JA - 100 are the UK’s top Jive & Swing band. Together for over a decade, this extremely popular six piece group have performed at thousands of festivals, theatres and events throughout the UK, Europe and USA, as well as Japan, Israel and the Caribbean, 30 countries in all. JA - 100 are renowned for their high energy Jump Jive music (the exciting sound where Swing meets Rock ‘n Roll) and spectacular stage show.  

They combine a mixture of fresh arrangements of swing/Jive/R&B classics - songs made famous by such greats as Louis Prima, Cab Calloway, Bobby Darin, Louis Armstrong, Dean Martin, Big Joe Turner and Sammy Davis Jnr - along with a selection of superb swinging originals taken from their studio albums.

*Their repertoire stretches from the timeless tunes of the swing era, to the glitz and glitter of the Rat Pack along with a dash of rockin’ Rhythm ‘n’ Blues* *Video in Full Profile*

JA - 100 are the UK’s top Jive & Swing band. Together for over a decade, this extremely popular six piece group have performed at thousands of festivals, theatres and events throughout the UK, Europe and USA, as well as Japan, Israel and the Caribbean, 30 countries in all. JA - 100 are renowned for their high energy Jump Jive music (the exciting sound where Swing meets Rock ‘n Roll) and spectacular stage show.

They combine a mixture of fresh arrangements of swing/Jive/R&B classics - songs made famous by such greats as Louis Prima, Cab Calloway, Bobby Darin, Louis Armstrong, Dean Martin, Big Joe Turner and Sammy Davis Jnr - along with a selection of superb swinging originals taken from their studio albums.

JA - 100 have worked with many of the top names in the business, including John Travolta, Status Quo, Isaac Hayes, Van Morrison, Count Basie Orchestra, Keely Smith, Priscilla Presley, Buddy Greco, Kirstie Allie, Kenny Ball, Chuck Berry, Tony Christie and Lee Evans to name just a few.

The band has performed at countless major events including: “In Full Swing” at The Royal Albert Hall (when they headlined the iconic venue’s first ever swing dance); The Berkeley Square Ball; Glastonbury Festival; The London Season; Montreux Jazz Festival (5 times); Lovebox Festival; The Royal Ballet's 50th Anniversary; North Sea Jazz Festival; World Swing Dance Championships (Oslo and New York); Grand Order of Water Rats Annual Ball (3 times); Society of Distinguished Songwriters Ladies Night (twice); City of London Festival; The Ryder Cup; Cannes Film Festival (official party); Cork Jazz Festival; Conservative Party Conference (twice); Society of Distinguished Songwriters and have performed for HRH Prince Philip at The World Pony Carriage Championships.

JA - 100 were the recipients of the prestigious “City of Derry International Music Award” for 2006, previous recipients being Van Morrison and Jools Holland. They also received in 2008 a special award from the Variety Club of Great Britain for their contributions to entertainment and charity.

The band has been featured on literally hundreds of TV and radio shows,   most recently they are featured playing live every Wednesday night on BBC Radio London’s “Late Nights” show with Jo Good. Other appearances include CNN; ABC's “Good Morning Los Angeles”; Channel 4's “Holy Smoke”; BBC Radio 2; DNA Stories; Wakey, Wakey Campers; JazzFM;  “A Swingin’ Christmas” (one-hour PBS Special);  an eight week residency the hit Italian show “Niente Popo Dimenoche”; BBC1 TV for “Children in Need”, and many more.

The band has released six studio albums and one compilation on Right Recordings. Their latest “Recipe for Rhythm” features guest appearances from Chick Corea, Mark Isham, Mr Acker Bilk, Toni Elizabeth Prima and others and is produced by three-time Grammy award winner, Emmanuele Ruffinengo.

With their high energy music, bright stage suits, wild stage show, irresistible humor and sheer professionalism, JA - 100 will quickly get any audience on their feet - or dancing in their seat! Each and every show is guaranteed to go with a swing!

6 Piece

Ian Clarkson - Lead Vocals, Trumpet, Ukelele

"Big" John Fordham - Tenor Sax, Clarinet, Fiddle

Alex Douglas – Trombone, Percussion, Harmonica

Vince "Professor" Hurley - Piano

Ken Smith - Double Bass

Peter "Bilky" Howell - Drums

JA - 100 set includes a broad selection of swinging music, with songs made famous primarily in the 40's & 50's and all performed in JA - 100 inimitable, high energy, style.

Accentuate The Positive
Ain't Misbehavin'    
Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens
All Of Me
Basin Street Blues
Beyond The Sea  
Big Noise From Winnetka   
Blue Moon    
Boogie Woogie Country Girl  
Buona Serra 
Caldonia   
Chicken & The Hawk   
Choo Choo Ch'Boogie 
Danny Boy  
Fever
Flyin' Home    
Fly Me To The Moon  
Giddy Up A Ding Dong   
Hit The Road Jack   
I Can't Give You Anything But Love 
I'm Confessin'      
In The Mood  
Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby? 
It Don’t Mean A Thing...  
It Had To Be You      
Jam Up       
Jump, Jive & Wail  
Just A Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody (Medley)
Lady Be Good
Lazy River  
Lester Leaps In 
Love Me Or Leave Me
Mack The Knife  
Mambo Italiano   
Minnie The Moocher 
My Baby Just Cares For Me  
Oh, Babe!        
Oh, Marie!    
Over The Rainbow 
Pennies From Heaven     
Rag Mop        
Right Now, Right Now!    
Rock & Roll Boogie    
Route 66              
Saint Louis Blues   
Shake, Rattle & Roll 
Shiek Of Araby   
Sing, Sing, Sing       
Singing In The Rain 
Slow Boat To China
Sweet Georgia Brown  
Summertime    
Sunny Side Of The Street  
Sway   
Swingin' All Day
Tiger Rag     
Volare
We'll Meet Again
Well Alright, Okay, You Win 
When The Saints Go Marching In 
When You're Smilin'

Original Songs Include:
Aces Swing
Clear Body, Clear Mind
Fish Fingers (The Professor's Boogie)
Imagination
I’ve Got Affinity For You
Jive Ace Boogie Woogie
Jive, Jive, Jive Aces
Long Distance Love Affair
Once More
Only Mugs Take Drugs
Planet Jive
Play On
Second Chance To Fly
Spectator
Start, Change & Stop
Three Cats Called Louis

Christmas Songs Include:
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
Jingle Bells
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree
Santa Claus Is Back In Town
White Christmas
White Hot Christmas

The Stage
These professional young musicians came on cold to an early evening audience and were simply sensational. JA-100 manage great freshness yet maintain an authentic accurate sound. Full Marks.

Montreux Jazz Festival
Back by popular demand for an incredible fourth year at Montreux, their explosive live shows have become legendary.

Executive Editor, BBC East
I wanted to take a few minutes to write a note of personal thanks for the amazing contribution you made to the Children In Need event on Friday. I was extraordinarily impressed not just by the professionalism which you exuded on the night, but also by the willingness to work within the often very strange demands of television. I'm not sure if you have had the chance to see the result on television, but you looked and sounded great.

The Guardian
The acclaimed, energetic swing music stage show.

Tony Hatch – songwriting legend and Variety Club member
JA-100 entertained 200 delegates from all over the world at the Welcome Party that kicked off the Variety Children's Charity Annual 5-day International Convention held in May at The Royal Lancaster Hotel, London. As usual, the band was fantastic and provided the Convention with a sensational opening.

BBC Radio 2 website - Albums of the year
Life Is a Game by JA-100 has the most important ingredients: It is musically brilliant, it is great to listen to, songwriting is exceptional, and the arrangements of the covers are superb. JA-100 really are a band of very talented musicians.

Toni Elizabeth Prima
JA-100 are the most dynamic and talented band I've seen in many years...and the ONLY ones I have ever seen with the energy and magic on stage of my parents, Louis Prima and Keely Smith, had during their shows. I am a HUGE fan.

Len Goodman – 'Strictly Come Dancing' and 'Dancing with the Stars'
As Duke Ellington put it, "It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing." Well these boys mean plenty because they swing a whole lot better than most people I've heard. Their enthusiasm and their talent are obvious when you listen to their music; it's infectious, uplifting and a marvelous reminder of the era of jiving and swing. Listening to their music makes me want to get up on the floor, so come on everyone - Let's Dance!

National Theatre
Boundlessly enjoyable, brilliantly entertaining, and with enough energy to light up London, the UK's top jive and swing band create electrifying sounds.

The Scottish Sun
Swing kings, JA-100, have been playing to sell-out crowds all across Scotland.

Orange County Weekly
JA-100 album features some horn and piano solos that made my ears pick up real pretty and their charts are uniformly punchy and clever. The band demonstrates throughout that they know their s**t!

Lancaster Grand
If you wanted an excuse to take your mind off your troubles for a couple of hours on Friday night, this show was just the ticket.  Their performance was one of the most energetic I've seen at the Grand and their enthusiasm was much appreciated by the audience. Particularly impressive were the pianist, Vince Hurley, whose boogie-woogie playing was amazing; and the jiving 'cleaners' who joined the band in the second half and received a standing ovation from some audience members. Another showstopping moment came when the drummer Peter Howell played the double bass with his fluorescent drum sticks. I suppose you had to be there! The band's repertoire was extensive and featured lots of top-tapping classics. The audience were more than amply rewarded and if their comments after the show were any measure, they'd be delighted to welcome them to Lancaster again - once they've got their breath back.

Rob Adams, Glasgow Herald – Review for sold-out show at Edinburgh Fringe
With matching yellow zoot suits that even the late George Melly might have considered too daring, JA-100 are one of the Fringe's most eye-catching turns. They're also one of the most professional. Pausing only to introduce the next number with well-rehearsed mischief, the sextet breeze through swing, jive and boogie-woogie favourites with style, panache and smiling enthusiasm. They also know how to get an audience involved, ending the first half with all the portable instruments blowing heartily up in the bleachers and encouraging everyone on to their feet at every opportunity. Mind you, whenever special guests the Jiving Lindy Hoppers appeared, the dancing quality soared into another, unattainable league. A good night out...

David Land – Jazz Journal – CD review for “Life is a Game”
Play just one track from this CD and it will tell you all you need to know about this jumping jiving band. The track I’m referring to is Three Cats Called Louis, a tune about Prima, Jordan and Armstrong and it signifies the importance of these individuals in the history of music. JA-100 are obviously greatly influenced by this trio as well as all things rhythmic but their music doesn’t just hark back to the glory days of jump blues. These guys know how to entertain and make their music relevant and contemporary especially when they are dealing with current issues (Only Mugs Take Drugs). This music is timeless because it makes you feel good and gets to your rhythm bone. Their interpretation of such standards as Singin’ in the Rain, White Cliffs of Dover and Louis' Wonderful World, display the band’s talent in re-energising well worn favorites. Their own compositions are well constructed with good lyrics and great melodies. This is one CD that has stayed on my system since I received it for review. Quality jump, jive and boogie.

Kitsch Lounge Riot
Following their blistering debut at the Kitsch Lounge Riot @ Pigalle in October, the hardest working Swing band in showbiz, JA-100, return. Inspired by the Rat Pack, JA-100 will take you on a journey of Vegas Cool. Having worked with Van Morrison and John Travolta JA-100 are the party band of the rich and famous.

Cork Jazz Festival
JA-100 are one of the hardest-working bands in show business today, performing over 300 concerts a year in up to 25 countries. They've played at the Olympic Games celebrations in Atlanta and are very popular in Hollywood where they are the band of choice at celebrity parties. If you like foot-tapping, swinging, spirit-raising festival fun, there's none better music-wise than JA-100, returning to the Guinness Jazz Festival by public demand - pure entertainment!

View London
The UK-based six-piece play storming jazz and swing!

Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival
JA-100 were definitely the most exciting act to play at our 2003 festival. They came onstage at 7.30pm on a Sunday evening & absolutely blew the house away. They were the first band I booked for 2004!
 
The Derry News
The must see show of the (City of Derry Jazz and Big Band) Festival.
 
Swingtime magazine
Easily one of the best hot, young, swing bands from Europe, that's taking America by storm!

Chichester Real Ale, Jazz & Blues Festival
JA-100 back at the Chichester festival by popular demand, put the cherry on the festival with their fantastic mix of jazz, swing & jump jive. Their performance, as slick and exciting as ever, put the large crowd under JA-100 spell. JA-100 ooze talent, presentation and professionalism, obviously honed during their recent world tour. More than a band - a performance to grace any stage.

Tarragonna International Festival
JA-100 played a wonderful performance in Tarragona International Dixieland Festival. They played for two hours with a lot of energy: they are like gunpowder! The crowd danced since the show began and the theatre became a total fiesta. They were ideal for our festival.

University College, Durham
The night would not have been the same without the fantastic experience that was JA-100. They rocked onto the stage in yellow suits and slicked back hair. In no time the hall was transformed into a jiving, cavorting, dance floor with everyone exhilarated by the entertaining physical stunts and extraordinary playing of the pianist. The night flew by and in no time we were wishing that the encores would go on till morning. They are truly wonderful performers. Not to be missed!

Blues Autour du Zinc
A tour de force. One of the most professional acts we have ever booked. Everyone was on their feet jiving! Absolutely brilliant.

Blues & Rhythm Magazine
JA-100 are really spectacular, not only clowning about and putting on a real show, but their musicianship is rock solid, they cover everything from Joe Houston to Louis Prima via Joe Turner. I strongly suggest you get to see them if you can. We saw them at the Great British R&B Festival & were all knocked out.

War and Peace Show
Their sound and style is infectious. When I saw the reaction from the audience last year I just had to sign them up for an evening show in 2006. Their bright costumes and lively, energetic nature on stage makes the whole performance incredibly good fun. It’s the perfect combination for a good night out.
 
Founder - Klaipeda Jazz Festival
The more than 11,000 strong audience were electrified by JA-100 performance in Klaipeda’s Theatre Square. It was an amazing and unforgettable show. The musicians used all the space of the whole square and involved the whole audience with their show. The biggest surprise for me was that in all of these moments of fantastic show, no matter where they were - on the stage, in the audience or climbing up the lighting rig - all the musicians of JA-100 played to the highest professional level. That's really fantastic and beyond belief! And for the first time in history of eleven years of the Klaipeda Jazz Festival we have made the decision to invite the same group next year - JA-100.

Plus, many more...

The band has performed at countless major events including: The Lord Mayor London's Spectacular (at the Royal Albert Hall); Montreux Jazz Festival (4 times); Lovebox Festival, The Royal Ballet's 50th Anniversary; North Sea Jazz Festival; World Swing Dance Championships (Oslo '95 and New York '99); Vienne Jazz Festival; City of London Festival; The Ryder Cup; Cannes Film Festival (official party); Cork Jazz Festival; Conservative Party Conference (2005 & 2006); Society of Distinguished Songwriters and have performed for HRH Prince Philip at The World Pony Carriage Championships.

JA - 100 were the recipients of the prestigious “City of Derry International Music Award” for 2006, previous recipients being Van Morrison and Jools Holland.

The band has been featured on literally hundreds of TV and radio shows including special features on CNN; ABC's “Good Morning Los Angeles”; Channel 4's “Holy Smoke”; BBC Radio 2's “Paul Jones Show”; Jazz FM; “A Swingin’ Christmas” (one-hour PBS Special) and an eight week residency on the hit Italian show “Niente Popo Dimenoche”. Most recently they performed to over 8 million people on BBC1 TV for “Children in Need”.

The band has performed at countless major events including: headling at the Royal Albert Hall's first ever swing dance event (a complete sell out) , Montreux Jazz Festival (4 times); Lovebox Festival, The Royal Ballet's 50th Anniversary; North Sea Jazz Festival; World Swing Dance Championships (Oslo and New York); Vienne Jazz Festival; City of London Festival; The Ryder Cup; Cannes Film Festival (official party); Cork Jazz Festival; Conservative Party Conference (2005 & 2006); Society of Distinguished Songwriters and have performed for HRH Prince Philip at The World Pony Carriage Championships.

JA - 100 were the recipients of the prestigious “City of Derry International Music Award” for 2006, previous recipients being Van Morrison and Jools Holland. They have also received a special award from the Variety Club of Great Britain.

The band has been featured on literally hundreds of TV and radio shows including special features on CNN; ABC's “Good Morning Los Angeles”; Channel 4's “Holy Smoke”; BBC Radio 2's “Paul Jones Show”; Jazz FM; “A Swingin’ Christmas” (one-hour PBS Special) and an eight week residency on the hit Italian show “Niente Popo Dimenoche”. Most recently they performed to over 8 million people on BBC1 TV for “Children in Need”.

For club shows, usually 2 x 45 mins (& encore)

For private shows, usually 1 x 60-75 mins (& encore)

The above are guidelines and JA - 100 are happy to discuss this (as well as any other details), so that the band can provide what is going to be best for the event.

Please Note: The fees indicated below are approximate and based on a central location for each county. They are intended to provide a rough guide only and exact quotes can only be given once the date and exact location of your event have been provided.