52 Skidoo

52 Skidoo are a three-piece Harlem swing band that have turned back the clock to play a dazzling set of vintage American music. Classic favourites like ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’, ‘The Joint is Jumpin’ and ‘Your Feet’s Too Big’ are carefully woven into well-known hits like ‘Jeepers Creepers’, ‘Darktown Strutters Ball’ and ‘I Ain’t Got Nobody’ to create an authentic 1920-1930s Harlem party atmosphere.

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Biography

Their lineup includes: piano, vocals, percussion, guitar and clarinet but a 3-piece horn section is also available as well as dancers depending on your event.

52 Skidoo are available throughout the UK and abroad and are fantastic for vintage festivals and events, parties, weddings, corporate occasions and events of every kind!

52 Skidoo are an unlikely collection of misfits performing Harlem swing, a music born out of the 1920s stride piano style made famous by James P. Johnson and Fats Waller.

The band’s pianist is particularly known for his stunning segue skills, tickling and hollering.

The band are happy to hire themselves out for any occasion. They have an album of songs and music from the ’20s and ’30s available to purchase, and they perform their own shows as well as providing live music for ‘Cotton Club Burlesque’, a dance show featuring ‘The Bombshells’.

52 Skidoo are perfect for: Weddings, birthdays, vintage events, vintage fairs, 1920s events, 1930s events, Prohibition-themed events, Great Gatsby-themed events, corporate events, festivals, hotel and restaurant entertainment, private functions

Repertoire

I’m crazy bout my baby
Ain’t Misbehavin
The Joint is Jumpin’
Your Feets Too Big
Dinah
S’pozin’
Darktown Strutters Ball
Squeeze Me
Baby Brown
Two Sleepy People
This is so nice it must be illegal
Honeysuckle Rose
I Ain’t Got Nobody
Jeepers Creepers
Tango Til They’re Sore
The charleston
Georgia
Bill Bailey
St Louis Blues
My Buckets Got a Hole in it
I’m gonna sit right down and write myself a letter
When you’re smiling
Just a closer walk with thee
When the saints go marching in
Down by the riverside
Amazing grace
I wanna be like you
African ripples
Handful of keys
Vipers Drag
Hold tight (I want some seafood mama)
This is so nice it must be illegal
Sweet georgia brown
The sheik of araby
Carolina shout
Spring cleaning
Bach up to me
The mule walk
Them there eyes
Keeping out of mischief now
Zonky
Pork and Beans
12th st rag
shy & sly
Didn’t He Ramble
Sing Sing Sing
Bei Mir Bist Du Shoen
24 Robbers
Knock Me a Kiss
Digga Digga Do
Iko Iko
Big Chief
Tipitina
Something you got

Testimonials

“I’d like to say a big thank you on behalf of my guests at the Swingaroo Vintage Dancehall for your fantastic set in February. You kept the dance floor bustling all night and feet tapping at the tables too.  You are not only very talented musicians, but also polite, professional and courteous. Genuinely, a pleasure to book and we’d love to have you back again in the future.”
Vintage Events

“Here’s a band that really do swing like they did in the good ol’ days – with attention to detail and authenticity, 52 Skidoo put on a storming performance that gets the joint well and truly jumping. Until we manage to bring Fats Waller back in a time machine, we’d have these guys back any time!”
Swingaroo Vintage Dancehall

“We only had to see, hear and experience 52 Skidoo once to be convinced enough to book them. The gig they came and did for us was a sell out event and is still talked about locally as one of the most authentic ‘Speakeasy’ style dances we’ve had. The guys completely recreated the small band with the big sound in the Fat’s Waller tradition. Henry’s piano work is technically brilliant but manages to still come out totally cool. Tom’s guitar and vocals ooze personality and Howard is one of those very rare percussionists that you can dance to. They have that natural and unteachable ability to work the crowd. Superb! ”
Bobbi Charleston, The Swung Eight

“52 Skidoo provided The Met with a fine evening’s entertainment consisting of live music, mayhem and mischief. Their show is much more than simply a gig and incorporates stories, comedy and several other unusual features all brought together with superb showmanship and musicianship. They transformed the stage into a 1920’s rent party and created a genuine speakeasy atmosphere. Utterly professional and hugely enjoyable, the show was a sell out and I had no hesitation in rebooking them”
Harry & Svetlana, Balboanorth

“The show was superb at The Cinnamon Club on several occasions in 2010/11. We stepped back in time and transformed the club into a dimly lit Speakeasy which was brought to life by 52 Skidoo and The Bombshells. Always authentic, 52 Skidoo are a three piece Harlem swing band that turn back the clock to play the dazzling repertoire of Fats Waller in the style for which it was written. The Bombshells are feathered felines with twirling tassels, they shimmy a saucy striptease, comical “can can” plus many more… A fun loving package smothered in pouts and poses. They’ve been such a hit with our audiences that we’ve asked them back many times, it’s always a sell out and never disappoints.”
Bury Met

“Skidoo 52 were just the ticket for the gansters and moll theme. Very very talented musicians and performers interested in making the ball as good as it could be for us. Thanks.”
The Cinnamon Club

“52 Skidoo were great fun, highly professional”
Corporate event