Review Centre: Wedding Musicians

"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:

"Igor played at our wedding in December and he was amazing! We had sax and keyboard and he kept everyone dancing throughout all of cocktail hour. He curated the perfect jazzy Christmas vibe with a modern twist - just amazing!!!"

Reply by Ontario saxophonist Igor Babich
Thank you, Olivia! I really appreciate it.

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Jan was absolutely fantastic! After being let down by another supplier, he kindly stepped in and was able to accommodate our wedding day – and we’re so glad he did. Communication beforehand was brilliant. Jan sent over his set list in advance and even offered to learn any specific songs we wanted, which was such a thoughtful touch. On the night, he was incredible – we had so many compliments from our guests about how talented he was and the atmosphere he created. Honestly, thank you so much Jan for everything – 100% recommend to anyone looking to add that extra special touch to their day!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"A wonderful guest to our wedding and a beautiful performance. She is our go to for any events in the future now. Very kind and interesting to talk to!!"

Reply by IrineTheViolinist
Dear Schuyler & Kelli ! Thank you so much for your kind feedback. It has been an honor to perform at your special day! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Star of the Show! I can’t recommend Seps enough! Everyone at my Baby Shower loved him. I will hire him again for my next event."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Bro was playing some really good bangers from the beginning. Made the whole meal more pleasant! I would 100% come back just to listen to him"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"5 stars deluxe Dear Danilo, Now we would like to write a review for you and your brother Tobias. We decided on a complete package of DJ + singer + photographer for our wedding and were mega happy with the all-round carefree constellation. You are really a great and well-rehearsed team. Danilo, your singing had already moved us to tears when we met you. It was simply wonderful to dance our wedding dances with life song. All our guests were thrilled and full of praise, especially the bridesmaids when you performed your show. Also, you were up for any fun. ? When Danilo wasn't singing, his brother Tobias was the DJ and provided us with great dance music. We had a lot of fun, especially at the Ostrock Block. We can wholeheartedly recommend all three of you and would book you again and again. Keep up the good work. Hopefully we'll see you three again sometime. For now, enjoy your well-deserved holiday. Best regards Steffy & Marco"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Damien made our night - everyone commented on how much they enjoyed his sets and what a thoroughly nice guy he was, even staying over his agreed time as he continued to take more requests. Could not have been more pleased. "Better than Ed" was the comment of the night I think!! Highly recommend this musician if you want to add something extra to a special occasion."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Nice guys and great musicians. We wanted a 100% Italian style reception and so it was, they sang Italian songs that we all sang together. They had a station near us and every now and then they played, singing and walking between the tables with the guests. Very very funny and characteristic. We still sing Volare and O Sole mio thinking about that magical evening. Thanks so much guys!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Such a wonder experience, I had him playing at my wedding and I have no regrets. He played amazingly and I would 100% recommend."

Reply by Ontario saxophonist Igor Babich
Hi Mauricio, Thank you for the wonderful review! I’m thrilled to hear you loved the performance — it was an honor to play for such a beautiful celebration. All the best! Igor

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

""Hi Dave we cannot thank you enough for making our day extra special! You were amazing and we have had so many compliments about your performance! Thank you for playing some of our favourites and learning some new ones as well. We cannot recommend you more highly.""

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"MK & the Misters played at our Unity Festival, a charity food festival for the local community in east London. They were exceptional from start to finish, on time, set up well before the event began (even when everything else was running late), and the music was incredible. Even with heavy showers and a busy festival crowd, they were engaging, full of energy, and professional. As an event manager they are exactly the band you are looking for when it comes to professionalism, entertainment and energy. Will definitely be booking them in the future."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We love having Chris out to Bad Apple. He is a great guy to work with and a great musician! He is good at reading the crowd and taking requests from a variety of genres (even Britney on occasion ?)!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Myself and my wife had the pleasure of having Manu Blaser play at our wedding alongsidethe dj. We both agree that this was the highlight of the night and 1 year on people are still talking about it, the dance floor was full from once they started until they finished. We highly recommend."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The live performance made our wedding day very special and unique, we loved all the songs and our guests enjoyed every moment with us."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: