Review Centre: Bands & Ensembles

"We saw you at Corton on Xmas eve, what a fabulous voice and lovely bubbly personality. Your Dad is watching over you and must be incredibly proud. You have an amazing gift. Thanks for a wonderful evening xx"

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:

"These guys are great to work with and the entertainment was superb, made the night for all of our staff and friends when they played at our Christmas party in November 2021. Cant recommend enough"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

" The ladies at our Manchester event were brilliant again – really good feedback! Thank you - Anwar"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"These girls are a fabulous group to work with! I recently used them for a studio session to record my Debut Single and they we’re amazing, very professional and did a fantastic job! Xx"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"WONDERFUL!! Just a great night thanks to Brian and his band! Would very much recommend this band!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Loved these guys! Hired for our wedding and couldn't fault them. I must have hassled Kelly on WhatsApp for a few months before the wedding and she was great. They went out their way to learn new songs at our request as well. Very reasonably priced for the service provided - I wouldn't hesitate to use these guys again. Thanks Both."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I just wanted to say how amazing Tom Sax was. He really got the party going ."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"What a fantastic evening at Walton On Thames Bowling Club . Paul was absolutely fantastic. He sounded so much like Rod Stewart and also was quite witty with it as well, which was great fun. It was loved by all. Looking forward to next years gig! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Excellent band! It was a garden Party for a corporate awards presentation. The band were highly professional, completely catering for the event, extremely accommodating, great set, volume and perfectly timed. Everyone enjoyed Noteworthy. Would not hesitate to recommend. Will definitely have them back for future events! Thanks guys."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Absolutely unreal band. We enquired 4 months ago and from day 1 the communication has been 10/10. Never anything to worry about, really great service, always replying to emails within 24 hours. We had about 70 guests for my 40th and all people are now saying is… ‘WHERE DID YOU FIND THIS BAND!!!!?!’ Amazing sound. Amazing songs. Genuinely cannot praise this band enough and we will 100% be contacting them again. Thank you guys. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The Chapel Hill Duo provided music for our ceremony and wedding breakfast recently and were excellent. They are friendly, flexible and, above all else, talented. They really added something to the day. We'd definitely recommend them for any wedding."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend you and will continue to tell anyone who will listen about your band. As soon as Owain and I get any excuse whatsoever to throw a big party we’ll be asking you back to play for us again. Also, please could you let us know if you’re playing any dates for a general/public audience anywhere in the UK as we’d definitely seek to come along to experience the music again if the opportunity arose. Please pass on our thanks and best wishes to Keith and Carlos and we wish all of you every success in the future."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The Encores were fantastic. Really enjoyed their performance at our event. Thanks so much for exceeding our expectations xx"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I just wanted to drop a note to say thank you so much for playing at our wedding and making it such a fantastic day. Those that can remember the day have said how much they enjoyed you!! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: