Review Centre: Swing Bands

"Absolutely briliant - everyone loved the band! They kept the dancefloor full all night - can’t ask for more than that! We will definitely book MIB again! A thank you to all for making our ball such a huge success."

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"These amazing ladies sang at The Fordwich Arms 1940’s leaving party at the weekend and we’re incredible ! Thank you ladies ! X"

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"Wanted to say thank you so much to you and the rest of the band for Saturday. We are so pleased we chose you to play at our wedding - you were absolutely brilliant. I love the fact we managed to sneak in a dance together before the rest of the guests made it to the dancefloor. That was a lovely a really memorable moment for us. Thank you so much for dealing so admirably with our wedding overrunning. We are sad not to have had 2 full hours of CDTS, but we were delighted with we did have. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We hired MT's Party Collective for our evening wedding reception and they were excellent! As requested they did a mostly swing set for the first hour whilst evening guests were warming up, and went into full blown party mode in the second set. Everyone raved about them, and besides being very professional, they were really nice guys. Would definitely recommend!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"What can I say, the perfect band for our Art Deco wedding! They have been so professional from day one through the first days of communication and they even played our first Dance song that we requested, to have a beauty and the beast live performance was amazing and they played it perfectly, we honestly would recommend them too anyone and they were worth every penny ! "

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"Hi Jess, wanted to say a big thank you to you and your group for an amazing performance at our wedding. We really enjoyed it and so did guests and we loved the song list too."

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"Thanks again for a great evening! You are such a talented pair of musicians and we had nice comments from everyone. "

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"Just seen the band at The Municipal Hall Colne and what a great show from a very talented group of musicians – well done and thanks for a great night out. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Luke was fantastic, brilliant entertainer. Many thanks for your services!"

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"I have listened to Jonathan Vinten with real pleasure over a number of years, playing solo, with his trio and recently with the full six piece band. Whatever the venue, ranging from the humble surroundings of the Tunbridge Wells Jazz Club to Leeds Castle, the Savoy Hotel London or the Grand at Brighton, his sheer quality as a musician stands out, as does the range of his repertoire. You need no telling that he has played with the very best in the business, yet, unlike some jazz musicians who seem to play for their own pleasure, Jonathan always sets out to entertain his audience. The standard of the trio is impressive. I have heard the “big” band only once so far but it was a joy, with a fine balance and extended solos you just had to listen to. I don’t get to hear him and the band often enough and, with my partner and friends, make a New Year resolution to put that right. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"It was just perfect."

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"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:

"Hi, just a quick note to say thank you for an amazing performance on our wedding day at Lumley Castle, you were fabulous. You provided first-class entertainment with a wonderful singing voice which was thoroughly enjoyed by all of our guests. Thank you for an excellent evening. Good luck and best wishes for the future. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"What a fantastic band! We booked Count to Swing for a Charity Gala Ball, and what a wonderful addition to the event they were. All our guests made for the dance floor and were thoroughly entertained and I can't recommend them highly enough. Delightful people and they certainly add value to your event!" "

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"My lovely Jess, I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart, you were an absolute delight on Saturday, I cannot wait to hear your angelic voice again. Lots of Love, Andreea"

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