Jen Merchant Jazz, swing, motown, rock n roll and pop. Great Gatsby show also available

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Price Guide

Available to book from £170. For an accurate quote please make an enquiry.

About / Biography

About Jen
People often ask Jen when she started singing — the honest answer is, she can’t remember! Her mum says she’s been singing since she could talk. Music and performing have always been part of her life. After earning a degree in Creative and Performing Arts from the University of Portsmouth in 2010, Jen began performing professionally and has been delighting audiences ever since.

Performances & Style
Jen’s voice and repertoire cover everything from timeless jazz, swing, and vintage hits to soulful Motown, rock ’n’ roll, pop, and contemporary favourites. While she has a real passion for retro styles, her sets can easily blend old and new — creating the perfect mix for any audience.

Whether you’re after smooth background music for a wedding breakfast or cocktail party, or upbeat floor-fillers to get guests dancing, Jen can tailor her performance to suit your event.

Experience
Jen has performed at a wide range of prestigious venues, including Highclere Castle (Downton Abbey), Portsmouth Guildhall, New Theatre Royal Portsmouth, and numerous luxury hotels and private events across the South of England. Her professionalism, engaging stage presence, and warm personality ensure every performance is memorable.

Themed Shows
For themed events, Jen offers several popular options:

  • The Great Gatsby Show – Two 45-minute sets of 1920s-inspired songs and entertainment, featuring music by Postmodern Jukebox, Caro Emerald, and jazz classics from Gershwin and Irving Berlin. Complete with authentic costume and an optional Charleston dance routine, it’s a hit for Gatsby or vintage-style parties.

  • 1940s Wartime Set – A nostalgic celebration of the music that kept Britain smiling through the war years. Expect uplifting classics from Vera Lynn, The Andrews Sisters, and other favourites of the era — performed in true vintage style, with period costume to match. Perfect for vintage fairs, remembrance events, and themed celebrations.

  • 1960s Show – A lively journey through one of music’s most iconic decades, packed with hits that get everyone singing and dancing.

Jen can also create bespoke decade or themed sets to match your event’s atmosphere or style.

Bookings
Jen provides a professional PA system for all events and can be booked solo or as part of a joint package with her partner, Sean, a professional DJ — ideal for a full night of music and entertainment.

Based on the Surrey/Hampshire border, Jen regularly performs across Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire, West Sussex, Middlesex, Buckinghamshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Kent, Dorset, and beyond. (Travel expenses may apply for distances over 40 miles.)

Get in Touch
For a full repertoire or to request a special song, contact Jen — she’s always adding to her set list and loves creating the perfect atmosphere for every occasion.

Reviews (22)

There are currently 22 user ratings for Jen Merchant

AVERAGE RATING

10 / 101

Location

Based in Farnham, Surrey

Will travel up to 200 miles
green circle = areas covered (up to 200 miles)
pink circle = free travel (up to 40 miles)
Please note that the circles shown on the map are calculated "as the crow flies". By road distances may vary, so please get in touch for an accurate quote.

Just a small selection of the songs I sing (please contact me for a full list)...

Why don’t you do right- Peggy Lee

Perhaps, Perhaps, perhaps- Doris Day

Fly me To The Moon- Frank Sinatra

Moondance- Michael Buble

Fever- Peggy Lee

Straighten Up and Fly Right- Nat King Cole

Sway- Frank Sinatra

That Man- Caro Emerald

Big, Bad, Handsome Man- Imelda May

Liquid Lunch- Caro Emerald

Superstion- Stevie Wonder

Get Ready- The Temptations

Heard It Through The Grapevine- Marvin Gaye

Come See About Me- The Supremes

Son Of a Preacher Man- Dusty Springfield

Stuck In The Middle With You- Stealers Wheel

My Girl- The Temptations

Higher and Higher- Jackie Wilson

Jailhouse Rock- Elvis Presley

Twist and Shout- The Beatles

Johnny B Goode- Chuck Berry

Tainted Love- Imelda May

Do You love Me- The Contours

Shake a Tail Feather- Blues Brothers

Teenager In Love- Dion and The Belmont’s

Be My Baby- The Ronettes

Don’t Know Why- Nora Jones

Valerie- Amy Winehouse

Forget You- Cee-Lo Green

Call Me Maybe- Postmodern Jukebox version

Technical Info

What are your basic technical requirements?

Unloading outside the venue is necessary and a parking space

Access to a plug socket required

Small table to put mixing desk on required


Do you provide sound and lighting equipment?

Yes, I have a Bose PA system and simple lighting where needed. I also have a small, wireless speaker for smaller events and outdoor events where power is not available.


Can you provide a Spotify/DJ service before and between your sets?

Yes, my husband is a DJ so I can offer this as a joint package or I can play background music on my ipd in between sets (client is also welcome to plug in their own iPad or phone, if they would like to play their own music)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best gig you've ever done and the best venue you've ever played at?

My favourite venue that I have played at a few times is Highclere Castle aka the real Downton Abbey. It feels so grand and the acoustics are amazing!

Performance Info

What are your typical setup and performance times?

30 min set up time (roughly, depending how close the car can be parked to the venue etc)

2 x 45 min sets are my standard set length but I can do more/ less upon request


Are you happy to perform outside?

Yes but would require shelter if the weather is looking iffy.


Do the clients have a say in what you play or is it a set repertoire list only?

I have a list of songs that clients are welcome to pick some favourites from. If they have a particular favourite or meaningful song that isn't in my repertoire, I am also ways happy to see if it's a possibility to learn it, by request in advance.

Recent Clients

Jen Merchant has performed for these clients:

Highclere Castle aka Downton Abbey- (Vintage Garden Party)

Silent Pool Gin- (Wolrd Gin Day Event)

Portsmouth Guildhall- (Chancellor's Dinner)

Pennyhill Park- Bagshot (Corporate event for Owen James)

Spitbank Fort- Portsmouth Solent (Corporate Event for Barton Hill)

34, Grosvenor Square, Restaurant- Mayfair (Private birthday party)

North Hampshire Golf Club- Fleet (Ladies golf team social)

Langtry Manor Hotel- Bournemouth (Wedding)

Crown and Anchor- Chichester (Post Goodwood Revival music night)

Alverbank Hotel- Gosport (Wedding)

Chichester Harbour Hotel (Sunday lunchtime jazz)

Edgar Jerome, Aldershot- (95th anniversary of the shop)

Frimley Hall Hotel- Camberley (Wedding)

Great Fosters hotel- Egham (Wedding)

Basingstoke Football Club (Music night)

Pine Ridge Golf Club- Camberley (Wedding)

The Cedar Tree- Bagshot (Private birthday party)

The Mayflower Restaurant- Basingstoke (public event)

The Three Mariners Pub- Bagshot (Public event)

The Bee- Windlesham (Public event)

Windlesham Club and Theatre (Public event)

The Shehnai Rooms- Reading (Black Tie charity Ball)

The Ox Brasserie- Southampton (Public event)

Boutlers Brasserie- Maidenhead (Private party and public events)

And much more

More Info

Events types:

Wedding

Birthday Party

Private Event

Corporate Event

Hotel / Restaurant Event

Bar / Venue Event

Wedding Proposal

Recording Session

Cruise

Charity Event

Christmas Party

New Year's Eve

Genres:

1920s Music

1930s Music

1940s Music

1950s Music

1960s Music

1970s Music

1980s Music

1990s Music

2000s+ Music

Jazz

Cabaret

Postmodern Jukebox Jazz

Swing

Pop

Covers

Disco

Motown

Soul

Vintage

Rock 'n' Roll

Features:

PAT tested

Male & female vocalists

Female vocalist

Can provide battery amplifier

Public liability insurance

DJ / background music options

Will travel internationally

PA / sound system included

Uses backing tracks

Contact

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