the perfect swing band for your event
The dance floor will be packed.
Songs in tempos to suit your beginners right up to your advanced dancers, with a swing-dancing band leader who understands the music.
Just the right tempos, rhythms and song lengths for:
Lindy Hop, Balboa, Blues, Shag.
Entertaining, captivating and really fun to move to.
Their music will stretch your dancing to its optimum.
A must experience!
Teacher/Performer/Director of Savoy HopStorming at the Sunday tea dance!
I would certainly recommend Tessa and her band anytime.
Smart choices of songs at perfect dance tempos that compelled you to stay on the dance floor.
Teacher/Performer/ChoreographerAbsolutely brilliant.
Great stage presence with Tessa lighting up the room with her obvious passion for swing music.
Tight band. Loved it.
Teacher/Co-founder of Swing PatrolUpcoming performances:
MEDIA AND MUSIC
4-piece band at Sheffield Shuffle
8-piece band at ESDS 30th Anniversary
In 2026, Tessa and the Applejacks released ‘All The Cats Join In’ - a swinging album of arrangements by Tessa Smith and Sam Jackson.
The album can be streamed, and purchased on iTunes, in the UK and Europe.
The CD can be purchased from this website with worldwide shipping.
8-piece album by Tessa and the Applejacks: ‘All The Cats Join In’.
Please ensure a correct postal address.
Can YOU dance? Download this miniature version of my song, film yourself dancing to it and post it to your social media. Don’t forget to tag me - @tessasmithmusic
booking information
With expertise in organising dances and weekend events with international teachers, Tessa and The Applejacks completely understand what is required from a band, and can provide exactly what you need.
8-piece band - From £1675
6-piece band - From £1275
4-piece band - From £875
Musicality workshops are also available - with just Tessa, or the whole band!
All bookings include PAT tested sound equipment and PL insurance.
The best way to book is to send Tessa an email to start the ball rolling!
a note from TESSA:
Singing for dancers is one of my favourite things to do.
I love visiting different swing dance scenes and making music worthy of swinging-out to, for beginners and professionals alike.
When I walked into my first ever Lindy Hop lesson, something clicked.
Suddenly, the music that I had been studying and singing for over 8 years became even more vibrant.
I could see that there was more to Swing Music than a music to just sit and listen to - I saw how the dancers could be part of the improvisational conversation.
I was hooked.
I started heading to as many dance classes and socials as I could - travelling all over the North, to sometimes dance 6/7 nights a week!
By learning to dance, I learned about the best tempos to play for dancers, and I created a set of music that is perfect for dancing.
Over the years, I’ve performed for and with:
Skye and Frida, Jo Hoffberg, Sharon Davis, Trisha Sewell, Isabella and Pontus, Bic and Simone, Ryan Francois, Sinclair Ang, Mikey Pedroza, Gaby Cook
and countless other incredible dancers.
I’ve also sung with two of the most popular Swing Dance bands in the world
- Gordon Webster’s band and the Shirt Tail Stompers.
I can’t wait to visit your scene!