Review Centre: 1930s Era Musicians & Bands

"Almaz Duo performed at our wedding breakfast and all I can say is how amazing they were. Very tasteful musicians and highly recommended. All our guests passed comments on how good they were as a band. Thanks again you made our day very special xxx"

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"I ragazzi sono stati formidabili. Hanno creato un atmosfera unica, tutti gli invitati hanno gradito e si sono complimentati. Sicuramente li richiamerò per suonare."

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"Since 2011, the band has a new focus. First, it is commissioning the legendary Bill Dobbins, to write sample arrangements from his famous “Evolution of Jazz Piano”, a series of movements based on the tune “All of Me”. Secondly, is breaking in it’s new vocalist, 19 year old sensation, Lindsey Holland. The band currently has over 60 arrangements for her to sing, including selections from Nancy Wilson’s disc with Cannonball Adderley. Furthermore, we have a Christmas Set now for her to sing, as well as many straight ahead jazz standards. The hope is for this group to record both of these projects sometime in the future."

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"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 . "

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"They added so much class and warmth to our wedding day. Their music felt personal, elegant, and unforgettable."

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"We loved how they engaged the crowd with beautiful music while maintaining a sophisticated yet warm vibe throughout the event."

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"Yhe band was amazing. Everyone loved it! Thank you so much."

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"I find it very important in todays jazz environment that a player of Rick Holland talent gets heard and recognized because he carries on a tradition of swing and melodic playing that I consider most important in jazz. Hendrik Meurkens, Jazz Harmonicist, NYC"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"These guys were FANTASTIC! We had a picnic section to our wedding and they set the scene beautifully with incredible dixieland jazz. Boaters and ham sandwiches all round! Such lovely chaps that clearly love what they do. Thank you for just being you. Big love, April and Gav Dickson (10 / 10) "

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"The trio sounded incredible, and their performance was smooth and effortless."

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"Arietta did an outstanding performace for our celebration. Not only did she provide the dinner entertainment that we had asked for she also generously agreed to learning a few songs that we wanted specifically included during our event. These songs were an important part of a fun and entertaining opening and Arietta nailed it. I also must say that it was a pleasure working with her prior to our show. Very responses and enthusiastic. Over the years I've hired numersous entertainers/bands and while many perform well, few brought the joy and and commitment to entertaining that Arietta brought. Thanks Arietta!"

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"Everything was perfectly executed. highly recommended"

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"A Blessing! I hired the Nuance Jazz Trio for our wedding. Their performance was absolutely a blessing they made my wife and I special evening magical."

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"The Hitchen Jazz quartet played for my Birthday Party in Summer 2018. We had a bigger budget, so I requested the quartet. They played a beautiful Jazz set for our apperatifs, which really made our day! Later that year, we went to watch the Hitchen Big Band play a live concert with World renowned Trumpet star Bobby Shew. David actually played some duets/trumpet battles with Bobby Shew, proving that David is able to perform on any stage. Merci les gars!"

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. "

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