Review Centre: Background Music Bands

"I wanted to thank you and the band for a wonderful afternoon of entertainment - the playing and singing was marvellous and not too loud so people could enjoy listening and talking at the same time and also inspired some dancing!! A lot of people asked where I found you so should anyone have an event coming up and need a jazz band I will pass on your details. Thank you once again for making the afternoon such a success - it would not have been the same without you!"

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"Thank you to you and the girls for your beautiful music. You were amazing and made the ceremony so beautiful! Everybody commented about what a perfect touch having you there was. Thank you for also making the booking/planning stress-free."

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"We had Charlotte & Darryl singing at our drinks reception at our wedding. They were incredible from start to finish! From playing a set that we chose, to getting every single one of our guests up and dancing. Their communication is brilliant and their choice of songs is just fabulous. Thank you so much again, we couldn’t recommend these two more!"

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"A complimentary glass of bubbly is always a good sign as you step through the door. Or, in this case, as you step aboard. We were on the elegant Millennium Diamond, a handsome modern catamaran leaving from Westminster Pier for a jazz cruise of the Thames. Jazz and dinner. And bubbly. With Big Ben glowing in the mellow late evening light, we cast off (I think that’s the term). We were presented with a small safety lecture and a large plate of tapas. As we glided by the London Eye and under bridges, the boat’s resident jazz band began to play. They are Chi Jazz: Noel Jay on electric keyboards, Matt Tween on bass, Steve Grainger a disciple of Johnny Hodges with a penchant for sneaking cheeky little quotations from The Pink Panther into his solos on alto sax and John Clarke on drums. Debbie Cobbett was guest vocalist. And this is a crack quartet, as was made clear by their opening number A Foggy Day (In London Town) — a great tune, though you could hardly have chosen a less foggy day than this scorching, gorgeous summer occasion with sunlight striking through the panoramic windows. Grainger’s alto was in the lead, offering sweetly swaying, reverberant cadences. The stately skyline of London surged grandly past as the combo commenced I’ve Got You Under My Skin with Debbie Cobbett joining in on warm, mellow vocals. As Grainger’s sax played debonair, descending phrases with the setting sun glinted on the river waves and the Shard rearing gleaming against the sky it became clear we were in for a tremendously pleasant experience. Red double-decker buses rolled across Cannon Street Bridge and HMS Belfast hove into view as the band began A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square, reinforcing their excellent choice of songs. Noel Jay provided a delicate drapery of keyboards and Grainger went down a spiral bebop staircase on his alto. Matt Tween’s warm bass rolled like the waves as Jay embarked on a discursive, detailed solo. Steve Grainger’s playing on Moon River was reflective and rhapsodic, coming at the tune from all angles with an echoing complexity of commentary. Noel Jay’s ringing keyboard solo excavated the melody from a solid body of improvisation while the steady cadence of John Clarke’s exemplary work on cymbals and brushes rooted the tune. The only way the band could have improved the evening’s music was by playing The Way You Look Tonight — which they proceeded to do. Jay performed a chiming, charging solo while Grainger’s alto scooted and soared above and John Clarke’s drumming skilfully kicked the number forward. This was bop adapted for the dinner hour, and none the worse for it. The sun descended in a benign hot blaze over Tower Bridge, the blue sky scribbled with white contrails as One Note Samba provided a showcase for soloists. Steve Grainger’s fluid sax purred with restraint as he skirted the tune and Noel Jay played bright raucous phrases and dancing long lines against the backdrop of Matt Tween’s big, ripe bass and John Clarke’s steady, constant shimmer of drums. I could also tell you about The Girl from Ipanema but I was too busy concentrating on my moist, flavoursome chicken breast in ratatouille — which is a pity, because both Grainger’s sax and Jay’s keyboards were at their best as I stuffed my mouth full of buttery mashed potato. With the riggings of the Cutty Sark floating above the dark trees and the nocturnal sweep of the city silhouetted against the last of the blue sky, it was clear that this was an unbeatable way to spend an evening. Great music, great food, great experience. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"It was truly a pleasure to have Banish Misfortunes playing at my 60th Birthday Party. The melodic sounds of fiddle and guitar wafting across the sun-filled garden suited the occasion perfectly, and provided the perfect enhancement to the event. I would recommend Banish Misfortunes to anyone. "

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"Thank you so much for playing at our wedding on Friday 7th April at De Courceys manor! We are so sorry we didn't get chance to speak with you all, you were professional and everyone commented on how amazing you were!! Thanks again!!"

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"Josh and I booked the Shuffles for our wedding at the Celtic Manor on 2nd December. They were absolutely superb!!!! Very professional, fun and we loved their version of our first dance choice. Can't recommend enough the band and their photo booth was great fun. Thank you so much to the band xx"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The music was fantastic. We danced the whole time and Catherine was in touch with us beforehand to check our music needs. It was great...what energy and fantastic voices they both had. Everyone loved them and I would recommend you all to others. Thank you so much for your efficient service...it took the stress out of sorting the music out...just initial research and we found what we wanted. Fantastic...thanks to you all. I will fill in the feedback form too."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Hi Jessica, You were absolutely fabulous and kicked off the evening perfectly. We really loved it and had so many compliments about you! Thanks again, Mags and Rob "

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"We have received numerous e-mails commenting on the fantastic quartet that played during our ceremony and wedding breakfast. Carol and I would like to say a big thank-you to you and the girls for a fantastic performance, and the deliverance of your superb choice of music was appreciated by everybody. We both feel that our day was enhanced by your presence. Again a big thank you and we wish you all the best for the future and hopefully we shall hear you perform again in the near future."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Wow - what a find Mr Love was! He came with the delightful Blessing and transformed the school fair. The music was great and Mr Love was a true showman. The limbo he organised was hilarious and got everyone in the mood. He encouraged people to join him playing - my 85 year old mother was a highlight - and was loved by all. "The best fair ever" was wholly down to the superb Mr Love and Blessing. Thank you - I hope you'll come again!"

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"I would just like to say thank you so much for performing at our wedding. You were absolutely brilliant. From start to finish you were so easy to deal with and you absolutely smashed it on the day, so professional and outstanding performance the guests absolutely loved it. Thank you for being part of the best day of our lives."

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"Eugene was such a lovely man and provided great entertainment. I would definitely book him again."

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"We absolutely loved The Capriccio Quartet for our recent wedding. Their repertoire is very varied, they arrived early and started playing on time. It was a magical moment when they played Canon in D as I walked down the aisle, seamlessly switching to Elton John 'Your Song' and Snow Patrol as we signed the register. Everyone commented on how the music added so much to the atmosphere. They were absolute professionals and I would absolutely recommend them to anyone who wanted a really varied mix of modern and classical for their wedding! Thanks so much! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"It's hard to put into words just how fantastic Jazz Eclipse were on our wedding day. They’re both truly incredible musicians that sounded so fantastic and being an acoustic duo didn’t stop them from bringing the party! I think if anyone is looking for amazing music that sounds like the demos alongside talent, kindness and great communication then look no further these are the guys for the job! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: