About the Band

Swing Machine is an Ipswich-based big band recreating the sounds of the 30s, 40s and 50s. Our members, all enthusiasts of the genre, came together initially to rehearse and enjoy the music we love.  It became inevitable that we would be asked to perform publicly and, after the first ‘gig’, the word was out! Since those early days the band has gone from strength to strength, attracting quite a following along the way.

Swing Machine at the Ipswich Jazz Club

While the band’s repertoire is firmly rooted in the ‘Swing Era’, we do include modern arrangements in our programmes. Most dancing styles are covered, including Waltzes, various forms of Latin American music (Samba, Cha Cha, Rumba, Tango, Salsa etc.) and ‘Pop’.

Our forte, of course, is swing music and we take great delight in bringing to our audiences the music of Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Ted Heath, Woody Herman, Duke Ellington and Stan Kenton et al. We have two fine vocalists who perform both individually and as a duo, covering songs made famous by Frank Sinatra, Harry Connick Jr, Michael Bublé, Ella Fitzgerald and Bobby Darin etc. Also complimenting the band are some great soloists who add the ‘icing on the cake’ to the arrangements.

Swing Machine has played at a wide variety of functions and venues. We took part in BBC Radio Suffolk’s 2008 ‘Children in Need’ fundrasing event at the Spa Pavilion in Felixstowe. This followed an earlier performance in their annual Children in Need Christmas Concert, more details of which (including a listen again facility) can be found on BBC Suffolk’s website.

The band strongly supports various charities such as East Suffolk Heartbeat, Romanian Aid, Cancer Research, Save the Children Fund, St Elizabeth Hospice and ‘Children in Need’.

Swing Machine’s reputation is constantly growing. The band would greatly enhance functions such as weddings, anniversaries, 40s themed events, dinner dances and charity events. To ensure your event is exactly as you would wish, we can tailor our programme to your specific requirements.