Jazz From its roots in the deep south of Louisiana and the Cajun culture of downtown New Orleans right through to the fusion with funk, jazz has always served up something decidedly silky - sometimes sultry - to assault the senses. The perfect music to which to wine and dine and then get close to somebody special on the dance floor, jazz is celebrated in a multitude of guises. Trad Jazz, Swing & Jazz, Named Jazz, Jazz Funk, the combinations abound, as do the names of those who are synonymous with this most enduring style of music - Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra – legends each and all – along with contemporary masters like Kenny G. With some of the finest exponents of jazz just a phone call away, we can respond to a client who says ‘Fly Me To The Moon’ and ensure an event or occasion that will live on long in the memory of both you and your chosen audience.   Diva Jazz : Diva Jazz is an all female trio comprising saxophone (tenor/alto/soprano), double bass and keyboard, which specialises in providing the very best in live jazz entertainment. All three members are experienced, professional musicians, having worked extensively in the jazz and function field as well as being involved in Television, Radio and session work.Diva Jazz have a wide repertoire of classic jazz tunes that everyone can enjoy, so you certainly don’t have to be a jazz enthusiast to enjoy there sophisticated yet accessible music. So if you need are looking for a versatile band who can entertain your audience with the widest possible choice of music, call for Diva Jazz and let them help you to create a truly memorable event with the ever-popular sound of dinner/cocktail jazz, the perfect music to wine, dine and dance to.The band is self-contained, with top quality sound equipment and promises an entertaining, professional performance every time they play.     Eureka Jazz: Eureka Dixieland Jazz bands are tailored to suit your particular event. Experienced professional musicians, playing acoustic instruments (amplified if needed) are never too loud for the occasion, even at small venues.The bass player uses the marching tuba (sousaphone) so that the band can be mobile, and can, if needed, wander through the audience playing requests, happy birthday, congratulations or fanfares at the drop of a hat! The repertoire includes popular tunes from the 1920’s and ‘30’s, marches, ragtime and blues. Attractive outfits are worn to suit the occasion including promotional clothes if required.The size of the band can vary from a trio to a full parade band. The backbone of Eureka is the quartet of trombone, trumpet, sousaphone and banjo, which can be augmented with saxophone, piano, drums, singer and dancer to provide a wealth of entertainment.Vivacious singer/dancer Sheila Fawkes is available to add extra sparkle. A showgirl to her fingertips, her bubbly personality, warmth of her voice and striking appearance endear her to audiences. Multi instrumentalist Terry McGrath leads the band on trombone, saxophone and vocals. I WANT YOUR SAX / JOOLZ: Julian Smith (Joolz) started playing musical instruments at the age of six and, as well as the soprano, alto and tenor saxophones, he plays bassoon, clarinet, piano, percussion and sings.He was awarded a teaching diploma in 1990 and then graduated with distinction from the Birmingham Conservatoire in 1991. During his student days in Birmingham he was a member of the band City Lynx which won a scholarship to perform in New York State. He has also performed as a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company orchestra on occasions.His saxophone tutors include Snake Davis, the top British session player who has worked with many top names including M People and Lisa Stansfield. Joolz's main influences are Kenny G., Kirk Whalum, Art Porter, Candy Dulfer, David Sanborn and Maceo Parker. With his present band I WANT YOUR SAX Joolz has supported Ruby Turner, Kenny Thomas, Roy Wood, Nigel Kennedy, Kim Wilde and performed with Howard McCrary and members of Harry Connick Jnr's band. Venues played include Birmingham Symphony Hall, Ronnie Scott's, the National Exhibition Centre and numerous major hotels. Hyatt Regency Hotels offered the band a world tour as a result of a very successful season in Birmingham. Joolz has also performed for several large organisations at receptions, exhibitions and conferences, an example being the VIP reception for Luciano Pavarotti's guests at the Birmingham Metropole Hotel. Joolz also plays over dance tracks in night clubs and was a session player on the chart-topping Spanish album "El Padre Nuestro". In October 1996 he became the Midlands endorser for the LA Sax Company following recommendation from Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in Birmingham. I WANT YOUR SAX was formed as a duo in 1993 by Joolz and Chris Watts. The name was chosen to convey the message that here was a saxophone oriented set-up with a difference. Joolz and Chris continued as a duo for 8 months and successfully built up a list of engagements but it was always their intention to form a band. This was eventually achieved when extra members joined them in 1995. The band have performed many live gigs and have made several live radio and TV broadcasts. They have also released a very successful CD and audio cassette, both of which include some of the band's own tracks. Features of Joolz' live performances include excellent communication with a wide variety of age groups guaranteeing that everyone enjoys the show. This may include the esoteric art of "circular breathing"! Despite his very hectic performing schedule Joolz still maintains a teaching programme, mainly on saxophone, offering specialist tuition to students of all ages. He was able to reach a wider audience through appearing as a solo artiste on the chart topping 2001 CD ‘Essential Chill Out Music’.   JAMES TAYLOR QUARTET: The James Taylor Quartet has one of the hippest, grooviest, mod-jazz, now sounds around. The organ and horns fairly leap off the disk, transcending time and space to inundate your ear drums with a sounds so cool, so suave, it's almost alarming. You can't help but think of James Bond at his coolest. A martini at its chillest. Or, a slinky gogo dancer at her hottest.       RHAPSODY IN RED: Ralph Allin leads a unique group of jazz musicians, together known as Rhapsody in Red. By day a leading light on the classical scene, Ralph enjoys a successful career as an accomplished professional violinist, but as the shadows lengthen the other Ralph - that unique gypsy genius - spellbinds the world of jazz with his impassioned and virtuoso interpretations of the great jazz standards and original compositions. Ralph Allin and his band have played at many of the country’s leading venues; the Festival Hall, Ronnie Scotts, Symphony Hall, to name but a few. Their lyrical and dynamic performances have grabbed audiences at a host of international music festivals, and the band regularly lights up the nation's airwaves with their radio broadcasts. Available in various formats, they play with both traditional and electric red instruments, depending on the function. Instruments include violin, cello, guitar, drums and keyboard.   SOME LIKE IT HOT: SOME LIKE IT HOT is the project of pianist, arranger Mike Kemp. He has successfully run the Mike Kemp Trio for some time now, playing all over the UK with occasional forays into mainland Europe. In addition, Mike has played with the Bob Kerr Whoopee Band, Terry Lightfoot Jazz Band, Alan Elsdon Band and Dr Teeth Big Band. With a great lady vocalist, Serena Howard-Douglas, the repertoire is made up of classic songs like Fly Me To The Moon, Witchcraft, Blue Skies, Chicago delivered in the style set by Sinatra, Count Basie, Nat King Cole, Peggy Lee, Anita O’Day.     [ Back ]