[ The VCO Big Band ]
This wonderful band is based in the town of Crewe, Cheshire and rehearse there fortnightly in the Crosville Club. Originally formed in 1982 and known as "The Versatile Concert Orchestra", the newer title of "VCO Big Band" is now used, but the versatility is still very evident in the Band's repertoire. There are both male and female members in the Band, with the usual line-up being of at least, 5 saxophones, 4 trombones, 4 trumpets and 4 rhythm and percussion. Enthusiasm and ability over-ride other considerations and result in a wide age-range amongst the instrumentalists, ranging from 20's to 70's. Regular vocalists are Gail Simpson, who sings ballads from current hits, as well as standard favourites, and Paul Quinton, who favours Sinatra type numbers. The majority of the VCO Big Band's performances take place within the counties of Cheshire and Staffordshire, although requests for further afield can always be considered. The engagement list is very varied, with concerts and dances catered for, varying from school, church and civic halls to theatres, hotels and clubs. Private functions are included, as well as formal civic events and charity fund raisers, with several thousands of pounds having now been raised. If you would like to book the Band or find out where you can see them,
Contacts:
eMail:    segreen@vcobigband.fsnet.co.uk   Susan Walker
eMail:    ghuntington@onetel.com   Glenys Huntington
eMail:    jagsband@ntlworld.com   Geoff Seals
Web URL:    http://www.vcobigband.com/

   [ The Mike Vax Big Band ] Homebased in Oakland, California, this fine orchestra features Alumni of the Kenton band from the late 1940's to the very last band in 1978. And, if you know how great the Stan Kenton band sounded, then you know just how wonderful this band sounds. They bring excitement to any function. Check out their two-volume video from a live performance at the Morningside College Jazz Festival in 1995, and see for yourself. In addition to touring Nationally, this great orchestra is kept quite busy playing for parties, concerts, and other events throughout their home Northern California, Arizona, Nevada area. To make your event special, contact them today.
Contact: Mike Vax Music Productions, PO Box 8337, Pittsburg, CA 94565
Tel: 925-427-6666
eMail:    Vaxtrpts@aol.com

   [ The Highlight Jazz Orch. ]
This great "Dutch" orchestra is founded by bass-trombonist Rene Laanen. Rene's experience includes 10 years with both Radio-Berlin and Johannesburg (South Africa) orchestras, as well as 5 years with the Shirley Bassey orchestra. The band's repertoire includes songs and arrangements by such Dutch musicians as Jerry van Rooyen; Rob Pronk; Frans Elsen; Jan Wessels, and leader van Velsen, along with other noted musicians such as Bill Holman and Peter Herbolzheimer. Much more information, and the band's touring schedule, may be found on their website.
Contacts:
eMail:    rene@laanen.demon.nl   Rene Laanen
Web URL:    http://www.trombone-usa.com/homepage.htm
Web URL:    http://www.jazzmasters.nl/laanen.html

   [ Paul Vesco Orch. ]
The band also performs for themed events under the names of
"Johnny Cool and the Mobster Swing Band"
"The Karakter Show Band"
"OLAS", (Orlando Latin All Stars).
The Paul Vesco Orchestra performs for corporate and private events throughout the US (and beyond). Parties, award shows, weddings and concert appearances, often backing up name artists. Paul was once the bandleader and contractor for the Sands Casino, the Trump Castle Casino and the Trump Taj Mahal Casinos (all located in Atlantic City). His experience is vast and the repertoire of the band is second to none.

Paul has arranged, conducted and performed with many headliners, and has that unique ability to direct corporate and social functions successfully. A show, customized to fit your event and budget, can be presented with seven to eighteen musicians and vocalists (or more). The group can utilize interactive dancers to motivate your guests into having the time of their lives. In addition, the band can do custom show presentations written specifically around your company or product. The show can be the center of a multi-media presentation using state of the art lighting and lasers. And, the band's repertoire includes adult contemporary dance, authentic Latin music, country, novelty songs and big band music from the 1940's. There's so much more to tell; why not contact Paul Vesco now.
Area: East Coast
Contacts:
Paul Vesco
Tel:    407-682-6297
eMail:    paulvesco@paulvesco.com   Paul Vesco
WebURL:    http://www.paulvesco.com

   [ The Maniacs (The Volares) ]
The Maniacs: Jeugdbigband uit Kortenberg - we spelen jazz, blues, disco, rock en soul.
Een jeugdbigband vol ambitie. We spelen voor u, op om het even welke gelegenheid.
This fine band's very popular jazz-music style can really help to make any function, -corporate, civic, concert, dance, or just a great private Gala, a real success. For more information:
Contact: Stef Ryckmans; Oudstrijderslaan 36; 3070 Kortenberg; Belgium
eMail:    maniacs@ryc.be
WebURL:    http://www.maniacs.be

   [ The Merchants of Venus ]
Formed in 1994, based in the Austin/Brownsville area, they were originally called a lounge band. Today they are called a swing band, but, whatever the flavor of the month, they are a truly classic pop band, - writing original songs and bringing joy to many a heart and dancefloor. Playing big band, swing, Latin, jazz standards, and originals like a Vegas showband, this seven piece group pushes the boundaries of traditional, popular dance music. They play classic music in a new style and they play original music in a way that leaves the crowd wondering which is which. 'Merchants of Venus' are about dancing; about fun; about twirling until you're dizzy and soaked with sweat. But don't take our word for it, just look as some of their rave reviews:
The San Antonio Express News said:
".... Austin band that really knows how to swing, swing, swing."
Texas Monthly said:
"Singer George Brainard's voice is deep and cheeky and has the right sound for the music."
Any Swing Goes Magazine, San Diego, said:
"The band really shines on their own material. The band flow(s) flawlessly between soloist and back to the main motif without missing a beat."
Whatever your special function, - private party, wedding, or a Civic or Corporate event, this group will add that sparkle making it a memorable success.
For much more information:
email:    geobrain@texas.net    George Brainerd
Booking: Please call Merrideth Jiles at (512)323-9125. Leave your Name, Phone Number, Date and Place of Engagement, and when to call back. All inquiries will be answered A.S.A.P.

   [ The Vintage Jazzmen ]
Based in the Paris area, this band is, according to critics and musicians, one of the finest in the NEW ORLEANS style of music. Purity of style, feeling for blues and gospel music, that's what makes their difference. They play fine collectives, from the softest to the hottest and their solos are full of sincerity, emotion, spontaneity, creativity and swing. They toured Louisiana and France and recorded 2 CDs with Reverend Garrett and Brian Lewis which are considered as the most authentic N.O. music recorded in France. This is raw Jazz! Their third CD will appear beginning of 1999. For more information,
Contact-Adress direct:
Dan Vernhettes
45, rue Roger Buessard
94200 Ivry-sur-Seine, France
Tel:    33 146 70 86 04
eMail:    wolframjacob@web.de    Wolfram M. Jacob
WebURL:    http://www.wolframjacob.de

   [ Vanguard Aces ]
Following blockbuster performances at such venues as, The House of Blues, The Metro, Ravinia, and The Chicago Symphony Center, the members of the jump blues band, The Big Swing, have re-formed as The Vanguard Aces. The band will continue to play regularly scheduled shows at The Green Mill, and Liquid nightclubs.
The group is committed to continuing their reputation for hard-driving jump blues and swing music. Recently noted by Lloyd Sachs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, for "their instrumental prowess," and by Tom Lawler, of Swing Time Magazine, as "Chicago's most popular swing band," the band is devoted to musical integrity, and the desire for authenticity to roots music.
The band is ready to embark on a tour of Europe this fall (1998), and hopes for a CD release later this year. The Vanguard Aces will play every Tuesday at The Green Mill, 4802 North Broadway, Chicago, IL, Tel. 773-878-5552, and every Thursday at Liquid, 1997 North Clybourn, Chicago, IL,
Tel.: 73-528-3400
For booking information contact: Dan Peters
Tel:     773-645-3440
Pager:    312-514-9720
or Paul Mundy at    847-475-5122
email:    slide@interaccess.com
WebURL:    http://www.vanguardaces.com

   [ Victory Jazz Orch. ]
The Victory Jazz Orchestra, started in 1996, plays in and around the Atlanta, Ga. area. It is comprised of professional musicians and non-professionals all involved in Ministry. The group plays for dance dates and private parties but specializes in Gospel Big Band presentations. Please visit our website shown below
eMail:    DShackel@HIS-Symphony.org
WebURL:    http://www.his-symphony.org

   [ The Velvetones ]
Leader Bill Case originally formed the band back in the 1950's, while he was still with the U.S. Air Force, serving in Japan. And this wonderful orchestra has been going and growing ever since - thrilling more and more folks with every passing year. They have built up a huge following of loyal fans, and while the band is still based in Clovis, New Mexico, they do tour the greater area. The band's normal instrumentation consists of 4 saxes, two trombones, three trumpets, keyboard, guitar, bass guitar, drums, and vocalist(s). Jeff Jacobs does a great job with a ballad, while trombonist Michael Needham will also take a turn on vocals. But for those occasions not requiring the full band, a smaller "band-within-a-band" is available. And, the repertoire includes everything from the Swing Standards to the Newest Millenium Hits. Why not contact Bill Case today. Whatever your function -civic, corporate, or private, Bill's wide experience and musical talent absolutely assures that your special function, will be an exciting, memorable event.
Contacts:
Bill Case
1313 East 21st
Clovis, NM 88101
Tel:    505-762-9225
eMail:    kd5xb@amsat.org    Earl Needham

   [ Mount Vernon Swing Band ]
While this great band performs primarily in the Alexandria area, they often do venture "abroad" into Maryland, the District of Columbia, and other places in Northern Virginia. The Mount Vernon Swing Band was formed in 1977 by Mr. Frank Worden, a former Navy bandsman, to entertain in Northern Virginia retirement homes and senior centers. The band has grown since then and expanded the number and types of venues where it entertains. Local charity balls, social, fraternal and civic fundraisers, and volunteer recognition events now round out the band's public service activities. The band also performs for private functions, most recently being the featured entertainment at the Fort Myre (VA) Officers' Club New Years Eve dinner/dance. The Mount Vernon Swing Band is a typical big band with 17 instrumentalists and a vocalist. For much more information, please contact:
Owen Hammett
6769 Blanche Drive
Lorton, VA 22079
eMail:    MVSwingband@cox.net    Owen Hammett
WebURL:    http://www.listen.to/mvbands

   [ Good Vibrations Music ]
"Good Vibrations Music - Los Angeles Wedding Band" is a wonderful group (that currently books approximately 50 performances per year). Though home-based in Los Angeles, CA, they do tour a very wide area when their schedule permits. It's Live musical entertainment at it's very finest. Specializing in weddings, corporate events, and other private parties. Quality professional entertainment serving Southern California since 1976. For more information, please contact Mr. Michael Cohn, Musical Director at:
Tel:    310-822-6910
eMail:    info@goodvibrationsmusic.com
WebURL:    http://www.goodvibrationsmusic.com

   [ Page Howell and the Velvetones ]
Homebased in Greensboro, but touring a very wide area, This is one great 16 piece Dance band dedicated to offering the best in nostalgic music. The Velvetones play a wide variety of music including the wonderful Swing and Big Band Era hits, waltzes, and latin tunes. They also play some of the best "Top Forty" hits.
For booking and more information:
eMail:    cphowell@uncg.edu   Page Howell
Tel:     (336) 389-9287
WebURL:    http://www.uncg.edu/~cphowell/velvetones.html

   [ The Victory Swing Band ]
Originally formed in May 2000 with a WWII / Swing Era motif for the purpose of supporting fund-raising activities for the National WWII Monument in Washington, D.C., the band has retained the name, and is now available to provide entertainment to the public based on, but not entirely limited to, the Swing/Big Band Era of 1936-1950. The musicians, all from the Greater Portland, ME area, are drawn together by their love of "Big Band" music, -and for the purpose of preserving and promoting the genre among musicians and listeners alike. The members of the band include full and part time music professionals, and talented students interested in playing in a big band setting. Their repertoire includes not only the great hits of the Big Bands era, but many of today's Neo-Swing tunes, and Jazz -tinged arrangements with room for the soloists to display their talents. They have taken pains to include many tunes suitable for dancing or for listening by swing dancers and enthusiasts. Of course, their performances are tailored to the type of audience expected. Rates are variable, depending on the length of performance and number of musicians available. At present, the band is available for weekends and evening performances.
For much more information contact:
Roger Beverage, 57 Hillcrest Ave., Yarmouth, Maine 04096
Tel:     (207) 846-9616
eMail:     Victoryswing@hotmail.com
WebURL:    http://www.geocities.com/victoryswing/index.html?1019965749400

   [ The Randy Van Horne Alumni Association ]
Homebased in the Los Angeles area, and widely touring, this wonderful 17 Piece Big Band was carefully selected by conductor, Randy Van Horne, and partner George Kenney. Their choices all possess the exquisite musical taste, virtuoso technique and thundering power that thrilled and dazzled listeners in the 1930s, '40s and '50s. Members are veterans of dozens of name bands and recording studios, who never lost their magic touch over the years, instead they mastered and perfected their musical talents through decades of experience. Each member has worked with the true giants from the "Rat Pack" to almost every major artist of the Swing era. The band also features two solid vocalists Nancy Osborne and Ned Rifken. The result of uniting these musicians is hearing the music of Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Woody Herman, Billy May, Count Basie, Sauter-Finnergan and many others with the stunning attention to musical details and the precise phrasing that marked the individual band styles. These performers know, because they were there. The biggest and best, they're ready to make your event one your guests will never forget!
Contacts:
Randy Van Horn, Owner & Leader
eMail: ranotes@earthlink.net
Jack Lloyd
Tel:    (818) 343-7243
eMail:    jackblloyd@earthlink.net
WebURL:    http://www.alumniband.homestead.com

   [ Scott Wenzel and the Reddy Valentino Orchestra ]
The Reddy Valentino Orchestra is a 16 piece band that was formed back in the mid 1980s by Frank Casale (aka Reddy Valentino). When Frank no longer was able to lead the band, they were led by trumpeter Paul Pugliese who had spent time in the Jimmy Dorsey and Ralph Flanagan bands and was a well known studio musician and teacher for many years in and around Westchester County, NY.

Currently led by record producer Scott Wenzel (whose reissues for the Mosaic have garnered Grammy Award nominations during the past few years), have played many functions including weddings and private parties as well as dances at Glen Island Casino and Westchester Country Club. The band includes such musicians as trombonists Wynn Walshe (long time member of Lew Anderson's band) and Milt Kabak (with Stan Kenton and Louis Prima during the '40s), the much in demand tenor saxist Steve Cristos and trumpeter Tony Sabia.
Contacts:
Scott Wenzel
eMail:    scott@mosaicrecords.com   Scott

   [ Craig Ventresco and Meredith Axelrod ]
Craig Ventresco is a virtuoso string musician, whose guitar playing was prominently featured on the sound tracks to two major motion pictures; "Crumb," and "Ghost World." He has performed in countless venues accross the United States, including the JVC Jazz Festival in New York City, the Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival, and the L.A. Sweet & Hot Classic Jazz Festival. He currently has releases in the Origin Jazz Library, Rhycodisc, Shanachie, and Stompoff catalogues. He has a repertoire of over 1,000 popular, comedy, ragtime, jazz, blues, and vaudeville tunes written between 1890 and 1940. His knowledge of music from this era is encyclopedic in scope. He is considered one of the best accoustic guitar players in any category. His current act features vocalist/guitarist Meredith Axelrod.
Contacts:
Craig Ventresco
Tel:    917 545 7384
eMail:    craigventresco@gmail.com   Craig

   [ Zera Vaughan Orch. ]
Zera Vaughan's band offers all the style of music you would love to hear to make your party or your event a success:

The music's Zera offers, goes from jazz and nice oldies classics to salsa and bossa, to rock, pop-rock, disco, ethnic sounds, and world music (including greek and middle eastern.)

Seven musicians on stage will make your evening a memorable moment!

A nice set of jazz will start your evening, then according to the style of your event we'll play some easy listening pop. As soon as the party peaks up, we will take you to the dance floor playing every genre. You 'll have the time of your life with some disco, funk and rock!

All our members are achieved musicians and have a degree in musicology. As for singer, Zera Vaughan, she is featured in several album and recently was a guest on "oriental escapade 2", one of the best-selling world music album in the united states and Europe.
Contaacts:
Zera Vaughan
Tel:    310 779 62 50
Fax:    425 871 74 95
eMail:    zeravaughan@yahoo.com   Zera
WebURL:    http://WWW.ZERAVAUGHAN.COM

   [ Holotradband ]
Holotradband is a high-energy hot jazz band from Seattle, Washington. The band's influences and repertoire are drawn from Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Fats Waller, Duke Ellington, Bix Beiderbeck, Sidney Bechet, Clarence and Spencer Williams and a legion of other talented composers and performers from the Golden Age of early American jazz.

With respect to the originators of their art form, Holotradband makes no attempt to recreate the old recordings. Modern tastes, technique, and perspective guide this group to its own identifiable voice.

Audio samples available at http://www.holotradband.com
Area: Seattle, WA, USA
Contacts:
Dave Holo
eMail:    dave@holotradband.com
WebURL:    http://www.holotradband.com