Contradave A man, a mic, a GIANT clarinet! Smashing out hits from the 1930s to the 2020s!

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Price Guide

Description Price
Weekend booking£200
Weekday booking (except Fridays)£150
Weekend: 3 sets£240
Weekday 3 sets£240
Prices include VAT Travel expenses negotiable

About / Biography

Dave Marlton is Contradave - master of clarinets of all sizes his instruments are not just talking points but provide that perfect woody accompaniment. Hear unique jazzy spins on well known classics from Oasis to Amy Winehouse

*Beyond my standard repertoire we are happy to learn other songs given sufficient notice.

*If you require a larger line up I am happy to discuss.

*I am fully battery powered and can be set up in any location outdoors or inside.

*I am flexible. Talk to me about your requirements.

Reviews (5)

There are currently 5 user ratings for Contradave

AVERAGE RATING

10 / 101

Location

Based in East London

Will travel up to 155 miles
green circle = areas covered (up to 155 miles)
pink circle = free travel (up to 20 miles)
Please note that the circles shown on the map are calculated "as the crow flies". By road distances may vary, so please get in touch for an accurate quote.

Upbeat Pop/Funk:

Happy (Pharrell Williams)

Uptown funk (Bruno Mars)

Feeling good (Nina Simone

I can see clearly now (Johnny Nash)

Bad Moon Rising (Stealer’s Wheel)

Three Little Birds (Bob Marley)

Rollin in the Deep (Adele)

Pop (Post Modern Swing Versions):

Valerie (Amy Winehouse/Zutons)

Favourite Things (Sound of Music)

Billie Jean (Michael Jackson)

Don't look back in anger (Oasis)

I will survive (Gloria Gayner)

Shake it off (Taylor Swift)

Wonderwall (Oasis)

Green Day (Basketcase)

Don't Stop Me Now (Queen

Pop Ballads:

Half a world away (Oasis)

True Colours (Cyndi Lauper)

What a wonderful world (Louis Armstrong)

The shape of my heart (Sting)

Just the Two of Us (Bill Rivers/Grover Washington Jr)

Looped (visit the audience songs):

Hit the Road jack (Ray Charles)

Do what ya wanna (Rebirth Brass Band)

Ya move ya lose (Rebirth Brass Band)

Stand by me (Otis Reading)

Upbeat Jazz/Swing Classics:

In a mellow tone

I can't give you anything but love

You've got a friend in me - Randy Newman

On the sunny side of the street.

Witchcraft

L.O.V.E

East of the Sun

You make me feel so young

Blue Skies

Fly me to the moon

There will never be another you

Come fly with me

Our love is here to stay

Jazz Ballads:

Autumn Leaves

Smile

Moonriver

Nature Boy

Nearness of you

Summertime

Don't know why

I've got you under my skin

All of me

Wave

My funny valentine

I fall in love too easily

In the wee small hours

Seasonal:

Jingle Bells

All I want for Christmas

Rudolph

Let it snow

Technical Info

What are your basic technical requirements?

I can work in a small foot print. I provide all my own gear. If outside I would need contingencies in place of case of rain.


Do you provide sound and lighting equipment?

Yes I'm completely self contained. We can be entirely battery powered - you can place us in the perfect spot for your event.


What information do you require about a venue?

We need to know any directions that will help us find the venue. If the venue has its own system we can plug into to distribute our sound, we would need to know what inputs it requires.


Can you provide a Spotify/DJ service before and between your sets?

Yes, we’re happy to play music from Spotify before, after and between our sets. We’re happy to choose the music ourselves or let the client choose the music.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best gig you've ever done and the best venue you've ever played at?

Every gig is a joy when people engage with me. My favourite was a private function for a combined 50th birthday party/wedding anniversary in a marquee in Essex. Playing specially requested songs for the clients and seeing the joy on their faces as we did so is an enduring moment.


Which artists have you been most influenced by, who is your favourite artist and what is the greatest song of all time?

I have diverse musical tastes, but what I focus on are songs that are well known and loved but with a jazzy twist put on them. Positive songs with upbeat energy that people can sing along with and be uplifted by.


What's your previous experience and how did you start gigging?

Like Ed Sheran, I started off my professional career busking on the streets of London a great way to gain several hours of performance experience a week.


What's your favourite type of event to play at?

I love playing at all sorts of events but when people start dancing to my music that's always a treat!


What is that strange instrument?

It's not a Sax! It's the second biggest member of the clarinet family, a Contra-Alto Clarinet. I have named him Chad.. I have been playing clarinets since I was a child, but

It is an amazingly versatile instrument capable of playing funky bass lines and soaring solos. I love Chad to bits and perform with them every chance I get.

Performance Info

What are your typical setup and performance times?

I can be set up and ready to go within 15 minutes.

I'm happy to be flexible regarding performance times with 45 minutes or 1h sets with short breaks in between.


Are you happy to perform outside?

Yes


Do the clients have a say in what you play or is it a set repertoire list only?

We are always happy to add your preferred songs to our extensive repertoire of upbeat pop classics. The number of new songs we can learn is dependant on the notice given.


How do previous clients most commonly describe your performances?

Out clients are impressed by the level of interaction with the crowd, from Finn's lively banter to Dave leaping from the stage to play his horn amongst the revellers.

Check out our 10/10 reviews and see for yourself!

Recent Clients

Contradave has performed for these clients:

The White Hart, Covent Garden

The Bear and Staff Leicester Square

Retro Cafe, Fulham

The Walrus, Waterloo

Acoustify

The Hat Tavern

Brewmaster, Leicester Sq

Venues

Contradave has performed at these venues:

The White Hart, Covent Garden

The Bear and Staff Leicester Square

Retro Cafe, Fulham

The Distillers, Hammersmith

The Macbeth, Hoxton

Bishops, Fulham

The Hat Tavern

Brewmaster, Leicester Sq

Contact

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