Review Centre: Crooners

"The duo for our wedding was incredible. Very fun and Classy. Elegant and so professional."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"If you like Lana del Rey, check out Lauren Carter."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Duo Colore was also very nice! Passionate young guys who know how to bring the atmosphere in. Flexible and therefore we are very satisfied."

Rating: 9 / 10 Share this review:

"Really good, great show, all on time everyone really enjoyed Luke"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"IT WAS billed as A Night At The Musicals, and it was certainly a title which attracted a packed house to the Howden Park Centre last Friday evening when Darren Shaw and three dancers took the stage and sang and danced their hearts out. Two for the price of one took on a whole new meaning in this show in which we, the audience, were encouraged to join in with some of the well known songs. If you looked around, all you could see was a sea of smiling faces having a great time reminiscing and sharing some of their favourite moments from the musicals. This was courtesy of one very talented young man sporting a George Clooney haircut and diamond earring, some nifty costume changes, an incredible voice range and an endearing smile. Using a variety of spectacular, if sometimes dazzling lighting effects, and the obligatory dry ice creating an atmosphere that makes the singer appear suspended in clouds, the show began with a spotlight into which sauntered Mr Shaw in top hat and tails singing On The Street Where You Live, from My Fair Lady. Once again the excellent acoustics of the Brian Duguid Theatre played host to emotive, full orchestral music courtesy of impeccably timed tapes. Maybe it was just a shade loud in the first half which saw something very unusual and totally original. Everyone is familiar with The Sound of Music and the recent Connie Fisher version of The Hills are alive. Enter Darren Shaw looking splendid in lederhosen, like a denizen of Austria and straight from the Alps. To everyone's amazement and some barely concealed audience mirth, he became a soprano and made the hills come alive in his own special way. As the show progressed, the format of two songs by Mr Shaw interspersed with dance routines by the hardworking dancers began to win us over. For the first time ever, the famous duet from Grease, You're The One That I Want, was sung by Mr Shaw who performed the male and female parts. Using his falsetto voice – an attribute which was once taught in Italy in the middle ages resulting in the singers being known as castratto (please, don't ask) – Shaw sang the SuBo hit from Les Miserables as he duetted with himself in I Know Him So Well. In The Phantom of the Opera sequence he once again sang the famous duet which takes Christine, the soprano and The Phantom to perform, all by himself. As for the three dancers, two glamorous blondes and a bonny brunette, they proved their versatility by dancing a variety of styles from musical comedy to modern with a brave attempt at Irish River Dancing which drew cheers from the audience. The finale saw Shaw resplendent in a mint green sparkling shirt and matching flares with the dancers in glittering jump suits so there was no doubt that we would hear something from Mamma Mia and we certainly did. This night at the theatre was indeed a feast of tunes from the musicals which at first, thanks to Mr Shaw's dual voice, seemed a little hard to digest but soon became an acquired taste."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The perfect accompaniment to the cocktail party Everything, from start to finish, was perfect. David was very flexible and professional. Every detail was taken care of and the band sounded incredible. Everyone enjoyed the experience and I’m very grateful to David for creating the perfect atmosphere for my cocktail party. Thank you very much!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Gordon Rocker never fails to make our crowd happy. The reads the room impeccably and gets everyone up and dancing. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Well done ... you nailed it! And you have two teenage converts to swing added to your fan base!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The perfect accompaniment to the cocktail party Everything, from start to finish, was perfect. Mark was very flexible and professional. Every detail was taken care of and the band sounded incredible. Everyone enjoyed the experience and I’m very grateful to David for creating the perfect atmosphere for my cocktail party. Thank you very much!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Currently listening to Sam in the New Eltham social club and got to say loving him!! Thanks for making our night!! Great song choices and great voice!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Hi David Steed, I just wanted to say a big thank you to you for playing at our wedding and making it such a special day ! You were very professional from the start and throughout. Loved you playing me down the aisle and I know the guests all said how great you were ! I Would highly recommend ! Thanks again, Rachel & Darrel, Cotswold Hotel & Spa . "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Rob never fails to fill the room in Osoyoos. He is a crowd favorite who is often asked to reappear at the local venues and never seems to tire. I have booked him many times and he never fails to please."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you for such a beautiful performance yesterday at the funeral Sarah. The family were so very pleased."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"TRILBY Scott Yanow, author of ten books including The Jazz Singers, Trumpet Kings, Jazz On Film and Jazz On Record 1917-76 The Rick Holland-Evan Dobbins Little Big Band, which is based in Rochester, New York, was founded in 2005. Co-led by flugelhornist Holland and trombonist Dobbins, the 11 piece group has the sound of a big band despite having eight instead of the usual 11 or 12 horns. Its musicianship is top-notch, soloists are impeccable, and arrangements are both colorful and swinging. The 11 songs heard on Trilby consist of four standards, three originals by harmonica great Hendrik Meurkens, and a song apiece by Kerry Strayer, Hal Crook, Brent Wallarab and pianist Bill Dobbins. The father of Evan Dobbins, Bill Dobbins is the best known musician in the band, contributed six of the arrangements, and is a key soloist on five songs. But enough of the statistics. The Little Big Band swings hard and puts plenty of spirit into each performance. The opener, Benny Golson's “Stablemates,” has fine solos from Holland and the Phil Woods-inspired altoist Doug Stone, with the two battling it out near the tune's finish. Meurkens' “Slidin'” has an arrangement by Bill Dobbins that in its use of restrained tone colors is worthy of Thad Jones. A heated jam on “The Eternal Triangle” gives Holland and tenor-saxophonist Mike Pendowski an opportunity to jam, trade-off and interact with each other. Holland, Doug Stone (this time on clarinet) and trombonist Nick Finzer play lyrically on the melodic “Second Waltz.” David Baron's bass is featured prominently on “The Cottage,” a haunting tune particularly worthy of several listens. “Trilby,” a lengthy exploration of the chord structure of “Alone Together,” has some excellent hard bop flugelhorn from Holland, adventurous soprano from Stone and a memorable spot for Bill Dobbins' piano. Trombonist Dobbins, Pendowski and drummer Rich Thompson are not only well featured on “Fused” but at one point they play as a pianoless bassless trio. Rick Holland is heard at his best on the ballad “My Darling Darlene” and a jazz waltz version of “While We're Young.” David Baron is naturally in the spotlight during bassist Oscar Pettiford's “Tricotism” (along with Nick Finzer and Bill Dobbins) before Trilby closes with its most intense performance on “Rich's Call.” Throughout Trilby, the Rick Holland-Evan Dobbins Little Big Band plays on the level of most better-known ensembles, performing music that is inventive, full of life and fun. Their CD is highly recommended."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Luke was an absolute star and really made my Mum’s birthday celebration special. He was accommodating and kind and a great hit with the guests too! Would book Luke again in a heartbeat … thank you Luke! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: