Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Premier Big Band Entertainment in Los Angeles Since 1958
Founded in 1958, our organization has dedicated over six decades to preserving and performing big band swing music. As a state and federally registered nonprofit, we combine our passion for music with a mission to educate and inspire new generations of musicians through mentorship and hands-on experience. Our ensemble of seasoned professionals and emerging talent delivers authentic swing-era performances, drawing from a vast repertoire spanning Benny Goodman to Frank Sinatra.Weekly rehearsals ensure our musicians maintain the highest standards, while our unique teaching program pairs newcomers with experienced players to sustain the legacy of big band music. With a focus on teamwork, leadership, and artistic growth, we bring the energy and elegance of live swing to weddings, corporate events, and community gatherings across Southern California.
Services
Big Band Performances
Wedding Music
Corporate Events
Fundraiser Entertainment
Community Concerts
Music Education
Event Bookings
Swing Dance Music
Vocal Ensemble Shows
Historical Music Programs
Details
- Year established: 1958
Highlights and features
- We have over 60 years of experience preserving big band music traditions.
- Our nonprofit teaching program trains the next generation of musicians.
- Flexible ensemble size (12-17 musicians) adapts to any event space.
- Extensive repertoire spanning decades of swing, jazz, and vocal classics.
- Professional musicians combine technical mastery with engaging stage presence.
Services
Big Band Performances
Our 12-17 piece ensemble delivers authentic big band swing from the 1930s-1960s. We perform at weddings, corporate events, and community gatherings across Southern California. Our musicians masterfully recreate arrangements from Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, and Frank Sinatra. Weekly rehearsals ensure precision while our nonprofit mission preserves this musical heritage for future generations.
Music Education
The Esquire Music Foundation provides mentorship through weekly rehearsals and hands-on performance experience. New musicians learn from seasoned professionals in saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and vocal techniques. Our program emphasizes teamwork, leadership, and stylistic authenticity while maintaining the swing era's artistic spirit and technical excellence.
Wedding Entertainment
Create unforgettable wedding memories with our live swing band. We offer customizable setlists from romantic ballads to upbeat dance numbers. Our versatile ensemble adapts to ceremony locations and reception venues while maintaining the elegance of live big band performance. Clients receive personalized consultation to match musical selections with their special day.
Corporate Events
Elevate corporate gatherings with our sophisticated swing entertainment. We provide background music for cocktail hours and energetic dance sets for galas. Our professional team handles sound requirements for venues of all sizes. Clients benefit from our experience at high-profile events while enjoying the timeless appeal of live big band music.
Community Concerts
We present regular concerts showcasing swing-era classics and jazz standards. Our performances feature vocalists and instrumentalists interpreting works from Duke Ellington to Nat King Cole. Community events emphasize audience engagement through dance demonstrations and historical context. These shows support our nonprofit mission of music education and cultural preservation.
People
Eric Brundin
Director and Band Conductor
Trombonist and bandleader since 1982, Eric brings decades of experience in swing music education and performance. He leads our teaching program while balancing a career in science curriculum development.
Marit Deanna Granmo
Vocalist
Jazz voice student and accomplished vocalist specializing in swing-era standards. Her performances blend technical precision with emotional interpretation, drawing from influences like Carmen McRae and Sarah Vaughan.
Kathleen Jequinto
Vocalist
Marketing director and vocalist with a background in ethnomusicology. She connects the band's mission to broader arts education initiatives while performing classics from Peggy Lee to Amy Winehouse.
Henry Mitchell
Trumpet Player
Seasoned trumpeter with extensive performance experience, contributing to the band's brass section while mentoring younger musicians in big band techniques and stage presence.
Crystal Raymond
Saxophonist
Multi-instrumentalist specializing in saxophone and clarinet. With over 30 years of experience, she helps maintain the band's stylistic authenticity while supporting music education initiatives.
Questions
What types of events do you perform at?
We specialize in weddings, corporate events, fundraisers, community dances, and cultural celebrations across Southern California.
How many musicians perform at an event?
Our ensemble typically includes 12-17 musicians, with instrumentation tailored to venue size and client preferences.
Are you affiliated with a nonprofit organization?
Yes, the Esquire Music Foundation supports music education and preserves swing-era traditions through our mentorship programs.
What musical eras do you cover?
Our repertoire spans 1930s-1960s swing, jazz, and vocal classics from artists like Benny Goodman and Frank Sinatra.
How do we book the band for an event?
Contact us via email or phone to check availability and discuss your event's specific musical needs.
Videos
Reviews (5)
Lisa Dinosaur
May 24, 2022
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Iconic music venue with top class Live music and DJ nights. Good beer selection including lots of excellent alcohol free beers.
Paul Bennett
May 17, 2022
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First proper grown up gig since the pandemic. So great to have live music again and on the doorstep too. Staff were great, dinks were sensibly priced and the sound was good too. We saw Everything Everything on the big stage and a few days later we went back and saw my son's band @Alignmentsuk on the support bill for @Feelshame.
Kc
May 15, 2022
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Seems to be THE place in Bedford for gigs! We couldn't find it first because it's tucked away in an unexpected spot but when you go through the doors, you're in a perfect ambience for drinks and dancing to live music. They even have a private hire room for functions.
Angie Hussey
Nov 19, 2021
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Love Bedford Esquires music venue, always a good atmosphere and great acoustics. However, be warned if you want to pay cash on the door to get into a gig, bring cash. You can pay for drinks with a card but not get cashback. The supermarket round the corner's cash machine doesn't work, nor does the train station one. Nearest one we could find working is at the bus station down the road. Missed most of the band I wanted to see running around trying to get cash out to get in to see them.
Nathan Brittain
Nov 09, 2021
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Great music venue for local and national bands. Bar staff are nice and attentive. Main stage upstairs is a good size and feels intermit. Air con works well, not sweaty like other small venues. Has a good beer selection and pool table in main bar. Had a great time watching Nirvana UK there recently
