Great American Swing Band

Firstly, before I get into details, let me just preface that if you are looking to book a band for yourself, THEN BOOK THIS ONE!!!

I reached out to the Great American Swing Band last year when I was looking for a big band to preform at our wedding in May '24. My grandfather was a big band musician and producer, so this was something very near and dear to my heart. After about a month of research, I stumbled upon Great American Swing Band's profile here on Gigsalad. I reached out and quickly got a response back from Jodi, the band leader. We scheduled a phone call to discuss logistics and what we were looking for, and ended up having a fantastic 25 minute conversation. Jodi even was generous enough to allow my then fiancée, my mother, and me to go check out one of their rehearsals to hear them preform live before booking. From the first note I heard them play in that rehearsal, I knew they were the one. We booked them immediately after that.

This was about nine or so months before the wedding, and Jodi was a constant delight to work with through that time. She would reach out periodically to make sure we were good and to check on any logistical things that they may need to be aware of beforehand. They gave us their standard music list for us to go through and choose any favorites or songs we did not want being played at the wedding. She was always so helpful and kind with anything we asked of her and the band and was always willing to help, and I am so grateful for that.

The fun part about booking the Great American Swing Band was that none of our guests knew we had a band! We had lied and told everyone that we had booked a DJ to surprise them day of. When our guests walked in and heard the opening to "Ain't That a Kick in the Head" and saw the band, that reaction was priceless. Everyone was shocked and blown away at this beautiful fifteen piece big band playing their hearts out on stage.

THE ENTIRE BAND SOUNDED INCREDIBLE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE NIGHT!!! Every song they played was beautiful and just filled the ballroom with warmth and happiness. When it came to opening up the dance floor, there was a small part of me concerned if people would get up and dance to swing and big band style music. I grew up on the stuff, but I wasn't sure if our guests would feel the same. When I tell you that dance floor was packed the entire night, know that is no exaggeration. The band kept switching between instrumental and vocal tracks, playing upbeat swing, jazz, and big band hits and occasionally playing some slow dance tracks as well. Our guests could not get enough! Even at the end of the night after the band preformed their last song, every guest chanted "ONE MORE SONG" for the band to play one more track (Which they did!). It has been a month since our wedding now, and every single guest and family member I have spoken to since has said how the Great American Swing Band was without a doubt the best part of the night, and just how truly incredible and special this band was.

I am beyond grateful for Jodi and every single member of the band for being at our wedding and preforming their hearts out. It was exactly what I had always imagined to have at my wedding, and I know my grandfather would of loved it if he was there. Seriously, this band is magical. I only wish I had more excuses in life to book them to preform because they were that amazing.

Book them, end of discussion.

The Great American Swing Band has been the Pasadena Senior Center's go-to band for dance parties and holiday concerts for many years. Whether it's the 6-piece small combo or their 14-piece Big Band, the music is fun, lively and very danceable. All the musicians, including Band Leader Jodi Gladstone, are friendly, super easy to work with, and love the music they play. Singer Linda adds an extra touch of class. It's always a happy party with the Great American Swing Band plays. Their most recent performance was on Labor Day, for a two-hour concert that capped our annual Summer Concert Series.