Review Centre: Swing Bands

"The Swiss Chalet [where Joie de Vivre played a concert on Bastille Day] is a very rare “trophy property” designed and restored exclusively for Private Members only. The Chalet is one of the most famous secret landmarks used by some of the most discerning personalities in the World. From King Edward VII right through to Charlie Chaplin, Fred Astaire, Marlin Monroe to mention but a few. Today only the most exclusive guests are privy to be entertained at this amazing private residence.​For this precise reason we have carefully selected what I would call rising stars. I just wanted to say how thrilled we were with your performance at our private function. Everyone commented on how amazing [Muriele's} voice was. I have had so many people ask for your names! [Joie de Vivre were] just amazing and I can’t tell you how delighted I was! You blew our guests away with such unexpected talent. I’d highly recommend you to anyone especially anyone seeking music and performance to enhance any exquisite occasion!! You score very high in my preferred Jazz music performance !! All the best"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"You might expect an album with edgy, teal-lit cover art and the title of The Isolation Blues, by the Mike Goudreau Band, to be either dark and brooding or a real barroom stomper, showcasing the loudest guitar you’ve heard since Jimi Hendrix’s. Instead, from the first notes, you’ll find it’s a peppy ensemble extravaganza with horns galore. More’s the better, too – the Winter Solstice is coming up, and we need an eye-opening blast of sunshine in the middle of it. Smooth, jazzy-influenced, and boasting crystal-clear vocals, it’s a must-play on New Year’s Eve. Born in 1965 in Newport, Vermont, into a musical family with an English mother and a French-Canadian father, Mike Goudreau picked up his first guitar at age 14 and hasn’t stopped playing since. His early influences included the Beatles, Chuck Berry, Rolling Stones, Johnny Cash, Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, and later, Albert King, Freddie King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Powder Blues and Downchild – to name a few. Such diverse interests help to explain why Mike is comfortable in so many musical genres, especially jazz and blues. Since 2007, Mike’s songs have been heard on hundreds of network TV shows and films, such as the TV movie The Happiest Season (Hulu), Dynasty (CBS), the Universal Pictures film Dark Waters, the Hollywood film The Banker, starring Samuel Jackson (2020), The Neighborhood (CBS), NCIS Los Angeles (CBS), and Chicago PD (NBC), among several others. Joining Mr. Goudreau (vocals, guitars, bass and hand claps) are Jean-Francois Begin (think Menachem Begin, not “begin”) on drums and percussion, Dany Roy on tenor sax and trumpet, Ira Friedman on organ and piano, and Pascal Veilette on harmonica. You know all the shows and films mentioned earlier? Together, they spell diamond-level QUALITY. That’s what’s been poured into each of the fourteen original tracks on this CD. Every note, every musical phrase, glimmers like the light off one of that gem’s many facets. This is real-deal blues, whether in swing/jump form (as on the opener “Let’s Go Down to the River”), the angsty, harmonica-infused title track, the guitar and piano boogie known as “The Mooch,” or the laid-back instrumental “Sea Breeze Blues.” Any band can crank out an album in their garage or basement and deem it good enough, but not Goudreau and his posse. They care about their offerings like Michelangelo cared about David, or Da Vinci the Mona Lisa. That’s because they’re not just musicians. Not just craftsmen. They’re artists, and don’t you forget it. Got The Isolation Blues? Here’s the cure, or at least the vaccine! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Sadly, my brother passed away in September 2019. We appointed Sarah Louise Briggs (opera singer) to sing at the catholic cathedral in Liverpool for David's funeral service. She was absolutely outstanding. Voice of an angel. Very moving and all I can say is a big thank you and I will be recommending you to a lot of people!! C.Abraham"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I just love Paddy’s songs and musicians and music and energy… so when he told me he can also do weddings….!!! I just dream about asking him for mine. Their concert was just as perfect as we expected: fun, loving, true, positive! People still talk about this! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Brian and his band provided us with the most wonderful entertainment for our wedding this month. Right from the start Brian was easy to communicate and organise things with, they hardly required anything from us in order to come & play and where very flexible even when our plans changed at the last minute. We thoroughly enjoyed the music they played and would highly recommend them to anyone considering a band for a wedding."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Awesome band! If you love jazz you will love their music. Michele can really rock it. ❤"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Reviews - (Barry) Just a quick note to say a very big 'thank you' for your performance and performers last night. Everyone here thoroughly enjoyed the whole evening with an excellent mix of music and vocals. - (Ann) It was a great set that you did at …….. -(Diane) I enjoyed the evening very much. "

Rating: 9 / 10 Share this review:

"Dan and his crew were so incredibly nice, professional, and really went above and beyond to ensure every detail was perfect for our event! Cannot recommend them enough!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I highly recommend Jazz Centrale! Besides being great musicians, they are also very professional. Thinking along with the preparation, discreet structure, attractive presentation, pleasant contact, delicious jazz that works for a wide audience, fits the atmosphere and excellent quality."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Kevin was absolutely incredible - I can’t recommend him highly enough. From start to finish, his communication was outstanding. He was thoughtful, responsive, and truly went above and beyond to make the moment perfect. He even picked up flowers and prosecco before we arrived to help keep the moment a surprise and coordinated seamlessly with my photographer so everything came together effortlessly. As for the music - it was nothing short of beautiful. His playing was masterful and added such a special, emotional layer to the proposal. It genuinely made the moment unforgettable. Kevin’s attention to detail and care for the experience set him apart. He didn’t just play music, he helped create a memory we’ll cherish forever. We’ll absolutely be working with him again for our wedding, and I couldn’t recommend him more highly."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Fantastici! Un trio pieno di energia, sorridenti, comunicativi"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I can't rate The Moochers highly enough. They did an amazing job and worked really well with the dancers. Kathleen's voice is beautiful and band sounded amazing. I cannot recommend them highly enough - definitely book these guys if you are having a 1920's / Great Gatsby themed event, you will not be disappointed."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Great meeting [the musicians]. Both [singer] and guitar/harmonica player were excellent! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Dear Jessica and band members, I wanted to thank you all for the amazing performance you gave last Thursday night at the event - it was a long shot with my client and it paid off and they were absolutely delighted and the feedback from them and their guests was amazing so thank you all very much indeed. It was lovely to meet you and I hope I will be in touch again to book you for another event. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Matt was so professional and easy to work with, the music was on point and created just the right atmosphere for our function. We will definitely be hiring Matt again in the future."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: