Formed in August 2014, the Moonlight Swing Band started out paying tribute to the big band era of the 1930s and 1940s, such as Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, and Tommy Dorsey and the crooners who sang with them, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and Frank Sinatra. The band maintains is roots and keeps one foot in the past but has one foot in the audience favorites playing lots of R&B, soul, and even throwing in a little Carolina’s beach music.
Regardless of your age, we only play the tunes you know just from growing up in America, songs you can at least hum to if you don’t outright know the words.
The band is made up of current and former music teachers and band directors, church musicians, college students, business professionals and community leaders who love playing music. And we love sharing our music with appreciative audiences. In our short history, we have played for a variety of events including the grand opening of Wilson’s Whirligig Park, the grand reopening of Johnston Community College’s Paul A. Johnston auditorium, and even the NC State vs. Clemson football game. We’ve played the Raleigh Convention Center twice, and the iconic Rudy Theater in Selma, NC.
We play for galas, birthday parties, weddings, benefit performances for nonprofits, and retirement communities love us. All audiences love our full complement of horns, a rhythm section second to none, and our dynamic and lovely vocalist. We’ve got a good thing going – and our good thing just keeps getting better.
What People Are Saying
The Moonlight Swing Band was magnificent – thank you.
Beth S. (March 6, 2022)
The Moonlight Swing Band played to a receptive and appreciative audience at the Rudy. Their selections were performed extremely well, and the abundant solos were better than special, I’d say spectacular. And Moonlight’s chanteuse, Karen Barringer, was absolutely astonishing with her runs and vibrato. She’s a singer! And she amazed and delighted the packed house.
R Frank Timberlake
President
R F Timberlake & Company, Inc.
Marketing Communications Consultants
(February 11, 2024)
Awesome review (by Frank Timberlake). And sooooo true!
Patricia T.
Feedback from the residents is that your band was the most well-received performance we’ve hosted here. Thank you sincerely for contributing to this success. We are interested in booking your band for the week of Valentine’s Day in 2025.
Shiloh Sticker
Director of Resident Programming
Brookdale of Raleigh
(February 2024)
I love the Moonlight Swing Band from my hometown of Wilson, NC. I’ve hired them twice for special occasions and recommend them…. They’re always crowd pleasers!
Chip F, Wilson NC
We were thrilled to attend one of your earlier performances this year and enjoyed it very much.
Barry S., Wilson NC
“No words to describe how great y’all are.”
Joe S. (May 16, 2024)
“…wonderful evening and sweet memories of days gone by.”
Eleanor B. (May 16, 2024)
“A standing ovation for you all.”
Fonda P. (May 16, 2024)