Review Centre: Swing Bands

"What a great night! Great music, talented musicians and vocalists, original arrangements… We can’t wait for a return visit by the band to Northamptonshire- please make it soon. In the meantime we’ll have to make do with the Album we’ve just ordered.! PS Just how does Chris play keyboard and Trumpet at the same time? (From an envious brass player!)"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you so much for last night, you guys were fantastic and everyone really enjoyed the music. You certainly improved the atmosphere! We hope to work with you again soon!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Victoria and her guitarist were sensational and understood exactly what entertainment we were looking for for our Corporate event for our senior leaders. We delighted in listening to them perform and they really brought something special to the evening"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We booked Jessica for our wedding in December to sing whilst I walked down the aisle. Jessica was amazing, she sang so beautiful!! Jessica traveled all the way from London to sing on our special day!! I cannot thank you enough, it was perfect!! I cannot recommend Jessica enough xx "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Really fun band for our Christmas party - amazing vocals and really got everybody dancing!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Would fully recommend Martin. Great singer and real nice guy as well. He made my wife's birthday party very special. Good interactions with the audience but not in an overbearing or embarrassing anyone way. Amazing as well that he travelled the width of the country to entertain us."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"One of the pleasures of writing for Jazz Views is having the opportunity to follow the progress of an artist with each new release. It has been my very great pleasure to follow Lush Jazz Band's progress over the last few years. Having reviewed Lauren’s debut album, in 2016 and the follow-up, five years later, it was with great interest that I listened to her third album. If you’re looking for continued growth and artistic development in a musician, then Lauren has certainly delivered. Earlier today, prior to writing this review, I listened again to all three albums back-to-back and was amazed at what I was hearing. Listening in such a concentrated way, I was struck by how consistent each of the albums is and how the vocalist’s progress is not taking place with gargantuan leaps but steadily, as we can see here, in a paced and sustainable development. One huge advantage for Lauren is retaining the services of pianist Liam Dunachie, who arranges much of the music, and the two have built a solid rapport that has resulted in a formidable partnership. With “Tide Rises,” Lauren Bush has found a perfect balance between the old and the new, with a couple of strong original compositions, a handful of standards, and some contemporary works that she has done a wonderful job of adapting to her voice. The album gets off to a stunning start with a brisk and swinging “Joy Spring.” The tricky lyrics are handled with great aplomb by Bush, and after a lovely solo from Dunachie, she gets in a nice scat chorus of her own. This is followed by the title track, one of two original compositions, in which Lauren has drawn inspiration for the lyrics from the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Played over an ethereal opening from Rhodes and guitar (and the only song to feature electric bass), the music evolves over a gentle tempo with an empowering delivery from Lauren. The other original, “Easy Does It,” has a relaxed, almost lazy tempo, and Lauren has written lyrics that add to the gospel flavor of the music. Versatility and variety being the name of the game, we are treated to a beautiful bossa nova written by Earl Okin titled “Madrugada,” and Joni Mitchell’s “Circle Game” is given a delightful treatment, with some exquisite playing from all. The music flows in a beguiling manner, and Mitchell’s lyrics are given a sensitive reading by the vocalist. Standards have been a constant inspiration for Lauren, and with the depth of maturity that she has gained in the last few years, I have witnessed her raise her game significantly. It is difficult to pick one over another. Her treatment of “Oh What A Beautiful Morning” is flawless and joyous, with a lovely scat solo too, and “Nobody Else But Me” has a charm all of its own. If proof is needed of Bush’s stature as a jazz vocalist, then take a listen to the ballad performance on “This Is Always.” A duet for voice and piano, this is a pure delight and even, dare I say it, surpasses the duo’s reading of “Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most,” which was such a highlight of her last album, “Dream Away.” Closing with another contemporary tune, this time from the pop duo Yazoo, Lauren and Liam Dunachie cleverly recast Vince Clarke’s song, with Lauren giving the excellent Alison Moyet a run for her money. Another step forward for Lauren in a hugely enjoyable set that sees her setting the bar increasingly higher."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"He captured Sinatra’s suaveness and charisma and you could imagine Frank, himself, was singing!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Neil and his team did a great job and were very flexible and pleasant to deal with on the day. The acoustic set during the drinks was just the right tone for a sunny afternoon, the set in the evening was a great combination of real classics for all generations to enjoy and some more current stuff which really helps liven the party up and the singer was very good and engaging in terms of getting everyone involved. On a day when there was a lot going on Neil and his team arrived, set up and just got with the job which was much appreciated. Would certainly recommend them to anyone else looking for this type of music at their wedding."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Jazz Eclipse are fantastic! They created an amazing sound even with a smaller setup. Special mention to Conor, whose vocals were absolutely superb, and to Joe for his gorgeous guitar tone. Highly recommend, they deserve to be very busy indeed!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The band were brilliant and also punctual, my guests all commented how good they were. Big thank you to all the band for contributing to a great night. Excellent, thank you."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Ed and the guys played some superb jazz during our wedding breakfast at Mitton Hall. They created just the right mood for dinner and we can't thank them enough for adding to our special day! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I hired the BV's to play for me after hearing them play at a friend’s house party, and once again their performance was excellent. I asked for lively, bubbly and jazzy music and that was exactly what I got, though I am sure they could turn their hand to a whole range of music. Since the party I have had a great many positive comments and praise from guests saying how much they had enjoyed the music and the natural ease with which it was delivered. I would recommend them highly and definitely hire them again."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We hired Casado for our brand new office launch party as we wanted some subtle background jazz music – we had not used them before, but they were great and so professional and friendly. The music was fantastic and I had numerous guests comment on how good they were. Thanks for playing! "

Reply by Casado
Thanks Emily, it was a great event, so well organised and what a building! Martyn & Sharon

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I just wanted to say a massive thank you. You were all amazing last night! You absolutely made my party and I'm so grateful!! I had so many people comment on how awesome you were! Many thanks again for making my 40th fabulous and unforgettable."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: