Swing Essence

• Kevin Karrick - Guitar/vocals
• Sally Herreid - Vocals
• Andrew Vogt - Saxophone/Clarinet
• Matt Amundson - Drums
• Mark Dorn - Trumpet
• Ben Markley - Piano/Organ
• Robin Ruscio - Bass

JAZZ

Enjoy live jazz with our acoustic jazz trio, featuring guitar, upright bass, saxophone/clarinet, traditional and modern jazz, and lots of energy for the perfect cocktail party.

DANCE

Add the horns, the vocals, and get ready for dancing with classics made famous by Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Glen Miller, Duke Ellington, Louis Prima, Benny Goodman, Etta James, Billy Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Harry Connick Jr.

AND PARTY!

Let the party take off with music of Rock and R&B artists like Brian Setzer, Sam and Dave, Paul Simon, Van Morrison, Bill Withers, Elvis Presley, Neil Diamond, Stevie Wonder, Roy Orbison, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Nora Jones, Ray LaMontagne, and more!

THE MUSIC:

Based on the idea that people of all ages love to dance to the classics, the group selects classic tunes that really swing, groove, or rock at the top of their class. The music is originally arranged, specifically for Swing Essence format, so the sound is exciting and fresh, yet the music is familiar to everyone.

YOUR EVENT:

Ask for quote and we will provide prices for all of our options. Hire us for your event, and we will take every step to make sure you are happy you did! And we always include these features:

* Setting up before guests enter.
* All the sound equipment needed.
* Working with your venue to optimize setup details.
* Playing a CD compilation or ipod music on breaks.
* Making announcements as requested, and helping to plan and MC your event.
* Arranging to perform song(s) of your choice for special dances, even if they are not on our list.
* A no-risk payment policy.

THE BAND:

In the spirit of legendary jazz quintets, we build the core band with two horns, trumpet and saxophone, keyboard, bass, and drums, and front it with guitar and vocals, for the complete package. For cocktail sets, we offer our acoustic jazz trio featuring guitar, upright bass, and saxophone. The jazz trio may be booked as an add-on, or by itself for dinners and reception style parties. The musicians in the group all have jazz chops and professional experience ranging from Broadway shows to cruise ship bands.

Client Testimonials:

"Wow! Swing Essence is truly an excellent band. They played a wide variety of music and kept the crowd entertained all evening. They are truly awesome performers. Many of our guests commented on how great the band was. Thank you so very much. We highly recommend this band for any occasion.
-Joann M"

"Kevin:

Thank you to you and your band for making my daughter's wedding so special. From the time we started talking about the wedding until we walked out after the reception, you made everything easy. Your communications eased my mind that the wedding ceremony and the reception would be exactly as we had planned; you did a bang-up job learning the "first dance" and "father-daughter" songs (there was not a dry eye in the place). The fact that you provided the music for the ceremony as well as the reception made the transition easy, and my pre-wedding preparations easy. All the guests were talking about how good the band was - your professionalism, your energy, your sound, it made them want to dance - and that they did! I heard only good comments and will refer you to whomever I know who will need either a band or ceremony music. I was so glad I didn't go the DJ route - your energy and sound were immeasurable and your repertoire was unfathomable!

Thanks again,
Sandra"

"We loved you guys, Kevin! You are so classy and professional, great musicians and it was our best party yet. I look forward to hiring you again sometime for other occasions.
Stephanie"

"Swing Essence played something for everyone, and people danced all night long. We received the best feedback in years from our employees regarding our party.
Mindy, Yampa Valley Medical Center"

"Dear Kevin & Swing Essence,

Thanks you for helping make our wedding unforgettable! The music was so perfect & our guests had the time of their lives. A big thanks for learning the two ceremonial songs I requested just 1 week before the wedding. They sounded as if you'd played them for years! Thanks for a job so well done!
Aloha from Hawaii..

We just got back from Maui. The wedding was beautiful and we were so very pleased with the musical ambiance you created. We really couldn't have asked for the entire event to have been any better, it was a truly memorable event and people are still gushing about it. You and your band should be very proud of yourselves, you do good work and maintain professionalism always. I sent you a postcard from Maui, hope you got it.

Thank you a million times more!
Jessica and Garrett"

"On behalf of the swing dance scene in Northern Colorado - you guys are one of the best bands we have ever had on stage! You guys really understand the meaning of a dance band! :)
Chris - The Rhythm Company, Inc"

"One of our members noted he had arranged a similar conference in the LA area and had to pay $10,000 for a band that was not even half as good as you all. Thanks again.
Donna"

"..loved your sound and you were easy to work with. Will definitely be calling you again for another gig in the future.
Cyndi Silver, Event Planner and Designer"

• Rock R&B and Swing
• Ain't Too Proud To Beg - Standard
• All Shook Up - Standard
• Can't Buy Me Love - Beatles
• Celebration - Standard
• Copacobana - Standard
• Devil With The Blue Dress - Standard
• Domino - Van Morrison
• Get Ready - Standard
• I Can't Help Myself - Standard
• I Feel Good - Standard
• Isn't She Lovely - Stevie Wonder
• Jump Jive and Wail - Louis Prima
• Late In The Evening - Paul Simon
• Loves Me Like A Rock - Paul Simon
• Mustang Sally - Standard
• On Broadway - Standard
• Pick Up The Pieces - Average White Band
• Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison
• Rock This Town - Brian Setzer
• Soul Man - Sam and Dave
• Stray Cat Strut - Brian Setzer
• Superstition - Stevie Wonder
• Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond
• Sweet Home Chicago - Standard
• Tequila - Standard
• The Twist - Standard
• You & Me & A Bottle Makes Three - Voodoo Daddy
• Chain Of Fools - Standard
• Dancin' In The Street - Standard
• How Sweet It Is - Standard
• I Wish
• Knock On Wood - Standard
• Moon Dance - Standard
• Respect - Standard
• Signed Sealed Delivered - Stevie Wonder
• Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder
• Somthing To Talk About - Standard
• Son Of A Preacher - Standard
• Til The Midnight Hour - Standard
• Walking On Sunshine - Katrina and The Waves
• We Are Family - Standard
• Light Rock
• Crazy - Willie Nelson
• Crazy Love - Van Morrison
• For Once In My Life - Standard
• Forever Young - Bob Dylan
• Have I Told You Lately - Van Morrison
• Into The Mystic - Van Morrison
• My Girl - Standard
• Spooky - Standard
• You Are The Best Thing - Lamontagnue
• The Look Of Love - Standard
• Classic Swing
• Ain't She Sweet - Standard
• Birk's Works - Standard
• Beyond The Sea - Standard
• Blue Moon - Standard
• Flying Home - Standard
• In The Mood - Standard
• It Had To Be You - Standard
• L-O-V-E - Standard
• New York New York - Standard
• Puttin' On The Ritz - Standard
• Rockin in Rhythm - Standard
• Singin' In The Rain - Standard
• Sing Sing Sing - Standard
• Sweet Georgia Brown - Standard
• Take The A Train - Standard
• Tuxedo Junction - Standard
• Undecided - Standard
• Walkin' My Baby Back Home - Standard
• The Way You Look Tonight - Standard
• Almost Like Being In Love - Standard
• East Of The Sun - Standard
• How High The Moon - Standard
• Is You Is - Standard
• It's Only A Paper Moon - Standard
• Our Love Is Here To Stay - Standard
• Route 66 - Standard
• Yardbird Suite - Charlie Parker
• Ballad - Classics
• A Kiss To Build A Dream On - Standard
• I'm In The Mood For Love - Standard
• Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans - Standard
• Unforgettable - Standard
• When I Fall In Love (duet) - Standard
• As Time Goes By - Standard
• Dream A Little Dream Of Me - Standard
• Fever (duet) - Standard
• I Only Have Eyes For You - Standard
• Moon River - Standard
• Some Day My Prince Will Come - Standard
• Somewhere My Love - Standard

Anniversaries, Bachelor Parties, Bachelorette Parties, Banquets, Birthday Parties, Children's Birthday Parties, Celebrations, Christenings, Christmas Parties, Clubs, Community Events, Conventions, Corporate Functions, Dinner Dances, Events, Festivals, Fund Raisers, Funerals, Graduation Parties, Grand Openings, Picnic, Private Parties, Proms, Restaurants, Reunions, Sweet 16 Parties, Weddings, Wedding Ceremonies, Wedding Cocktail Hours, Wedding Receptions...and more.

• I was very impressed with the variety of music played by Swing Essence, their ability to play songs requested by our group, and their willingness to work with us regarding performance time. They were a very friendly group and were well liked by our group. -- Donna D, Denver, CO, 5/8/2010
• AMAZING! They stole the show all night long! Everyone was very very impressed with their ability to please the older and younger generations all at the same time! Everyone had a blast, I mean that! Would recommend them to anyone! -- Seth D, Denver, CO, 6/18/2011
• Wow! Swing Essence is truly an excellent band. They played a wide variety of music and kept the crowd entertained all evening. They are truly awesome performers. Many of our guests commented on how great the band was. Thank you so very much. We highly recommend this band for any occasion. -- Joann M, Sheridan, WY, 4/2/2011
• The Swing Essence musicians are very talented and professional. We have received rave reviews from our guests, including some of our fiercest critics. We were very impressed and pleased with the band's flexibility and willingness to accommodate us both before and during the event. Everyone had a wonderful time and really enjoyed Swing Essence. Thank you for making our event one to remember! -- Debra E, Colorado Springs, CO, 3/3/2012
• Everything went great! The band was a lot of fun and played a great selection of music! -- Patricia Y, Denver, CO, 5/12/2012

Click here for more feedback

• Kevin Karrick — Denver, Colorado