Review Centre: 1930s Era Musicians & Bands

"Loved the The Jazz Kings - Australia at the Brisbane Jazz Club last Friday… especially ‘Ferry Cross the Mersey’, Scat Harmonies, Drum Solo entree and Peter Uppman’s soaring solos and stage antics! Now enjoying their album! Pete Vance xx"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We booked Vanessa some time before our wedding, As we knew how busy she gets. We couldn't fault her. He post modern juke box show was absolutely amazing. It was perfect for our Great Gatsby themed wedding. All of our guests commented on her superb performance. Her vocal talent is outstanding. And her costumes are so glamorous."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We gave such a short notice and Carolyn was really willing to help. We had a French inspired event and she was just perfect! Amazing repertoire, lovely voice and she brought with her a very professional accordionist! Our guests had an amazing time!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We booked Pink Champagne to provide background music for my husband’s 60 th . I’m so pleased we did . Lots of guests asked who they were and how we’d found them .,Laura is really warm and friendly . The arrangements were all made without any stress. The music was fantastic . We would definitely book them again . "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Even on a murky February morning (2005), the first performance in July of our new commission doesn’t seem too far away. Jane Roper tells us about the composer and the composition: Howard’s way If you ever get a chance to talk to Howard Haigh about composing, take it. He has a huge range of experience, good insights into the creative process, and he communicates his enthusiasm for his work so well, I guarantee you will be both enthralled and inspired. And now he's working for us! I thought you might like to read a bit of background to his career and to his current commission. Although Howard is happily settled up north in Lancaster he trained near us; a BA Performing Arts/Music at Middlesex Polytechnic was followed by a Masters in Music/Composition at the University of London. He studied composition with Brian Dennis and David Bedford; had tutorials with Michael Finissy, George Benjamin and John Cage, and studied flamenco guitar with Paco Pena, Juan Serrano, Manuel Granados and Titi Losada. We think of him principally as a Spanish guitarist, but he also studied mandolin, keyboards, percussion, harmonica and vocal techniques. He has written for most instrumental combinations, from solo guitar, small ensembles and string quartets to bands, girls’ choirs, large choruses, electronic scores and computer music. Howard combines composing with teaching throughout the north west. He has taught guitar at Lancaster University since 2000. He is a member of the English National Ballet's Education and Community Unit, and is engaged in outreach projects in schools throughout England. The nature of this work may range from musical accompanist to residencies in which he composes an original score for a short performance. He has done similar work for Ballet Rambert and the Royal Ballet. His work has been performed at the Barbican, the Royal Festival Hall, Sadler's Wells (for the Queen) and the Purcell Room; and at festivals in Edinburgh, Brighton, Cheltenham and WOMAD. One of his great strengths is his ability to collaborate with people from a wide range of performing disciplines. I've found out that as well as working closely with singers, dancers, and actors, he has also worked with jugglers, comedians, strippers, a skiffle group, film makers and performance artists. No problem working with us then. And then add a massive list of theatre companies, musicals, community projects and commissions and it's no wonder he's always out when I call. In the 1980's Howard composed some extraordinary pieces using unusual instruments. Body Music used claps, stamps, clicks and slaps. This was followed by Kitchen Music. I bet you didn't know that Alan Titchmarsh played the saucepan in this on Pebble Mill. There was also a pre-Prom show on Radio 3 featuring unusual percussion prior to Evelyn Glennie's performance. But by the late '80s his explorations were focusing on vocal writing. Crouch End Festival Chorus gave him an exciting opportunity when they commissioned him in 1990. I heard them perform Saeta again in the Barbican last January. It was sensational. I can't even remember what the second half standard-repertoire piece was; I was still high on Howard's piece and wanted them to sing it again. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Two fantastic musicians - we all loved the music and will certainly recommend you to our friends."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Passionate, talented musicians! Smooth and easy music for our wedding dinner. Loved it!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We just wanted to drop you a quick message to say thank you so much for being such a fantastic part of our wedding last week! We have lost count of the number of guests who commented on how fantastic you all were, both on the night itself and in messages afterwards. The atmosphere was exactly as we had hoped it would be. We can’t think of a better way that we could have gotten all of the different people from all walks of our lives up and dancing all night! Dexter particularly isn’t much of a dancer so I hope you do take it as the high praise that it is that he was on the dance floor for so much of the evening. We also just wanted to say a massive thank you for being so flexible with the timings and playing later than planned without any issue. Hope the rest of the wedding season continues to be such a success. Thanks so much again."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Many thanks to you and the band for a fantastic night. We have had lots of great feedback and the only complaints are that it was all over too soon."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Indigo Sky went down very well at an event held at lunchtime at our yacht club . Their music was excellent and they were very flexible with their timing . We will definitely use them again . "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Sometimes it all just falls into place. The setting, the situation, the scene, the tone -- everything is going your way. That describes last night for me. And at the heart of this mid-week Xanadu was the Rick Holland Uptown Orchestra, a modest, brass-centric outfit led by the trumpet-blowing Holland that swung with equal parts effervescence and laid-back cool at Lovin Cup. And come to find out, five of his Hollands regular guys were sidelined, and the holes on the bandstand were plugged with subs --- hired music muscle like Po’ Boy Erik Jacobs on the slide trombone. By the time the Orchestra heaped on a helping of Count Basie, there was nowhere else I wanted to be. I dragged my mom out in the cold for this show and she was thrilled when they stomped on the Savoy. Holland led the affair with a relaxed air, coaxing more than conducting under his porkpie lid. He went around the bandstand numerous times so every cat there got his fair shake, including pianist extraordinaire Bill Dobbins. This is one sweet band, yes, yes. Frank De Blase, Roch City News "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"This was my first ever swing band concert and what can I say – it was fantastic – I didn’t realise how good they were! What a great evening. We travelled in ice, snow, high heels and dresses and it was very worth it. Fabulous music and excellent entertainment. It really started off my Christmas. Can’t wait for next year."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"They were amazing! So so chuffed with them. They definitely picked up a few fans. The music was great, they were definitely a hit. If I get the go ahead, I'd use them again and again. So yes, I'd use them again and recommend them. Thank you so much for everything. You were so helpful and helped me to make the absolute right decision."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Laura and her Band were brilliant at the MND Event , music was amazing and she was incredibly compassionate with the people in the Hospice . You made their Christmas party special and for some it will be their last , so a huge thank you . "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Just wanted to write a quick note to let you know how much we enjoyed the band at our wedding at White's Chapel. You were a wonderful Master of Ceremonies, and we've had so many kind words from our guests telling us how much they enjoyed the music. Thank you so much for being part of our big day!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: