Music for your wedding
"The New London Big Band got everyone up on their feet dancing - and leaning into one another for lively conversations and a memorable party!"
Inquiries
Have the time of your life!
Set your wedding apart from the crowd with the exciting sounds of a live jazz orchestra. This is music for all ages and will get your party started right with high-energy dance music, classic swing and beautiful ballads. We're great for Gatsby-themed and 1920s themed weddings to get that vintage, nightclub atmosphere!
PROFESSIONAL: We take pride in our polished, tight sound. Members of the band have played in such notable venues as Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center and the White House and artists including Aretha Franklin and B.B. King.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Yes, we can emcee! A good emcee keeps the party moving and creates the right atmosphere. We can guide the event, from the first dance to dinner, toasts and the cake cutting.
EQUIPMENT: We provide PA equipment, including a microphone for guests to make toasts, speeches, etc. Our equipment is top-of-the-line but compact, and we'll tailor it to the venue. We can play recorded music during breaks from a playlist.
ATTIRE: We can wear tuxedos, black suits with white shirts or all black.
CUSTOMIZABLE: We can adapt our music selection to fit the vibe of your wedding.
Newport Cliff Walk? Yes, we can play play acoustic!
Newport Cliff Walk noise ordinance doesn't allow for amplified music outside after 6pm. Just like "back in the day," we can play without any amplification, 1920s style!
Cocktail hour
We can provide a smaller band for a more intimate, classic vibe:
solo piano
solo guitar
jazz quartet/quintet (piano, guitar, saxophone, bass and/or drums)
DJ services
YOU make the playlist!
NLBB bandleader Sean Nelson can service as DJ for your wedding, as well as acting as MC.
YOU can make a Spotify playlist, and pick exactly the tunes you want your guests dancing to! Or pick a general genre of music and we can work out the rest.
AUDIO SERVICES: Amplification and music playback for ceremonies.
Combine the DJ service with a small band for cocktail hour and audio/microphone support for the reception for the complete package! Contact us for prices.
Past Weddings
Inn at Mystic, Mystic, CT
June 7, 2019
The Chanler, Newport, RI
September 6, 2019
"Amazing!!!!!
Sean and his band are the best! They were flexible, professional, and extremely talented. Sean set up a quintet (trombone, guitar, saxophone, upright bass, and percussion) for our 40 person reception at the Chanler terrace and had no problem with the no amplification rule! Our families continue to rave about how amazing the music was! See their Instagram (@newlondonbigband) for a clip of a beautiful jazz piece called ‘Take Five’ they played at our reception that shows just how talented they are! We hope to have another party in the future just so we can have them play again!"
- Rachele S., the bride
Saltwater Farm Vineyard, Stonington, CT
July 26, 2019
"Thank you for wow-ing our guests at our cocktail hour. You helped to get the party started and helped to keep our celebration a truly classy yet fun event. We wish we could have thanked you in person, it really sounded wonderful (music teacher approved haha)"
- The Carrols
Ocean Cliff Resort, Newport, RI
September 3, 2018
"Thank you so much everything was wonderful! It was a little bit of a hectic day for me if you couldn’t tell. I don’t even think I got to say hello:(. You guys did a wonderful job!"
- Laura, the bride
Frequently Asked Questions
We have a limited budget. Can you bring fewer players?
We can provide different options for the cocktail hour, but the New London Big Band is a 17 piece jazz orchestra. Our music arrangements are written for this specific size.
In certain circumstances, we can bring a small jazz band group of 4-6 players for a lower cost. Keep in mind, the sound and the experience of this ensemble is very different from the New London Big Band.
How much does the band cost?
BIG BAND: For a cocktail hour and reception, prices start at $5500.
For a smaller group (4-6 players), ask us for a quote - info@newlondonbigband.com
Is it going to be super loud?
We will adjust our volume to fit the venue, and the sound equipment will be set to comfortable levels.
Can you play a special song not on your song list?
Please ask! If the song is available as a big band arrangement to purchase, we can get the song for the price of the arrangement (usually $50-$75).
What's your style?
Classic, elegant, vintage (1920s/speakeasy theme), romantic, glamorous
Can we hear the band play sometime?
Yes! We play monthly in New London. Check our calendar for the next date.
We're worried that we don't have enough space to fit a 17 piece band. How much space do you need?
We don't need much more space than a 6 piece rock band. Our 13 horn players sit side by side and are more compact than you'd think. Ideally, 16' deep x 20' wide, but we can make smaller work just fine! Just ask!
Do we need to rent instruments or equipment?
Instruments and sound equipment are included. If we are outside and rain is possible, we'll need a tent to cover the audio equipment.
Who will do the set-up?
The band will. We like to arrive well in advance of playing to set up the audio equipment and chairs.