Down For The Count

» Profile

Down for the Count are a sensational 9-piece function band performing a fantastic mix of Jazz, Rat Pack and Soul music to give you a night to remember!

These experienced musicians can also provide classical or contemporary music for your wedding ceremony, a jazz band during your drinks reception and evening meal, and can learn your favourite song to make the first dance even more special.

This versatile and talented band transform the atmosphere of your event playing sophisticated jazz music during dinner, Swing and Rat Pack classics to get your guests on their feet, and Soul and Motown hits guaranteed to fill your dance floor all night long!

Fun, young, yet highly experienced jazz and soul musicians Strong female vocals and accomplished male/female band previous clients include E-On UK, RAF, and many satisfied private customers self contained for all events with high quality PA system and lights as standard.

Your event is special to the band and every gig is treated separately ensuring that your requirements are met. From choosing the perfect line-up to suit your event to smaller details such as the dress code special requests and performance times The Swing Smiths aim to be completely flexible to make sure that you get entertainment perfect for your event.

Both the 6- and 9-piece bands fit into a very small performance space and are perfect for any venue and any sized audience from 40 people to 400+. The band is self-contained with a compact yet powerful Mackie PA system as standard and lighting rig with effects. Music between sets is provided free of charge along with a microphone for speeches.

The band is also available as a jazz combo - a 3-5 piece jazz band creating the perfect atmosphere for cocktail parties and dinner events.

» Song List

• I've Got You Under My Skin
• Come Fly With Me
• Mack The Knife
• Fly Me To The Moon
• Theme From New York, New York
• The Lady Is A Tramp
• Luck Be A Lady
• That's Life
• Let's Face The Music And Dance
• Let There Be Love
• Ain't That A Kick In The Head
• Sway
• My Baby Just Cares For Me
• In The Mood
• Sir Duke
• Superstition
• Blame It On The Boogie
• Rock With You
• I Say A Little Prayer For You
• Valerie
• I Feel Good
• Can't Take My Eyes Off You
• Heatwave
• It's Not Unusual
• September
• Respect
• How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You
• And Many More!

» Previous Clients

• E.on Uk
• Nautronix
• Goldcrest Land
• Mellon
• The Royal Air Force
• Prestige Purchasing
• Mandarin Oriental Hotel, London
• Excel Centre, London
• The Berkeley Hotel, Knightsbridge, London
• The Imagination Gallery, London
• Raymond Blanc's Le Manoir Aux Quat' Saisons
• The Oxfordshire Golf And Country Club
• Gray's Inn, Inns Of Court, London
• Buxted Park, East Sussex
• Enfield Chace Hotel, Middlesex
• St. Michael's Manor Hotel, St. Albans
• The Rose & Crown, Henley-on-thames
• And Many More!

» Testimonials

"Dear Mike, We're just back from our honeymoon and I wanted to say a big thank you to the band for such an amazing performance. Sorry I didn't get to say much on the night, as you can imagine it was a bit hectic! Your performance was perfect, I couldn't have imagined anything better, you were extremely professional and the music and singing was incredible - a beautiful entertainment group that completed a perfect evening.
Thanks again, and please say a big thank you to everyone in the band."
- James Smith, Wedding Reception, Marlow-on-Thames, July 2010

"Down for the Count gave a great performance at the RAF Christmas Party. The arrangements for the band all went very smoothly, and the show on the night was first rate - the band even agreed to perform an additional set at short notice. They were virtually held hostage by the crowd until the end of their third encore! Id have absolutely no hesitation in booking them again."
- Ross Thompson, RAF Christmas Party, December 2010

"Dear Mike, When I heard about you, a jazz, Rat Pack and soul band made up from former AGS and AHS pupils, I just knew you were perfect for our Ball to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Aylesbury High School. Now we are here on Monday after the Ball, I have to tell you how many people have contacted me to let me know how WONDERFUL Down for the Count were. You were professional, smart and above all flexible! You changed from a jazz quintet to greet our guests as they sipped champagne, to the full function band to dance to after the dinner. And dance! I have never seen a dance floor more packed for the whole evening. Everyone loved dancing to the Rat Pack set - so sophisticated! The soul set was perfect to dance to the end of the evening. You may have heard that no-one was prepared to let you off the stage - the "encores" could be heard in the next county! So a very big thank you from us all at AHS - you made the evening."
- Fran Newman, AHS 50th Birthday Commemoration Ball, June 2010

"Hi Mike, Just a short email to say how much we enjoyed having Down for the Count at our party on Saturday. You wereabsolutely fantastic. Very nice people, very smartly dressed, very well organised and flexible, and you even learnt a song that we requested! We were so happy with the band and would thoroughly recommend you to anyone. You were absolutely great. Thanks very much."
- Ellie, 21st Birthday Party, Cheltenham, April 2010

"Hi Mike, I just wanted to drop you a quick email to thank you and your band members for the excellent music we received for my special birthday celebration dinner on 7th November at the Carriage House Restaurant. Without exception, all my guests were impressed with the quality and professionalism of your band. I have received lots of compliments - all of which you certainly deserve. The evening went without a hitch and we could have all danced on for hours and hours!! My thanks again for helping to make the musical entertainment part of a memorable evening. I will certainly recommend you to anyone who is looking for high quality music for a special event."
- Chris, 50th Birthday Party, Buckinghamshire, November 2009

"Hi Mike, After our wedding last week we wanted to write to thank you and the band for your fantastic performance. We both had a brilliant day, as did our guests, and Down for the Count were a vital part of it, creating the perfect atmosphere. All three of the sets were spot on and really kept the night buzzing right through to the end of the party. So many people have commented on how much they loved both the music and the dancing and it will certainly live long in our memories. Thanks also for letting us plug in our laptop, use your mikes and for being so accomodating and flexible with our timings for the evening which went a bit off schedule.
Thanks again for helping to make our wedding party so special."
- Tom & Tracy, Wedding Reception, Stratford-Upon-Avon, July 2009

"Well, what a fabulous evening!!
Thank you so much for making the party so enjoyable. All of our friends had a great time and several said "it was the best party ever"! They especially liked the music and were impressed by your repertoire and talent. We loved the jazz sets and I am sure you all noticed how many people were dancing to the soul set.
Please pass on our thanks to the band and especially to you for your hard work and energy - you should get some follow on Gigs from the rave comments I heard."
- Guy & Lin, 30th Wedding Anniverary party, Buckinghamshire, June 2008

"Dear Mike, Sarah and Jami are, of course, on honeymoon. However I couldn't wait until they return to send our own thank-you for your fantastic music at our daughter's wedding last Saturday. You were absolutely perfect and really hit the spot getting all ages on the floor - from age four to ninety! We will highly recommend you."
- Lin Carey, Mother of the Bride, Oxfordshire, June 2008

"To Mike and all the guys in Down for the Count, Well, we're back from our honeymoon now; and we'd both like to really thank all of you for helping to make our wedding such a fantastic day.
The music was perfect from the first dance to the last - even if our dancing didn't quite do it justice! Everyone had so many great things to say about you, and were unanimous in your praise. The only downside was that it had to end!"
- Richard & Jo, Wedding Reception, East Sussex, April 2008

"Down for the Count played at one of my oldest friend's weddings last week - the best wedding I've ever been to, and the band played a huge part in that! We all rushed to the dancefloor and didn't leave. The music pleased all age groups, which is just what you want on these occasions, and the band looked like they really enjoyed being there too. I've stored them in the memory bank to recommend to others - talented, professional, slick, fun!"
- Gilly, attending Lucie & James wedding - 11 August 07, Beesthorpe Hall, Nottingham, August 2007

"I can honestly say that having the band play at our event was the highlight of our evening. From the moment we contacted them about a quote to the end of the evening they were always happy to work around our needs which took the pain out of the organising! Their flexibility, professional attitude but above all, their fantastic performance was exactly what we were looking for. I would not hesitate to recommend them for any event where you want to provide that 'something special' for your guests."
- Sarah Curtis, E.ON UK Corporate Event, Coventry, September 2007

"Hi Mike, I thought I would email you to thank you for your brilliant performance at our wedding.
We both thought you were fantastic and really helped finish the day off with some outrageous dancing! Thank you as well for being so flexible and accommodating with your equipment so that we could play as well, it made everything much easier!! When we were planning the wedding, my father didn't think that we needed a band and wanted to have a disco set up but I am so pleased that I persevered. He is now eating his words and is glad that I persevered too! Well, If I ever need a band booked in the future of if anyone needs a band recommended, I will definitely come back to you."
- Jami & Sarah Wedding Reception, Oxfordshire, June 2008

"Just a short letter to thank you and the band for such a wonderful performance at Ians recent birthday party. You all made such an effort to make the day go well. The choice of both background and dance music was perfect the combination of jazz and soul numbers that showed off the vocals and solos made it great listening and, on top of that, you also managed to incorporate some of Ians favourites into your set it was really special. All of our guests were impressed by the bands professionalism, vitality, humour and obvious talent quite a few have asked for your details for their own dos I hope they get in touch. I wish you and the band all the very best for the future and thanks again."
- Sally Forster, January 2006

"This talented group of young musicians under the mentorship of Mike Paul-Smith played recently at my 50th birthday celebration. I can honestly say that the band were not merely a part of the party, but that they madethe party. The standard of musicianship and the panache with which they perform is a credit to them. They gave my family and 200 guests a lot of fun and ensured the evening went with a swing. Without exception the feedback from my friends was that they have not enjoyed an evening as much as this in a long time. Do not hesitate to book these guys. Theyre great!"
- Hugh Martin, April 2005

» Set Formats

Down For The Count Offer:

2 x 60 Minute Sets
Or
3 x 45 Minute Sets

Additional 45 minute jazz sets also available - P.O.A

Line-up (9-piece band)

Female Vocals
Piano
Bass
Drums
Keyboards
Trumpet
Trumpet
Alto sax/flute
Tenor sax/clarinet
Our 6-piece band features vocals, 4-pc rhythm section and tenor saxophone

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