Big Bands for hire near me

Hire a big band for rich harmonies, swinging horns, and dance floor classics. Find big bands for hire near you, with profiles, pricing, and FAQs to help you book with confidence.

Where do you need a Big Band?

FAQ about hiring a Big Band

On average, a professional big band costs between $800-$2400. The size of the band will determine much of the price. Additional factors like performance length and travel costs will also impact how much you pay.

Typically, a big band will perform for two hours. Many bands can also adjust their length of performance to your needs and desires. Remember that musicians usually take a short break of five to ten minutes every hour, so plan accordingly to fill in the gaps with additional entertainment like an emcee or a DJ.

A big band, sometimes called a jazz orchestra, is a large group of 12 to 25 members with brass, woodwind, and rhythm sections. Communicate the stage size of the venue with the band before booking to ensure you can accommodate the band and their equipment.

Big bands offer a large repertoire of music and can usually take requests as long as you give them enough advance notice. Jazz ensembles of this size may want to rehearse a particular requested song to ensure a polished performance.

Big band music would be a hit at all types of events. The timeless style of music makes them great wedding bands or dance bands, but they can also complete a formal occasion like a gala or create a fun atmosphere at a corporate event or holiday party.

Big bands will usually provide all of their own equipment, but they may be interested in using speakers or other audio equipment provided by a venue. Make sure you communicate with your venue and the band before the event date so the performance goes smoothly.

We highly recommend booking entertainment as soon as possible so you find exactly what you want. Because they have so many band members, scheduling can be trickier for big bands, so you want to start your search many months before the event.

Remember that if you make special song requests, you also want to give the band plenty of time to learn the songs and arrive prepared.

Since big bands have 12-25 members, they require a large space. The space needed will vary depending on the specific jazz band’s instrumentation. Communicate your venue information in advance to the band, or plan your venue around the band to guarantee they have the necessary space to perform.

Big Bands around Washington, DC

Featured

Louis Pettinelli Entertainment

4.92 (68)
Top Performer
243 Verified bookings

  • Washington, DC
  • Jazz Band / Big Band
  • $300 dollars and up

Nadia H. said “The Jazz Duo was amazing, our guests loved the entertainment. They were a classy addition to our event ”
Featured

The "Original" Moonlighters®

4.88 (39)
1 Verified booking

  • Washington, DC
  • Motown Group / Big Band
  • Contact for rates

Graham H. said “The Moonlighters are true professionals, and put on the best show that we could have hoped for our wedding . We really appreciate them so much. Everyone had a blast, and we’ve received so many... ”
Featured

The Creswell Club

5.0 (31)
Top Performer
41 Verified bookings

  • Washington, DC
  • Jazz Band / Big Band
  • $1,200 and up

Alexa said “Dan & Creswell club we’re absolutely amazing! Due to Covid, plans had to be altered many times and they were all so accommodating and went with it! We received so many compliments from our guests as... ”
Featured

Night & Day Jazz Ensemble

4.87 (13)
22 Verified bookings

  • Silver Spring, MD
  • Jazz Band / Big Band
  • Contact for rates

Diana P. said “Awesome background and dancing music! Solid ensemble and very professional. ”
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Big Bands for hire across the U.S. and Canada:

United States

Canada

Why book Big Bands

Booking a big band for your event will create an atmosphere of sophistication and excitement. The infectious rhythms of jazz and swing music are guaranteed to draw your guests to the dance floor. Whether you’re planning a wedding, corporate event, or fundraiser, these talented performers will elevate the experience with timeless music. Choose your location to find a local big band for your special event!

When hiring a big band, take the time to browse profiles, listen to audio, and watch videos to see their performances in action. Then read reviews from past clients to see what it would be like to work with them. Once you find the perfect group, get a contract or booking agreement and make sure all the details are covered. When you book on GigSalad, your payment is processed securely through the site and is protected by our Worry-Free Guarantee.

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Big Band pricing

The best way to get accurate pricing is to request free, personalized quotes from Big Bands near you.

To give you a ballpark, we’ve used past GigSalad quotes to get average nationwide pricing for hiring a Big Band.

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