1940s Era Musicians & Bands for Hire in Reading

Discover 302 vintage 1940s era musicians and bands available for hire in Reading, England, United Kingdom, with 1,170 reviews from real clients averaging 5 out of 5 stars. Find swing bands, wartime entertainers and close harmony singers to create authentic 1940s atmosphere.

Of the 302 suppliers listed here, 19 are based within 30 miles of Reading. The other 283 are willing to travel there.

Also covers Basingstoke and Henley on Thames, and suppliers based in Guildford, Harrow on the Hill, Oxford, Richmond, Aldershot, Bordon, Esher, Kingston and 4 other places within 30 miles.

Rated Excellent (5/5) from 1,170 reviews of 1940s Era Musicians & Bands

Based near Reading

We are a Reading based jazz quartet playing a range of swing and jazz standards

Reading

England

No reviews yet Replies in ~2 hrs

Book from £400 (GBP)

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A 3 piece band bringing the music of the prohibition era

Reading

England

No reviews yet

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Vintage style singer Motown to Modern, Swing to Ska

Maidenhead

England · 12 miles away

(18)

Book from £250 (GBP)

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Jazz band idea for parties, weddings, all occasions to set a great atmosphere

Wallingford

England · 12 miles away

(19) Replies in < 1 hr

Book from £400 (GBP)

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Trio (singer, piano, bass) which plays songs of the '20s '30s and '40s.

Newbury

England · 16 miles away

(3)

Book from £250 (GBP)

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Jazz sax or piano with backing tracks or live band

Windsor

England · 16 miles away

(1)

Book from £250 (GBP)

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Jazz, swing, motown, rock n roll and pop. Great Gatsby show also available

Aldershot

England · 17 miles away

(11)

Book from £180 (GBP)

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Paul Hudson sings the greatest hits from Sinatra and friends 'Rat Pack' era.

Guildford

England · 23 miles away

(8)

Book from £300 (GBP)

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Singer with quality backing tracks - Background / Party Vibe or Sing-along

Guildford

England · 23 miles away

(2)

Book from £100 (GBP)

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Jazz and Swing Band, also playing Postmodern Jukebox

Guildford

England · 23 miles away

(1)

Book from £500 (GBP)

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Jazz, Swing, Blues and Vintage singer

Oxford

England · 24 miles away

(33)

Book from £250 (GBP)

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Star of 'The Rat Pack' and one of the UK's Finest Jazz and Swing Singers

Oxford

England · 24 miles away

(23) Replies in ~1 hr

Book from £300 (GBP)

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Harry is a professional and experienced trumpet player covering many genres.

Bordon

England · 24 miles away

(6)

Book from £150 (GBP)

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Old-time rock 'n' roll and country music with 3- and 4-part harmony singing!

Esher

England · 27 miles away

(2)

Book from £250 (GBP)

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Cockney entertainer: all the cockney singalong classics, Chas & Dave, musichall

Harrow on the Hill

England · 29 miles away

(17)

Book from POA

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Classic honky tonkin country and western swing band

Harrow on the Hill

England · 29 miles away

(1) Replies in < 1 hr

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5 piece Jazz Band (Great American Songbook)

Richmond

England · 29 miles away

(8)

Book from £704 (GBP)

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Jazz and funk/jazzy pop suitable for weddings, corporate and private functions

Richmond

England · 29 miles away

(2)

Book from £750 (GBP)

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Showing 1-18 of 302 results

Need help finding 1940s Era Musicians & Bands available in Reading?

Tell us about your event and we'll suggest suppliers, or talk to our team.

How much does it cost to hire 1940s Era Musicians & Bands in Reading?

£Low price
from£120GBP
££Average price
from£400GBP
£££High price
from£1,650GBP

Rates for 1940s era musicians and bands in Reading currently range from about £120 to £1,650+ depending on group size and performance duration. The average cost of £400 reflects the specialist expertise authentic period entertainment requires. Contact the supplier you like for an accurate quote.

What our enquiries show

Based on 358 enquiries for 1940s Era Musicians & Bands at events in the United Kingdom, made through this site in the last two years. Updated 11 November 2026.

Typical first reply
Within six hours
64% of enquiries get a reply within a day
How early people enquire
About seven weeks
34% enquire less than a month before the event
Busiest months
May to August
58% of events take place in these months
How far suppliers travel
About 20 miles
For the 88% based outside the event's town

Reviews of 1940s Era Musicians & Bands based near Reading

5/5 from 165 reviews
Photo of Fleur Stevenson Jazz Duo/Trio/Quartet Fleur Stevenson Jazz Duo/Trio/Quartet "We used Fleur and team for the cocktail part of the evening and it was good background entertainment. Fleur has a great tone. I also saw her at a smaller party and she did a good job then." Based in Wallingford, England (12 miles from Reading) Susan McErlain - cocktail party Photo of Anna Nightingale Vintage Jazz swing Singer Anna Nightingale Vintage Jazz swing Singer "Stephanie M August 2022 5 out of 5 I booked Anna as a solo act for my Parents 50th wedding anniversary. From the moment I enquired online, Anna's communication was flawless. She made me feel very confident in all aspects, including but certainly not limited to song requests and act requirements. Anna was kind enough to bring a card for my parents and she was respectful and mindful when I told her a few days prior to the event that a family member had passed away. Anna went out of her way to pay tribute on the night and even allowed my father to do the same. I couldn't recommend her enough - truly a great artist and even greater person. regards Stephanie" Based in Maidenhead, England (12 miles from Reading) Stephanie - Annniversary party Photo of Tom Neill (Solo/Duo/Bands) Tom Neill (Solo/Duo/Bands) "Tom is a highly talented musician as well as being very professional when communicating and engaging with clients. We recently asked Tom to perform at an event in Cookham. The band were excellent, the client was delighted - wouldn't hesitate in recommending." Based in Windsor, England (16 miles from Reading) Jumping Giraffe Events - Events Management Photo of Add Hock Add Hock "Feet tapped, eyes shone, hands clapped and hips and heads rolled as the brilliance of the great song writers Gershwin, Porter, Warren, Berlin and others became the hymns of this Saturday evening. But light-hearted as most of the music was, there was contrast in the emotive classic 'Every Time we say Goodbye' sung by the nightingale Gaylene Parish (close your eyes and it was Ella Fitzgerald)." Based in Newbury, England (16 miles from Reading) Alan Dowding, for the Hailey Herald - Concert Photo of Jen Merchant Jen Merchant "Dear Jen, Wow, what can I say to express how much Tony and I enjoyed our Wedding Reception… The afternoon champagne reception and your evening's entertainment set were both excellent - everyone has commented how much they enjoyed you’re your singing. "Best wedding singer ever" is one of the many comments that people keep repeating, you made our day so special. You looked absolutely stunning, the music was perfect, both sets. Lot's of our guests have asked me where I found you! I hope you are delighted with so many positive, heartfelt comments. We would have no hesitation in recommending you to everyone we know. When I initially spoke to you on the 'phone, you were so helpful and confident that you could provide what I wanted... and you certainly did. Thank you for helping to make our day so memorable. I run Hotels for a living and have booked many acts in my time, I really wanted that perfect sound for our wedding, I you pulled it off, including or first dance by Etta James. I hope to have another excuse to enjoy your company again in the not too distant future and book you all over again" Based in Aldershot, England (17 miles from Reading) Suzanne and Tony - Wedding Photo of "The Sounds of Sinatra" with Paul Hudson "The Sounds of Sinatra" with Paul Hudson " A Fabulous night with all the best hits from the Sinatra Rat Pack era. Paul kept us all rocking and was a brilliant host for the night. Great atmosphere, and we’ll definitely recommend the show and book again for next year. Norman Jones, Holiday Inn Hotel, Guildford." Based in Guildford, England (23 miles from Reading) Norman Jones, - Holiday Inn Hotel, Guildford.

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There are currently 1,170 reviews of 1940s Era Musicians & Bands in our review centre and the average rating is 5/5.

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Frequently asked questions

The average price for 1940s era musicians & bands on Gig Heaven is currently £400, with prices ranging from £120 to £1,650+. Pricing typically depends on ensemble size, the inclusion of vocalists and whether period costumes or themed staging are part of the performance. Most acts specialise in wartime classics, swing and big band favourites, so listening to profile samples is a good way to compare what each performer offers.

The 1940s era musicians & bands perform music from the 1940s era, including swing, big band, boogie-woogie and wartime classics. Many groups specialise in recreating the sound of dance halls and ballrooms of the period, with songs made popular by the leading artists of the decade.

Popular occasions for hiring 1940s era musicians & bands include wartime-themed events, vintage tea dances, VE Day celebrations, themed weddings and corporate dinners. The nostalgic and upbeat style of 1940s music appeals to a wide range of audiences and works well at both formal and informal occasions.

Many 1940s era musicians & bands offer fully themed shows, including wartime sing-along performances, Andrews Sisters-style vocal harmony acts and period-costumed big band sets. Some also incorporate audience participation and wartime-era props. To get the best results, check each performer's profile for details of themed packages.

Most 1940s era musicians & bands provide their own PA system and any amplification needed for standard event spaces. For larger venues or outdoor events, additional sound equipment may be required. It is advisable to discuss technical requirements with the act before booking.

Yes, either add suppliers to your favourites and contact them all at once, or use the find a supplier wizard.

Booking as early as possible increases the chance of securing your supplier's availability on your event date, particularly during busy times of the year. However, many suppliers also accept last minute bookings, and we have successfully arranged bookings for clients with just a few hours' notice.

Contact the supplier you are interested in booking by clicking "Contact Now" on their listing. Discuss your requirements using our messaging system or join a video meeting (like a Zoom-call) to speak face-to-face. Once you are ready to confirm your booking, simply ask the supplier to send you a contract, which you can agree to online, or request amendments. Once you agree to the contract you will be asked to pay a 10% booking fee to confirm the booking, with the balance payable directly to the supplier by the due date you've agreed on.

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