictly Come Dancing may be over for another year, but we all want to keep dancing. When we talk of swing, we immediately think of swing music, swing bands or the swing era. But what about the dances that accompany swing? After all, the ability of the music to naturally want to get you on your feet and dance is one of the most appealing things about swing. Here is our guide to two of the great swing dances.

Swing Dances – Lindy Hop

The Lindy Hop originated from Harlem, New York City in the 1920s and 1930s. It is a classic partner swing dance. It borrows heavily from the Rhythm Tap and the Charleston. The Lindy Hop features both 6 and 8 count steps.

The beauty of the Lindy Hop is its versatility. It can be quite wild but it can be danced in a more cool and sophisticated style too. Therefore, it can be adapted to suit the mood of the music – and the dancers!

The birth of Rock ‘n’ Roll all but put paid to the original Lindy Hop, but it’s enjoyed a remarkable resurgence in recent years.

The story behind the name of this swing dance is an interesting one. Legend has it that during a 1930s dance marathon, a journalist asked a dancer what the name of the dance he was doing was. The dancer, George ‘Shorty’ Snowden answered, ‘I’m doing the Lindy Hop’   – a reference to Charles Lindbergh’s solo Atlantic flight and the newspaper headline of the day ‘Lindy Hops the Atlantic’. The name ‘Lindy Hop’ just stuck!

Swing Dances – Balboa

It’s fitting that with one major dance emerging from the East Coast that the other should hail from the West Coast. The Balboa swing dance takes its name from the Balboa Peninsula on America’s Pacific coast.

It is a 8 count dance that can be danced with a partner in a closed position – known as ‘Pure Balboa’. Dancers can also break away to perform more flamboyantly. This is known as Bal-Swing. It’s usual for modern Balboa dancers to incorporate elements of Pure Balboa and Bal-Swing into a single routine. Although the Balboa is perfect for fast-tempo music, it is equally suited to slower tunes as well.

Of course, swing dances are nothing without some swing music to dance to! Silk Street Swing are available for hire for any event. They are guaranteed to get guests up on the dancefloor all night. For other Jazz & Swing Band options, check out Silk Street.

December 24, 2016

Choosing the first dance at your wedding is a big decision to make. It’s one that many couples agonise over. The time-honoured tradition of newly-weds taking to the dancefloor for the first dance is one that most wedding receptions still follow.

The choice of song can be something with specific meaning to the couple in question. It’s usual for the lyrics of the song to be romantic in nature. Lots of people look to celebrities for inspiration, so here are a few examples:

David and Victoria Beckham chose The Starlight Orchestra It Had To Be You. Barack and Michelle Obama went with Stevie Wonder’s You and I. Jay Z and Beyonce plumped for their very own Crazy in Love.

Make your first dance swing

When it comes to setting the right tone for a wedding, you can never go far wrong with swing. The sound has a natural, well, swing to it that seems to make everyone gravitate to the dance floor. And it does so in a way that just exudes class and style. Because of this, swing standards and Rat Pack classics make excellent first dance choices. When people think of the Rat Pack, they think of Frank Sinatra. So here are three of his swinging best:

I’ve Got You Under My Skin 

This Cole Porter tune from 1936 was originally featured in the musical Born to Dance and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song. Of course, it is best known as one of Sinatra’s signature tunes. He first performed it in 1946 and recorded several different versions over the years – including a duet with U2’s Bono!

If you want the perfect dance to fit the tune, it’s quickstep.

Fly Me To The Moon 

Written in 1954, the song began life as In Other Words. Peggy Lee performed the song on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1960 popularising it greatly. She convinced the writers to make the name change. In 1964 Ol’ Blue Eyes stepped in and recorded the song for his seminal album It Might As Well Be Swing, accompanied by the legendary Count Basie Orchestra. Fly Me To The Moon was immortalised further still when the Sinatra version became the first song to be played on the moon itself – on a portable cassette player held by Apollo 11 astronaut, Buzz Aldrin.

Foxtrot is the obvious dance for the tune.

Come Fly With Me 

A song written specifically for Sinatra and featured on his album of the same name released in 1958. It fits the mood of a wedding perfectly with its lyrics promising adventures in exotic locations. It became a concert staple of Sinatra’s for years to come. It’s also been recorded by countless other artists and featured in several films. Again, the foxtrot is its perfect accompaniment.

Of course we could go on and on: Mack the Knife, It Could Be You and more. There are so many!

Silk Street Swing can perform these swing classics and many more at your wedding. For other wedding entertainment options, check out Silk Street.

Photo credit: Kate Miller Photography

December 16, 2016

Jazz fanatics and serious musicians aside, a common question that often gets asked is: What is the difference between swing and jazz?  It’s not surprising that the question gets asked so much. Especially for the uninitiated or those new to the scene, things can get quite confusing. There isn’t just jazz. There is Hot Jazz, Trad (or Traditional) Jazz and Dixieland (all essentially the same thing!). Then you have Swing, Big Band, RatPack, BeBop and Modern Jazz. To the untrained ear, all these styles sound vaguely similar. They all have a ‘jazzy feel’. So, what are the differences between swing and jazz?

Differences between swing and jazz

Some people will see swing and jazz as two separate entities. Some people see swing as a sub-genre of jazz. To others, ‘swing’ was just the natural evolution of jazz through the 1920s and 1930s: Jazz Story: Hot Jazz-Swing-Bebop. When you try to explain the differences between the two, you can give a fairly simple answer and a very complicated answer.  That’s because the differences between jazz and swing are essentially cultural as well as musical.

The Origins of Jazz

If that still all sounds a bit confusing, one thing is beyond any doubt. Jazz came before swing. Jazz was born in New Orleans. As with any genre of music, jazz didn’t just appear. It was a hybrid fusion of folk songs and hymn music. It took its cultural roots from the West African ancestry of its initial protagonists. It blended the music of marching bands with ragtime. The form of music emerged at the start of the twentieth century. Its name was coined for the term used for the USA’s southern states – Dixieland.

Typically, the lead instruments in early jazz were the cornet or trumpet, trombone and clarinet. Rhythm and harmony came in the shape of a banjo, tuba or drums. With traditional jazz, the lead instrument plays the main melody and then improvises on it. Meanwhile, the other instruments will offer their own variations of it. This creates the unmistakable sound of jazz. Jazz moved from the streets to the speakeasies and dance halls of the 1920s. Piano and double bass were often added to the developing sound.

Jazz evolves into Swing

Swing naturally evolved from jazz as the 1920s ended as the 1930s began, in part to make jazz more ‘dance floor friendly’ for larger audiences. Because of this, the rhythm section became more important. More emphasis was now being placed on the double bass, drums and piano. The ‘front line’ of a swing band were normally trumpet, clarinet and trombone and the saxophone.

Many swing bands were led by standout individual instrumentalists but the focus with swing music was on the band. As the bands had many members (hence the term ‘big band’) more regimentation was necessary. Whereas jazz musicians very rarely played from written musical scores, swing bands would work from scores and arrangements. The lead instrumentalists would be left to improvise over the support of the band.

Swing became synonymous with dancing, of course. Still, to this day, there are few genres of music that can get a dancefloor full and moving so quickly as swing can. Live swing music makes for perfect party entertainment.

Indeed virtually any event will truly swing to the sound of swing!  From weddings to product launches or office parties, Silk Street Swing is a versatile band that will play both classic swing and modern swing. Make an enquiry today!

December 12, 2016

Robbie Williams – BRITs Swing Icon?

As British pop icons go there are few (if any) bigger than Robbie Williams. And in the week when ITV1 celebrated Robbie being awarded the BRITs Icon award with a special one-off programme, Brits Icon: Robbie Williams, we thought it would be an opportune moment to look back on the ex-Take That man’s contribution to swing.

There is little doubting Robbie’s credentials for being rewarded with BRITs Icon award, which he will be officially presented with at February’s Brit Awards ceremony. He already has 17 Brit Awards from his time in Take That and his highly successful solo career. He recently also became officially recognised as the most successful British solo artist of all time. In fact, if there’s a record to be had, you can virtually guarantee that Robbie has broken it and has it to his name.

But we are not here to mark the man’s illustrious career, tell his story or pick out his career highlights. You are bound to see much of that elsewhere in the media this week. It will continue until he actually picks the title up in a couple of months’ time. For us, it’s all about the swing.

All music genres have their niches and to some people – the aficionados – these niches are very important. From Thrash Metal to Traditional Jazz, there will be those who devour everything about a musical style. Some even get quite passionate and precious about it all – dance diehards will argue over whether a track is deep enough to be labelled deep house, or progressive enough to be called progressive house.

Bringing swing to the masses

Some might scoff at Robbie Williams and his connection with swing, but his contribution to the enduring popularity of swing is undeniable.

Swing When You’re Winning was his 2001 release of Big Band and Great American Songbook standards. Released in November, in perfect time for Christmas, the album had sold 2 million copies in the UK by the end of the year and spent six weeks at the top of the charts. It went on to sell 7 million copies worldwide.

The album is unashamedly mainstream. Critics might say it was a cynical Christmas release to collar the ‘perfect stocking filler’ market, but its reviews were overwhelmingly positive – despite NME’s claim that the album ‘mistakes celebrity for entertainment, cabaret for class’.

Love him or loathe him, most would agree that Robbie Williams has a decent voice. He can certainly handle a tune and he does so to great effect on this album. The tunes included Mr Bojangles, Ain’t That A Kick In The Head? and Have You Met Miss Jones? The song choices might have been a little safe and obvious, but they are the songs that people want to hear! There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that.

What’s more, It Was A Very Good Year saw a Robbie Williams/Frank Sinatra duet. The original backing track and Sinatra vocal were sampled with Robbie adding his own vocals on top.

These are songs that have enduring appeal. Swing, Big Band and Rat Pack nights were always popular – but when an artist of Robbie Williams’ status gets in on the act, such popularity will only grow.

Swing When You’re Winning certainly brought swing to the masses and to a whole new generation. Robbie followed the album up in 2013 with Swings Both Ways. This again reinforced swing as a perfect form of entertainment.

You could make your party, wedding or corporate event a winning event with swing too! Click here to find out more about Silk Street Swing.

September 21, 2016

Ho Ho Ho. Merry Christmas. Okay, so maybe we are a little early but that’s because bookings for the festive season have been coming at us like snowballs in a school playground.

If you’re planning your work’s Christmas party, or you’re in charge of your very own festive do, then look no further than Silk Street Swing to provide the Christmas party tunes with festive swing! But please, book early as December is filling up faster than Santa’s sleigh!

Think ‘All I want for Christmas’, think ‘Baby it’s cold outside’, think ‘I saw mommy kissing Santa Claus’. Christmas and swing music go hand in hand and we’ll eat our Santa hats if they don’t get your friends or colleagues moving on the dance floor.

SO, don’t miss out, get your entertainment booked up so that you’re not left with a face redder than Rudolph’s nose come party-day (last festive pun, we promise).

LOOKING TO BOOK A BAND FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS PARTY?

You can check out our full repertoire (excluding festive swing numbers) or take a look at the full band in action. Crucially, unlike many acts we’re able to scale up or down the size of our band to suit your occasion. i.e. we can have as many of Santa’s little helpers as the day requires – from a solo Santa all the way up to a five-piece Christmas Swing bonanza!

July 14, 2016

So, you thought your wedding band was just for your first dance and a brief disco afterwards? Think again.

Veterans of the wedding circuit Silk Street Swing have performed just about every spot at weddings up and down the country – and so we like to think we know what works.

What we often realise when chatting to those planning their wedding, is just how many opportunities the day has for music – and just how much it can add! So, without further ado, here is a full run-down of every available traditional moment you could have your wedding swing band perform in – pick and choose a few or go for the whole lot, the choice is yours!

The pre-ceremony

While people are taking their seats and chatting away, excited to see what the happy couple look like, it works well to have some light acoustic music – something low-tempo and soft just to lift the atmosphere a little and build the suspense.

The pre-processional

Didn’t know this was a thing, did you!? Traditionally this is the time the music changes to a slightly louder number after the groom is at the front and just before the bride walks down the aisle.

The processional

The music announcing the bride (or groom)’s arrival. Very much one for the couple to decide on – again performed acoustically depending on the venue but slightly louder still than the previous numbers. I’ve always found something with a strong start works really well to let people know the ceremony has begun! We can even perform ‘Here Comes The Bride’ if required!

Signing the register

Some people choose to have the band start up again for a little while while the legal formalities are sorted. It stops the murmur of the crowds overwhelming the room and keeps people’s attentions.

The recessional

And they’re outta here! A number to make sure your guests leave happy and with the atmosphere at an all time high. Something celebratory and upbeat works really well here.

Background

Okay, so while people tuck into their wedding breakfast or arrival drinks there definitely needs to be some ambiance-inducing tunes. Again, acoustic music works well – with a few soft horns. Loud enough to hear but quiet enough not to disturb people chatting and mingling.

The first dance

Finally, one you’ve all heard of. By this point the band can be plugged in and geared up for the reception. Far be it from me to suggest a song – but a good professional band like ourselves will be more than willing to learn whatever number you choose.

The party

Tunes to get the people moving and smiling. By this point the wedding swing band should be in full swing (pun intended) and the happy couple enjoying their evening.

If you would like to know more or would like a free quote from a great wedding swing band please do drop us a line via our website www.silkstreetswing.co.uk/contact-us

May 10, 2016

Just imagine – the soothing motion of the boat, the gentle tapping of your feet, the cold cocktail in your hand and the Henley sunshine beaming down. Let the swinging sound of the band wash over you. Yes you’re at a swing show, but this is not just any swing show – it’s a Silk Street Swing show…and it’s on a boat!

Swing up the Thames

We proud to be longstanding partners of the magnificent Hobbs of Henley, a river cruise company providing boat tours of the Thames since back in 1870.

As part of our partnership, we are available to hire for private cruises and parties which you plan via Hobbs of Henley. Whether it’s a birthday, corporate party or just a straight up celebration you’re planning, we’d be happy to perform at your boat party.

During your private swing cruise we’ll perform many classic jazz and swing numbers across the ages, from 1920s originals to re-worked renditions of modern classics. Our soulful sounds can be heard both by passers-by on the riverbank and by attending guests throughout your dinner. If the weather is nice, you can also sit out on the top deck to enjoy your favourite Swing and Dixieland tunes.

The New Orleans Boat

When booking with Hobbs of Henley and Silk Street Swing, there’s no better boat to choose than the aptly named ‘New Orleans’. The vessel is a real sight – a magnificent Mississippi sternwheeler with tall twin smoke stacks and paddle wheel.

What’s more, the New Orleans has two decks – a fully enclosed elegant saloon with stylish cocktail bar, and an open upper deck for viewing the stunning scenery by day or dancing under the stars at night.

Of course, there are other boats available – the Waterman and the Hibernia for starters – though we always find the New Orleans makes a particularly good pairing with our American swing style.

Regatta

Not planning a cruise but want to experience our performance? Perfect! We’re pleased to perform at the famous Henley Regatta in conjunction with Hobbs of Henley. For a taste of the experience, keep an eye on the banks of the river during the Regatta – we’ll be performing for the masses.

Book now

If you’re planning a private cruise with Hobbs of Henley, we’d be delighted to perform for you and your guests.

We recently received a glowing recommendation from one of these cruises which we wanted to share with you below. We hope to see you soon!

“We all had such a lovely time on board The New Orleans – everything was perfect. Please do thank particularly the extremely helpful gentleman in charge of the catering – the food was fantastic and the staff calm and organised. Silk Street were superb: the music was just right for the occasion and I hope they felt appreciated. The crew, as always, were great – very solicitous of my elderly mother negotiating all those steps!”

Contact either Hobbs of Henley or get in contact directly with us so we can get your show on the road (or water!).

April 15, 2016

A lot of people ask us about the kind of music we perform as a full-time swing band for hire. The truth is we tend to tailor our set list depending on the setting. We’ve got songs to suit restaurants, weddings, corporate shows, product launches, office parties and much more.

We cover all the classic swing hits that you know and love – songs by Dean Martin, Bobby Darrin, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra and the like. But we also love to perform modern swing classics from the likes of Michael Bublé, Jamie Cullum and Robbie Williams

With that said, we thought it’d be a good idea to highlight just a few of our more popular numbers:

Mack The Knife
We recently performed this at a corporate event for the fashion label Orla Kiely and it went down incredibly well. Originally a German song, the translated version is one of the best known songs in the world and given a swing twist it is a staple at almost every event we perform.

Dream a Little Dream of Me
One of the most beautiful numbers ever written. Given a swing make over the song takes on a life of its own. The Robbie Williams-esque version is a firm favourite at weddings and we’ve had it work really well as a first dance in the past.

What a Wonderful World
Of course, we mean the Louis Armstrong version. An absolute crowd pleaser and guaranteed sing-a-long song. Often best reserved until the last number of the night – to send revellers away from your party with a smile on their face

King of the Swingers
I mean, the clue is in the title – it’s a swing classic. One for both the adults and the kids in the room it’s a firm favourite of ours to perform. Covered by everyone from Paulo Nutini to Robbie Williams – I’d argue that our version has the edge

The numbers in this blog offer a little peak into the swing songs we perform up and down the country. Please do get in touch  or complete our quote request form with any requests or enquiries you may have – we’d love to help and more importantly, we’d love to put the SWING into your event.