Review Centre: Jazz Bands

"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:

"It was a great gig on Saturday and everyone at the New Winton concert really enjoyed BV's music. Lots of good feedback."

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"Ed provided a 1st class band for our drinks reception. I'd recommend these guys to anyone looking for a jazz band for their event."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The Red Hot Rags were amazing! They brought such a lovely atmosphere to our wedding. Their jazz was smooth, elegant, and just felt so classy. It was exactly what we were hoping for during the drinks and dinner. Later on, they picked up the tempo and had everyone dancing, which we honestly weren’t expecting from a jazz band! They were also so friendly and easy to work with throughout the whole process. They really added something special to the day, and we’re so glad we found them."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you so much for your fabulous musical performance at our wedding party on Saturday evening. Loads of people have said how brilliant you were. You really made the whole evening go with a swing."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Graham - you and the boys were ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS, you rocked it!!! Everyone was totally delighted with your performance, it couldn't have been more perfect. I do hope you also had a bit of fun. Would love to book you all again so will be in touch about dates for the autumn. HUGE THANKS AGAIN"

Reply by Hot Rock Brass Band
We loved playing for you. What a fabulous party. We look forward to coming back again. Graham

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Saw your show at Kings Lynn last night, to say we were pleasantly surprised would be putting it mildly. purchased your CD so can listen again and again, thanks for a great evening."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you so much for playing last night. The band were great and everybody loved the sound!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The band were absolutely brilliant, perfect for our wedding! There was slight confusion from my side on the day but it was hectic as you can imagine. The band were understanding and were brilliant, all the guests loved them ! Thank you so much ! Tom & Nat"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Zoe and I have just returned from our Mega moon in South America and we wanted to take the opportunity and thank you and the band for a fantastic evening, you guys made a great job and we have really enjoyed working with you and listening to your music!! Hope to hear you playing again..."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Better than we hoped for. They gave us wonderful music which provided the perfect background for a small lunch party set in the garden in rural Devon. It was magic. Thank you. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Fantastic music - everyone was dancing, smiling and laughing. What more could you want at a wedding? Brilliant!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thanks so much for a fabulous evening of your music - my only wish is that I can do it all again and just listen to the music. I had a brilliant time. Many people were paying you compliments and will keep you in mind they say."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Beautiful set that was so in keeping with the vibe and setting for our Wedding Brunch...seeing our mother sat beside them swaying along was priceless- thanks guys! x"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Hi Tony, We just wanted to say thank you so much for entertaining us and our guests on our wedding day. You were absolutely perfect for us! We are still hearing about how amazing you were from all of our guests who were very impressed and had a great night. My dear Grandpa was a successful jazz singer back in his day and said it was just like seeing Frank Sinatra in his youth, he was very impressed with you indeed! Thank you so much for making the evening perfect for us, we couldn't have hoped for a better singer to celebrate our big day with! We will tell everyone about you!! Thanks again, Claire & Stu xxx"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: