We’re a mixture of professional musicians, serious amateurs and players living in Kent.  We are proud to have been making music for 30+ years and have raised over £250,000 for local and national charities. 

Our name originates from the venue of our first rehearsals at the Railway Public House in Walmer, Kent held on Wednesday night, 26th August 1992. 

Originally lead by Jon Yates (former Principle Cornet of the Royal Marines School of Music, Deal), our leader, Dave White, took over the rehearsal band formed of a few local musicians longing to play Big Band music.

While a standard big band consists of 17 players, the Railway Swing Band is truly a BIG band with now over 30 members and is now based in Sandwich, Kent.

The band plays a mixture of music of the great Swing era: Ellington, Goodman, Basie, Miller, Kenton and Herman to name just a few, with some modern compositions thrown in for good measure.

Musical Director – Dave White

Dave was born in Sandown, Isle of Wight in 1948. He joined the Royal Marines Band Service at the age of 14 and trained as a percussionist, serving for 26 years. The latter part of his career was as a percussion teacher and Bandmaster of the Royal Naval Volunteer Bands in Portsmouth and Gibraltar.

He Composed three Xylophone solos/duets for band and two marches, one being the official March of the Far East Prisoners of War (Tenko).

Dave feels extremely proud that 4 of his compositions have been performed in the Iconic, Royal Albert Hall.

After leaving the Royal Marines, Dave taught percussion in various Schools in East Kent, including The King’s School, Canterbury.

Dave has always had a passion for Big Band music and is extremely proud to have been the band’s Musical Director since it’s inception in 1992. Dave says, “I still get a buzz every time I conduct the band as it is made up of such lovely people and very talented musicians. It’s nice to be able to do something one enjoys, have fun, and help others at the same time.

This is a sentiment also shared by all members of the Railway Swing Band. Their enthusiasm is evident!