About
SMOKEY BARN ORCHESTRA are a New York–based jazz and swing orchestra bringing the golden age of music into the present with energy, elegance, and playful sophistication.
Formed in 2020, the band consists of female lead vocalist Ruby Belle and male lead vocalist Charlie Moore, backed by a rich horn section with Freddie Blue on saxophone, Franklin Smith on trumpet, and Louis Freeman on clarinet. The rhythm section is powered by Tommy Carson on drums, Walter Long on piano, and Henry Vaughn on double bass and bass guitar, while Glenn Burke adds soaring violin, Cliff Turner brings grit on guitar, and The Velvet Sisters provide lush backing vocals.
Their sound is swinging, energetic, uplifting, elegant, playful, sophisticated, romantic, and deeply jazzy, inspired by the spirit of 1920s–1940s dance halls and reimagined for modern audiences.
Featuring male and female lead vocals, a rich horn section, strings, piano, rhythm section, and backing singers, SMOKEY BARN ORCHESTRA deliver vibrant performances that balance nostalgia with fresh momentum. Their repertoire moves effortlessly between classic swing, vocal jazz, dance band energy, and unexpected modern twists such as rap-swing elements and contemporary rhythmic phrasing.
This is music designed for movement, romance, and atmosphere, where every note invites listeners to dance, smile, and step into another era without leaving the present.
Background
SMOKEY BARN ORCHESTRA was formed in New York as a tribute to the social power of swing and jazz music born to bring people together. The orchestra draws inspiration from the glamour and vitality of early 20th-century American nightlife, when ballrooms, clubs, and dance floors were cultural melting pots of rhythm, elegance, and innovation.
Their creative philosophy is rooted in revival, not imitation. While honoring the legacy of jazz greats such as Benny Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, and the legendary atmosphere of the Cotton Club, the orchestra reinterprets that heritage through contemporary arrangements and a dynamic stage presence.
SMOKEY BARN ORCHESTRA believe jazz is not a museum piece, but a living language: one that thrives on interaction, joy, and emotional connection. Every performance is crafted as a shared experience, where elegance meets spontaneity and tradition dances with modern flair.
