Review Centre: Wedding Bands

"Here's more clear evidence courtesy of Italian-born saxophonist Mirko Fait's quintet that tasteful jazz doesn't run its course at America's borders. These are accomplished musicians who know how to swing and can hold their heads high in any company, foreign or domestic. On the other hand, there is nothing here that sets Fait's group apart from many others of its size and makeup; it is simply a well-schooled working ensemble doing its thing, no more and no less. Fait, who plays soprano and tenor sax, is joined on the front line by flugel Roberto Piermartire, who, like Fait, is an accomplished musician whose solos are invariably polished if not otherwise exceptional. Pianist Antonio Zambrini is another strong soloist, while bassist Rodrigo Amaral amplifies the group's persona by adding his husky baritone on four selections. The quintet's other member, drummer Roby Giannella, is a solid timekeeper who tends to his duties without stepping on anyone's toes. Guitarist Giampiero Spina adds a pastel solo voice on "Sad Eyes Child," "B Mine" and "Funny Day." The program is composed primarily (eight of ten tracks) of compositions by Fait, and they are melodic and charming if less than memorable. Several are in a Latin mode including Amaral's vocals on "Quanno Chiove," "Rebecca Smile," "Nada Mais" and "Aquarela." While the quintet is pictured on the inside jacket performing at the Sant' Elpidio Jazz Festival, Confidences was recorded in a studio, most likely at Fait's home base, Milan. Other particulars are elusive, as the liner notes are in Italian. What is most germane, of course, is whether Fait's quintet is proficient and worth hearing, and the answer to that is yes. The songs, all originals, are for the most part bright and charming, and the quintet plays them well. Although there is nothing here that blazons superiority, neither is there anything that is less than well-managed. Track Listing: Lastlove; Sad Eyes’ Child; Quanno Chiove; Never Alone Melita; Rebecca Smile; All I Missed; B Mine; Nada Mais; Funny Day; Aquarela. Personnel: Mirko Fait: soprano, tenor saxophone; Roberto Piermartire: flugelhorn; Antonio Zambrini: piano; Giampiero Spina: guitar (2, 7, 9); Rodrigo Amaral: electric bass, voice; Roby Giannella: drums. Title: Confidences | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Jazz Di Marca"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We hired Headstrong Butterflies for a corporate event and they were excellent. The music was amazing and Brenda/Dave were so charming! I would hire them again in a heartbeat ❤️ I was so surprised with the variety of music, extremely talented! Everyone had a blast."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"“Her laser like focus on not only her art but also on her desire to understand how our business works has produced, in my humble opinion, the kind of person our industry needs more of. She does not give up or back down, she has seen the inside of recording studios and performance venues around the planet, and has earned the respect of her peers. – Rob Braide, Chairman, National Music Centre/Former VP Standard Broadcasting/Astral Media/Stingray Digital"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Smooth mood project is an amazing duet! both are professionals and very good musicians! we had an amazing experience with them at our wedding this summer! they had 2 sessions of 45 mins each which is extremely difficult for an artist to be on the stage continuously for such long time, singing non stop and the voice of Vasia was magnificent all the time! I can only recommend them not only for weddings but also for coorporate events and any other important event of your life that you would like to be accompanied with live music. They are discreet and wonderful! Also, their piano is beautiful and unique! If you are considering a band for your special moment they are the best choice."

Reply by Smooth Mood Project
Thank you Anna & Andrew for this amazing review! It was our pleasure to perform for you and your lovely guests! We are really pleased that you had such a great time and we wish you to live a long happy life together with health and laughter to you and to your loved ones. Vasia & John Smooth Mood Project Music For Your Finest Events

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Last day of the EDGE GreenWaymusic and arts fest. I'm stage managing and these guys House of Monkeys make me feel like the next gen of Sydney music is in good hands"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Recomand din tot sufletul aceasta trupa de cover! Sunt extraordinari. Au tinut pe ringul de dans permanent toti invitatii, indiferent de varsta lor. Au numai piese faine si redau totul la o calitate extrem de rar auzita la alte banduri. Inca ceva ce am observat, ca nu consuma alcool aproape deloc (chiar la inceputul nuntii i-am vazut cu cate un paharel de ceva, apoi au trecut pe racoritoare). Sunt constiinciosi, amabili si foarte draguti, dar totodata se concentreaza la ceea ce fac. Au coregrafii la multe dintre piese si interactioneaza deseori cu publicul. O formatie bine inchegata pentru orice chef ai face si nu in ultimul rand, la un pret mai mult decat okay. Speram sa fie disponibili pentru botezul viitorului nostru copilas, ca numai pe ei ii vrem! Stima, Alex"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"A few friends and I went to see Gaelforce at the Old Grocers in Pontefract on Friday. What a fantastic talented bunch of musicians these guys are. They delivered punchy folk rock songs, which are mostly their own with a few individual interpretations of some classics throughout the night. Brilliant stuff and highly entertaining. A great venue too, and cannot wait for them to return."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Pauline and The Imaginary Friends played on stage at our Teddington Christmas Lights Up event and were fantastic. I booked them very last minute as the event was initially cancelled due to lack of funds which were then raised by local residents. They were exceptionally professional and did the perfect set to entertain people of all ages. The combination of Pauline’s fabulous voice and the music accompaniment from Gareth and Matt is the perfect recipe for any event. We loved their energy and how they got the crowd dancing. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We had the GooRoos entertain on our outdoor stage and the evening was very successful for us. They showed up plenty early to set up their equipment and lighting. They have a very professional show, dressed in nautical clothes and sounded great. Our customers really enjoyed the evening and we will have them back."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"First and foremost, thank you for a fantastic, enjoyable Saturday night last weekend! You and the entire band were awesome, and we've had a whole heap of great comments from our family and friends about the whole day, but in particular how much they enjoyed your live performance that evening. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"One of the hidden treasures of London is the range of talent that exists on the folk and acoustic scene that rarely get the acclaim they deserve. Three London based bands that excel at performing Eastern European/Balkan Music are Szapora, Mukka and Beskydy, each of whom are worth looking out for. Nine strong Beskydy perform songs and tunes from across Eastern Europe and beyond, in fact looking at the sources on their cd listing is almost like a tour around that part of Europe, from Macedonia to Hungary via Galicia and Bulgaria and taking a detour through Slovakia. The bands name itself comes from the range of mountains that run through the centre of former Czechoslovakia which according to the band has heavily influenced their musical choices whilst they turn their hand to music from a range of sources (excellantly). The first track is a Macedonian song, Jovano, Jovanke (click here to hear the song) and the range of Joanna Fosters vocal skills are further displayed in the three Slovakian songs that make up track 4, from the slow Janosik to the more up beat cheery Anicka Dusicka and A Ja Taka Dzivocka although Foster and the band manage to intertwine the tunes with sufficient skill so the songs merge as one. Again Track 9 is a duet with Accordian player, Peter Murphy, joining Foster on the Macedonian song Iz Dolu, along with some damned fine fiddling. The range of Beskydys musical skills are illustrated well by the instrumental tracks ranging from the delightful Slovakian Waltzes (Track 5) to the slightly more manic Tropanka from Bulgaria (track 10) and onto the ordered upbeat and furious synthesis between sax, fiddle and accordian that is Tantz, Tantz Yiddelekh (a wonderful Galician Jewish tune), yet again garunteed to result in limb movement, a delightful fusion of fiddles and saxaphone, furiously creating a wonderful atmosphere one that demands a physical response. One very minor complaint is the sleeve of the CD, it would be nice (or do I just lead a very shallow empty life) to have some information/lyrics or even translations of the songs, something about the origins of the tracks. That said its more than possible for bands with large bank accounts to produce nice extensive sleeves but not so easy for bands whose talents lie in their music rather than some slick marketing agencies. It would be impossible to identify one part of this cd that could be said to stand out more than the rest. The band have produced an album that is thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish - the question that comes to the fore when listening to this is when is the follow up going to be available? "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Booked The Arrival for our daughters "on farm " wedding ! Brilliant band and we were very impressed .........lots of people commented on how good they were . Thanks guys ........"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We first saw you when you were presenting the karaoke in the 270 bar, you have got such charisma and charm. Our children loved dancing and singing along to your songs, you created a lovely atmosphere. What a talented group you are, I'm sure you will all go far. Thank you"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The trio put on a lovely show, really setting the mood for the rest of the day. They were really easy to work with, set everything up and took everything down on time. No drama, no fuss, and delivered just what we wanted. They even learnt a song for my bride to walk down the Aisle and gave it an amazing Latin twist. They sent us a copy of it beforehand to make sure it was all ok and I have been listening to it over and over. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I've had this band perform at my place many times. All I can say now is, Cool Songs Done Cool!!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: