Review Centre: Jazz Pianists

"Quite simply the best Musical Director I have had the pleasure to work with.. you made my evening so easy and was a dream to work with. Many thanks Sincerely Streisand"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"A Masterclass in Professional Saxophone & Performance! If you are looking for top-tier musical professionalism, this is an absolute must-hire. As a retired Army musician with over 30 years of experience, Chris brings a level of discipline, talent, and "class" that is rare to find. His expertise shines through in every note, whether performing traditional jazz, swing, or beautiful holiday classics. Chris’s soulful saxophone work—clearly influenced by greats like John Coltrane—is the highlight of the performance. He is incredibly versatile, having performed at everything from intimate weddings and private parties to military ceremonies and international concerts across the US and South America. What makes this act stand out is the sheer reliability and adaptability. He arrives early, provides professional sound and lighting systems, and is happy to tailor the repertoire to include specific client requests. Whether you need sophisticated background music for a corporate gala or a lively performance for a celebration, Chris delivers a flawless, high-quality show every time. Highly recommended for anyone who wants a truly polished, world-class musician!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I repeat my thanks of last evening. Your lovely music was an integral part of the whole success and was lovely to listen to. Everyone really enjoyed it."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"“The men gave us an unforgettable jazzy afternoon - Clear approach regarding the orchestra setup, repertoire, costs, and point of contact - Musicians are of North Sea Jazz level, but unlike there, they really know how to capture the party atmosphere - Success guaranteed”"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"A brilliant experience! Sue was very quick to respond to organisational queries prior to the event. As musicians, Sue and Lloyd were first-class, and fitted in perfectly with the professional, yet relaxed, atmosphere of the launch."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Charlie Jennison's debut album for Maine's Invisible Music Records is a smooth piece of work. "Smooth" not in the sense of the saccharine stuff served up by contemporary jazz players, but smooth as in classy unpretentiousness in the playing. Jennison is an alumnus of the Do'ah Wild Music Ensemble, a New Hampshire group which recorded for Global Pacific label. He has since gravitated to jazz having recorded with singers Kathleen Kolman and Leila Percy, among others. Jennison has also worked with Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry and Buddy DeFranco and is on the faculty of New Hampshire's Phillips Exeter Academy. Forsaking standard material for his first album, the play list is made up of ten Jennison originals all in various tempi and style, but which start getting repetitious along the way as ideas get thin. Some of the better pieces include "To You, From Me" which features Jennison on alto with some exciting drum breaks by Ken Clark. Another piece spotlighting Jennison's alto, which sounds like Phil Woods when Woods is in a mellow mood, is the lovely ballad "Georgie," with "My Anne" rivaling "Georgie" for sheer musical attractiveness. The tenor takes over on "Watch Your Step" with Jennison showing some incredible dexterity with daring fingering technique. There's a nice blues with a funky piano solo by Jim Butka and good bass strumming from John Hunter on "Amanda's Blues." Jennison brings out his soprano on "Rain in My Coffee" which has a light Latin beat with more good piano from Jim Butka. But virtually all tunes on this session take the same course. There's an introduction establishing the basic melody structure, followed by some technically compelling fingering after which there's a return to the melody. No matter how good the instrumentalist is —and Jennison is very good—unless the original material is superior, it's not going to hold one's attention for a whole sitting. And that is the case here. I have heard Jennison on other albums and he handles standard stuff very well. It would have behooved him to have put a couple of those on this CD. This would have strengthened the credibility of the original material."

Reply by Charlie Jennison Quartet
I appreciate Dave Nathan's willingness to review my flagship release and also recognize his candor in suggesting that the original material I wrote could have been strengthened by including some standard tunes as well. I would like to note that, in more than one instance, I used the framework of a jazz standard as the foundation for a new composition. For example, on the track, "To You, From Me," I employed the chord progression to Cole Porter's "You Do Something To Me." My tune, "Amanda's Blues" is also just a variation of a standard minor blues. With a lifetime of experience playing, I now recognize his observation of "virtually all tunes on this session take the same course," to be spot on. This was, after all, my first (and only) excursion into the realm of recorded jazz, and as a young player, I still had a lot to learn about crafting the presentation of material in a more interesting way. Now that I am getting close to 80 years old, I have decided to create another album of original material with the same players, kind of like a bookend to wrap up a successful career teaching and playing (although not recording). Look for a release sometime in 2026!

Rating: 8 / 10 Share this review:

"Matthew was great! He was extremely talented and professional. We requested multiple songs for him to learn and he played them all perfectly! He was extremely accommodating. He brought all his equipment, arrived early for set up, and executed everything perfectly. We will definitely use him again for future events and recommend him to friends!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Olivia was fantastic! Very talented and listened to all of my requests. Beside her talent and great selection of music, she was a joy to work with. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Excellent pianist, we enjoyed the music Laura chose to play. A professional in every way. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Je recommande Petra pour sa musique exceptionnelle lors de notre Mariage. Tous ont adoré ! Merci !"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We hired Neon Blue for a corporate summer drinks reception and they were the perfect condiment. Their jazz was not intrusive to conversations, it was gentle background music which provided a great atmosphere - just what we were after. Thanks John"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thanks so much for playing out our daughter's Naming Ceremony. You guys did a great job and everyone really enjoyed themselves!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Duo Sun performed at our wedding in Venice, and it was truly magical. From the moment we contacted them, they were incredibly professional, responsive, and accommodating. They helped us select pieces that perfectly matched the mood of our ceremony and reception. On the day, they arrived early to set up, check the acoustics, and ensure everything ran smoothly. Their violin and piano performance was exquisite—each note played with emotion and precision. Guests were captivated, and several commented that it was one of the most beautiful musical experiences they had ever attended. The duo is flexible, able to adapt to venue limitations, outdoor settings, and special requests, making the experience stress-free for us. Duo Sun has a rare combination of technical skill, artistry, and personal warmth, and we would recommend them without hesitation for weddings, private events, or any occasion where live music is essential."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We hired the Band for our wedding cocktail hour and dinner, and it was truly one of the best choices we made! Congratulations for your performance. Thank you for your kindness. We recommend 🥰"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"“Wonderfully atmospheric We asked the Jazz Centrale trio to play during the reception at our annual celebration for long-service awardees and retirees. Their music truly added an extra touch of atmosphere. They play brilliantly and have a wonderful repertoire. Definitely worth repeating!”"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: