Review Centre: Musical Acts

"These songs are very good played by him and his saxophone."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"She was right on time with everything! Music was crazy and we loved her vibe!!!"

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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:

"Great jazz ambiance via a gifted musician! Make sure to swing by the Mercado for a listen."

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"Kenneth from "Just the Two of Us" did an amazing job playing the saxophone for our quests before our outdoor wedding celebration and knocked it out of the park with our selected songs for walking down the aisle and the exit procession. My guests were texting me before I arrive to get married to tell me how much they loved it. Thanks for elevating the atmosphere at our wedding! You made our wedding even more special."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"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:

"Everything was perfectly taken care of! What we appreciated most was the quick turnaround and scheduling. The saxophonist was a huge asset to the whole thing. We're already looking for a reason for our next party!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Brilliantly talented, professional, and a good person. I cannot express my amazement in Lina Saroza. I decided to host a house party for ~20 guests that was a Murder Mystery party set in a 1920's jazz club. I was nervous at the cost of flying Lina across the country, but I can tell you it was worth every penny. Professionalism: Lina was flexible with the contracting and business agreement, allowing for us to outline contingencies and payment timelines. She always replied to my emails quickly, and it was easy to set up a phone call to finalize the details. Lina arrived early to do sound and equipment checks. She was a delight in engaging with party guests, and I have only heard overwhelmingly positive things from my friends about her. When creating a set list and timeline of events, Lina was well organized and knew each step of the party, even with the complex schedule that I had laid out. There were times when I wanted guests to focus on the murder mystery, and times when she was the main event, and she excelled at each! I also want to add that Lina spent the day sleeping/resting to ensure that she had energy for my party, which was late in the evening, even later when you consider her time change from the east coast. Performance: Lina knows how to get the party started! She dances with the crowd and can freestyle to almost any song! I asked her if she was able to accompany a dubstep song (SPACEFUNK by LSDREAM), and she absolutely rocked it. She also performed covers of pop songs and could jam out some amazing saxophone solos, often improvising to the music. I absolutely plan to have Lina back for future parties, and I could not recommend her more to others. She made the night so special and memorable and brought a lot of energy when it was time to boogie!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Splendid service and professional setup. Made the day an absolute pleasure. Dont hesitate to book!"

Rating: 9 / 10 Share this review:

"I loved their variety of British Groups that they were able to play plus some American artists. They have been the best band to play.here in Belleville. The vocals were right on. The instrumentals were excellent. I could not get enough if their music. Not one boring song."

Rating: 9 / 10 Share this review:

"naast de sfeervolle muzikale ondersteuning ook een erg prettige persoonlijkheid om erbij te hebben!😃"

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"We were absolutely delighted with the music provided for our wedding. The ceremony felt incredibly emotional thanks to the beautiful organ performance, and the piano during the reception created a refined and elegant atmosphere. Everything was perfectly executed, and many of our guests complimented the music. Professional, talented, and reliable—highly recommended!"

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"Brilliant show last night at The Nightjar. Thank you so much for playing the rock’n’roll requests for us to dance. You brought the house down!"

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"Beautiful music We would like to sincerely thank you again for the beautiful music during the Maserati Winter Fair. Everyone loved it, and we have already shared your contact details with several people. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"These guys were absolutely amazing. We had them at our wedding in the afternoon, they made our wedding even more special and set the tone to be a very classy garden party. They were lovely and played great tunes and really made our day and our wedding; would recommend and then recommend again. Even played Disney."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: