Review Centre: Swing Bands

"Dear Joe So sorry you were unwell and couldn't make it last night however we would never have known there was a 'reserve' in the band. We had a terrific night the band were brilliant- I have had so many positive comments about them. We were quite worried about them travelling back but hopefully they didn't have to spend the night on the road. Thank you again Best wishes, Sara"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Hi Jess, Thank you once again for last Friday. Our residents enjoyed very much your choice of music and the performance, it meant a lot to them. The Major from the Kings Troop also commented in her email later that day how your performance ‘hit’ the right note. (please excuse the pun)! Kindest Regards and very much looking forward to welcoming you again in the very near future."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"A Million Dollars at Any Years Prices. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Following a huge achievement of winning a prestigious industry award, we arranged for a secret day of celebrations for our 100 employees at our offices. We arranged for The Ace Jazz Band to kick off the celebrations by entering our office playing the most energetic and uplifting music which was a wonderful surprise to staff who eagerly jumped up out of their seats to follow the marching band and dance their way around the office. The place was 'buzzing' everyone LOVED it. We had numerous surprises for everyone but The Ace Jazz Band was by far the highlight and what people remember the most about the day. They are fantastic. You can't help but get up on your feet and dance along. We will definitely be hiring them again for future events - we can't wait for them to play for us again! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I cannot thank you enough for the fantastic band tonight. Carol & Graeme were absolutely brilliant. Very much appreciated!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Just dropping a quick message to say a massive thank you to you and the band. They were AMAZING! We were running a little late with the food and they were so understanding and cool. Also I lost track of the amount of people who came over to me and said - This is the best wedding band I've ever seen/heard, WHERE did you find them? Seriously they blew us away, thank you so much!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"A big thank you for helping our special day go with a swing ! You were all fantastic! We’ll be sure to find an occasion to book you again."

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"Thanks for a fantastic set today, it made the party extra special."

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"We just want to say a massive thank you to Martyn and Sharon for playing at our wedding on 9th August 2021 at the Moat House. From start to finish they were professional and friendly, they are both incredibly talented musicians and all our guests absolutely loved the music. We would not hesitate to recommend you both and would book you again in a heartbeat. Thank you for being part of our special day, you really were the highlight of the evening. Many thanks again, Mr and Mrs Lawlor"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you for a truly memorable evening. The group were great and I spoke to them them requesting the song “ the man I love” .Sarah-Jane boned up on it at the break and it meant a lot to me."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"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:

"My wife & I recently hired Olly's House of Jazz for our wedding. We knew we were in for a good time when guests were itching to dance, just from hearing the band's sound check! Their playing was immaculate and they really knew how to light up the room, every single guest was either dancing (myself included) or they were tapping along from their seats. We could not have asked for a better band to play on our big day. I would also like to touch upon how responsive, patient and accommodating Olly was during the lead up to the day, agreeing not only to play multiple songs that I requested, but also learning a song for the first dance, which was so good, it has tainted my love for the original. All in all, it was a pleasure to have Olly and his band at our wedding and I wholly recommend them."

Reply by Olly's House of Jazz
Hi Kieran, Thank you so much for your kind words - it was such a treat to play for you both and your guests! Thank you for looking after us and for the wonderful energy of the evening :). Best wishes, Olly

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Just to say many thanks to all the band for playing at our wedding. Lots of comments from our friends saying they thought you were fantastic and really enjoyed the music. Thank you."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The BV's performed in June 2016 at my parents Golden Wedding celebration and we couldn't have asked for better. Their playlist was excellent and fitted perfectly for the occasion. They set up up promptly and were excellent at involving my parents and the younger guests appropriately making it a very special and enjoyable evening. I actually can't recommend them any higher!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Brilliant (his review of latest video)"

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