As their name suggests, this band specialises in the gentler side of traditional, swing and mainstream jazz. The line-up of clarinet/saxophone, trumpet, guitar and bass, enables the band to play background music at a noise level which is sufficient to create a party atmosphere, but not so pervasive as to drown out conversation amongst the guests. As the instruments can all be played without amplification if necessary, the band can also be completely mobile, performing at different spots in a function venue, and weather permitting, out of doors too. With minimal amplification, the band can then step up a level and provide music for dancing, which can be enhanced with the optional addition of a drummer.

The band can also appear as The Rhythm Kings, a New Orleans style band with sousaphone and banjo.

Gentle Jazz’s repertoire covers all the classics of the ‘Jazz Age’ made famous by musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, Duke Ellington and Count Basie, along with some more modern numbers sung by Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and other great artists of the 50s and 60s.

Our quoted price is for the four-piece band, but the band can go up to five or six pieces by including drummer and trombone. They can also reduce down to a trio or duo. The band would expect to stay up to four hours at an engagement, during which time they would play for around three hours. A longer booking can also be arranged.

The members of Gentle Jazz are all highly experienced jazz musicians and the band have played at top venues in London and further afield, including Hilton hotels, Claridges, The Savoy, The Grosvenor House and The Dorchester. They have provided the entertainment at numerous weddings, parties and corporate functions and have had extended engagements as the house band at both London’s Cumberland Hotel and the Langham Hilton.