1940s Style Band
The unique “feel-good” 1940s show as featured at Dame Vera Lynn’s Charity Gala Nights and Leicester Square Theatre. Famous War-Time tunes & “sing-a-long” songs brought to life by the singers and multi-instrumentalists of the “Five Star Swing” band (“Superb, they swing like crazy!” – Sheila Tracy, BBC). Featuring Simone from the latter days of the Ivy Benson Orchestra plus Chris Smith (Jnr), composer and arranger for Glenn Miller’s Brother, Herb and the BBC Radio Big Band.
Performing a broad selection of songs you’ll know and love from the Swing era – from Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller to songs like Mr Bojangles & Bad Bad Leroy Brown plus foot stomping Blues, Jive & Jazz. The band performs as any size from three to seventeen-piece featuring multi-instrumentalists/vocalists and led by Chris & Simone Smith. They performed for Dame Vera Lynn, BBC TV’s “Children in Need”, runners-up for “Strictly Dance Fever”, Military Wives” national theatre tour, Blenheim Palace, Chelsea Flower Show, Blackpool’s Tower Ballroom…
The band provides music for dancing, theatre shows and theme nights for private parties, weddings, and corporate and public events. From a subtle background atmosphere to lively music for a full dance floor, the band’s attention to each event’s detail and etiquette is assured through vast experience plus top professional musicians. The musical genres performed are vintage 1920s to 1960, specialising in Glenn Miller, Sinatra, Big Band, Jazz and even some Blues Brothers and Mowtown!
Audio
Repertoire
Male Vocal
- Mr Bojangles
- It Had To Be You
- Something Stupid
- I’ve Got You Under My Skin
- Where or When
- All The Way
- Fly Me To The Moon
- The Girl From Ippaneima
- Witchcraft
- New York, New York
- You Make Me Feel So Young
- The Lady Is a Tramp
- Chicago
- Come Fly With Me
- My Kind of Town
- I Get a Kick Out of You
- How About You
- Nice and Easy
- Strangers In The Night
- King of the Swingers
- Unforgettable
- Bad Bad Leroy Brown
- Something Stupid
- Alright, OK You Win
- The Way You Look Tonight
- I’ve the World on a String
- Can’t Take my Eyes Off Of You
- I’ve Got the world on a String
- On A Wonderful Day Like Today.
Female Vocal
- Don’t Get Around Much..
- Almost Like Being In Love
- Orange Coloured Sky
- Get Happy
- Paper Moon
- A Foggy Day
- Fly Me to the Moon
- Fever
- Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree
- Chattanooga Choo Choo
- The Very Thought Of You
- Perfidia
- I Know Why
- That Old Devil Called Love
- All of Me
- Cabaret
- Bye Bye Blackbird
- Can’t Buy Me Love
- Fever
- Too Close for Comfort
- Time after Time
- Our Love is Here to Stay
- Sway
- My Baby Just Cares For Me
Glenn Miller
- In the Mood
- Don’t Sit Under The Apple Three
- American Patrol
- Chattanooga Choo Choo
- Pennsylvania 65000
- String of Pearls
- Moonlight Serenade
- Little Brown Jug
- Glenn Miller Medley
- Tuxedo Junction
- Perfidia
- I Know Why
Other Big Band Classics
- Begin The Beguine
- Opus One
- Sing Sing Sing
- Flying Home
- Jersey Bounce
- Hot Toddy
- Tequila
- Parkinson Show Theme
- It’s You or No One
- Salute To The Band Box
- Pick Yourself Up
- Pink Panther
- Misty
- Moose The Mooshe
- Be-Bop
- A Night In Tunisia
- Blues Brothers Medley
- Take 5
- Dear Hunter Theme
Jazz and Blues
- Misty
- Moose The Mooshe
- Be-Bop
- A Night In Tunisia
- Blues Brothers Medley
- Take 5
- O.K. Alright You Win
- Blue Moon
- Syrup of Phiggs
- Over and Over Again
- Sweet Home Chicago
- Tequila
Other
- Everybody Needs Somebody
- Gimmie Some Lovin’
- Sweet Home Chicago
- Think
- O.K. Alright You Win
- Soul Man
- Midnight Hour
- Peter Gunn Theme
- Mustang Sally
- Rock ‘n’ Roll Medley
- Too Good To Be true (Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You).
- My Baby Just cares For Me
- Sway
War-time Sing-a-longs (played upon request)
- It’s A Long Way To Tipperary
- Pack Up Your Troubles
- We’ll Meet again
- Lilli Marlene
- The White Cliffs Of Dover
- I’ll Be Seeing You
- There’ll Always Be An England
- A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square
- I’ll Never Smile Again
- Bless ‘Em All
- Roll Out The Barrel
- Run Rabbit Run
- Wish Me Luck
- We’re Gonna’ Hang Out The Washing
- Kiss Me Good Night Sergeant-Major
Testimonials
Fans of this style of music will revel in what is on offer! …Superb imaginative scores, great three-part vocals… with the brilliance of the sax section… at the finish, cheers rang out continuously until the house lights came up!
Jim Kennedy
Encore MagazineIt was an absolutely fantastic day and I appreciate yours and Simone’s music on the day, the feedback received was nothing but positive, you really made the BBQ/party atmosphere how I imagined it to be.
James Hill
Scheme Coordinator for Chiswick War Memorial HomesI was sceptical at first that they could come up with the goods with only 7 players, but WOW did they deliver!!! the controlled tight and virtuosic ensemble playing was without peer. Great arrangements from Chris Smith, the whole band showed its multifarious diversity in every swinging number… and where did Stephen Davies learn to do all that stuff?! I commend them to the house!
Alexander Testbridge
CleethorpesOutstanding musical ability, total enthusiasm and hard work, which produced a sound which defied any attempt to keep your hands or feet from moving! They love their music and it showed. It was an superb evening and I will be back.
Eddie Harper
StamfordHi, Thoroughly enjoyed the concert tonight. It was the best evening we have had for many years. You all took my wife and me down memory lane and made us feel like teenagers again. I wanted to jive but the wife felt embarrassed. Thank you for all the hard work you put in.
Bryan Roth
BrentwoodMFL798
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