Review Centre: 1940s Era Musicians & Bands

"Ruby sang at our anniversary party in 2016, and she made it an absolutely unforgettable evening. She has a fantastic song list ready, and she is happy to learn new songs for you, - even if I must say that her repertoire matches my own favourite songs, so I would be hard pushed to find any additional to request. Ruby covers all sorts of swing and Jazz from the Andrew Sisters to Amy Winehouse, dance music from cha cha cha to rock ‘n roll plus also Beatles and Bowie and other styles of music. All delivered with Ruby's own touch. Some of them much better than the originals. On top of it all, she made me aware of another brilliant singer, the Dutch Caro Emerald, as Ruby sings a couple of Caro’s songs. To have Ruby singing was, to quote a Caro Emerald song: “I have never dreamed, dreamed a night like this” I would definitely recommend Ruby for any party, birthday, wedding, anniversary or the like."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Saxophones, a rhythm section and vocals, swinging like crazy – that’s the aptly named FIVE STAR SWING ! As saxophone section in any band, they would take some beating. Beautiful tones and well-rehearsed by their leader, Chris Smith (Jnr), who has the singular talent of playing the trumpet with his right hand and the piano with his left at one and the same time ! He also happens to be a very experienced music writer having learnt his trade with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and Glenn Miller’s Brother, Herb. Add to the fact that he can also well handle a vocal, as can his wife, lead alto Simone Smith and tenor man Stephen Davies, who’s clarinet playing on “Sing, Sing, Sing” was superb – and it will give you some idea of the breadth of talent in this line-up. This is a band crying out to be danced to and it wasn’t long before the jivers took to the dance floor. Five Star Swing –a “must” for every dance club in the country."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Special thanks go to Santa Sax for playing his heart out yesterday and keeping everyone entertained with his beautiful music and raising over £75 for Isaac’s Food Bank ♥️ We would 100% recommend this amazing musician to anyone booking an event, not only is he an amazing saxophone player, but he is the kindest, sweetest man ? Isaac has a special affinity for the tones of the sax and it filled all our hearts with happiness to have him at the event ??? Note: Santa Sax is my alter-ego (alternative persona). This review was given in text on a Facebook post so didn't have a rating associated with it."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Hitchen Jazz Quintet played at our Jazz Festival in July 2021, doing one of their featured shows 'Hommage aux Trompettistes de Legende. They were magnificent, and covered many styles of Jazz from easy listening ballads to fiery Jazz be-bop. David’s presentation of the show was very entertaining, delivered in fluent French. I highly recommend this group. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Always energetic and engaging trio. Able to adapt to all situations. Quite rare to find musicians who engage with their audience in a jazz setting. And of course top notch music!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"we invited Dupa Trio for our annual celebration of the Gememnta Amsterdam, WOW, what a cool band! a super unique approach to the boring and run-over-the-mile jazz band, they have so much character and their singer is amazing! if you can see them play or even book their performance, do it! such a cool band "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Fantastic performance by Las Vegas Nights Experience, great variety of songs to suit all and to get our retired employees up singing and dancing. Lovely guy, Brilliant singer. Would highly recommend."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Absolutely Amazing, Elouise reduced me to tears with her live performance. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"It’s quite possible to stroll right past the place while navigating West Kinzie Street, just a wee bit north of the Chicago River, and not even realize it. The only concrete clue that you’ve arrived at your destination is the sight of a black canvas entrance emblazoned with the curious moniker of the joint. It’s called Untitled, and that handle is purposely nondescript, only adding to the overall mystique of the nightspot. Head down a short flight of stairs, say hello to the doorman (there’s no cover), and you’ll find that Untitled offers a welcoming hideaway from the hustle and bustle of the Loop, which sits only a few blocks south on the other side of the river. During the Prohibition era, speakeasies dotted the Windy City landscape where those so inclined could quaff an alcoholic libation or two while securely hidden away from the long arm of the law. But those long-ago speaks were never this spacious or glamorously appointed. Make no mistake: this is a classy operation all the way, so you won’t spy any tennis shoes or sweatsuits sullying the polished dance floor. When the Rhythm Rockets take the stage at Untitled, as they’ve been doing on the second Wednesday evening of every month for a while now starting at 7:30 p.m. and going strong for three hours, the joint proceeds to jump to a barrage of eminently danceable rhythms. The music meshes perfectly with the delicious food and cool drinks that can be ordered by summoning your lovely waitress. You can dine on such delicacies as steak tartare, sea scallops, and mushroom tortellini, and top your feast off with a scrumptious slice of whoopee pie, a blend of dark chocolate-espresso cake, peanut butter mousse, and powdered sugar. There was a fair amount of dancing happening during the Rhythm Rockets’ most recent Untitled engagement, but most of the sizable crowd was content to soak in the swinging soiree at their tables or from their barstools. The sound quality was exceptionally crisp and full-bodied all night long; Dave Downer’s concise guitar licks sliced through the air with authority, and Nicole Kestler’s delightful vocals were mixed at precisely the right level for maximum enjoyment as she sailed through longtime Rhythm Rockets favorites that included Little Esther’s “Oo Papa Do,” the relaxed pre-war blues lament “Trouble In Mind,” and the band’s scorching arrangement of Ruth Brown’s “(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean” that they often use as a set closer. The sizzling sax section (tenors Michael Bielecki and Vince Salerno and baritone Justin Kierans) was tight and right throughout the evening, and the rock-solid combination of bassist Lou Marini and drummer Mark Fornek kept the grooves hitting on all cylinders. Mark usually sings a song or two on each set prior to Nicole’s entrance, and now he’s previewing a few Chicago blues numbers that he’s also singing with Dave’s new side band, the Five Alibis. Vince switched over to harmonica to give Little Walter’s ominous “I Don’t Play” an authentic Chicago blues sound, although the horns returned when Mark launched into Junior Wells’ playful shuffle “The Things I’d Do For You.” If you’re anywhere near River North on the second Wednesday of this or any month in the near future, take a walk down Kinzie and seek out Untitled, even if you have to look hard for it. It’s altogether worth the effort--and a great place to check out the Rhythm Rockets doing what they do best! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Perfetti in ogni occasione, aperitivo lounge molto raffinato e diverso, una formazione che non si sente molto in giro sono rimasto veramente strabiliato. Li richiamerò sicuramente 💯 Bravissimi "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"My wife Janet and I have seen Mixed Bag quite a few times now in the Montrose area . Every time has been a great entertaining evening. We dance , we laugh , we have fun guessing the name of the songs . Thanks guys for being in this area . We can’t wait for the next show ! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thanks for such a brilliant night. Fantastic show!"

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"Filippo made our night! Skilled, punctual and professional. Cannot recommend enough "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you so much for providing wonderful music at our wedding. We all really enjoyed ourselves and had a fab evening dancing! See you at the Christmas ‘do’! Thanks again."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Fleur sang a beautiful set for our wedding in August. She sang a gorgeous mix of dance numbers and slower romantic ones, and made our reception very special. She was a delight to have there with us and tailored her set to include our requests as well. I'm so glad we booked Fleur and can't recommend her enough for any occasion - she is relaxed, elegant and has such a beautiful voice, it set such a lovely tone for our evening. Thank you, Fleur!! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: