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Over the years, The Silver Ghosts have entertained guests at weddings cermonies in hotels, stately homes, marquees, museums, public gardens and private members clubs. The orchestra's high spirited dance-floor filling swing and classic romantic numbers from the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s make the ideal choice of wedding entertainment. Perfect for the discerning couple seeking glamorous ambience and high spirited splendour.
Don’t just take our word for it, see some of the glowing testimonials received from past clients.
Common questions
“Do you play music our guests will want to dance to?”
YES! Our speciality is upbeat, dancable swing music from the 1920s - 40s. The ensemeble is an ideal cross-generational entertainment option for your wedding. The mix in our repertoire always raises smiles and fills the dance floor with quirky obscurities as well as familiar classics of the period. Your guests will love the elegance, energy and novel entertainment of the 1930s swing band.
“What size band should I have for my wedding?”
By far the most popular line-up is the 7 piece swing dance orchestra - this line-up gets asked to perform again and again at places like The Albert Hall, The Blues Kitchen and St. Martin-in-the-Fields. That's because much of the repetoire has been arranged for the 7 performers to most authentically evoke the high spirited juke-joint and high class parties of the jazz age. The ensemble are also able to pare down to 5 or up to an 8 piece. The 7 piece comprises of vocals, double bass, drums, banjo', trumpet, clarinet and trombone.
Trombonist Jon
is
also
resident pianist
at Claridge's
“Can you play some live background music for when guests are arriving?”
A background piano player can be arranged as an addition to the performance. The outfit works with Jazz standard piano players that are resident at top London hotels like Claridge's and Simpsons-in-the-Strand. also resident pianist
at Claridge's
“What about the first dance?”
Our repertoire includes several numbers suitable for first dance; request a copy of our repertoire. 'I Wanna Be Like You' is a popular, crowd-pleasing choice that gets the party swingin'. Also favoured is the emotionally powerful classic 'At Last' with vocals performed adeptly by singer Lucy. If you have a particular song you would like as a first dance, an arrangement of it could be written and rehearsed for your day, provided it would be possible to do it justice with the line-up of instruments that would be performing.“I am having a Jewish wedding. Can you do music for the Horah?”
YES! The outfit has in its repertoire a 10 minute meddly of traditional Israeli folk dance songs designed for the Horah at Jewish ceremonies. The clarinet takes the lead through a highly energetic arrangement that includes Shalom Aleichem, Mazel Tov and of course Hava Nagila. It is always a joy to perform this at Jewish weddings and cermonies.
“Does the band have any lighting?”
A pin spot stage light directed at a table mounted 8" rotating mirrorball is a very simple but effective system that the outfit often employ. The classic ambience is in character with the period performance, and also has a modern dance floor flavour. It would be provided at no extra cost and may negate the expense of lighting hire elsewhere.
Our service Includes:
- Set up of PA equipment, mics and drum kit up to 4 hours in advance of 1st set start, to avoid disturbing your guests.*
- A PA for up to 200 people, mics, stands, mixer etc. All that is required is a couple of power points.
- Swing orchestra suited and booted in smart/glamorous period style atire, and if there is space, likely some swing dancing as part of the performance as well.
- But that's not all.. optional 1st class services (below).
What's required
- A couple of power points near where the outfit would be performing.
It is possible for some versions of the line-up to perform acoustically, depending on the venue. For instance, this may be necessary if you would like the outfit to perform at your ceremony.
- Parking arrangements for 2-3 cars depending on line-up
- If possible, it is normally a good idea to have a space or room where the performers can stay out of view of your guests when not performing.
- If you plan on organizing catering, the performers would be very grateful for organizing rations+refreshments for them. (Meals are tricky for jobbing performers, help is always much appreciated!)
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Additional First Class Services
If you are looking for more features for your function or additional wedding entertainment ideas, the following services can also be arranged as part of the entertainment package.
Swing Dance Class
Swing dance class before the live performance from a professional swing dance teacher. Dance learners 'rotate' partners during the class, so everyone is introduced to many people very quickly. It's a great way to break the ice at your wedding function, your guests will love it!
Piano player
Background music while your guests arrive.
Party DJs
(from laptop), after the live act would mix from vintage 1920s-40s swing seamlessly through electro swing (whats that?), to contemporary party music.'Vintage DJs'
Collectors and professional DJs of original antique swing dance 78s using period equipment modified for twin deck mixing and modern speakers.
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