Review Centre: 1920s, 30s & 40s Style Bands

"We booked Iris for a 70th birthday brunch in a hotel. Iris was easy to deal with, making sure we agreed in advance what we wanted and how it would all work, including timings that didn't totally match the pre-set system options. Nothing was too much trouble and on the day Iris arrived in plenty of time, gave a great performance, was very pleasant and personable and delivery was spot on for the occasion, creating an excellent atmosphere in the room. We have no hesitation in recommending Iris for anyone else's event and would be more than happy to book her again in the future."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you so much .. we had a fantastic evening and having you there playing some fantastic music was the icing on the cake – Dad LOVED it !"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"What can I say? The band were incredible! Really easy to deal with before the day, and really made our evening celebrations special on the day itself. They read the crowd perfectly, and so many people were commenting on how much fun they were having. I'd book them again in a heartbeat!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"It’s hard to put into words just how fantastic Jazz Eclipse were on our wedding day. Conor’s voice was full of soul and class, and Joe’s guitar work was effortlessly smooth. Together, they created an incredible sound that brought the perfect mix of emotion and energy to our celebration. If you’re looking for amazing musicians with kindness, talent and great communication — these are the guys for the job! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

" Jan and Jan came to play , piano and sax in our garden for a birthday party . They set the scene beautifully and were the perfect combination for a relaxed and sunny lunch party. They were easy to contact, straigtforward to book and pay . They arrived in good time, were very friendly , set up and started playing a great variety of gentle jazz classics which provided just the right atmosphere as our friends arrived and while we chatted and ate lunch. WeI would highly recommend them. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We just wanted to say an enormous THANK YOU to you and Alex for the fantastic set you did on Saturday at Ben’s 40’s Themed 40th Birthday Party! You were so friendly and helpful that many of the guests assumed you were friends of Ben’s. Well you are now! Your voices and Alex’s guitar playing were really lovely and the choice of songs was spot on. I really appreciated the way you took charge of any announcements and navigated the events during the evening without ever taking over, so that it took away any stress from us. Thanks also for enabling Izzy to use the backing tracks so that she could sing some special songs for Ben .You both really helped to make the evening such an enjoyable event for all involved. Lots of people commented on the music and wanted to know who you were, and the staff at the venue said how much they had enjoyed the music and the atmosphere it created. I know Ben will be in touch with you soon, but once again thank you both so much again for helping to make the event ‘go with a swing’ so that we all had a really lovely evening. Best wishes for all the busy times to come,"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thanks for making our Wedding day so special and hope to see you soon."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Just perfect for my husband's party. Their choice of music was tailored perfectly for my husband. Very talented and friendly musicians. Would highly recommend them. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Joie de Vivre were wonderful. Sounded as good as they looked. Added so much atmosphere to our day. We re-booked on the spot for next year. Thank you very much."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you … for making our event special. Your performance throughout was a joy, and Helen was absolutely superb … her singing was top class and great to listen to. We cannot thank you enough for a very enjoyable evening. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We had such a great night for my mum’s 80th. There was a wide mix of people there and everyone loved the band across the board. Most people got up for a dance but many were just happy to watch with a beer or three. It was perfect - thanks so much to Martyn and the band for being so accommodating, talented and brilliant! They even learned my mum’s favourite skiffle song from her younger days when she was in a band. Really appreciated. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The band were spectacular. The dance floor was packed throughout both sets and we had so so much fun!! We’ve had so many comments from our guests about how brilliant the band were, truly. Thank you for all of your help in arranging this, it was wonderful and exactly what we had imagined."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"One of the pleasures of writing for Jazz Views is having the opportunity to follow the progress of an artist with each new release. It has been my very great pleasure to follow Lush Jazz Band's progress over the last few years. Having reviewed Lauren’s debut album, in 2016 and the follow-up, five years later, it was with great interest that I listened to her third album. If you’re looking for continued growth and artistic development in a musician, then Lauren has certainly delivered. Earlier today, prior to writing this review, I listened again to all three albums back-to-back and was amazed at what I was hearing. Listening in such a concentrated way, I was struck by how consistent each of the albums is and how the vocalist’s progress is not taking place with gargantuan leaps but steadily, as we can see here, in a paced and sustainable development. One huge advantage for Lauren is retaining the services of pianist Liam Dunachie, who arranges much of the music, and the two have built a solid rapport that has resulted in a formidable partnership. With “Tide Rises,” Lauren Bush has found a perfect balance between the old and the new, with a couple of strong original compositions, a handful of standards, and some contemporary works that she has done a wonderful job of adapting to her voice. The album gets off to a stunning start with a brisk and swinging “Joy Spring.” The tricky lyrics are handled with great aplomb by Bush, and after a lovely solo from Dunachie, she gets in a nice scat chorus of her own. This is followed by the title track, one of two original compositions, in which Lauren has drawn inspiration for the lyrics from the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Played over an ethereal opening from Rhodes and guitar (and the only song to feature electric bass), the music evolves over a gentle tempo with an empowering delivery from Lauren. The other original, “Easy Does It,” has a relaxed, almost lazy tempo, and Lauren has written lyrics that add to the gospel flavor of the music. Versatility and variety being the name of the game, we are treated to a beautiful bossa nova written by Earl Okin titled “Madrugada,” and Joni Mitchell’s “Circle Game” is given a delightful treatment, with some exquisite playing from all. The music flows in a beguiling manner, and Mitchell’s lyrics are given a sensitive reading by the vocalist. Standards have been a constant inspiration for Lauren, and with the depth of maturity that she has gained in the last few years, I have witnessed her raise her game significantly. It is difficult to pick one over another. Her treatment of “Oh What A Beautiful Morning” is flawless and joyous, with a lovely scat solo too, and “Nobody Else But Me” has a charm all of its own. If proof is needed of Bush’s stature as a jazz vocalist, then take a listen to the ballad performance on “This Is Always.” A duet for voice and piano, this is a pure delight and even, dare I say it, surpasses the duo’s reading of “Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most,” which was such a highlight of her last album, “Dream Away.” Closing with another contemporary tune, this time from the pop duo Yazoo, Lauren and Liam Dunachie cleverly recast Vince Clarke’s song, with Lauren giving the excellent Alison Moyet a run for her money. Another step forward for Lauren in a hugely enjoyable set that sees her setting the bar increasingly higher."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Ruby only went and did it! Held an incredible night in aid of The Brain Tumour Charity and in memory of her dear friend, Brian Travers. A whopping £1127.15 was raised and a fab time was had by all! Thank you all so much for not only raising such amazing funds but raising such vital awareness."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Took quite a lot of convincing at the beginning that it was you & not recorded music. Your voice was fantastic & you really made the party go with a swing. Your look, your voice, your presence & your professionalism were faultless. Thank you so much."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: