Frank Hsieh, Director
617.272.5730

director @ beantownswing.com

The Beantown Swing Orchestra specializes in performing at weddings, galas, dinner/dances, fundraisers, concerts, and other events where it's important that everyone gets on the dance floor. That's right, and that means all generations, including seniors, who grew up with this music and love it; twentysomethings, who love our music's energy and drive and can relate easily to our band members; kids and teens, who love all the different instruments and the great sounds they produce; and everyone in between. Whether your guests swing dance or not, we will get them on their feet. Even in auditoriums where people are supposed to be seated, you will see them dancing in the aisles.

No venue or party is too large or too small for us. For example, we have performed at a birthday party in a small barn for 25 people as well as an outdoor concert in front of 2000.

If you are interested in booking the band or have any questions, or if you would like to receive a demo CD, please contact the Director at the number and e-mail address above.

Do you play any music besides swing?

We do, but we prefer not to except at weddings which are typically longer than other types of events. There are plenty of other bands out there that can play a little bit of everything (and are masters of none). We prefer to specialize in one genre of music and be the best we can be at performing it. That in itself is a challenging enough task, since swing was influenced by many different styles of music and these are evident in many of the classic recordings from the Swing Era. For example, in swing music you can often hear boogie woogie, waltz, foxtrot, jungle beat, klezmer, and ballads, to name a few. Also, a lot of music beyond the Swing Era is considered swing, such as most Sinatra, many showtunes, and some R&B (such as Ray Charles). No genre of music is as varied as swing, and you will never get bored listening to it!

Why is your band so large?

Eighteen pieces was the standard for bands during the Swing Era, particularly in the early 1940s. That is the only way to achieve the true "big band" sound. Smaller bands that claim to perform big band or swing music are no match for us in terms of authenticity, musicianship, and class.

Can you break down into a smaller band?

We are not able to reduce the size of our band because it would require reharmonizing all of our music, and in any case we would not be able to achieve the big band sound that sets us apart from most other bands. We have performed successfully at parties with as few as 30 guests in a relatively small room, and size has never a problem for us.

How much area do you need for your setup?

We can comfortably fit into an area of 24'x16', although 20'x15' is also doable if space is tight. We can set up right on the floor if risers or a stage are unavailable.

Do you provide sound and lighting?

For indoor events and outdoor tented events, we will provide our own sound system at no charge. For open air concerts, we usually contract the sound out to All Tech Sound, since they are one of the few companies that knows how to properly mic a full big band. For lighting, we will use what is provided at the venue, or for an additional fee we can provide our own colored lighting, which will add depth to the stage and help create the mood. Our wash and spot lights are LEDs that can be programmed to emit millions of different colors and changed in an instant with the click of a button, enabling us to create an exciting "show" whose visual aspect matches in quality and intensity with the music.

Do you require a deposit?

Yes, we usually need a 20% deposit to hold the date, as well as a simple contract which we can provide.

Do you carry insurance?

Yes, unlike many bands out there, we are fully insured - for up to $1 million in liability per occurance.

What if nobody knows how to swing dance?

That's OK - it's not necessary to know how to swing dance in order to enjoy our big band music and dance to it. However, as a fun and educational option we can have our instructor (and professional dancer) Julia Wood come to your event and give your guests a group swing dance lesson, where no experience or partner are necessary. She can also organize fun activities on the dance floor, as well as dance with any reluctant guests and make them look like experts!