The SwingTones is a big band in the true sense consisting of up to 16 musicians with full trumpet, saxophone and trombone sections as well as the usual rhythm group. We can also provide a vocalist for those popular vocal arrangements made famous by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, Bobby Darin and Harry Connick Jnr. etc. Our repertoire includes all the well known Glenn Miller numbers in addition to music from the libraries of Duke Ellington, Tommy Dorsey and many other names from the big band era.
Big Band Swing is coming back into fashion after many years in the wilderness. It's particularly pleasing to find so many young people developing an interest in listening to the music of the 1940's and 1950's. Whilst logistically difficult to put together and maintain, there is just nothing like a big band for both listening pleasure and sheer visual excitement. The staff complement of the SwingTones is made up of musicians with many years of playing experience and for us the pleasure is in being a part of the Swing revival.
Although Johannesburg based, the band is available to travel to out of town venues. It is fully equipped with music stands, amplification, lighting, and all the necessary cabling. Normal dress for the band is dinner suits but we do also play for the less formal functions where a dinner suit would be out of place. For those events the band uniform is white long sleeved lounge shirts (with a SwingTones Logo) and black trousers. The band plays at Dances, Parties, Weddings, Charity Balls, Dinners, Corporate Functions, Product Launches, Award Ceremonies, private parties etc.