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Client Reviews
Doubletree Park Place Wedding
Client Rating: 5 Stars
Review submitted by clients:
"We invited the Westwind Swing Band to play at our wedding and the performance was absolutely wonderful. The group came with great recommendations and it obviously works at being a very high end performance group.
"The music was high quality and they showcased different styles from the Swing era, some well known and others more adventurous. Everyone commented on how enjoyable the music was. There was a nice variety including several slow dances that brought a lot of couples to the dance floor.
"Choosing the Westwind Swing Band was a great choice for our reception. We asked the band members to mingle and enjoy the party after they finished playing and they are a very fun and personable group."
Corporate Holiday Event
Date: Sun, Dec 17, 2023 at 10:26 AM
Subject: Re: Westwind Swing Band
To: Westwind Swing
Sunday morning update : )
The band was amazing last night, it made the night so special and fun for all of us. Thank you so much Steve !
"We had a wonderful time! You made the event so amazing!" –J. M.
St. Paul Athletic Club Wedding
We do Weddings & Special Events!
Saint Paul Athletic Club Wedding
Client Rating: 5 Stars
Review submitted by clients:
"We cannot say enough good things about Westwind Swing! They were hands down the highlight of the whole night (along with getting married, of course!). The band played incredibly well together as a group - balanced, yet high energy. I loved how they sprinkled in little solos which showcased their talents as individuals.
"Steve and all the band members were SO professional and kind. They went out of their way to make the band’s set up as low-key as possible. They also worked with us to develop a set list and even toured the venue ahead of time to ensure they were prepared! We were so impressed by this group and will forever cherish the memories they helped us create."
Client Ratings
H. P. gave you the following star ratings based on your service at their event (1=lowest, 5=highest):
Professionalism: 5
Accommodating: 5
Overall Talent: 5
Recommendation: 5
Overall satisfaction: 5
St. Paul Athletic Club Wedding
Semple Mansion Wedding
Semple Mansion Wedding
Client Rating: 5 Stars
Review submitted by clients:
"The Westwind Swing Band did a fantastic job preparing for and playing at our wedding in May 2023.
"Steve Chargo responded to our emails (and initiated contact himself when appropriate) more quickly than any other wedding vendor and thoroughly answered all our questions.
"Westwind was flexible and did not have any issues working around the complexities of the wedding schedule, which required some band members to arrive early to set up on an upper floor of the venue. They supplied an extensive list of swing songs for us to choose from and worked with us to design sets, providing good advice on song length and appropriateness for special dances.
"Westwind's pricing was great, and compared favorably with the other bands we considered. This is especially true when you consider you are hiring 18 instrumentalists plus a vocalist! In terms of overall impact on our and our guests' experiences, I think it was the best money we spent. The music was fun, lively, romantic, and played well.
"We love music from this era, but we were uncertain whether all our guests would enjoy it as much as we do. There was no reason for doubt: although few of us actually know how to swing dance correctly, several people told us that they had not seen nearly so much diverse participation on the dance floor at other weddings.
"We highly recommend Westwind Swing Band for your wedding or any event."
Semple Mansion Wedding
Review submitted by client:
"This was my son's wedding. I had a couple of people say this was the best wedding they had ever attended BECAUSE of the band. So classy! Great music that all generations enjoy!"
Comments from our Facebook Page
"We're following. Great time to super danceable music."
"What a well-rehearsed group! Tight!" –P. H.
"Wow... it was so much truly "All Family" fun! [We] are hooked on swing now for sure... –S. S
"Great Music, great dancing!" –L. S.
"The band was awesome!!!" –T. L. R.
"Love the sound of the horn sections." –H. A.
"Absolutely awesome music and watched people dancing. So much fun." –B. W.
"Thank you for a wonderful show tonight!" –D.E.
"THE BEST SWING BAND! And that singer is awesome!" –M. P. E.
"I attended the concert this afternoon in Wayzata and had such a great time! Thank you for all you do to bring the fun!"
–M. H.
"A fun night in Anoka with great music!" —L.K.
"They were good! It was such a beautiful night and we really enjoyed it" —L.A.
What a great concert, it was lovely. —S. R.
Such a great concert!! We thoroughly enjoyed it!!" —J.M.
Special Event - Saint Paul Saints
St. Paul Saints Become the Crooks Haven Ghostly Gangsters
Tap or click image to play
Saint Paul Saints Corporate Event at the Caves
Westwind Swing Band entertains Saint Paul Saints corporate Sponsors, March 12, 2025, and at the stadium on June 27, 2025.
On June 27, 2025, Westwind Swing Band was invited to play pregame entertainment for the Saint Paul Saints.
The Saints promoted a fun event, temporarily re-branding the team as the Ghostly Gangsters of Crooks Haven.
During Prohibition, Saint Paul was not so saintly. There was a speakeasy in the Wabasha Street Caves and gangsters operated with impunity as long as they committed no crimes in Saint Paul.
Thanks to the Saint Paul Saints and their sponsor, Xcel Energy for inviting us to play and for the cool promo video!
Tap or click image to play
ST. PAUL, MN (March 13, 2025) - John Dillinger. Baby Face Nelson. Ma Barker. Alvin “Creepy” Karpis. The St. Paul Saints have more in common with some of the most famous gangsters in history, who made their way to Saint Paul during prohibition, than you might think. Many might consider the Saints the outlaws of Minor League Baseball. Rule breakers. Mischievous. Antiestablishment. Check, check, and check. Put on your flapper dress, don your pinstriped suit, and grab your favorite fedora (but leave the Tommy Gun at home) because the Saints are changing their identity for one night during the 2025 season.
On June 27 the Saints will lean into the city’s history when they become the Crooks Haven Ghostly Gangsters. In the late 1920s and early 30s, Saint Paul became known as “Crooks’ Haven.” The city became a place where gangsters, robbers, and bootleggers from all over the Midwest were able to hide out safely from the FBI and run their operations. Saint Paul was known as a “sanctuary for criminals” with the help of corrupt politicians and those in power who would turn a blind eye to gangsters’ underground activity.
The 18th Amendment, Prohibition, made the manufacture, sale, transport, import, or export, of alcoholic beverages illegal. This created a hub in many cities across the country with Saint Paul being one of the focal points in the Midwest. Such notorious gangsters as John Dillinger, Babyface Nelson, Roger "the Terrible" Touhy, Machine Gun Kelly, Alvin "Creepy" Karpis, and the Barker gang set up shop in areas like the current Wabasha Caves, where the Saints held their unveiling on Wednesday, March 12, which was used as a nightclub and speakeasy.
In The News
Music in the Park on the Great Lawn in Wayzata
Caught on WCCO news.
Special Event - Mentoring the Musicians of Tomorrow!
Westwind Swing Band Gives Back to the Community
We were super excited to join the New Prague High School jazz band for a joint performance! Each band performed a few tunes on their own, then came together for the last two! It was a lot of fun showing the young musicians that music can be a part of your life at any age.
We are an 18-piece big band available for your listening and dancing pleasure! We perform at a variety of venues from wineries, swing dances, weddings and other private events to city parks and senior centers. You can hear us play regularly at the Wabasha Street Caves Swing Dancing Night from 7 - 10 PM on the first Thursday of every month.
Typical venues that work well for us are ballrooms, banquet and concert halls, city park band shells, community centers, party rooms, wineries, breweries, retirement communities, and senior residences.
We are becoming a Twin Cities wedding band of note with several recent bookings and we are already booking into next year! Call now to check availability and reserve your date!
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