Review Centre: Swing Bands

"Ella Fitzgerald was born on 25 April 1917. She didn't have the easiest of starts to life - losing both parents and making a living on the streets as a teenager. She had hopes of becoming a dancer but had no training. What she did have was the gift of the smoothest, silkiest voice Jazz has known with the most delicate of touches - to hear Ella was to be kissed on the cheek by the lightest of breezes. Over her career she recorded 2,000 songs many of which are now Jazz standards - a fact in part due to the Fitzgerald imprimatur. Annette Gregory has a voice that is naturally lower in pitch than Ella’s and wisely she does not attempt a tribute act that imitates - rather her performance is a celebration of Ella’s legacy and the songs that will be sung and heard for as long as humans live on this planet. For this gig she was to have been accompanied by a quartet but unfortunately the bassist and sax player were caught up in a traffic standstill on the M6, but the piano (John) and drums (Matt) backing meant the stripped down support ensured that we focused on the songs. Just as Annette does not try to sound like Ella, neither does she slavishly follow her interpretations. This was strikingly apparent in songs such as “Miss Otis Regrets” and “The Man I Love” (which was more of a rocking blues than the familiar ballad). Annette's delivery is characterised by controlled, fluent and delicate phrasing and a pair of ballads - “When a Woman Loves a Man” and “Embraceable You” - were particularly pleasing. Let's hope that Annette and the full quartet make it back to Buxton soon! (10 / 10)"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Hired the Santa Belles for my mother's belated Christmas themed Birthday party - they were fab and sang all the jazz songs that my mum loved. Really made our afternoon considering the times we've been going through. Really good singers and great harmonies."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Absolutely fantastic. The energy, quality of sound, musicianship, choice of songs, performance and togetherness as a group. They had us dancing the entire time. Personal highlight was when the saxophonist led us in a conga line out of the building and back in again. One guest said it was the best live music they had seen. They were so easy and responsive to organise logistics with. They even helped us rent an accordion that one of our guests played during the ceremony. Worth every penny and would love to see them live again!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you for another great gig on Friday. I've passed your details on to the Mayor who wants to book you."

Reply by The Mid Atlantic Sax Trio
Thanks Steve! We enjoyed playing for your event!

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I just wanted to say a big thank you for playing at our wedding at Lulworth Castle, you guys were absolutely brilliant and were everything we had hoped for. You perfectly captured the mood of the day and everyone said how much they enjoyed the music and dancing along. I only wish Luke and I could have stayed longer to dance more! Luke and I are still so thrilled about our day and how perfect it was for us and your music at the reception drinks and in the evening played a huge part in making it just as we had imagined. I think two of your biggest fans are my grandparents who amazed me by not only lasting the whole night but also dancing on several occasions – my grandma called me up on Saturday to sing Chattanooga Choo Choo down the phone at me because she said she has been singing it every day since the wedding! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The band was fantastic. I had so many great comments about them. The repertoire was perfect and the quality of musicianship superb. Many, many thanks and I do hope we'll be able to book you again!"

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:

"You were all absolutely amazing! You looked great, we loved your style and were blown away by your performance – it was even better than we expected. Thank you for being flexible and enjoying the sun with us, it was lovely to get to know you all. I really hope we get the chance to see you all play again in the future. Stay awesome! Siobhan and Luke x"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"It was an absolutely fantastic day and I appreciate yours and Blitz Band's music on the day, the feedback received was nothing but positive, you really made the BBQ/party atmosphere how I imagined it to be."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We had such a great time having you as our headliners last week. You have an awesome, really varied set-list which appealed to everyone in the audience and even got the lindy-boppers dancing!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Daniel Benisty was the entertainer at my son’s wedding. We still talk about the amazing energy he generated and people who were there say it was the best part of the evening . Daniel was extremely courteous, punctual and professional. He visited the venue with us and planned the whole event. He went out of his way to assist with renting a stage, lights etc. His band and singer who were phenomenal, kept playing well after their allotted time. In short, book him !"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Just wanted to say a huge thank you for the fantastic performance at our wedding at Cain Manor on the 1st October. It really was amazing and contributed hugely to a fantastic day. We had so many great comments about you from our guests. I have attached a couple of photos which I thought you might like and many thanks again."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Soul'N'Funk, were absolutely amazing at our wedding last night. Not only are they super talented musicians but they also put on a fantastic show. The dance floor was packed all night. I would highly recommend for any occasion."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Just wanted to say a massive thank you for Saturday! It all worked out in the end ☺️☺️ It was lovely meeting you and we loved the music, fitted the atmosphere perfectly."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Just returned from the show at Stamford this evening 22 Nov. Outstanding musical ability, total enthusiasm and hard work, which produced a sound which defied any attempt to keep your hands or feet from moving! They love their music and it showed. It was an superb evening and I will be back."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: