1920s Cover Band: Carte Blanche

Listening to New York-based jazz ensemble Carte Blanche will make you feel like Owen Wilson’s character in Midnight in Paris after he stumbles back in time. The six-person group dresses in all-white vintage outfits, and their fans include David Stark and Martha Stewart.
You’ll hear: French and American jazz standards from the 1920s, plus Latin music à la Buena Vista Social Club.
You’ll hear: French and American jazz standards from the 1920s, plus Latin music à la Buena Vista Social Club.
Photo: Courtesy of Carte Blanche
1920s DJ: Michael Cumella's Crank-Up Phonograph DJ Experience

New York-based vintage DJ Michael Cumella spins pre-electric 78-rpm records from the early 1900s on two hand-cranked century-old phonographs in Michael Cumella’s Crank-Up Phonograph DJ Experience.
You’ll hear: ragtime, jazz, blues, and artistic whistlers.
You’ll hear: ragtime, jazz, blues, and artistic whistlers.
Michael Cumella’s Crank-Up Phonograph DJ Experience
1920s Cover Band: Richard Halperin's Jazz-Age Speakeasy Show

A regular at Los Angeles vintage hot spot the Cicada Club, Richard Halpern’s Jazz-Age Speakeasy Show bills its eponymous leader as “Mister Tin Pan Alley.” He offers a repertoire of old-timey 1920s standards that can be backed by prerecorded tracks, a pianist, or a full live orchestra.
You’ll hear: Al Jolson’s “I’m in Seventh Heaven.”
You’ll hear: Al Jolson’s “I’m in Seventh Heaven.”
Photo: Photoswithclass.com
1930s Cover Band: George Gee Swing Orchestra

Native New Yorker George Gee formed his first big band orchestra in 1980 while a student at Carnegie Mellon University. Ten years later, he returned to New York City, where his 17-piece group George Gee Swing Orchestra continues to play swing, big band, and jazz. Gee’s so-called 10-piece “economy big band,” is also available for events.
You’ll hear: the best of greats like Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and Glenn Miller.
You’ll hear: the best of greats like Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and Glenn Miller.
Photo: Courtesy of George Gee Swing Orchestra
1930s Cover Band: Beantown Swing Orchestra

Specializing in swing and big band standards, vocalists and American Idol finalists John Stevens and Jen Hirsh front Beantown Swing Orchestra, an 18-piece Boston-based orchestra. Professional swing dancers can be added for demos and group lessons at events.
You’ll hear: “In the Mood” and “The Way You Look Tonight.”
You’ll hear: “In the Mood” and “The Way You Look Tonight.”
Photo: Steph Hodge Photography
1940s Cover Band: Raggs and the All-Stars

Fronted by Ella Fitzgerald sound-alike Sheila Ford and U.S. Navy Band chief arranger Scott Ragsdale, Washington-based Raggs and the All-Stars maintains a classic 1940s look (think big band fronts and vintage tuxes). The core band has seven members but can be expanded with a vocal trio known as the Ragg Dolls, who perform Andrews Sisters hits.
You’ll hear: “It’s De-Lovely” and “Nice Work if You Can Get It.”
You’ll hear: “It’s De-Lovely” and “Nice Work if You Can Get It.”
Photo: Courtesy of Raggs and the All-Stars
1940s Cover Band: Blue Sky 5

The seven-piece Blue Sky 5 sets the mood with American Lindy hop and swing from the 1930s and ’40s while wearing clothes tailored à la 1941. (Lead singer Christina Crerar moonlights as a vintage stylist.)
You’ll hear: Billie Holiday’s “I Wished on the Moon” and Benny Goodman’s “Gotta Be This or That.”
You’ll hear: Billie Holiday’s “I Wished on the Moon” and Benny Goodman’s “Gotta Be This or That.”
Photo: Courtesy of Blue Sky 5
1950s Cover Band: Lapis Luna

Singer Shawn Aileen Clark of Lapis Luna transports listeners back to a time when the voices of sultry jazz singers filled smoky lounges, backed by a diverse instrumentation that can include sax, trumpet, clarinet, fl ute, and vibraphone. The Brooklyn-based ensemble, which was featured in the retro-tinged ad campaign for Kate Spade’s Twirl perfume, specializes in hot jazz, blues, bebop, and bossa nova.
You’ll hear: Gene Kelly’s “Almost Like Being in Love” and Nina Simone’s “My Baby Just Cares for Me.”
You’ll hear: Gene Kelly’s “Almost Like Being in Love” and Nina Simone’s “My Baby Just Cares for Me.”
Photo: Courtesy of Lapis Luna
1950s Cover Band: Double Date

Formed in 2001 to perform in front of the Mel’s Drive-In at Universal Studios, the four-person doo wop group Double Date sings half-hour a capella sets of 1950s pop hits. The Orlando-based ensemble wears Grease-inspired outfits (poodle skirts for the ladies, cuffed jeans and Converse for the guys).
You’ll hear: Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode” and Lesley Gore’s “It’s My Party.'
You’ll hear: Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode” and Lesley Gore’s “It’s My Party.'
Photo: Courtesy of Double Date
1960s Cover Band: Rat Pack Tribute

Spot-on Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin impersonators sing their respective hits in the Rat Pack Tribute. The Las Vegas-based act can be performed as a 60-to-75-minute show with a visit from a faux Marilyn Monroe, or as a shorter opening-reception bit.
You’ll hear: “Fly Me to the Moon,” “Candy Man,” and “That’s Amore.”
You’ll hear: “Fly Me to the Moon,” “Candy Man,” and “That’s Amore.”
Photo: Courtesy of the Rat Pack Tribute
1960s Cover Band: American English

Chicago-based Beatles sound-alike act American English has performed everywhere from Liverpool to Japan for corporate clients including Volvo and Motorola. The group also employs a live keyboardist for orchestrations and sound effects. Costume changes span from Ed Sullivan (suits and skinny ties) to Sgt. Pepper (psychedelic) to Abbey Road (hippies).
You’ll hear: “Let It Be” and “She Loves You.”
You’ll hear: “Let It Be” and “She Loves You.”
Photo: Courtesy of American English
1970s Cover Band: Boogie Wonder Band

Ten-piece Boogie Wonder Band has been performing together since 1996, sharing the stage with ’70s legends like Gloria Gaynor and Kool & the Gang, and playing at events for Sharpie, Levi’s, and Cirque du Soleil. Based in Montreal, they tour throughout Canada and the U.S., playing a funk- and disco-heavy set list while wearing leisure suits and afro wigs.Â
You’ll hear: Rose Royce’s “Car Wash” and Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September.”
You’ll hear: Rose Royce’s “Car Wash” and Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September.”
Photo: Courtesy of Boogie Wonder Band
1980s Cover Band: Rubix Kube

Kicking out party-time cover songs by the likes of Madonna, Duran Duran, and Journey, eye-candy-heavy Rubix Kube features the New York-based group’s six members wearing loud ’80s threads and hairspray-lacquered ’dos. The five-year-old band counts Katie Couric and Debbie Gibson among its fans and has appeared on the Today show, Celebrity Apprentice, and Cake Boss.
You’ll hear: “Jessie’s Girl,” by Rick Springfield, and “Africa,” by Toto.
You’ll hear: “Jessie’s Girl,” by Rick Springfield, and “Africa,” by Toto.
Photo: Courtesy of Rubix Kube
1980s Cover Band: Flashback Heart Attack

Four-man group Flashback Heart Attack sports slick-looking red leather suits while delivering authentic-sounding covers of ’80s anthems. Based in Orange County, California, the band has performed for companies like Red Bull, Ford, and T-Mobile, and recently headlined the Birds Nest at the 2012 WM Phoenix Open alongside Will.i.am and the Goo Goo Dolls.Â
You’ll hear: Billy Idol’s “Dancing With Myself,” and the Cure’s “Just Like Heaven.”
You’ll hear: Billy Idol’s “Dancing With Myself,” and the Cure’s “Just Like Heaven.”
Photo: Jeff Farsai
1990s Cover Band: Bayside Tigers

The two-hour “Saved by the ’90s” show has the four-piece New York-based Bayside Tigers wearing outfits that would make Zack Morris and Kelly Kapowski proud, while covering a songbook that ranges from pop to grunge.
You’ll hear: “I Want It That Way,” by the Backstreet Boys, and “You Oughta Know,” by Alanis Morissette.
You’ll hear: “I Want It That Way,” by the Backstreet Boys, and “You Oughta Know,” by Alanis Morissette.
Photo: Courtesy of Bayside Tigers
1990s Cover Band: Lovefool

Billed as a ’90s party band, Lovefool can dress in grunge wear and perform a genre-spanning set that includes Britney Spears and Salt-N-Pepa.
You’ll hear: “Possum Kingdom,” by the Toadies, and “Love Rollercoaster,” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
You’ll hear: “Possum Kingdom,” by the Toadies, and “Love Rollercoaster,” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Photo: Courtesy of Lovefool