The DCR Big Band

The DCR Big Band is the UK’s top professional Big Band for any occasion. Featuring female Band Leader Debbie Curtis & John Miller, late nephew of Glenn Miller, this band bring back wartime memories and much more!

Price from £3,914 + travel

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Set List / Repertoire

A standard 2 hour show consists of for example:
St Louis Blues March
Woodchoppers Ball
Indian Love Call
All Of Me
At Last
Chat-a-Nooga-Choo-Choo
Tuxedo Junction
Autumn Leaves
In The Mood
Mack The Knife
Take The A Train
Splanky
Trumpet Blues & Cantable
Harlem Nocturne
Beyond The Sea
Skyliner
American Patrol
Song Of India
You Made Me Love You
Tuxedo Junction
Brazillia
Sentimental Journey
Pensylvania 65000
Jericho
Big Bad Leroy Brown
I've Got You Under My Skin
Pink Panther Theme
Imbote
Hot Toddy
Leave Us Leap
Nice & Easy
Hawaii Five O Theme
Adios
I'll Be Seeing You
Little Brown Jug
String Of Pearls
Headin North
Fever
Moonlight Serenade
Small Hotel
So Tired
Peanut Vendor



A
AMERICAN PATROL
A SWINGING AFFAIR
ADIOS
ARTISTRY JUMPS
ARTISTRY IN RHYTM
AUTUMN LEAVES
A DATE WITH SWING
AFRICAN WEDDING
ALL THE THINGS YOU ARE
AT LAST
ARTISTRY IN BOLERO
ANYTHING GOES
ARTISTRY IN BOOGIE
ASIA MINOR
AIR MAIL SPECIAL (GOOD ENOUGH TO KEEP)
APRIL SHOWERS
AT THE SIGN OF THE SWINGING CYMBALS
AULD LANG SYNE
ALWAYS
AROUND THE WORLD
APPLE HONEY
APPLE BLOSSOM TIME
ALMOST LIKE BEING IN LOVE
A GHOST OF A CHANCE
ALL OF ME
APPLECAKE
ANOTHER LAZY DAY
ANVIL CHORUS
APRIL IN PARIS
AZURE EYES

B
BOUNCIN' WITH BASIE
BIG SPENDER
BRAZILLIA
BAIA
BEAT MUSIC No.1
BEAT THE BEAT
BIG CITY
BERT PAIGE & POL STONE
BRASS HATS
BASIE STRAIGHT AHEAD
THE BOUNCE BEAT
BLACK VELVET
BEGIN THE BEGUINE
BAKERLOO BLUES
BEAUTY PARADE MEDLEY
THE "BOSTON" TWO STEP
BYE BYE BLUES
BEACH BLUES
BALLAD FOR STORMY
BASIE'S COUNT
THE BOUNCE BEAT
BALAD OF THE GREEN BERETS
BLUES IN THE NIGHT
BIG SWING FACE
BRIDAL MARCH (STAND BY ALBUM)

C
CARIBEAN CLIPPER
CUTE
CARIOCA
COLUMBIA (THE GEM OF THE OCEAN)
COURTESY WALTZ
C JAM BLUES
C'EST SI BON (IT'S VERY GOOD)
CUT THE CAKE
CATS FROM COOS BAY
CANADIAN SUNSET
CHARLESTON
THIS COULD BE THE START OF SOMETHING
CHRISTMAS MEDLEY
CHATANOOGA CHOO CHOO
CARIBEAN CLIPPER
CHEERS
CHICAGO SHUFFLE

D
THE DIPLOMAT
DRIVE IN
DARLING
DISC JOCKEY JUMP
DEEP PURPLE
DEEP SKINS
DOMINO
DEAR MY LOVE
DON'T SIT UNDER THE APPLE TREE
DARN THAT DREAM

E
ELMERS TUNE
EAGER BEAVER
EARLY AUTUMN
L-JOHNNY MERCER M-RALPH BURNS & WOODY HERMAN
EARLY AUTUMN
THE ENTERTAINER
EYE LEVEL
EIDELWEISS
EDDIE'S WALTZ

F
FOR ALL WE KNOW
THE FAITHFULL HUSSAR
FASCINATION (From the film "Love in The Afternoon")
FANFARES
FIRST JUMP
FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE
THE FOLKS WHO LIVE ON THE HILL
THE FOLKS WHO LIVE ON THE HILL
THE FIREFLY
FLINTSTONES THEME
FLY ME TO DIXIELAND

G
A GHOST OF A CHANCE
GYPSY MOOD
GET IT ON
GIN & FIZZ
GOLDEN DAYS (SONG SELECTION)
GOIN SOUL (From the film Princess)
GIRL TALK
THE GOLDEN TANGO
THE GIRL FROM IPANEMA
GIVE ME THE SIMPLE LIFE

H
HOW INSENSITIVE
HEARTS DELIGHT
HAWAII FIVE-O (Tv programme theme)
HAMP'S BOOGIE WOOGIE
THE HUCKLE BUCK
HELLO DOLLY
HEART & SOUL
HYMNS (AMAZING GRACE & MORNING HAS BROKEN)
HARLEQUINS
HILIDILITED
HARLUM NOCTURNE
HEADIN NORTH
THE HAWK TALKS
THE HAPPY SOUND

I
I CAN'T GET STARTED
IN BEAT
IL CRESCENDO
IVY
IMBOTE
IF I SHOULD FALL IN LOVE AGAIN
I'VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN
I'VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN (V)
I LEFT MY HEART IN SAN FRANCISCO
I GOT IT BAD (AND THAT AIN'T GOOD)
INTERLUDE
I'VE GOT MY LOVE TO KEEP ME WARM
I'LL STRING ALONG WITH YOU (YOU MAY NOT BE AN ANGEL. BUT)
I CAN'T STOP LOVING YOU
IN THE MOOD
IT'S TIME TO MOVE
INDIAN LOVE CALL

J
JERSEY BOUNCE
JUMPIN' AT THE WOODSIDE
JEALOUSY
JUST IN TIME (From 'Bells are Ringing')
JERICHO (v)
JOHNSON RAG

K
THE KID FROM RED BANK
KAREN
KING PORTER STOMP
THE KISS IN YOUR EYES
KOJAK THEME
KEEP MOVIN

L
LOVE STORY
LI'L DARLIN
LULLABY OF BIRDLAND
LEAVE US LEAP
LA PALOMA (BLUE STARS ONCE THAT SHONE)
LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE (TV THEME)
LOVER
LAURA
LAMPLIGHTER SERENADE
LAND OF HOPE & GLORY
THE LOOK OF LOVE
LI'L DARLIN
LOVE IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER
LAZY RIVER

M
MOONLIGHT SERENADE
MADEMOISELLE
MOVING
MY HERO
MIDNIGHT BOOGIE
MISTER BONGO (AU VERSO : LA PINTA)
BERT PAIGE
MOONGLOW
MR ANTHONY'S BOOGIE
RAY ANTHONY & GEORGE WILLIAMS A-GEORGE WILLIAMS
MARIE
THE MAGENTA XMAS WALTZ MEDLEY
A-BILL OWEN
MY GUY'S COME BACK
MY GUY'S COME BACK
MACK THE KNIFE
A-BRIAN FAHEY
MOTHER OF MINE
MAY-HEM
BILLY MAY
MY FUNNY VALENTINE
MOONLIGHT SERENADE
THE MERRY MAKER
MIDNIGHT SUN
MOANIN
MARCH OF MEXICANA
MISTY
MEXICAN HAT DANCE

N
NEVER THE LESS
NIGHTRIDE
NIGHT TRAIN
NIGHT TRAIN
NATURE BOY
NEARNESS OF YOU
NICE & EASY
NEW YORK
THE NIGHT IS YOUNG
NEAR YOU
NIGHT TRAIN

O
OPUS IN PASTELS
ONE TWO THREE, FOUR, JUMP
OLD DEVIL MOON
ONCE IN A WHILE
ORANGES & LEMONS

Full Biography

Highlights
* Top UK big band with female Musical Director
* Featuring John Miller nephew of Glenn Miller subject to availability
* Classic Jazz from Wartime and beyond
* Talented and accomplished 16 piece band
* Low rates in the South
* A truly unique show not to be missed!

The DCR Big Band is the UK’s top professional Big Band for Concerts Private or Commercial Functions, Dances, Company Promotions, Weddings, Artist Backing, TV & Radio etc. Performances have included prestigious venues such as The London Palladium and Her Majesty’s Theatre in London’s West End, as well as private, commercial & charitable engagements nationwide. First established in 1972 by Debbie’s father, renowned trombonist Eddie Curtis, the current line-up has over 1000 music arrangements in their repertoire library covering many styles and eras.

Also available if required, as ‘Featured Vocalist’ is John Miller, nephew of the great Glenn Miller! John adds solo vocals as well as duets with Debbie. He is the only genuine Miller in the Big Band business today, other bands often quote the Miller name, but that is only the music; ‘John is a Miller’.

Debbie Curtis is unique! She is the UK’s only female professional Big Band leader. Fondly known as ‘The Mistress of Swing’, although more recently as ‘The Queen of Swing’, she is also an accomplished musician and singer. Born into the business, Debbie was brought up with the music she now performs; she knows its history, is passionate about it and has clearly inherited her late father’s conducting style.

Her 16 member band features only musicians who are at the top of their profession, household names from Big Band TV & Radio etc, thus ensuring the highest quality for your event. They have appeared with or alongside many of the biggest names in show business!

The DCR Big Band cover music from numerous eras especially the Big Band greats such as Miller, Basie, Kenton, Heath, Dorsey, Woody Herman etc as well as arrangements of more recent popular songs. If there is something special you want played at your event and it’s not in the library, then they will, where possible, arrange to acquire it especially for you.

For larger events, a concert can be turned into a show by adding Debbie’s very own ‘Hobsons Choice Dancers & Re-Enactors’ who can also be booked to appear to add stunning dance from the 40’s era as well as a ghostly glimpse into the past. The Re-Enactors can also provide ‘Meet & Greet’ for your event, including the ever popular ‘Viv The Spiv’ complete with his suitcase of Black Market Goods and watches up the arm! Go even further and add Vintage Vehicles to the atmosphere. The band has two vintage cars and a bus and can even provide wartime tanks if required!

They have various packages available to suit a wide range of budgets. They can appear purely as The DCR Big Band or with numerous other vocalists, featured musicians or International guest stars.

A recent PR campaign through National & Regional Newspapers, Magazines and Radio reached around 14 million people, an accomplishment that no other specialist Big Band has achieved for decades!

Previous Venues / Clients (Selection)
London Palladium
London Savoy Hotel
The Café Royal
Her Majesty’s Theatre London
RAF
Masonic Lodges
Rotary Clubs
Pendley Manor
Provincial Theatres
BBC
Woodrow High House
The Lambourne Club

Lineup

Default lineup: 18 members

18 Piece Band: Female MD/ Vocalist; 5 Saxophones; 4 Trombones; 4 Trumpets; Piano; String Bass; Drums; Guitar

Performance Times

2 x 60 minutes sets


From £3914 + travel

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Requirements

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Prices

Price from £3,914 + travel from Buckinghamshire

Based on 18 members performing 2 x 60 minute sets

  • South East From £3,914
  • East Midlands From £4,568
  • East of England From £4,568
  • North East From £4,960
  • North West From £4,960
  • South West From £4,960
  • West Midlands From £4,960
  • Yorkshire and the Humber From £4,960

Most Alive Network artists travel UK wide and internationally. Get a guide price instantly by clicking the 'get quote' button and entering your event date and location. Make an enquiry and we will liase directly with The DCR Big Band to confirm price, availability, and the provide you with a confirmed quote.

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5 Customer Reviews

Performance quality: 5 stars
Sound quality: 5 stars
Behaviour: 5 stars
Communication: 5 stars
Audience engagement: 5 stars
Value for money: 5 stars
  • Excellent 5
  • Good
  • OK
  • Unsatisfactory
  • Poor

It was absolutely amazing. The atmosphere was electric and the audience was tota...

5 stars - The DCR Big Band are Highly Recommended
booked The DCR Big Band for their event

“It was absolutely amazing. The atmosphere was electric and the audience was totally wow'd. All walks of life were in the audience and everyone was blown away by the talent and professionalism in the whole big band that you have recreated. You managed to keep the whole thing glued together as MD brilliantly - the re-enactors kept the mood in the place it was meant to be and it was great watching all the jitter bug and jive dancing going on to exceptional live music. The evening made a whole lot of people very very happy! Bravo Debbie Curtis - BRAVO!! ”


We thoroughly enjoyed it, Glenn Miller's nephew was great... ...

5 stars - The DCR Big Band are Highly Recommended
booked The DCR Big Band for their event

“We thoroughly enjoyed it, Glenn Miller's nephew was great... ”


Better than any band I have ever seen! ...

5 stars - The DCR Big Band are Highly Recommended
booked The DCR Big Band for their event

“Better than any band I have ever seen! ”


I've been to hundreds of Big Band shows, this was the best I have ever seen, tha...

5 stars - The DCR Big Band are Highly Recommended
booked The DCR Big Band for their event

“I've been to hundreds of Big Band shows, this was the best I have ever seen, thank you for a fantastic evening of entertainment. ”


What a fantastic evening, we are all still talking about it. Debbie really makes...

5 stars - The DCR Big Band are Highly Recommended
booked The DCR Big Band for their event

“What a fantastic evening, we are all still talking about it. Debbie really makes the band swing and John Miller and Iain gave us all a vocal treat! The spiv was a hoot and straight from the forties - superb!!! can't wait till the next one ! ”

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