Down for the Count
Down for the Count
Film by Down for the Count

Down for the Count

Every Note. Played Live.

Bespoke

Entertainment Highlights

30

Professional Musicians

in a single collective, not an agency

3 to 28

Piece Configurations

acoustic trio to full swing orchestra

1,000+

Events

UK and international, since 2005

All Live

Performance

no backing tracks, no click tracks, ever

At a Glance

Entertainment Intelligence

Based InLondon, United Kingdom
AddressLondon, United Kingdom
CoverageUnited Kingdom, International
Band Formats3 to 28-piece: Vintage Strollers, The Get Downs, Big Band (19pc), Swing Orchestra (28pc)
Ceremony MusicAvailable — acoustic ceremony musicians, roaming cocktail-hour entertainment
Founded2005
AwardAward-winning collective; BBC Radio 2 and Radio 5 airplay; iTunes jazz chart
SpecialitiesEntirely live performance — no backing tracks or click tracks ever used

London, United Kingdom

The Dance Floor Fills. It Stays Full.

Down for the Count is a collective of 30 professional musicians founded in London in 2005, performing swing, jazz, soul, Motown and the Great American Songbook for weddings and events across the UK and internationally. Led by pianist and musical director Mike Paul-Smith, the collective has performed at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club eight times, at the Royal Albert Hall, Claridge's and Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, and at international festivals from Montreux to the North Sea Jazz Festival. From the acoustic Vintage Strollers trio to the full 28-piece Swing Orchestra, every note is played live.

Swing, Soul, Motown. Not One Empty Chair.
Weddings at Down for the Count

Swing, Soul, Motown. Not One Empty Chair.

Whole-day wedding packages cover the full arc of the day: ceremony musicians, roaming entertainment for the cocktail hour, and a high-energy party band through the reception. First dance arrangements are prepared for any song. Bespoke requests — Horah, specific arrangements, custom introductions — are accommodated as standard. The collective performs throughout the UK and internationally for destination weddings.

Down for the Count vocalists on stage

3 to 28-Piece

From the acoustic Vintage Strollers trio to the full 28-piece Swing Orchestra. Every configuration is drawn from the same collective of 30 professional musicians.

Configurations

All Live. Always.

No backing tracks. No click tracks. No pre-recorded elements. Every note at every event is performed live by professional musicians.

About
Packed historic venue with Down for the Count performing
Down for the Count female vocalists performing

Ronnie Scott's. Claridge's.

Eight sold-out shows at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club. The Royal Albert Hall. Claridge's. Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons. The same standard at every event.

About

On Enquiry

Whole-day wedding packages, ceremony musicians, bespoke first dance arrangements. Enquire directly with Mike Paul-Smith.

Enquire
Couple first dance with Down for the Count band

Accommodation

Acoustic Roaming Trio

Vintage Strollers

3-Piece Configuration

The acoustic trio that roams the drinks reception: guitar, double bass and vocals, performing swing and vintage jazz standards without amplification. The ideal ceremony and cocktail-hour ensemble for venues where a stage-based production would be too much, and silence is not an option.

Acoustic — no amplification required
Roaming or stationary ceremony/cocktail performance
Vintage Strollers
The Get Downs

Swing and Soul Party Band

The Get Downs

Flexible Configuration

High-energy swing, soul and Motown for the wedding reception. The Get Downs are the party-band configuration of the collective — built for the dance floor, designed to keep it filled, with the full Down for the Count standard of completely live performance from the first note to the last.

Swing, soul, Motown and pop
Built for the wedding reception dance floor

19-Piece Traditional Big Band

Big Band

19-Piece Configuration

The 1940s ballroom experience: 13 horn players, a full rhythm section and vocal soloists performing the Great American Songbook, Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Count Basie and Tommy Dorsey. For the wedding where the aesthetic is the era — when swing was the sound of the room, not a reference to it.

13 horn players, full rhythm section, vocal soloists
Great American Songbook, Sinatra, Basie, Miller
Big Band
Swing Orchestra

28-Piece Full Orchestra

Swing Orchestra

28-Piece Configuration

The full Down for the Count production: 28 musicians, a strings section, complete horn section, rhythm and vocal soloists. Inspired by the 1950s Capitol Studios sound — Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Judy Garland. One of the largest live wedding orchestras performing in the UK. For the grand ballroom occasion where the music is the event.

Full orchestra with strings, horns, rhythm and vocals
Eight sold-out shows at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club

Location

London, United Kingdom

Pricing and What to Expect

Understanding the Investment

available on enquiry
Bespoke

All pricing is indicative. Final investment varies by date, guest count, menu, and bespoke requirements. Contact the venue directly for a tailored proposal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Down for the Count

From a three-piece acoustic trio (Vintage Strollers) to a full 28-piece Swing Orchestra. There are nine named configurations, all drawn from the same collective of 30 professional musicians.

Yes. No backing tracks, no click tracks, no pre-recorded elements — ever. Every note at every event is performed live by Down for the Count musicians.

Yes. Whole-day packages cover ceremony musicians, roaming cocktail-hour entertainment and the full reception party band.

Swing, jazz, soul, Motown, pop and the Great American Songbook as standard. Contemporary hits, specific requests and bespoke first dance arrangements are all available.

Yes. The collective performs throughout the UK and has performed at international events including Montreux Jazz Festival and the North Sea Jazz Festival.

Pricing is on enquiry and is bespoke to the configuration, event length and location. Contact Mike Paul-Smith directly at mike@downforthecount.co.uk.

The collective has performed at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club (eight sold-out shows), the Royal Albert Hall, Claridge's, Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, the V&A Museum and the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, among others.

Yes. Bespoke first dance arrangements are prepared as standard. The collective has also performed Horah and other specific cultural requests for couples.

Down for the Count

Down for the Count · Enquire

Begin Planning Your Wedding at Down for the Count

Our team will connect you with the venue to discuss availability and a bespoke proposal.

Your enquiry is kept strictly private. We will never share your information.

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