Review Centre: Jazz Bands

"We hired the Band for our wedding cocktail hour and dinner, and it was truly one of the best choices we made! The communication was very easy from the start, Guy answered all my questions quickly, and was very clear and helpful. The band were so incredibly talented and kind, adapted to the different parts of our night beautifully, and I received a tone of compliment on the music! It was stylish, original, very elegant and joyful. Thank you again so much, I am recommending them 300%!!"

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"All of this is an admittedly roundabout way of confessing that I wasn't prepared to be as delighted as I am with Go Tell It on the Mountain (Silkheart), an album of traditional hymns and originals with heaven-gazing titles by Booker T. Williams Jr., a New York-based tenor saxophonist originally from Seattle who performs as Booker T. The obsessive soul-searching implicit in the programming suggests an affinity with John Coltrane. But unlike too many of the saxophonists who aim for Coltrane's spiritual elevation, Booker T has a devilish sense of humor best illustrated by his "Say amen, Gracie" drollery on "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," a homey little melody he elongates and fragments with the comic élan of a Sonny Rollins. In fact, the classic album that Go Tell It on the Mountain most recalls is Way Out West, Rollins's 1958 album of cowboy tunes--and not just because Booker T, like Rollins before him, finds inspiration in unlikely places. It's also because Booker T's interaction with the bassist Saheb Sarbib and the drummer Andrew Cyrille is as carefree and almost as electrifying as Rollins's with Ray Brown and Shelly Manne thirty years ago (or better yet, with Wilbur Ware and Elvin Jones on A Night at the Village Vanguard, from around the same time). Despite the sarcasm implicit in Booker T's low-register bleats, his performances of "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" and "Jesus Loves Me" exude sincerity, much the way Rollins's interpretations of oddball pop tunes do. For Booker T, as for Rollins, satire is a sign of respect, not condescension. Booker T is ecumenical: one of the album's most infectious cuts is "Halle Kalle Mazeltov," a hora whose modality he cagily exploits. The Spartan trio format means that Sarbib and Cyrille have to function as soloists as well as rhythm stalwarts, and both men shoulder the added burden gracefully, maintaining melodic continuity in a manner that bassists and drummers seldom do when they solo. Despite the length of some of the tracks (the title tune, which is just over sixteen minutes, is a Booker T original, not the folk song of the same name), Booker T's solos never deteriorate into self-indulgent braying. His sense of thematic exposition is too well developed for that-another cue he takes from Rollins. (And as if to underscore his lineage, the CD-only bonus track is Rollins's calypso "St. Thomas.") He switches to alto on his own "When Mama Cries I Cry," and his phrasing is impressively speechlike on this lighter horn. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"My husband and I recently hosted a pre-wedding supper in honor of our daughter at a beautiful rooftop venue at the base of the Acropolis. We wanted jazz as background music for the party. Our daughter had sent us links to several groups as possibilities; when we listened to Konstantinos's music we new we had found exactly what we were after. Konstantinos and his group are extremely talented musicians - a full moon on the summer solstice at the base of the Acropolis with their beautiful music - it couldn't have been more perfect. Genuinely lovely people who made this so easy in arranging from the states - HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Don't miss an opportunity to hear the Konstantinos Stouraitis Group when in Athens."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We experienced a truly amazing wedding at 18! We enjoyed every moment of it. We were very pleased with your contribution and have already heard from several people that they loved the musical accompaniment of our party. We agree and would like to thank you once again for your musical contribution."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Musica e divertimento allo stato puro, musica che spazia dal jazz alle atmosfere più sofisticate con leggerezza regalando serate indimenticabili agli spettatori. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Super groupe de swing, chanteuse avec une belle présence, accordéoniste et guitaristes de très bon niveau, l'ambiance état top"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Heard of this band , took a chance and hired them WOW So glad I did, high energy from beginning to end Lead singer POWER HOUSE VOCALS WOW… Ive been asked a million times , Where did I find these guys!!!”."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The team were totally awesome. Would give 10 stars if I could…"

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"Before I saw you at a friends wedding I hadn’t even thought of having any live music at my party. You read the room so well and brought the perfect atmosphere, thanks!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The best Saxophonist out there!! Made the dance floor shake. Jorg was amazing! He played during our wedding ceremony which made it even more emotional. Totally recommend him for your events and special day!!"

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:

"Love The Jersey SureCats! The Jersey SureCats had my party rockin! The guests absolutely loved them and a few are even going to book the band for their own upcoming events. The Cats had everyone up and dancing and just feeling happy! The lead singer, Eileen, even got out into the crowd to interact with the guests and everyone was just loving the entire experience! I would definitely book The Jersey SureCats again and hope to see them play again!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Dare2Love has my highest and warmest recommendations! Lovisa performed at our wedding, and to this day, it’s one of the most unforgettable parts of the entire day. Her voice is incredible—think the power and soul of Christina Aguilera—but what really makes her special is the way she connects with the audience. She doesn’t just sing; she feels the music, draws people in, and creates an atmosphere that’s both electric and deeply personal. I’ve seen her perform countless times over the years, from big stages to more intimate settings, with a big band, in groups, and solo, and she always brings the same energy and passion. And now, together with her husband, who is an insanely talented musician, they bring a whole new dimension to live music. His saxophone playing is next level, and the way they blend live performance with a DJ set is just seamless. If you’re looking for music that will elevate your wedding (or any event) and leave your guests raving about it long after, they are the ones to book. They don’t just play music—they create moments."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Very satisfied I would like to thank your team for the performance on the 10th. Everyone was very impressed with the Jazz Duo! I hope the duo enjoyed the evening as much as we did. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Wonderful to hear live jazz from a group of young, spontaneous and polished performers. Great rapport between the players and with the audience. Loved the energetic and stylish scat singing and instrumental solos, and it’s doubly great to have been in the audience of a live recording."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: