Review Centre: Jazz Bands

"Thanks you so much for playing for us last week. Sorry we didn't get to chat more but we were all impressed by the music. I'll definitely recommend you to all my friends. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The ultra-stylish Kit Packham’s One Jump Ahead band is now 30 years old. For this Sunday afternoon gig at the award-winning Hideaway, they performed a rollicking set of songs ranging from 1940s and 1950s jump/jive, R&B and classic rock ‘n’ roll, to jazz standards and originals, featuring the band’s core seven-piece line-up: Bandleader and composer, Kit Packham on saxophones and lead vocal, Steve Knight on guitar, Perry White on piano, Alex Keen on double bass, Kenrick Rowe on drums, Tracey Mendham on saxophones and vocals, and Simon Da Silva on trumpet and flugelhorn. Striking in a blue pinstripe suit and fedora, Packham resembled Frank Sinatra, and he introduced numbers in a clear and informative way. They opened with one of the band’s original tunes, ‘Swing It’, which immediately propelled people to the dance floor. The band’s perky theme tune, ‘One Jump Ahead’, contained one of Packham’s signature, impactful abrupt endings and deadpan Knight added even more colour to the act by performing a nose flute solo on The Blues Brothers classic, ‘Minnie the Moocher’. White nailed a stunning boogie-woogie piano solo punctuated by thrillingly deep bass notes from Mendham on baritone saxophone on ‘Choo Choo Ch’Boogie’, and they even managed to squeeze in a world premiere featuring Vera Lynn’s World War II song, ‘We’ll Meet Again’: Loosely named ‘The Last Song Of The Set’, it cleverly welded an old song onto a new one. Eventually the two tunes overlapped, bringing the gig to an impressive end. The time flew; a sure sign that Kit Packham’s One Jump Ahead with its thoroughly well-written arrangements and heartfelt blend of comedy and music, had done a fine job of bringing this classy joint to life."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Foot stomping, bum wiggling, jazzy goodness! Love this band, great energy, amazing musicians! They created an atmosphere of fun and frolics that made for an excellent night of dancing and good times, can't recommend them strongly enough, felt like travelling back to the roaring 20's! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"This band is amazing! This people play with such a beautiful and positive energy. I enjoyed listening their music and dancing it! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Specially beautiful and funny, listen it and you will become a fan. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"What a performance! We are so pleased that we chose your services for our wedding reception. Entourage are by far the best live party band we have seen. They were amazing! From learning our first dance song and singing it beautifully, to performing Mr Brightside twice (it’s one of my favourites), and then allowing Molly to perform ‘Valerie’ with the band, the evening was perfect. We would like to sincerely thank you for all the effort you and the band put into making the wedding reception a memorable event. Your friendliness, professionalism and assistance in working around our busy schedule so that the band sound checked early surpassed our expectation and we will definitely recommend you."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Throughout the night, a local jazz pianist Elliot treated us to a variety of classics that added to the ever growing ’20s feel. Our scenario felt like something out of a movie, and Elliott made my guest and I feel like the only two people in the room – especially when he sang ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ to me. Swoon."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I booked The Jive Trio to play at my husband’s 40th birthday party at our home. The trio played beautifully, they are a talented group of guys! The live acoustic music created a wonderful atmosphere on the day. The band were organised, prompt and a pleasure to deal with. I would highly recommend the Jive Trio for an event."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"They fell in with the event very well . Jess beautiful voice was enchanting."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Jimmy is a fantastic musician and a really great guy. He helped to make my party a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable occasion."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Many thanks to you and the band for making my 60th one to remember! Everyone loved your band, which I hope was evident from the dancing and applause"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"What can I say? Paul and Ed were consummate professionals from initial contact through to the end of their set at our wedding. Their enthusiasm and playing style were exactly what we were looking for and their repertoire was fantastic. I cannot fault them and would book them again in a heartbeat. As an added bonus for one of our guests, I requested a rendition of Jump Up, Super Star from Super Mario Odyssey and not only did they find and purchase the song, they also converted it to a two piece version for us. Absolute class and would 100% recommend to anyone"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We had such a great time , it really was the best day of our lives and the band were totally awesome, definitely would book you guys again!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Great gig! I enjoyed this so much - every groove and every solo played flawlessly."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Really well done the videos looked excellent and we loved what we were seeing! Great." Lucy Samuels, Divine International, Rory @ Bierkeller Maidstone, Kent, March, 2024"

Reply by Rory
Hi Lucy, Thank you very much for the gig + positive feedback! 😊 Thanks, Rory

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: