Review Centre: Crooners

"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:

"Book Lewis for whatever event you are planning...be it a wedding or a party. We booked him for our wedding in December and he did not disappoint. Not only is he one of the best Rat Pack singers I've ever heard, what a nice guy he is too! We had so many guests asking 'where did you find him' and commenting on how good he was. I wouldn't hesitate in booking Lewis again and I would happily highly recommend him. Five Stars :) "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Comment while listening to the performance: "It is one of the best night of my life"

Reply by Nicola Cordisco
Thank you Vasil! It was a fantastic evening for us too! The Amalfi coast is always a surprises, even for people who go there often and the place you rented was magic for us too! We really enjoyed playing for you and your family! All the best to you all, Nicola Cordisco

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Andrè Fischer is an absolutely outstanding musician! His talent, passion, and stage presence are truly captivating. Every performance feels heartfelt and authentic, showcasing not only his technical skill but also deep emotion. His music connects with his audience in such a powerful way — you can tell he genuinely loves what he does. His voice and instrumental skills were flawless, and the sound quality was top-notch. It’s rare to see such a perfect blend of passion, professionalism, and pure talent. I can’t wait to see him perform again! A professional through and through, and a pleasure to work with. Highly recommended! Andre ONGELOOFLIK DANKIE!!!!! Groete Maryke"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We booked Lewis to sing and DJ at our Vegas style wedding and he was amazing! Even before the night we discussed the songs, order of events on the night and the songs i wanted played to fill the dance floor. He was completely professional, a fantastic singer and a joy to have here. So helpful ! I can not recommend him enough, thank you so much for making our evening swing! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Absolutely beautiful voice. My mum booked Annelise for our wedding. I could not believe how perfect she was. Not only did she come dressed perfectly and her voice was just incredible. She just made our special day even more special. The songs were just fabulous and just right. I definitely want to hear her again."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Wonderful! Crooner Ed performed for us at a cocktail party recently and was adored. His combination of singing and background images was a huge hit! He sang all the residents favorites and I've been asked to bring him back, often!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Voci pazzesche ed una complicità che rende tutto magico! Con la loro leggerezza e simpatia sono riusciti ad intrattenere tutti i nostri ospiti, dal più piccolo al più grande! Quanti complimenti abbiamo ricevuto per averli scelti per il nostro ricevimento. Disponibili ad ogni richiesta nostra e dei nostri amici. Stra stra consigliati, bravi ragazzi! Eleonora e Daniel"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I have been meaning to message you directly also to thank you. What you produced the night of our wedding was nothing short of magical - and I do not say this lightly. I am very happy to hear the band enjoyed the evening - I think their enjoyment and energy showed through their music. The feedback we have had from guests is overwhelming, particularly that the band and the singer (I don't remember his name) was the best they have ever heard at a wedding. You guys nailed the performance. I am so happy that we decided to do a live version, you could not have gotten the same energy and vibe with just a recording / original version. Your two sets were also perfect. There were a few times that we all stopped in the marquee to listen and appreciate the music, particularly My Way - I remember looking around and quite a few people were singing along! I think another sign of a success of a wedding is the number of people on the dance floor, and there was not an empty space during the second set. The amount of people of all ages dancing was a true highlight for me as we wanted this to be a wedding that everyone would enjoy - not just us." Alexa"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Nos divertimos muchísimo con la música de esta banda, deveras que fue un espectáculo que me llevó a mis raíces, con su música tradicional cubana y sus temas Yito que ya se escuchan en la radio. Muchas gracias por tu presencia Marino’s Band Zayas"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I just wanted to thank you on behalf of the Mayor’s Charities for giving everyone such an enjoyable evening at our event last week. We have had some really positive comments from some very happy guests. "

Reply by The British Bublé
Thank you so much for your kind words! It was a real pleasure to perform for the Mayor’s Charities event and to see everyone enjoying the evening. I’m thrilled the guests had such positive feedback — it means a lot. If you’re planning a charity gala, corporate dinner, or community event in London or anywhere in the UK, I’d be delighted to bring live swing, jazz, and classic hits to create the perfect atmosphere for your guests.

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

" Lana M. • April 22, 2019 Johnny made my 60th Birthday very special! I just have to say that Johnny made my 60th Birthday Party very special for me and all my guests. I couldn’t have imagined having such a good time, but Johnny made everything so much fun. We loved all the special details of our life and played and sang all the perfect songs. The interaction with all my guests, from 20-somethings to 60- and 70- somethings, was incredible. Everyone had a great time and we’re still talking about it 2 weeks later. Thank you, Johnny, for making my birthday very special...you’re terrific!! I hope to see you again for other special occasions!! XO"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"WOW, is all I can say! I had booked the Serenading Servers as a total surprise, I was the only person on the day that knew they would be there, not even the groom knew. Their singing was phenomenal and they got every single person up and dancing. I honestly couldn’t have asked for more. So many people commented on how amazing they were and said they were the highlight! Thank you so so much 🥰"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I am proud that the Rick Holland - Evan Dobbins Little Big Band calls Tala Vera cantina home once a month. Rick is a consummate professional as well as a top tier musician. His Band comprises the best players Rochester has to offer. Such talent coupled with an amazing book of swing and traditional jazz, presents a special evening of music every time they play at Tala Vera. Bernard Matthews, Owner of Tala Vera, Rochester, NY "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Bruddah Vince is a dream! I contacted Bruddah Vince just a few days before our retirement party at a large estate in Beverly Hills, when another performer I had originally hired dropped out at the last minute. What could have been a disaster turned out to be a blessing, as Bruddah Vince was extremely easy, professional, and pleasant to work with, and he provided the perfect vibes we were seeking. His dreamy voice, expert ukulele playing, and great song selection added so much beauty to our night. We all felt transported to the islands for a few hours, and the party would not have been the same without him. He was very agreeable to every request, including taking a Covid test upon arrival, which we really appreciated since some of our guests are high risk."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: