Hire Frank Sinatra & Friends — USO's Big-Band Show for a Seated Gala Dinner
Frank Sinatra & Friends is United Soloists Orchestra's 21-piece live big-band and swing show — built specifically for a seated gala dinner, where guests are still talking between courses rather than dancing. It runs 80 minutes on Sinatra-era standards and friends, can flex from a small combo up to a full band, and books directly through Arseniy Shkaptsov at ars@uso.swiss.
What's actually in the show?
Frank Sinatra & Friends packs 21 musicians — brass, reeds, rhythm section and strings — into an 80-minute set of Sinatra-era big-band and swing standards, curated on USO's own official Spotify setlist. It's scored for a room where people are seated and still talking, so the arrangement stays warm and conversational, with room to build toward a big finish.
Instrumentation & running time
- 21 musicians at full size — brass, reeds, rhythm section (piano, bass, drums) and strings
- 80 minutes of continuous programme, arranged to run under conversation rather than over it
- jazz / swing genre — the same production that appears in USO's own catalogue on /for-promoters
- An official, listenable setlist — not a promise on paper, an actual playlist you can hear before you book
How big can it get — or how small?
21 musicians is the reference size, not a fixed rule. For a tighter room or a smaller guest count, the show can come down to a compact 6–9-piece jazz combo (drop the strings, keep the horns and rhythm section swinging). For a larger ballroom or a bigger occasion, the same book scales up with a fuller string and brass section. Tell us your room and guest count and we'll size it correctly — we'd rather ask than guess.
Why does a seated dinner need Frank Sinatra & Friends and not Symphonic Disco?
A seated gala dinner needs music that supports conversation, not one that pulls guests out of their chairs — that's exactly the gap between this show and USO's flagship Symphonic Disco. Frank Sinatra & Friends is swing colour for the meal; Symphonic Disco is a dance floor for afterwards — and USO's own ensemble-size guide maps exactly where each one fits in your evening.
As the conductor and arranger of both shows, the difference is in the writing, not just the setlist. A big-band jazz arrangement leaves space — the horns lay out, the rhythm section breathes, and a table of eight can still hear each other between numbers. A disco arrangement for full symphonic strings does the opposite on purpose: it's built to fill a room and get bodies moving. Neither is a smaller version of the other; they're written for two different moments in the same evening.
That's why so many galas book both, back to back. Once the plates are cleared, the same evening can hand off from swing to dance floor:
"In ten years running this hall, I had never seen a show like it" — Vanessa Bochsler, manager of Salle Métropole (Lausanne), on Symphonic Disco filling the room's dance floor.
If you want your guests seated and talking through the meal, then dancing before the night ends, this is the natural pairing: Symphonic Disco for the second half, Frank Sinatra & Friends for the first.
What does it look and sound like in the room?
Frank Sinatra & Friends is one of the newest productions in USO's own catalogue, so there isn't yet a client gala to point to — what you can see is the ensemble itself: the 27-image gallery below, and the specs above. We'd rather be honest about that than invent a testimonial that doesn't exist. If you book it, your event could be the first public airing of this exact show.
- A stage dressed for swing, not spectacle — music stands, a rhythm section, a horn line, strings behind
- Warm, close arrangements built for a room where people are still talking, not shouting over the band
- The same self-owned technical setup USO brings to every booking, so most venues don't need to rent extra gear — see the technical & hospitality rider for what that actually includes
How do bookings work?
Booking Frank Sinatra & Friends starts with a conversation, not a price list — every quote is built around your room, date and guest count, so we don't publish a fixed figure for this format. Reach out to Arseniy directly, tell him the room and the moment, and he'll size the ensemble and confirm what's included.
- Lead time: book at least one month ahead; earlier if you want the full 21-piece line-up on a busy date
- Reach: Frank Sinatra & Friends travels — USO plays for private and corporate clients across Switzerland and internationally
- Technical setup: USO brings its own sound gear by bus on tour, so most rooms need little extra rental — see the rider explainer
- How to enquire: email ars@uso.swiss directly, or use the enquiry form on /services; if you're comparing formats first, USO's broader hiring guide is a good starting point
About Arseniy Shkaptsov
Frank Sinatra & Friends is arranged and conducted by Arseniy Shkaptsov, United Soloists Orchestra's founder and Music Director. He studied conducting in Lugano and Zurich, was mentored by Paavo and Neeme Järvi and Daniele Gatti, and has worked alongside musicians including Stefano Bollani and Gidon Kremer — he also releases his own jazz recordings, which is exactly the ear this show's big-band arrangements draw on.
Frequently asked questions
How many musicians, minimum?
The full show is 21 musicians, but it flexes down to a 6–9-piece jazz combo without strings for a tighter room, and scales up further for a bigger gala — tell us your room and we'll confirm the right size.
Can we add dance-floor time after dinner?
Yes. Once the meal is done, many galas move straight into Symphonic Disco to get the room dancing — that's a separate booking with its own larger ensemble, not the same players simply playing louder, so plan it as a two-part evening if you want both.
How far ahead do we need to book?
At least one month's notice, and earlier is safer if you want the full 21-piece line-up or a specific date during a busy season.
Do you travel outside Switzerland?
Yes — Frank Sinatra & Friends travels for private and corporate clients internationally, not just within Switzerland.
What does it cost to book?
We don't publish a fixed price for this format — every gala is quoted around your room, date and ensemble size. Email ars@uso.swiss or use the enquiry form on /services and we'll come back with a number for your event.