We have the ultimate and band for hire in and around London, if you are looking to hire a band as a wedding band then this live band are the ultimate act to hire.
Click here to see and hear them perform.
Archive for the ‘The Music scene’ Category
Band Hire London
Friday, August 13th, 2010 Dixieland Jazz and Traditional and New Orleans Jazz hire
Wednesday, August 11th, 2010So you want to hire a jazz band for your wedding or hire a jazz band for your party, no problem, or is it?
Gypsy jazz blog 2
Monday, May 10th, 2010
Welcome to gypsy jazz blog No 2 , In case you?ve just wandered across this one , I?m Jonny and I?m a gypsyjazzaholic. I run my own Trio (TMA025) and if you haven?t read the first one, you can check it out here (what is gypsy jazz ).
Okay, moving on from the first blog which covered the origin of the music, beginning with the legendary gypsy guitarist, Django Reinhardt (1910 ? 1953), I?d like to talk a little about the players that surrounded him.
In the classic Quintette of the Hot Club of France, there was the great French jazz violinist, Stephane Grappelli, taking equal melodies and solos next to Django.
Apart from various bass-players, the rhythm section was fattened up considerably with the unique idea of having two rhythm guitar players. The style of accompaniment that Django came up with, is generally and amusingly referred to as ?la pompe? (the pump !). It was totally driving and created a formidable backbeat for Django and Stephane. Innovative at the time because every group would usually incorporate drums. It was deceptively easy sounding but if you were a guitarist, very difficult to nail accurately.
For many years, Djangos brother Joseph held position as one half of the rhythm section. The other chair was held by a few different gypsy players. Although at many times they were alternated between one of three brothers from the Ferret ( pronounced Fer-ray ) family, Baro, Matelo and Sarane.
All the Ferrets and Joseph were superb soloists and band leaders in their own right and forged successful careers as time went on. More importantly, Django was held in such high-esteem as a player, composer and arranger that they were all honoured to act in the role of the rhythm section.
In my Trio ( TMA025 ) the rhythm sound/accent is very important to us; we like to think that we?re carrying on the tradition set down all those years ago. In all honesty, I practise ?la pompe? as much as the solo stuff ! Having provided rhythm guitar for some of the finest gypsy players in the world, I totally respect it as an art-form in itself.
Whether the trio are background at a wedding or more up-front, like at a jazz club or festival, the attention to detail is the same. Clients get the same driving, hypnotic pulse. It?s one of the reasons why gypsy jazz is more popular today than it ever has been.
That?s it for now, Thanks for reading !
to book please visit band hire here!
What is Gypsy Jazz?
Friday, April 30th, 2010Hi and welcome to the new blog on Gypsy Jazz ! My name’s Jonny and I’ve kindly been asked by the Morris Agency to write some lines about this vibrant and increasingly popular music style.
First off, apart from having my own gypsy jazz trio, I’ve been involved in playing this style for seventeen years and working as a professional guitarist for over twenty.
With gigs, there’s no end to the variety of events that gypsy jazz can cater for.
Over the years, we’ve played at jazz festivals, arts centres, theatres, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, gypsy music festivals, wakes, corporate functions, private parties, boat launches, embassies, museums, plus the odd bit of TV and radio. All thanks to the timeless popularity of the music.
So now a brief history for anyone who has just discovered gypsy jazz!
The origins can be linked to one man, a Belgian gypsy guitarist called Django Reinhardt (1910 – 1953).
Discovering jazz as a young man, he successfully fused his awesome ethnic playing style with the early American jazz that was finding its way into Europe. In so doing, he created a genre, re-defined plectrum style guitar, wrote enduring melodies and generally become a total legend on every level.
Oh! And he had a disability in the fact that his fretting hand was badly burnt in a fire and he could only fully use his index and middle fingers.
When his recordings started reaching the rest of the world, people were completely blown away. He became a world-wide phenomenon.
Many Gypsies from Europe play this style; Django ignited this quirky branch of jazz and for some, it has become part of their culture, adding a new dimension to their already amazing musical heritage.
I consider myself lucky and honoured, having learnt to play gypsy jazz from some of the greatest exponents on the planet since Django, including Bireli Lagrene, Stochelo Rosenberg and Lulu Reinhardt. Whether on a gig or a jam, I’ve soaked up every second of playing time with these remarkable musicians.
In the my own gypsy jazz trio, TMA025, we’ve kept the format nice and simple. Two acoustic guitars and a double-bass.
Because gypsy jazz is so adaptable we can incorporate elements of swing jazz, Latin and even a little funk into the tunes.
The music has an endearing quality of being both ‘street’ and sophisticated in its sound. Very European and extremely infectious.
Okay, that’s it for now, thanks for reading!
WHAT TO DO IF MY BAND HAS CANCELLED HELP!
Monday, April 19th, 2010If you have just found out that your band or musician has cancelled or booked another gig on your wedding or party day and you need a replacement last minute, don’t panic. We can help. Call us on 0871 8901015
WHAT IS THE COST OF A PARTY BAND FOR HIRE
Monday, April 12th, 2010
Many people ask me this question and the answer I am afraid to say always varies.
There are so many variables such as band size, band location and also how long they have been performing in the industry and their popularity. At The Morris Agency we try to take these things into account when finding you an act, but to allow yourself £1200 – £1500 should find yourself a great few options (subject to availibilty obviously)
click here to see some acts that fall into this catagory
Corporate Events, Party Hairstyles and Prepping for the 100 Club By Kai Hoffman
Tuesday, April 6th, 2010
Wow what a week! I’m just in the midst of preparation for my next gig
with Kai’s Cats at Ronnie Scott’s this Thursday, and for my next
performance with the Ray Gelato Giants at the 100 Club on Saturday…
and, after tomorrow night, will have sung 11 different performances in
6 days, worn, oooh something approaching 10 different dresses from
Vivien of Holloway, done a photoshoot for an upcoming project with
Ray, and… that’s before I even get to Thursday. Goodness. What a
week!! When does a girl find time to get her hair done? Hmmm…. After
much searching, I am sooo grateful to have found the best vintage
hairdresser in the world – as I’ve found with the dress-styles of the
40s and 50s, the hairstyles are also so incredibly feminine and
gorgeous… and Nina’s Hair Parlour in Alfie’s Antique Market
(Marylebone) does it all. But… sadly no time for that this week!
As with all of my performances, both for private events – like
parties, weddings, corporate dinners, etc. – and for my public gigs, I
always, always like to be well-prepared. And well turned-out, of
course! But back to the music.. I always love to hear what the client
wants in advance – mellow background jazz, Frank Sinatra tunes,
up-tempo, swingin’ retro dance numbers, the Beatles, Louis Prima, Cab
Calloway, Ella Fitzgerald, Carole King, Marvin Gaye, the Mamas and the
Papas, Nina Simone…or a combination of all of them… ! As a musician,
it’s great to fun to be flexible – and it’s so much more fun when you
know you’re singing exactly what the client wants! I also love to
learn new songs – it’s all part of the job.
Anyway… better get back to my Keely Smith and Louis Prima tunes for
the 100 Club… ”
–
============
www.kaihoffman.co.uk
+44(0)7793611231
unusual wedding bands for hire uk
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010If you are looking for an unusual and unique band for your party or wedding, we have loads of acts that you won’t hear anywhere else in UK. Visit our main bands page or emaik us at info@themorrisagency.co.uk for a full list
Hire Jazz Cannons
Tuesday, February 9th, 2010Jimmy Cannon’s Jazz cannons tv uk appearance on 8th Jan 2010 for valentines day article. You can hire the band from us. www.themorrisagency.co.uk. Or email us at info@themorrisagency.co.uk
jazz band hire for uk weddings and party
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010If you are looking for a Wedding band or Jazz band to hire, please email info@themorrisagency.co.uk for more information.
