Big Bands for Hire

Discover 222 big bands ready to bring the authentic swing sound to your wedding, corporate event or special celebration. With 421 reviews from real clients and an average 5 out of 5 rating, these professional swing orchestras and jazz ensembles offer everything from traditional jazz standards to modern arrangements.

Big band hire typically starts from $150, with most bookings around $650 depending on ensemble size, repertoire and event requirements. These large-scale musical groups bring the classic sound of swing era jazz with full horn sections, rhythm sections and experienced bandleaders.

Rated Excellent (5/5) from 421 reviews of Big Bands
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Jazz Band for corporate and private events

United States

Los Angeles, California

(7)

Book from $450 (USD)

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I provide different sized bands - Jazz, blues, Bossa Nova, Latin Jazz and more.

United States

North Miami, Florida

(3) Replies in ~1 hr

Book from $500 (USD)

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10 piece Little Big Band

United States

Grand Rapids, Michigan

(29) Replies in ~1 hr

Book from $1500 (USD)

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Jazz-Swing Gatsby 20's and More Styles from a trio to Big Band

United States

Dallas, Texas

(7)

Book from POA

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Wedding and event band

United States

Boston, Massachusetts

(9)

Book from $2500 (USD)

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3-8 piece jazz band performing jazz and standards

United States

Nashville, Tennessee

(5)

Book from $300 (USD)

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90-120 minute show. 3 shows to select from. Country and/or Crooner music.

United States

Helena, Alabama

No reviews yet

Book from $500 (USD)

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Vintage Entertainment 1920s, 40s & 50s

United States

Los Angeles, California

No reviews yet

Book from $1200 (USD)

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10 Piece Powerhouse Event Band

United States

Saratoga Springs, New York

(1)

Book from POA

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Jazz, Swing, Electro Swing, and modern songs reimagined!

United States

Seattle, Washington

(3)

Book from $1000 (USD)

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18 piece Big band

United States

Middlebury, Connecticut

(1) Replies in ~2 hrs

Book from POA

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The most versatile music act in the Midwest!

United States

St Louis, Missouri

No reviews yet

Book from $350 (USD)

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11 Piece Dance Band / Presenting Big Band Music and Nostalgia

United States

Chicago, Illinois

(1) Replies in ~4 hrs

Book from POA

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Duo or Trio cover band, multi-genre, many-decades, multi-instrument

United States

Austin, Texas

(1)

Book from $500 (USD)

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6-15 piece New Orleans brass band that plays modern and traditional music

United States

New Orleans, Louisiana

No reviews yet

Book from POA

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Showing 1-15 of 222 results

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A guide to booking

Hire Big Bands

Big bands represent the pinnacle of swing era entertainment, featuring large ensembles typically comprising 12-25 musicians with dedicated horn sections, rhythm sections and experienced bandleaders. These swing orchestras deliver the authentic sound that defined an entire musical era, from Glenn Miller classics to Count Basie arrangements.

Why Hire a Big Band for Your Event

Professional big band hire brings unmatched musical sophistication to upscale events. These jazz ensembles create an atmosphere of elegance while providing danceable rhythms that appeal to multiple generations. Unlike smaller jazz bands, big bands fill large venues with rich, full sound that transforms any gathering into a memorable occasion. Many groups also offer connections to Dixieland bands for more intimate pre-event entertainment, while others incorporate elements from Latin jazz bands for diverse repertoire options.

Where Big Band Entertainment Works Best

Big band weddings create timeless elegance, particularly for black-tie ceremonies and receptions in grand ballrooms. Corporate galas, charity fundraisers and anniversary celebrations benefit from the sophisticated ambiance these swing orchestras provide. The genre's broad appeal makes it ideal for multi-generational gatherings where jive bands might be too niche, while maintaining the authentic jazz character that sets them apart from contemporary party bands. Large outdoor festivals and civic celebrations also showcase these ensembles effectively.

Big Band Hire Costs and Pricing

Professional big band hire currently ranges from $150 for smaller swing groups to $3,400+ for full orchestras with 20+ musicians, with most bookings averaging $650. Pricing reflects ensemble size, travel requirements, performance duration and repertoire complexity. Premium orchestras with established reputations and extensive song catalogs command higher fees, while emerging groups offer excellent value for budget-conscious event planners.

How much does it cost to hire Big Bands?

$Low price
from$150USD
$$Average price
from$650USD
$$$High price
from$3,400USD

The average price for Big Bands is $650 (USD). Above you will also find a budget price and high end price. Contact the supplier you like for an accurate quote.

What our enquiries show

Based on 710 enquiries for Big Bands at events in every location, made through this site in the last two years. Updated 8 October 2026.

Most requested for
Weddings
46% of enquiries, with private events next at 19%
Typical first reply
Within an hour
78% of enquiries get a reply within a day
How early people enquire
About two months
29% enquire less than a month before the event
Busiest months
May to September
62% of events take place in these months
How far suppliers travel
About 35 miles
For the 73% based outside the event's town

Reviews of Big Bands

5/5 from 421 reviews
Photo of American Jazz Company American Jazz Company "American Jazz Company did a great job at our fundraising Gala. Dan was very easy to work with and accommodating on our timeline at the event. The communication leading up to the event for planning and reviewing the set list was great. They checked with us and were willing to modify and make recommendations with a large portfolio to create a set list geared towards our guests. Everything was on time and in order which made coordination easy." Based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States 20th May 2026 Dana H. - Fundraising Gala Photo of Justin Holcroft Justin Holcroft "Justin’s performance was intimate and stunning at the same time. Great communication, very effective preparation and coverage by someone who can play the sax, from Jazz, swing to lounge and bar background music. We would highly recommend Justin to anyone interested in high-quality, paired with a down-to-earth mindset and to-the-point delivery." Based in Audley, England, United Kingdom 27th May 2026 Axel Dewitz - Birthday Celebration, Reception Photo of Ten Most Wanted Band Ten Most Wanted Band "Music was great the energy was excellent they kept everyone on their feet all evening! Very professional can’t say enough about the horns and vocals. Would definitely recommend them for any type of function can’t wait to go hear them again!!" Based in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States 14th September 2026 Todd Shafer - Wedding Photo of Mart Kusters Musikgruppen Mart Kusters Musikgruppen "Mart and his group were excellent. They started our party and then it never stopped - our dancefloor was full from the beginning to the end of the night. Many people stopped and wanted to join our party because of them. Mart was also super easy to deal with and accommodating - would highly recommended!" Based in Venray, Limburg, Netherlands 15th September 2026 Abby King - Wedding Photo of MiSax MiSax "I am the sister of the bride. THANK YOU! The wedding was magical and you made the atmosphere absolutely amazing!" Based in Marseille, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region, France 18th September 2026 Gabriella Photo of The Harold Zinno Jazz Orchestra The Harold Zinno Jazz Orchestra "Excellent sound, tight professional jazz & big band sound." Based in Middlebury, Connecticut, United States 19th September 2026 John Sieller - Verdi’s Concert tent

Want to see more reviews?

There are currently 421 reviews of Big Bands in our review centre and the average rating is 5/5.

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Frequently asked questions

Hiring big bands typically costs between $150 and $3,400+, with an average of $650. The biggest factor in pricing is the number of musicians, as big bands range from around ten players to full ensembles of twenty or more. Performance duration and whether the band includes featured vocalists also affect the cost.

Because of the number of musicians involved, big bands typically need a larger performance area than a standard band. A space of around 8 by 5 metres is common for a full line-up, though this varies. It is worth discussing staging requirements with the band to ensure the venue can accommodate them comfortably.

Hiring big bands is ideal for black-tie dinners, gala events, weddings, corporate parties and ballroom dances. The full, rich sound of a big band creates a sense of occasion and glamour, and is especially effective for events with a swing, jazz or vintage theme.

The big bands typically feature between 10 and 20 musicians, including a horn section (trumpets, trombones, saxophones), a rhythm section (drums, bass, piano, guitar) and one or more vocalists. Some big bands on Gig Heaven offer flexible line-ups to suit different venue sizes and budgets.

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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