Review Centre: Vintage Bands

"Rowan and the roundabout swing band were truly fantastic. Their sound was amazing and really gave my wedding an amazing lively atmosphere. They were an incredible quartet and played both outside at the drinks reception and inside during dinner. Guests all said how well the band played and I could not be more grateful to them! Please look no further If you are considering hiring any form of swing band!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I think it's safe to say that an evening with Ma Bessie & The Pig Foot Band proves that jazz is good for the soul. Reading Fringe Festival goers were treated to a journey through the music of Bessie Smith, empress of the blues at Shehnai in London Street. It was an evening of all things diva and jazz, and it was smooth and soulful, and had guests swaying in their seats and tapping their toes. Reading’s own Julia Titus (Ma Bessie) has such a rich quality to her voice - it's almost like velvet. When she hit some of those notes and showed off her vocal skills, I wanted to let out a 'whoop' or a 'yeah'! She really does revive the great divas of jazz, blues and soul. Everything just flowed and there was a really relaxed, almost informal vibe to the whole performance where it felt like there wasn't a divide between the audience and the band. We were all just hanging out listening to an evening of great music. Queen Bee was my favourite song - there was something quite sexy about it, I felt like I should have been wearing a red dress. Julia also sang a few songs off of her album called 'Life is Too Short', which were great. When you have a powerful singer like Julia, sometimes bands can get lost in the performance but that wasn't the case at all. The band are very much part of the Ma Bessie experience and are all very talented - they all need each other to complete the ultimate jazz show for the audience. I really enjoyed the solo with Matthew Foster on the guitar and Chuck Lloyd on the saxophone. "

Reply by Ma Bessie - Prohibition Blues and Jazz
Thank you so much Francesca for your review. So glad you enjoyed it.

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I would like to say a big thank you to for your beautiful voice and to Clare and Bruno for the wonderful instrumental accompaniment at Ann’s (Annie) birthday celebration on Sunday. Everyone loved the music and “song list” and we will be talking about it for a long time to come."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I just wanted to drop you a quick email to tell you how fantastic you were on Friday for our Christmas Party. I have had so many people come up to me and compliment the music and how great the jazz trio were. It really set the scene of the evening and sounded beautiful. I was so happy with it all as were all the party attendees. I can’t praise you enough. Thank you again so much for a wonderful performance. I would recommend you again and again!! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Honestly you guys were amazing! Everyone has asked where we found you and said you were the best band they've ever seen at a wedding!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We all had a fantastic time on Saturday, it was a very special night for my sister. Everyone thought that the Roaring 20s band was splendid, thank you for a super evening of professional entertainment which was thoroughly enjoyed & appreciated by one & all, we are all still recovering!! Thanks very much again & all the best.....and then this, sent to the agency..."Dr Jazz gave a truly tremendous performance; a fantastic band who captivated us all for what was a most splendid and memorable occasion. I would have no hesitation in recommending such a professional & inspiring band.""

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you so much Dave! You made our day so unique with your music and it really was just what we were dreaming of for our reception and ceremony! We hope we can see you play again soon!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Well done to you, what a brilliant show you all put on last night at the Iona club. You were brilliant. You get better and better each time we see you - 5 stars 10/10."

Reply by The Pop Pickers
Hi Cathy, it's a great club you have there. Great atmosphere and very friendly people. We will look forward to the next time. Regards The Pop Pickers.

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Absolutely fabulous to work with Daisy and the team for the 1920's ball at Powderham Castle. So professional and such fantastic musicians. Daisy was great on vocals. Overall 100%, hope to work with you again."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We hired Will as part of a trio to play at our wedding, we could not have been happier with the beautiful jazz they played, which was exactly what we were looking for. It made for a very special drinks reception outside in the gorgeous weather, and the music was appreciated and enjoyed by every guest. We even got to have a spontaneous dance which was a really special moment for us. We would highly recommend Will to anyone! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The whole evening was amazing but was topped off by the Full Beans who were awesome! I have had so many lovely comments from people about how great they thought the band were from their music selection to the lead singer to the great atmosphere they created. I could not have been happier. I would recommend them and your service to anyone. It made everything so stress free particularly with your regular emails leading up to the night itself."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"REVIEW OF OUR LATEST CD ALBUM IN JAZZ JOURNAL Kit Packham’s One Jump Ahead: Everybody Loves A Boogie The entertaining British jump-jive revival band ploughs the familiar furrow, offering cheeky covers and originals with occasional solos By Hugh Rainey -13 October 2023437 Formed in 1984, this UK group plays jump-jive in a bright and breezy, entertaining style, blended with R&B and vintage rock and roll, and seasoned with light-hearted humour. Leader Kit Packham sings confidently in appropriate style on every track bar one, and contributes alto and tenor to the backing throughout. Packham also composed and wrote the lyrics for eight of the tracks and alternative lyrics for some cheeky adaptations of standards – My Swingin’ Valentine (an upbeat treatment of My Funny Valentine, which surprisingly works quite well) and the very funny Basingstoke (to the melody of Baby Face) and Buy A CD (with appropriate uninhibited bathos to My Way). On the whole, the originals work well for the genre. Love Me, Love My Saxophone and I Dig Potatoes have amusing lyrics somewhat reminiscent of Louis Jordan and Slim Gaillard in style. Enjoyable versions of Don’t Get Around Much Any More, Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby and My Swingin’ Valentine, come closest to straightforward jazz treatment with some worthwhile brief solos and touches of arrangement. The tracks come from sessions in 2009, 2017 and 2023, mainly as six or seven piece lineups it seems, but with changing personnels. Though studio recorded, the CD comes across as cheery live entertainment – for dancers, rather than perhaps for close, serious listening. But it’s certainly good fun, with some inventive fresh material, and a sense of humour to give a welcome lift to your spirits in these troubled times. Discography Everybody Loves A Boogie; Don’t Clap On The First Beat Of The Bar; Old Rock “n” Roll Songs Never Die; Don’t Get Around Much Any More; Love Me, Love My Saxophone; Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby; Route 66; Alley Club Blues; As Time Goes By; Alright, OK, You Win; Lockdown Chase; My Swingin’ Valentine; I Dig Potatoes; Basingstoke; Buy A CD; We Had A Real Good Time/We’ll Meet Again (53.52) Collectively: Kit Packham (v, ts, as, bar, cl); Nick Tomalin, Perry White (p); John O’Reilly (g); Steve Knight (g, ts, bj); Alex Keen, Ollie Blanchflower (b); Derek Gayle, Kenrick Rowe (d); Simon Da Silva (t); Tracey Mendham (ts, cl). UK, 2009, 2017, 2023 (No further details.) Pelican records PEL CD 523 "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thanks SO much for last night. The part was everything we wanted and more. We had a great great laugh and the vibe was fantastic. Sarah loved it all. I think the things that made it were the people -of course- and the music. You got it spot on with how to play it and loads of people said how much they enjoyed Swingtime. Hannah liked it a lot too. The sound was great and just what we hoped for. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thanks for another awesome night of entertainment guys. Looking forward to seeing you all next week in Park Gate"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Hi Jess, Thanks for your fantastic show last week everyone really enjoyed it! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: