Glenn Crytzer has become one of the most well respected jazz band leaders in the U.S. today. His full big band, The Glenn Crytzer Orchestra, was named Best Jazz Group in New York in the 2017 NYC Jazz Awards. The GCO has appeared at New York's most prestigious venues and events including the Rainbow Room, the Plaza Hotel, Midsummer Nights Swing at Lincoln Center, the National Arts Club, the Players Club and many, many more!
The full 17 piece Orchestra, with both male and female singers, plays the music of the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. Glenn also offers smaller combos ranging from 3-8 musicians for events with limited space or budget.
11 reviews
Amir R.
May 25, 2011We had Glenn play a huge house party for us last spring. The band was fantastic and all the guests ha a great time dancing to their music. It made for a really wonderful and memorable night.
Hired as: Blues Band
Amy P.
May 16, 2011After seeing Glenn Crytzer and His Syncopators steal the show at several events, they were the first band I immediately thought of when planning my event. I knew without a doubt that they would provide not only a quality professional service, but a delightfully authentic jazz experience. Each guest agreed that the caliber of music was superior and all were thoroughly entertained. All the band members were professional and a delight to work with.
Glenn Crytzer and His Syncopators are the best jazz & swing band around and I cannot recommend them highly enough.
Hired as: 1920s Era Entertainment, 1930s Era Entertainment, Jazz Band, Party Band, Swing Band
Lilli A. C.
April 20, 2011This band rolls out the swing tunes with verve and play. They understand how to play for dancers and are favorite for good reason. I am hiring them again this year both because they will do a good job and are easy to work with but also because they will draw a crowd! I highly recommend them!
Hired as: 1930s Era Entertainment, 1940s Era Entertainment, Big Band, Dance Band, Swing Band
Carla B.
April 12, 2011It was a pleasure working with Glenn Crytzer and his Syncopators. I've never booked live music, so I was very thankful that Glenn has so much experience and could help me figure out what needed to be done. Everyone at the wedding commented on how fun and lively the band was. They played great music at the perfect tempo for lindy and east coast swing. They were also very flexible and for the number of musicians on the stage, they were a great bargain. You can tell these guys love to play and it shows! Hiring Glenn was a perfect choice for a remarkable, memorable day. Love them! Would recommend them to everyone.
Hired as: 1940s Era Entertainment, Big Band, Swing Band, Wedding Band
Dean P.
April 11, 2011Each year, I book bands for about 40 dance dates in the Seattle area, so I know of lot of regional dance bands and dance musicians. Of the dozens and dozens of bands wanting to play for us, I can tell you that Glenn Crytzer and his Syncopators is one of only three swing ensembles I will bring back again and again. Glenn's stable of musicians features the best dance players in town. His arrangements are tight, and dancers love the music as well as the way he builds his sets. Glenn is both nice to work with and a consummate professional (he also plays stellar guitar). He also is adaptable; he can change tempos and moods in the middle of a show to suit the needs of the room. In a world where a lot of musicians believe they know how to swing -- and many cannot -- Glenn and the musicians he brings to the stage stand out. Their music is as authentic as it is inspiring. I recommend them without reservation.
Hired as: Blues Band, Dance Band, Swing Band
Price range: $1000 and up
Languages: English
Gig length: 3 - 1000 minutes
The GCO can provide quiet dinner music with a trio or quartet or exciting music, depending on what you need for your event. Whether you want us to move people's feet at your party or wedding, make your dinner party a classier affair, draw people into your store or restaurant we can accommodate your needs wit the right sized ensemble.
With any sized ensemble you can expect to hear jazz played as it was performed before WW2 by some of today's foremost experts on the vintage style. If you're after authenticity for a speak easy party, New Orleans celebration, swing dance, or any other kind of event, we have your band!
The Glenn Crytzer Orchestra is an award-winning 17 piece big band specializing in the music of the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. In addition to the full big band the GCO offers smaller combos comprised of members of the full big band.
The GCO brings to life the music of this bygone age with stunning authenticity and in 2017 the GCO was named “Best Group in New York" by the NYC Jazz Awards. The band is an elite aggregation of some of the world’s most prominent vintage-jazz specialists. Their superlative musicianship and unbridled swing is fueled by each musician's genuine love for playing pre-war jazz, making every performance one to remember.
The GCO's repertoire includes the music of artists like Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, Jean Goldkette, Cole Porter, Bing Crosby, Harry James, Fletcher Henderson, Ella Fitzgerald, Fats Waller, George Gershwin, Billie Holiday, and many more. More than just a repertory orchestra, the band also continues to expand the repertoire by performing bandleader Glenn Crytzer's original 'vintage-style' compositions and arrangements.
The band has been featured at Lincoln Center, The Plaza Hotel, the Rainbow Room, the Glen Echo Ballroom, Kingsborough College, The Century Ballroom, The Montauk Club, the Fillmore Room, Kola House, and many more. Their most recent recording - "Ain’t It Grand?" - was released in 2018 on Blue Rhythm Records and their past recordings have been licensed for use in TV shows and films by Disney, ABC, WGN, the CBC, Blumhouse and many others because of their unbeatable authenticity!
Our groups designated as "premiere" groups (Savoy Seven, Syncopators) as well as our big band (Blue Rhythm Band) require an acoustic piano as they have special arrangements which include this instrument. We avoid substituting keyboard for piano as it not only takes away from the authenticity of the music but also, well keyboards just sound bad! If your venue doesn't have a piano we can either arrange a rental for you or bring a combo that doesn't include piano.
We've got thousands of tunes in our repertoire.
Benny Goodman, Fats Waller, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, King Oliver, Billie Holiday, John Kirby, Artie Shaw, Duke Ellington, Jimmie Lunceford, Ella Fitzgerald, Chick Webb, Fletcher Henderson, Louis Jordan, Louis Prima, Jimmie Rushing, King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton, Charlie Christian.
Swing Band
