Review Centre: Background Music Bands

"Great string duo. They were happy to adapt some of the pieces I requested for our wedding. Went down really well with the guests. Thank you :)"

Rating: 9 / 10 Share this review:

"Love For Sale were great. They were very professional and very talented! We received so much excellent feedback from staff."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Working with Lara and the girls in Hope String Quartet has been an absolute pleasure. Having contacted LIPA to enquire about availability of students, Lara from Hope String Quartet, was very prompt in responding with video footage and a bio. The Telegraph Cruise & Travel Show was a two day event at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool from 10am-5pm on Saturday and 10-4pm on Sunday. As the only string quartet at the event, it was quite demanding on the girls to play across both days with 1-1.5hrs sessions on a tight schedule. Their performances were fantastic and provided our visitors with a relaxing and intimate atmosphere within our Cream Tea Experience. We have received many lovely comments from our visitors since the show, and I would highly recommend Hope String Quartet for any event that requires a classy and sophisticated musical accompaniment. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We all had a great time. Residents said they would like to see him again... Thank you from Woodchurch House xx "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"THANK YOU for adding to a wonderful night on Saturday 23rd April. Great music. Lots of feedback from guests saying you made the evening!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"It was absolutely amazing. They read the crowd and knew exactly what would get them going. Everyone we have spoken to has commented on how good they were. I have got no idea if they played any of the songs we chose as I was having such a good time. I am so glad that we had Andy and Primed make our special day even more special and memorable. Thank you so much for all your help too. Many thanks"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thanks so much for a fantastic evening...everybody had a wonderful time and we really didn't want you to stop"

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:

"Arabesque Strings were fantastic. They truly made our wedding day extra special. We loved their repertoire and would highly recommended them."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We had this duo perform at our office party. They played everyone's favorite songs and made each song there own. They were very flexible, and quiet setting up. We will definitely be hiring them for next year's Christmas party!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Not sure what the procedure is for another muso to comment on someone else on this site however, I do know a thing or two about musicians and in particular Guitarists. This Guy knows his stuff, quite a faultless rendition of Recuerdos de la Alhambra (Memories of the Alhambra) I have heard many play this piece including the great Late Segovia, Andrew is right up there with feeling and presentation, well done."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Just an email to say the guys from the Wade Austin Steel Band were great on Saturday! They turned up promptly, looked great and were so friendly. We would definitely book them again."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thanks for a great performance at our engagement do yesterday - you guys are fantastic - everyone was up dancing - brilliant atmosphere."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Dear Anne I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your recent performance of the above at St Chad's in Shrewsbury. It was a real honour to hear you and your colleagues at the absolute top of your game. I am so glad I made the trip from my home in Buckinghamshire to come and hear you all. I think what struck me most, was how meticulously well prepared it was. Your attention to all the smallest details of dynamic and phrasing were in evidence right from the very outset. The balance between instruments was superb. As a pianist, I thought Richard's playing was wonderful, drawing out the many colours of that piano. The interaction between the instruments was truly excellent. Kind regards, Richard"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Hi Martin, We just wanted to say once more thank you so much for being so brilliant on Thursday. The music was spot on, your outfits were all spot on and we’ve had lots of comments saying that the reception was a lot of people’s favourite bit of the evening. I suspect the music had a lot to do with that. We hope you guys enjoyed it. Best wishes, William and Jen."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: