Review Centre: Jazz Bands

"Just unbelievable! This Band made our holiday unforgettable! We are still getting feedback from guests all over the world! The combination of a cover band and a jazz band-Big Band, gave us the feeling of Las Vegas and a dance club at the same time. The singers sang in all languages of the world, real professionals, it was as if we had been at the world's best concerts, and all this was presented in one team - Diamond Rain Show. Special Thanks to Rem Fleming For take our party as his personal!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"What a fantastic voice, Mickey's performance was outstanding! He entertained our audience of 650 plus members and guests, at our New Years Eve Ball, with effortless charm, from the ballads he began with, to the big band numbers he sang at the end. Many of our guests are still talking about him now! A classy and professional act I would highly recommend."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Leah and her guitarist Noe sang/played at my wedding ceremony and reception and added SO much to the romantic yet playful ambience I had going on. Her voice is absolutely gorgeous and flexible, accommodating jazzy/soul numbers to indie and pop numbers alike. She was extremely communicative and helpful in choosing songs, playlists and had great suggestions that made my wedding absolutely perfect Thank you so much Leah and Noe!!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I recently had the opportunity to meet CJ and to play with him at a couple of local jazz jam sessions. He is a joy to be around with high energy and an engaging personality! And what a great musician—he raises the bar for all the musicians around him. I especially love his musical sense of humor. Turn your event into a real party with CJ!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Band Saptham is the best rock fusion band in California, energetic performance is ou of words and superbly talented musicians . They know audience likes so well "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"She was incredible!!! Our guests thought we were playing music at first... Her voice is outstanding!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We hired Dennis and his band, The Way, for our party and they did not disappoint!! Super talented!! The variety of music was great, he was very engaging with the crowd and super nice!! We will definitely be asking Dennis back next year.” "

Reply by Dennis Winge Ensemble
Thanks Robin it was a blast!

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Just FM played us down the aisle at our wedding and then performed for two hours whilst we had antipasti and drinks in Assisi, Umbria. They were an absolute joy from start to finish. The music was fantastic and their interactions with my wife and I and all of our guests was just so wonderful. At one point I looked over and they were playing to and dancing with a big crowd of our guests, at another moment they were serenading my wife and I, and when we were introduced to dinner they played in and around our tables as we danced and took photos with our tables. I cannot tell you how happy just FM made us all and how extra special they made our day. They are truly amazing musicians and charming, dapper gentlemen. Thank you Just FM, we loved it and wish we could go back in time to experience it all again! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you so much for playing at my wedding - it made the day very special."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"On a beautiful August night JSJBF member band The Gumbo Gum bas, a project that grew out of leader Joe Grillo and his late brother Alfie's love of all things New Orleans, played to an appreciative crowd at Bands on the Beach. This was the second of two shows held on the beach for this summer-long Sunday night concert series, sponsored by the City of Long Branch in association with the JSJBFT. his show gave the band a chance to play live much of the material that can be found on their new CD, "Zydeland," with our own Jill Baskind donning the rub board for a couple of tunes. For those of you who may not get the reference in the title, Zydeco is a southern Louisiana dance music featuring the accordion, rub board and in this case horns. The music on the CD was dedicated to Alfie, who passed during the pandemic, and their mixing engineer, Tim Gilles, who left us during the making of the CD. All of the band members who appeared on the beach are on the record, including Dave Anthony on drums, Vinnie Borselli on trumpet, Joe on tenor sax and vocals, Steve Munter on baritone sax and clarinet, Greg Novick on bass, Steve "Big Squeezy" Rice on accordion and piano and Lars Wendt on trombone. All tunes were written, arranged and produced by Joe except as noted below. The opening title track "Zydeland," begins with the measured beat of the drums and is joined quickly by the accordion, with the horns kicking in as the lyrics invite you to join the band on a journey to this magical, musical place. As with any good Gumbo, it's flavored with local ingredients, in this case a dose of the Jersey Shore sound spices up the mix. "Dance With Me" picks up the beat and is reminiscent in tempo and style to one of Joe's major influences, Louis Prima. If this tune doesn't get you out of your seat, nothing will. "Waiting for the Cane," is dedicated to the crazies who choose not to evacuate, but start the party in anticipation of a hurricane, and party they will to this number. "King Cake" includes lyrics by Joe and music by Steve, was explained to the uninitiated that night as the legendary dessert of Mardi Gras which is said to bring luck and prosperity to whoever gets the plastic baby in their piece. It's a high energy number that gives each member of the horn section a chance to stretch out and strut their stuff, and they made it a highlight of that night and the CD. The recorded version of this song literally jumps out of the speakers. "Can't Go Back To New Orleans" is a moving tribute to Joe's brother, envisioning an ode to the city they both love through the sound of Tom Waits, one of Alfie's favorite artists. I got the chills listening to what starts out as a somber tune but ends in an upbeat fashion, finishing with Frank Rein's tuba. Joe and Vinnie collaborated on the lyrics to the tall tale of "Gumbo Parmesan," a song that's lyrics are as much of a fun dream its title implies. "By the Water'' has that infectious "Congo Square" beat, which is highlighted by Dave's opening drum pattern with accompanying percussion and conjures up a scene of the locals doing a NOLA style tap dance. With lyrics by Ken Morrison and music by Steve Rice, "Drifting Off and Dreaming of You" is a mid twentieth century style ballad, complete with strings, and has Joe in the role of a crooner which he does quite eloquently. A welcome respite from the nonstop party to this point, he sounds like the last man at the bar, smoke curling up from that final cigarette, with drink in hand, thinking about the woman of his dreams. The penultimate song, "Drinks On the House," is another fanciful flight of fantasy which would be loads of fun as an MTV video. Bring on the aliens, it's party time! The final tune, "Why Can't Everyday Be Mardi Gras?," is a fitting end to this party with Steph's clarinet leading the second line followed by the rest of the band with a chorus children along the route singing out the refrain. For this band, every time they start to play it's Mardi Gras. If these songs don't leave you smiling and dancing I don't know what will. Mission accomplished in the fun department as far as I'm concerned."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Music was great, entertainment was professional and pleasantly refreshing and humorous. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Lisanne and I had been searching for a good jazz band with a Latin flair for a long time. We were thrilled to stumble upon Jazz Centrale and were immediately captivated when we heard the beautiful Bossa Nova sounds they have in their repertoire. The performance more than lived up to our expectations. It's a shame we couldn't enjoy it even more because of all the conversations at our wedding. I would book them again in a heartbeat!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I recently worked with Dan and his musicians for a corporate event and we recommend them as a welcome addition to any gathering. They were punctual and talented. They read the room perfectly in their choice of songs to play. Everyone was able to enjoy the live music, even while having conversations with out being drowned out by it. Dan was pleasant and wonderful to work with and I look forward to the opportunity to do so again! Dorene - Yelp"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Parisienne Café Ambiance! As we hosted a concert in January 2023, with a special tribute to the famous 1950s French singer Edith Piaf, we wanted to recreate a unique 1950s Parisian café atmosphere in the hall and we called upon Euro Café Duo to animate this one-time café. Our audience was delighted by their music, and we spent a wonderful evening to which they greatly contributed. We thank them for both their talent and professionalism and wish them every success. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The Best Saxophonist!!! We hired Seps for my Sisters Quinceañera and let me tell you…. HE DID NOT DISAPPOINT!! From the moment we got into contact with him he was extremely professional and was quick to respond. At the party, he played a little bit of everything like spanish ballads, reggaeton, R&B, Rock en Español and other genres; it made guest of all ages extremely happy. We even requested a specific father daughter song and he learned it just for our event. His energy is awesome and it gets everyone on the dance floor! We loved him, our guest loved, him, and he made that night extra special!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: