Review Centre: Jazz Pianists

"From start to finish Brian was nothing short of epic! We wanted a pianist for our wedding ceremony and from the moment we booked Brian he was very communicative, super friendly, listened to all of our slightly strange requests and made them all happen, down to the last detail. On the day, Brian arrived well in advance of the start this, and was playing his gorgeous music to the guests (and putting me at easy) well before the start of the ceremony. Yes his music is SUPERB, but for me, what made Brian most incredible, was he ability to read the room. We had a song mid-ceremony (which we thought could potentially be badly sang by guests) but not on Brian’s watch… he lead us all in, adding fun bits into the song, picking up the pace when needed and giving us all the confidence to “belt it out”. Just a true professional with a personal touch. Brilliant Brian!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Verified Review Hellen • March 17, 2023 Amazing wedding band Johnny was incredibly thorough, easy to work with and very accommodating. Music was phenomenal and added so much to our wedding. Everyone loved the band and had a great time! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Charlie Jennison's debut album for Maine's Invisible Music Records is a smooth piece of work. "Smooth" not in the sense of the saccharine stuff served up by contemporary jazz players, but smooth as in classy unpretentiousness in the playing. Jennison is an alumnus of the Do'ah Wild Music Ensemble, a New Hampshire group which recorded for Global Pacific label. He has since gravitated to jazz having recorded with singers Kathleen Kolman and Leila Percy, among others. Jennison has also worked with Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry and Buddy DeFranco and is on the faculty of New Hampshire's Phillips Exeter Academy. Forsaking standard material for his first album, the play list is made up of ten Jennison originals all in various tempi and style, but which start getting repetitious along the way as ideas get thin. Some of the better pieces include "To You, From Me" which features Jennison on alto with some exciting drum breaks by Ken Clark. Another piece spotlighting Jennison's alto, which sounds like Phil Woods when Woods is in a mellow mood, is the lovely ballad "Georgie," with "My Anne" rivaling "Georgie" for sheer musical attractiveness. The tenor takes over on "Watch Your Step" with Jennison showing some incredible dexterity with daring fingering technique. There's a nice blues with a funky piano solo by Jim Butka and good bass strumming from John Hunter on "Amanda's Blues." Jennison brings out his soprano on "Rain in My Coffee" which has a light Latin beat with more good piano from Jim Butka. But virtually all tunes on this session take the same course. There's an introduction establishing the basic melody structure, followed by some technically compelling fingering after which there's a return to the melody. No matter how good the instrumentalist is —and Jennison is very good—unless the original material is superior, it's not going to hold one's attention for a whole sitting. And that is the case here. I have heard Jennison on other albums and he handles standard stuff very well. It would have behooved him to have put a couple of those on this CD. This would have strengthened the credibility of the original material."

Rating: 8 / 10 Share this review:

"I started classes with Gabriel a few years back, while I was having a terrible corporation job that made me stressed out and unable to focus most times. He had so much patience, even when he had to repeat the same thing time and time again, he´s extremely dedicated, very professional and very kind hearted and friendly. Highly recommended to anyone willing to learn a new skill or improve an existing one! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Gabriel is very good musician, but most importantly, he is very patient, easy going, inspiring and you can feel his passion for teaching as well as his love for music ."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I was 100% delighted. I'm not sure what more to say; the musicians arrived very promptly in plenty of time to get set up, entertained my guests, and were friendly and professional throughout."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you both so much for the wonderful music played at our wedding. Our friends and family made a point of saying how brilliant it was. You really made our day additionally special because of it. Thank you once again and Best wishes. Verity & Dan"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Morganne a énormément aimé son cours avec vous, Gabriel. Elle a notamment apprécié que vous ayez pu l'aider à améliorer son jeu avec seulement quelques conseils. Elle a trouvé que les exercices de relaxation du poignet ainsi que les conseils pour utiliser davantage les bras l'ont beaucoup aidée à se détendre et à moins ressentir les tensions dans le poignet. Nous serons ravis de poursuivre notre collaboration avec vous dès votre retour d'Australie. Cordialement, Morganne et ses parents."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Sue and Lloyd (Two's Company) played for evening drinks at our wedding. What a great duo! They played a good mix of pop and jazz ballads (the type of stuff everyone knows) and were really lovely people. Sue had played solo piano for us earlier in the day (which was also great), and the sax/piano combo was a real winner for the evening. Thank you both."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thomas was a joy to work with. He played jazz from the 1950s and 60s. A real treat during our wedding reception. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Roberto plays piano emphatic with the audience, all the people appreciate his approach at the piano "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"He is so great. We like him because of his enthusiasm and his encouragement and very patience with my son."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Great communication before the event. Turned up and set up with no fuss. Gave a great performance and made a super atmosphere. Would hire again!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"He can give good guidance to my children and improve their skill. My children loved his lesson too much and got the levels in a short period."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Live jazz trio performance at private wedding reception at Spata, Greece"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: