Featured

Retro Swing Band

Palm Desert, CA

$600-$2000

Travels up to 30 miles

Get a free quick quote
Promotional video thumbnail 1 for Retro Swing Band

Benefit Gala

Promotional video thumbnail 2 for Retro Swing Band

Retro Themed Ballroom Dance Band

Promotional video thumbnail 3 for Retro Swing Band

1920s Combo

Promotional video thumbnail 4 for Retro Swing Band

Big Band Vocal Demo

Promotional video thumbnail 5 for Retro Swing Band

Octet Ballroom Dance 'Hello Dolly'

Promotional video thumbnail 6 for Retro Swing Band

Garden Party

Promotional video thumbnail 7 for Retro Swing Band

Octet 'Bill Bailey' Dixieland Swing

Promotional video thumbnail 8 for Retro Swing Band

NYE Sextet 'Just the Way You Look Tonight'

Promotional video thumbnail 9 for Retro Swing Band

1940s Benefit Dance

Promotional video thumbnail 10 for Retro Swing Band

Straight Ahead Jazz

Gallery photo 1 of Retro Swing Band
Gallery photo 2 of Retro Swing Band
Gallery photo 3 of Retro Swing Band
Gallery photo 4 of Retro Swing Band

1930s Benefit

Gallery photo 5 of Retro Swing Band

Great Gatsby Wedding

Gallery photo 6 of Retro Swing Band

Biltmore New Year's Eve

Gallery photo 7 of Retro Swing Band

Biltmore Millennium Lounge

Gallery photo 8 of Retro Swing Band

Biltmore Lounge

Gallery photo 9 of Retro Swing Band

Car Museum Duo

Gallery photo 10 of Retro Swing Band

Promo 2

Gallery photo 11 of Retro Swing Band
Gallery photo 12 of Retro Swing Band
Gallery photo 13 of Retro Swing Band
Gallery photo 14 of Retro Swing Band
Gallery photo 15 of Retro Swing Band
Gallery photo 16 of Retro Swing Band
Gallery photo 17 of Retro Swing Band
Gallery photo 18 of Retro Swing Band
Gallery photo 19 of Retro Swing Band
Gallery photo 20 of Retro Swing Band
Gallery photo 21 of Retro Swing Band
Gallery photo 22 of Retro Swing Band
Gallery photo 23 of Retro Swing Band
Gallery photo 24 of Retro Swing Band
Gallery photo 25 of Retro Swing Band

Overview

Retro Swing Band performs classic jazz, swing, and standards with a polished, dance-friendly sound. Featuring seasoned musicians and led by vocalist and ballroom dancer Liz Holmes, the band specializes in music that’s perfect for weddings, parties, and elegant events. From smooth cocktail jazz to upbeat swing for dancing, Retro Swing delivers timeless music and a professional experience every time.


Reviews

9 reviews

Small thumbnail image for reviewer Jason B.

Jason B.

November 12, 2015
Verified review

Exceptional

Retro Swing Band helped make our event successful. They were extremely quick to reply to all correspondence leading up to the event, were on time to set up for sound check and brought their own PA. They had no problem staying on our time line, and made everyone want to dance to their 1920s songs.

In between sets, we had arranged for a dance performance to be done on the house sound system with a sound file. The dance choreographer didn't want a live band to play during the performance, and thought the music file used for rehearsal would be safer. As soon as the dance performance started we had technical problems with the music file's sound level. It would have been a big disaster, but Retro Swing Band recognized the problem and began playing the song on their sound system, instantly fixing the problem. As the 2 minute dance performance was ending, our guests swarmed the dance floor. The event ended on a high note with most of our guests dancing and enjoying themselves. My organization would definitely want to hire Retro Swing Band again.

Hired as: 1920s Era Entertainment


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Jessica S.

Jessica S.

October 14, 2018
Verified review

Spectacular!

I hired Liz Holmes and The Retro Swing Band for a 20’s-themed birthday party and could not be more satisfied! They provided such a great atmosphere during the party, everyone loved them! The band played so well no matter what decade was requested (20’s-50’s) and Liz sang so beautifully. They were also very flexible and accommodating to our timeline, which was much appreciated. Liz was such a pleasure to work with from the moment I booked the band until the very end. She is great with communication and accommodations. She and the band truly went above and beyond by playing Happy Birthday during the cake cutting, by being very generous with the use of their speakers and mic, and by even allowing the use of Liz’s phone to play a custom-made 20’s-era playlist during their break times. Once again, thank you so much. It was a pleasure!

Hired as: 1920s Era Entertainment


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Joseph H.

Joseph H.

September 10, 2017
Verified review

Perfect match

I booked retro swing real last minute ,like two days before the event for a celebration of life party for my grandmother who passed on that lived in the depression and World War II era ,their music was a perfect match with the party. they also do Sinatra and other Era music

Hired as: 1930s Era Entertainment, 1940s Era Entertainment, 1950s Era Entertainment, Big Band, Swing Band


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Quincy K.

Quincy K.

July 10, 2017
Verified review

Amazing Musicians Wonderful People

Retro Swing Band recently played at our wedding and they were fantastic. Working with Liz was great! She was so organized and helpful. She worked with us to create a personal set list for the reception which included an original piece written for our grand entrance. We got so many compliments about the music! We were so happy to have them at our wedding.

Hired as: Big Band, Swing Band


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Cynthia A.

Cynthia A.

May 16, 2017
Verified review

Hands Down The Best Unique Ensemble Ever

Thank you so much for helping us work out an outstanding performance for our cocktail!! We want to thank Jan & your fronts for making our evening the best memorable performance for our wedding!! Our guest truly love the ambiance, and music played from the band! Once again, from the bottom of our heart and soul, Thank you Liz for all your great communication, and making our cocktail hour sound flawless!!

Sincerely,
Cynthia & Mario Hernandez

Hired as: 1920s Era Entertainment

Write a review

Booking information

Price range: $600-$2000

Languages: English

Gig length: 60 - 360 minutes

Insurance: $2,000,000 - Commercial general liability coverage ($1,000,000 occurance, $2,000,000 aggregate)

What to expect

The Retro Swing Band will be 100% tailored to your event needs. We will provide a sound system capable of handing the largest of ballrooms. You can select a full or partial tune list or leave that to us.

About

The Retro Swing Band brings the timeless sound of jazz, swing, and classic standards to life with style, energy, and polish. Specializing in music from the early 20th century through the golden age of swing, we create the perfect atmosphere for weddings, parties, festivals, dances, and special events.

With a flexible lineup of 2 to 8 professional musicians, we tailor every performance to your event — from elegant background music to lively, dance-floor-filling swing. We perform at an appropriate volume for conversation and always welcome special requests.

Led by vocalist and bandleader Liz Holmes, an experienced ballroom dancer, the band understands true dance tempos and rhythms. Whether your guests love foxtrot, waltz, tango, cha-cha, samba, rumba, or East and West Coast swing, the music feels just right for dancing.

Our musicians are seasoned performers from the Southern California jazz and big band scene, and our high-quality sound system ensures clear, beautiful sound for venues of any size.

✨ Perfect for:
• Weddings & Anniversaries
• Cocktail Hours & Receptions
• Private Parties & Galas
• Dances & Festivals
• Corporate & Community Events

If you’re looking for sophisticated, feel-good music that delights guests and elevates your event, Retro Swing Band delivers every time.

Additional booking notes

All we need is an electrical outlet.

Past booked events

October 2018

13

Saturday

Birthday Party

8:00pm - 11:00pm

Whittier, CA

September 2018

11

Tuesday

Funeral/Memorial Service

12:00pm - 1:00pm

Pasadena, CA

September 2017

09

Saturday

Dinner Party

5:30pm - 9:30pm

Long Beach, CA

June 2017

30

Friday

Wedding Reception

6:30pm - 12:00am (Sat)

Burbank, CA

May 2017

13

Saturday

Wedding Reception

6:00pm - 7:00pm

Long Beach, CA

January 2017

30

Monday

Dinner Party

6:00pm - 8:00pm

Long Beach, CA

September 2016

25

Sunday

Anniversary Party

3:00pm - 6:00pm

Redondo Beach, CA

17

Saturday

Birthday (Adult)

7:00pm - 11:00pm

Lakewood, CA

July 2016

23

Saturday

Birthday (Adult)

1:30pm - 3:00pm

Long Beach, CA

May 2016

15

Sunday

Surprise

5:00pm - 10:00pm

Los Angeles, CA

November 2015

07

Saturday

Nonprofit Event

6:00pm - 10:00pm

Torrance, CA

December 2014

04

Thursday

Holiday Party

6:00pm - 10:00pm

Costa Mesa, CA

Set list

We play ALL the standards and favorites from the 1920s through 1970s. Here are a few examples though we play virtually every song from the 1900s through 1960s.
1920s: Charleston, Varsity Rag, Baby Face, Oh Johnny, Jeepers Creepers, Sheik of Araby
1930s: Bye Bye Blackbird, Why Don't You Do Right, I Got it Bad, Ain't Misbehaving
1940s: Bie Mir Bist Du Schoen, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, White Cliffs of Dover, We'll Meet Again, Paper Moon, I'll Be Seeing You, Look for the Silver Lining, Tangerine, S'Wonderful
1950s: Rock Around the Clock, Teddy Bear, Music/Music/Music, Twisting the Night Away
1960s: Venus, What a Wonderful World, My Girl, Unchained Melody, Dream Lover, Crazy

Influences and inspiration

Big band singers of the 1940s, Rat Pack singers of the 1960s, 1950s rock, 1920s dance bands, Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw, Harry James, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble, Rosemary Clooney, Helen Forrest, Vera Lynn, Diana Krall, Julie London, June Christy, Chet Baker, Peggy Lee, Dinah Shore, Kay Starr, Patti Page, Patsy Cline, Anita O'Day, Bobby Darin, Frankie Avalon, Dean Martin

Setup requirements

Electricity