Jazz Swing Bands
Biography
Repertoire
Testimonials
Belleville
The sweet, fierce and swinging music of Belleville is inspired by the great masters of manouche swing, Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli of Le Hot Club de France, and the wild musical passion and energy of the Eastern European Gypsies. From gentle ballads to cartoon craziness and foot-stomping gypsy tunes, this group can put on a show that can be tailored to almost any event.
Biography
The sweet, fierce and swinging music of Belleville is inspired by the great masters of manouche Swing, Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli of Le Hot Club de France, and the wild musical passion and energy of the Eastern European Gypsies.
From gentle ballads to cartoon craziness and foot-stomping gypsy tunes, this group can put on a show that can be tailored to almost any event.
Belleville creates an atmosphere that conjures up the steamy swing clubs of the 1920s and 1930s and the Prohibition-era speakeasy, through sultry vintage songs, scat vocals, wild instrumental improvisation and that intoxicating swing rhythm.
Thrown into the mix are driving Eastern European Gypsy polkas and waltzes, and contemporary classics played in a ‘gypsy swing’ style. Belleville can create a decadent vintage atmosphere, but they are at their best when getting audiences on their feet and dancing the night away.
Favourites at festivals all over the country as well as dedicated swing clubs, Belleville are available for gigs, festivals, weddings and functions of all kinds. Though usually a quintet, Belleville also play as a trio or quartet when appropriate.
Belleville are perfect for: Weddings, birthdays, vintage events, vintage fairs, 1920s events, 1930s events, Prohibition-themed events, Great Gatsby-themed events, themed events, corporate events, hotel and restaurant entertainment, festivals, private functions
Read moreRepertoire
Minor Blues
Tardes be Bolonha
Brazil
Blue Drag
After You’ve Gone
Some of these Days
Trust in Me
Sweet Sue
Latcho Drom
Belleville
When I Get Low
The Old Man of the Mountain
The Basso
Swing Gitane
Oh Lady Be Good
Caminos Cruzados
Nagasaki
Minor Swing
Nature Boy
Cantina
Buona Sera
From Russia with Love
J’Attendrai
Nuages
Bei Meir Bis Du Shoen
It Don’t Mean a Thing (if it ain’t got that swing)
King of the Swingers
Romanian Train Song
Les Yeux Noir
Testimonials
Some lovely quotes from our lovely clients after playing at their weddings…
“We wanted to say a huge thank you for putting on such an amazing evening for us at our wedding a few weeks back. I can say one hundred percent that you guys just made the evening for us! Everyone was so impressed by your sets and you got so many sworn non-dancing people up there”
Caroline & Andrei
“Thank you so much for your email and it us that should say thank you to you all. You really were marvellous and all the guests commented on what a fantastic band you are. I’m glad you were looked after well and that you enjoyed playing. It was such a special occasion and thank you once again. We will definitely be coming to see you at the Hanbury for Chat Noir (a few friends have already decided to go based on seeing you a the wedding).
Many, many thanks and best wishes to you all.”
Catherine
“You and the rest of the band really gave a fantastic performance at our secret wedding and helped create an unforgettable atmosphere and celebratory mood. People are still telling me how brilliant you were seven months down the line.
Hannah and I will definitely make along to your night sometime soon. Take care.”
Dan
“Thank you soooo much for a really great night last weekend, you made the party.”
Charlotte & Jamie
“Hi thank you so much; everything went brilliantly and it was a perfect day. all everyone kept saying to me was how great the band was, so you were defo enjoyed by all. I’m sorry I didn’t really meet any of you properly…the day was a whirlwind. Thank you again.”
Ruth and Barry
A review of our album in Resident records
“Belleville somewhere between 1920’s speakeasy new york, gypsy romania & transylvanian toon town, lies the mysterious & eccentric port of belleville. the sweet swinging music of ‘Belleville’ is inspired by the great masters of manouche : django reinhardt & stephane grappelli of le hot club de france, the wild passion & humour of the eastern european gypsies – with an occasional nod toward contemporary themes of our time. belleville offer a delicious line-up, featuring fiddle, saw, maccaferri style guitars, melodica & tuba. from gentle ballads & cartoon craziness to spellbinding & ridiculously fast gypsy tunes, this group can conjure up the atmosphere of the steamy clubs of the 1920’s & 30’s, sending dancers into an intoxicating swing that can go on & on & on……….self released”
Read more
