|
|
 |
|
|
"Mr. Smith...the Sinatra singer...
sounds eerily like the original."
Bryan Miller, New York
Times
Tom Smith Big Band is:
Swing Music & Sinatra
Authentic Vintage Big Band Swing Arrangements!
The Sinatra Vocals of Tom Smith!
Classic Swing Dance Music!
Full Big Band or Jazz & Swing Ensembles of Any
Size!
Tom Smith, from Long Island, New York, is a singer, pianist, composer and bandleader.
He has performed for 30 years in top venues, nationally and abroad for club dates, jingles, cruise ships, concerts, corporate
and charity events, resorts and all major NYC Hotels...Tavern On The Green, The Rainbow Room, The Supper Club, Swing 46 and
Harrah's, Atlantic City. In 1997, with drummer friend Charlie Busterna, he formed the Tom Smith Big Band: a 19 piece Swing
Band of top NYC musicians, which celebrates the hits of the Big Band Era & the Songs of Frank Sinatra.
They offer superbly executed vintage arrangements as performed by Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Harry James, The Dorseys, Count
Basie, Artie Shaw, etc. as well as a complete catalogue of Standards featuring the works of legendary songwriters: Berlin,
Porter, Rodgers & Hart & Hammerstein, Cahn & Van Heusen, Julie Styne, the Gershwins and their peers.
Photos left to right: (1) Tom Smith does a single (2) Tom with
the Big Band (3) Denise Richards sings, (4) Charlie Busterna (drums) directs the band (5) A wedding in San Antonio Texas
(6) Catholic Charities, Utica, NY
|
Tom Smith Big Band at Westbury Manor, Long Island...New York
"Loved the Swing Music, Sinatra and Big Band Classics at our wedding."
Scott & Linda Armyn, Melville, New York
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Swing Music for Weddings
To Swing Or Not To Swing
by Tom Smith
Planning a wedding is one of most important things
you’ll ever do…infinitely gratifying and also a bit daunting. It’s
like producing a Broadway show that will only run for one night. There are so many details to consider and, except for your
mom, dad, grandmother, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends…you are the last word. All the more reason
to proceed calmly and avoid stress whenever possible. Make a list. Breathe deeply and try to have fun.
My specialty is music. I’ve been in the business
for 30 years. I’ve worked in every conceivable setting and have seen the best and worst of wedding day drama. I once
had a young bride ask my permission to dance with her father. The maitre d’ told her she must wait until after dinner.
I said: "Today...you're the boss. Dance with him whenever you like." Here’s my advice: You can try to please
everyone…but also Please Yourself!
I read an article about the pros and cons of planning a swing
wedding. The author made some valid points and some I disagree with. He said: “a live band adds ambiance and texture
to your big day.” He’s right but it has to be the right band playing the music you like and deporting themselves
in a professional manner. Skill, repertoire, volume, visual appeal…all of these factors must be addressed when selecting
live entertainment. A good DJ with first class equipment plays your tune list and connects the dots…the celebrity artists
whose recordings are featured…do all the rest. The result should be polished and predictable. Live musicians, on
the other hand, create the mood and sound from scratch with varying degrees of proficiency. I admit it...that's what you'd
expect me to say. Truth is...it all comes down to taste.
It was further stated that a good swing band is costly
and that folks may get bored with the same-ness of style after awhile. Regarding prices, I must say that the fees for my orchestra
(17 musicians and 2 vocalists) and for our ensembles are quite competitive with much smaller units. Maybe my overhead is lower
than the large contracting offices. Maybe my mark-up is less. There are many quality groups still charging reasonable rates.
A good tip is: try to deal directly with the bandleader. As far as "too much swing is a bad thing" goes: I can listen
to it all night. So can many others. Folks with a low tolerance will be better served by a variety band and that's what I
tell prospective clients.
The swing music fad of a few years ago has retreated
but people who love the style continue to crave it. The others have returned to their preference for typical wedding fare:
bands that play a little bit of everything with an emphasis on contemporary dance music. There
is, certainly, room for us all but there should be a universal definition of the word "Swing." Swing is Glenn Miller,
Harry James, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett and Sinatra. The Brian Setzer School,
albeit exciting, is "Rock-a-billy" with a horn section. Good stuff but not quite swing.
In summary, I invite all brides and grooms to make
the most of their wedding milestone. Tackle the complicated issues first. Try to lighten your load as the time approaches.
Remember: as important as the day and the party are: the dress, the hall, the limos and all...they are only symbols of a much
bigger deal. Keep that in mind and, as I told the young bride those many years ago: YOU'RE
THE BOSS...ENJOY IT!
 |
|
|
|
|
Don't fret if big bands are too big for you. Tom
Smith has small bands, too. Need a piano player for cocktail hour, small swing bands, jazz ensembles for corporate events,
classical musicians for a wedding ceremony? We can do it. You get the same professionalism and TLC. The only difference
is the number of pieces...And the fee. Call or email for a quote and compare our prices with the competition...You'll be glad you did!
516 783-7700
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
