Swing Bands for Hire in California

"The Lewis Barfoot Jazz Quintet delivers amazing performances. The ensemble demonstrated a deep understanding of both the jazz and swing tradition and the soul of live interpretation, balancing technical precision with an inviting sense of spontaneity. Lewis's leadership was evident throughout, with singing that was confident yet understated, allowing space for all the musician voices to shine.There was an unmistakable sense of enjoyment and mutual respect on stage, which translated directly to the audience. Dynamic contrasts were handled with care, and solos were expressive without ever feeling self-indulgent. Particularly impressive was their attention to providing music that truly worked for dancers. Tempos, dynamics, and phrasing were handled with care, ensuring the music was not only enjoyable to listen to but also perfectly suited to the dance floor. Beyond the performance itself, the professional approach stood out throughout the entire process. Communication was clear and reliable from the initial booking through to the end of the event, making the experience smooth and stress-free. Overall, the Lewis Barfoot Jazz Quintet combined high-quality musicianship with professionalism and thoughtful consideration for their audience, resulting in a thoroughly successful event."

"Pía es un auténtico ciclón sobre el escenario. Aparte de su excelencia vocal e instrumental de los músicos que le acompañan, así como lo acertado del repertorio, tiene la capacidad de conectar con el público desde el mismo comienzo de su actuación, y provocar las más variadas emociones. Una presencia poderosa, una tremenda capacidad como actriz y su gran profesionalidad hacen que contar con ella sea un acierto seguro en tu evento, en cualquiera de los formatos que ofrece."

"Amazing Jazz Trio We had the pleasure of having Black Thursday play at our company party and we couldn't be happier. So many of our guests commented on how much they enjoyed the ambiance they created with their skill and thoughtful selection of both classics and modern jazz. Our Founder / CEO even asked them to play an additional 3 hours! And I personally enjoyed working with them. They are professional, communicative and easy to work with. Thank you for agreeing to play even longer to make our event more lively and elegant! You were a highlight of our party."

"Wonderful We certainly couldn’t have chosen a better band for our wedding. Both the cocktail reception and the party were a real success! It was exactly what we wanted! They’re brilliant! Thank you so much for making our wedding a magical and fun day!! Thank you, David, for your warmth and good vibes!!!"

"Bertram & Kadi truly tied our tranquil cottage wedding together. Their music created exactly the atmosphere we had hoped for - sweet, playful, and effortlessly elegant. We loved working with them beforehand to put together a setlist of our favourite jazz standards, and they even learned a song without sheet music online so we could listen to our special song on our special day. We couldn't have asked for a more wonderful duo."

"The Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Museum of Contemporary Art have used free outdoor jazz programs to draw the public to their facilities, but representatives of the museums say that this summer sparked a banner year in terms of attendance. “It was incredible,” said Dorrance Stalvey, director of music programs at LACMA. “We had upward of 2,000 people at some shows.” The museum--in its fourth year of offering jazz on a weekly basis-presented such artists as Horace Tapscott, Dr. Art Davis and Cecilia Coleman at its Friday evening shows, and big bands led by Bill Berry, Gerald Wilson and Bill Holman on Sunday afternoon programs. “This program was by far the most successful we’ve had,” said Dawn Setzer, spokesperson for MOCA. “We averaged about 1,500 people a show,” a figure up considerably from previous years’ events. Setzer said the primary reason for the increased turnout was the high-profile strictly-jazz lineup, presented on 11 consecutive Thursdays, that included Charles McPherson, Billy Higgins and Teddy Edwards. LACMA continues its Friday evening shows throughout the year, currently spotlighting a retrospective of bands that have played there, plus new acts. ‘Trane Time: The annual John Coltrane Festival takes place tonight at 8 at the World Stage, 4344 Degnan Blvd. in Leimert Park. On tap will be Ravi Coltrane, Dr. Art Davis’ estimable quintet with Doug Webb and Phil Vieux, and others. Information: (213) 293-2451. Davis will also appear at a benefit for Better Advantages for Students and Society (BASS), which awards a scholarship in his name. The event takes place on Sunday, 4 to 7 P.M., at Diva, 600 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa."