Big Bands for Hire

Discover 223 big bands ready to bring the authentic swing sound to your wedding, corporate event or special celebration. With 416 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 $700 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 416 reviews of Big Bands
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7-9piece giving you Amy winehouse inna reggae stylee

United Kingdom

Sutton Coldfield, England

(1)

Book from £1000 (GBP)

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Marty Clarke Swing, Soul, Rock N Roll and Pop vocalist

United Kingdom

Barton upon Humber, England

(2)

Book from £200 (GBP)

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1920's Gatsby band

United Kingdom

Bristol, England

(46)

Book from £475 (GBP)

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Professional sax player living in Bristol. I gig, record and teach, dep, jam...

United Kingdom

Bristol, England

(2)

Book from £175 (GBP)

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Postmodern Jukebox style 1920's band

United Kingdom

Bristol, England

No reviews yet

Book from £1995 (GBP)

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Funk Soul Motown Disco Pop 8, 9, 10pc + Lighting/sound engineer inc. DJ service.

United Kingdom

Warwick, England

(5)

Book from £2300 (GBP)

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Jazz band, perfect for weddings, corporate events and other engagements.

United Kingdom

Royal Leamington Spa, England

(10)

Book from £500 (GBP)

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10 piece party band, male and female vocals with 4 piece horn section

United Kingdom

Leicester, England

(2)

Book from £1750 (GBP)

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Eclectic, theatrical, Get everyone on the dance-floor.

United Kingdom

Cirencester, England

(1)

Book from £2250 (GBP)

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Luxury Wedding/Party Band With Full Stage, Lighting Rig and Red Grand Piano!

United Kingdom

Chippenham, England

No reviews yet

Book from £1500 (GBP)

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

United Kingdom

Oxford, England

(23) Replies in ~1 hr

Book from £300 (GBP)

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Passion, skill, and a singers best friend. Rock solid time.

United Kingdom

Winchester, England

No reviews yet

Book from £130 (GBP)

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6/7 Piece Big band with a Big sound, Playing all the Hits But not the usual ones

United Kingdom

Stevenage, England

(1)

Book from £400 (GBP)

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16-piece jazz orchestra - the music of Duke Ellington

United Kingdom

Cambridge, England

(1)

Book from £1700 (GBP)

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Leading live-band of the world From 6 members upto 50 members on stage

United Kingdom

Wembley, England

No reviews yet

Book from £11000 (GBP)

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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 $3,500+ for full orchestras with 20+ musicians, with most bookings averaging $700. 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
$150
(USD)
$$ Average Price
from
$700
(USD)
$$$ High Price
from
$3,500
(USD)
The average price for Big Bands is $700 (USD). Above you will also find a budget price and high end price. Contact the supplier you like for an accurate quote.

Frequently asked questions


Hiring big bands typically costs between $150 and $3,500+, with an average of $700. 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.

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.

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.

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% deposit to confirm the booking, with the balance payable directly to the supplier by the due date you've agreed on.

Please browse our help and support section, or if you can't find what you need you can get in touch.

Frequently asked questions about Big Bands, how to join and how results are ordered are in the help & FAQs.