Bourbon Street Parade / Bill Bailey on a Brooklyn rooftop
A rotating ensemble of some of the most in-demand musicians in New York City. We're best known for playing 80s covers and New Orleans-style music with jazz instruments but we often veer into other eras and genres when clients request them. We can do current pop, R&B, rock-n-roll... even bluegrass and klezmer. You tell us how big of a group you want and which instruments you'd prefer and we'll try to assemble your dream band! There are about 10-12 musicians regularly playing with the Swayze Lift so there are lots of options: electric and acoustic guitar, upright or electric bass, saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, tuba, trombone, accordion, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, drums, and more!
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Write a reviewPrice range: $2000-$10,000
Insurance: $1,000,000 - Specialty Insurance standard performance policy
The Swayze Lift is a rotating ensemble of some of the most in-demand musicians in New York City known best for their performances of 80s covers with jazz instrumentation and for their lively versions of traditional New Orleans jazz tunes. There are 10-12 musicians who regularly play with the band in different configurations. Usually the band plays as a three- or four-piece. Clients can choose the size of the ensemble they'd like for their event as well as their preferences for particular musicians and instruments.
Note: members of the Swayze Lift are very busy with performances, recording sessions, touring, and other commitments and might not available for a particular date and time. We can say with confidence, though, that there has never been a dull version of the Swayze Lift nor a disappointed crowd! If you hire the Swayze Lift you're going to get a good show no matter who is there.
CURRENT' REGULAR MEMBERS
Lloyd H. Miller - band leader, vocals, guitar, bass
Founder of the cult family rock band the Deedle Deedle Dees, bassist for Chris Johnson and the Coney Island Players and many other NYC area bands, board-certified music therapist
Jeff Hudgins - tenor, alto, and soprano saxophones
Zach Swanson - upright bass
Sam Harmet - clarinet, mandolin, banjo, guitar, vocals
Erica Mancini - accordion, vocals
Stefan Zeniuk - tenor, alto, soprano, and bass saxophones
Steve La Rosa - guitar, keyboard, bass, vocals
Felipe Wurst - electric guitar
Sana Nagano - violin
Satoru Ohashi - trumpet
Joe Exley - tuba
For years, the Swayze Lift played weekly brunch gigs featuring their unique mix of 80s and old jazz tunes at Dirty French, a popular bistro located in the Ludlow Hotel in Manhattan. They still perform there for special events like New Year's Eve, Mardi Gras, and private parties.
The band also plays current pop, R&B, rock-n-roll, country, bluegrass, and klezmer when requested by clients.
We have a repertoire of at least 250 songs -- this is just a sampling. Below are some 80s covers we do followed by some trad jazz favorites.
80s covers
Just Like Heaven
Faith
Never Gonna Give You Up
I Wanna Dance With Somebody
Love Will Tear Us Apart
Karma Chameleon
Careless Whisper
Raspberry Beret
Against the Odds
Borderline
Never Let Me Down Again
Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Road to Nowhere
Blue Monday
early jazz / New Orleans music
Bourbon Street Parade
Bill Bailey
When You're Smiling
Five Foot Two
Iko Iko
Beale Street Blues
Bye Bye Blackbird
Lil' Liza Jane
Four or Five Times
Party Band