Typical for the period of 1983-1990 is the band's traditional style. The music is close to 20s and 30s jazz performed by bands such as King Olivers Creole Jazzband, Louis Armstrong's Hot Five, Jelly Roll Morton, and Bix and his Gang. The Carlings studied arrangements from records, and solos, breaks and ensemble choruses were planned in detail. During the late 80s the style changed more towards Louis Armstrong's Town Hall ensemble, which later on became to be the dominant style during the 90s. As early as 1984 Carling Family went to Poland for their first tour and the same year they played at the Stockholm Jazz & Blues Festival, together with the American trumpet player Tom Pletcher, as well as for Swedish television. In 1985 they played at the Breda Festival, Holland, and the following years they performed at several festivals throughout Europe, such as Molde, Askersund, Smogen, Stockholm Jazz & Blues, and so forth.
