Chou Chou Productions

What Chou Chou Productions does

Chou Chou Productions is a U.S. live-entertainment company headquartered in Huntingtown, Maryland, that delivers authentic 1920s–1950s musical performances in Big Band, Swing, Jazz Cabaret, and Electro-Swing formats. The company was rebranded in 2019 from the Imperial Palms Orchestra, which traces operating history to 1983, and is led by Chou Chou following the retirement of founder Doc Scantlin. Performance formats are configurable from a cabaret duo or trio up to a full 20-member orchestra, allowing the company to price and scale engagements to the venue and budget.

The company's core product is live musical performance, with no underlying software or technology platform beyond standard booking and event-coordination functions. Recent product extensions include "DJ Chou Chou & Electro-Swing Bop Deluxe," the autism-advocacy show "Blissfully Being," and an artisanal handmade-guitar line associated with Doc Scantlin. Forbes has recognized the ensemble as "Best Band in America" and "World's Best Band," and the company has performed for foreign royalty and world leaders.

Revenue is generated through booking fees for live performances across customer segments including hotels (e.g., the Omni Shoreham Hotel's Secret Garden Series), clubs (The Carlyle Club, Mansion on O Street), corporate clients, private event hosts, and government and community events. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. Operations were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and a 2021 fire, with performances resuming in September 2021. Headcount is reported at 51–100 employees.

Name

Chou Chou Productions

Legal name

Amalgamated Chou Chou Productions Unlimited

Website

https://docscantlin.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Chou Chou Productions is a Maryland-based live entertainment company performing authentic 1920s–1950s Big Band, Swing, Jazz Cabaret, and Electro-Swing music. It serves hotels, clubs, corporate clients, private events, and government functions via configurable ensemble sizes from duo to a 20-piece orchestra.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Entertainment Services

NAICS

Musical Groups and Artists (71113), Other Performing Arts Companies (71119)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Musical Instruments (3931)

akta.pro primary industry

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM)

akta.pro secondary industry

Instrument Repair, Maintenance & Luthier Services (CRALAEAF)

Keywords

• Live entertainment services
• Big band performances
• Vintage jazz cabaret
• Corporate event entertainment
• Electro-swing DJ services

Headquarters

HQ city

Huntingtown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Live Performance Bookings: The company generates revenue through booking fees for live performances at venues, private events, corporate galas, and public venues. Configurations range from full 20-member orchestra to smaller 6-7 musician ensembles to intimate cabaret acts.
2. Event Entertainment Services: Provides themed entertainment for Gatsby-era events, corporate galas, private parties, and public venue performances. Accepts bookings for various event types including weddings, anniversaries, and themed celebrations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Chou Chou Productions is a live entertainment company that books vintage-themed musical performances for events, venues, and celebrations. The company offers multiple performance configurations—from a full 20-member big band orchestra (Imperial Palms Orchestra) with violins and the Coconut Girls dancing troupe, down to an intimate jazz cabaret trio/duo, a DJ set with a custom Gramophone booth playing Electro-Swing, and an autism advocacy cabaret show—covering authentic 1920s-1950s musical styles including Big Band, Swing, Jazz Cabaret, and Electro-Swing.

Product overview

Chou Chou Productions is a live entertainment company offering multiple performance formats centered on vintage 1920s-1940s music and style. The portfolio consists of: (1) Chou Chou and the Imperial Palms Orchestra - a 15-piece big band with vocalists and dancers for large events; (2) Ma Petite Chou - an intimate jazz cabaret trio/duo/piano act; (3) DJ Chou Chou & Electro-Swing Bop Deluxe - DJ sets mixing vintage music with Electro-Swing; (4) Blissfully Being - an autism advocacy show combining storytelling and music; and (5) Doc Scantlin Musical Instruments - handmade acoustic guitars. The company operates under the legal entity Chou Chou Productions, LLC and transitioned leadership from Doc Scantlin to Chou Chou in 2019.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Chou Chou and the Imperial Palms Orchestra

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mansion on O StreetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Mansion on O Street is described as one of their favorite places on the planet. They performed for the Mansion's 40th anniversary celebration and have a special relationship with the venue, having played many great parties there. The Mansion is described as a creative destination and museum, featuring dozens of secret passages and whimsy, created by H. Leonard.
• Omni Shoreham HotelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Omni Shoreham Hotel presents Chou Chou monthly in their Secret Garden Summer Series. The hotel provides the venue for their "A Night of Swing" events in the enchanting garden. This partnership has been crucial for Chou Chou's transition to solo leadership of the band, providing regular performance opportunities.
• Silver Spring Town Center and Montgomery County Commission of Veterans AffairsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresented "As Time Goes By: A Celebration of Valor" - a veterans appreciation event on November 6, 2019 at the Silver Spring Civic Building. This was a free community event to honor veterans.
• The Carlyle ClubcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHosted Chou Chou's official debut with the full 20-member Imperial Palms Orchestra, featuring the Coconuts. This was described as a "majorly epic historic spectacular-spectacular event" marking her official assumption of band leadership.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Parov Stelar: Austrian Electro-Swing artist who pioneered the modern Electro-Swing genre. Comparable to Chou Chou's DJ Chou Chou / Electro-Swing Bop Deluxe format and custom gramophone-style performance concept.
• Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks: Specialist 1920s-1930s jazz orchestra that performs at events, concerts, and was the house band for Boardwalk Empire. Highly aligned with Chou Chou's authentic 1920s-1940s repertoire and high-end event clientele.
• Royal Crown Revue: Retro swing and jump-blues band performing at corporate events, weddings, and themed galas since the 1990s. Closely comparable to Chou Chou in vintage-era style and corporate/private event bookings.
• The Hot Sardines: Jazz and swing revival band performing 1920s-1940s-influenced music for festivals, corporate events, and concert halls. Directly comparable vintage-niche positioning, multi-format ensemble (full band down to smaller cabaret configurations), and event-driven revenue model.
• Postmodern Jukebox: Scott Bradlee's vintage-styled cover band that reimagines modern hits in Big Band, swing, and jazz arrangements. Directly comparable to Chou Chou's big-band/swing/retro repertoire, multi-format scalability (full band to small ensemble), and event-booking business model.
• Pink Martini: Multilingual big band and orchestra that performs vintage-style arrangements for corporate galas, festivals, and private events globally. Closely aligned with Chou Chou's full-orchestra event format, premium hospitality clientele, and international performance history.
• Big Bad Voodoo Daddy: Swing-revival band known for high-energy performances at corporate events, casinos, and swing-dance venues. Competes in the same Big Band/swing event-entertainment niche that Chou Chou serves.
• The Brian Setzer Orchestra: Rockabilly and swing revival orchestra fronted by Brian Setzer, performing 1940s-style arrangements at corporate events, holiday shows, and touring venues. Comparable in vintage-era repertoire and large-ensemble event-booking model.
• Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox (touring): Listed separately for emphasis as the closest scale and format peer: a touring vintage-reimagining act with multiple ensemble configurations, festival and corporate event bookings, and a heavy social/content marketing engine.

Emerging players

• Caravan Palace: French Electro-Swing band with global touring and festival presence. Comparable to the Electro-Swing portion of Chou Chou's offering, though more contemporary/pop-leaning than Chou Chou's traditional swing core.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/docscantlin
• Facebookfacebook.com/chou.scantlin
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chou-chou-productions

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chou Chou Productions