Wick Farm (Bath) Winter Wedding

Bryony and Tom asked The Hipcats to bring their classic five-piece to their wedding at the lovely Wick Farm, just outside Bath.  The afternoon started with the The Hipcats duo of vocals and piano playing a mix of classic jazz and swing tunes at the drinks reception as the married couple and their guests arrived from the church - the music mixed in well with the fantastic smell of mulled wine!

In the evening the full-five piece set up after the speeches and had everyone up dancing to a mix of jazz, latin, swing and funk - a real highlight being an energetic version of 'King of the Swingers' featuring the fantastic Gary Alesbrook on trumpet who had just got back from touring Russia with Kasabian.

A fantastic day and evening with a lovely couple and their family and friends.

http://www.thehipcats.co.uk/wiltshire_jazz_and_swing.htm

Funky jazz and swing at the Matara Centre, Gloucestershire

Lauren and Ralph decided they wanted The Hipcats six-piece to really get the party going at this fantastic wedding venue in Gloucestershire.  The first set started with some laid-back jazz just before the bride and groom had their first dance to 'What a difference a day made' (made famous by Jamie Cullum).  They then launched into a classic jazz and swing set which had everyone dancing.  This was followed in the second set by a party mix of jazz, swing, latin and funk - the dancefloor was full all night!  What a great couple and lovely family and friends they have - a brilliant wedding.

 

 

 

 

 

www.TheHipcats.co.uk/gloucestershire

Top latin-jazz at El Puerto, Bristol - what a line-up!

The packed restaurant at El Puerto in Bristol wasn't quite sure what had hit when the Nick Langston Trio (The Cool Nachos) was joined by two of the best horn players in the country - one of which was straight back from touring with Kasabian.  Gary Alesbrook (trumpet) and Sav Pacini (saxophone) have played with the likes of Noel Gallagher and Scissor Sisters but popped in to join Nick (vocals), Jon Short (bass) and George Cooper (keyboards) for a mix of jazz, swing and latin - a great evening for anyone who was lucky enough to be there.



www.NLA.me.uk
www.NickLangston.com
www.TheCoolNachos.co.uk

Wedding Jazz at Thornbury Castle

The Hipcats jazz and swing trio was invited to play at a lovely wedding in the Tudor Room of Thornbury Castle.  Susan, the bride, felt the music would be just right and made a special request for 'Fever' as the first dance.  The band very much enjoyed being guarded by a suit of armour on each side as they played a mix of classic tunes for the guests at this wonderful venue once frequented by Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn - luckily no-one lost their head.



www.TheHipcats.co.uk

Ashton Court Afternoon Jazz

The Hipcats trio had a lovely afternoon at Ashton Court to celebrate a fabulous wedding.  The line-up of double bass, piano and vocals was just right for a summer afternoon and they played a mix of classic jazz, swing and latin to suit the mood.  Perfect with champagne outside in the sun!



www.TheHipcats.co.uk/bristol

Wonderful Wedding Jazz in a Yurt in Dumbleton

The Hipcats Trio were asked to play in a wonderful wedding yurt in the pretty Gloucestershire village of Dumbleton.  It was a beautiful day and the trio started off outside and then moved into the yurt (a large wood-framed tent) for their second set when they had everyone tapping their feet and dancing.  A lovely way to spend a happy summer's evening.



http://www.thehipcats.co.uk/gloucestershire/

Sunny Wedding at Goldney Hall, Bristol

The Hipcats (www.thehipcats.co.uk/bristol_wedding_band.htm) performed at a lovely wedding at Goldney Hall in Clifton, Bristol and were chosen by Stephanie, the bride, to add some tasteful music to the evening.  The five-piece of piano, double bass, drums, saxophone and vocals even put together a version of 'Heaven' by Bryan Adams for the first dance and then launched into their classic jazz, latin and swing which got everyone up dancing and kept many of them on the dancefloor for the rest of the evening!

A quality venue and a lovely warm day for wedding jazz in Clifton.

Jazz reception and dinner at Orchardleigh

The Nick Langston Quartet (www.NLA.me.uk) were asked to play a tasteful and contemporary collection of classic jazz, swing and latin by Staci and Brad for their wedding at Orchardleigh House near Bath in Somerset.

The music was perfect for the drinks reception as the guests arrived at the lovely venue and the mix of piano, vocals, double bass and saxophone helped add to the happy atmosphere.  The band then moved through to the dining area and accompanied the food with a set of laid-back and popular tunes.

The bride summed it up perfectly:  "We had a great time and luckily the sun came out in the end!  Everyone really raved about you guys! Think it went down a treat!  So just wanted to say thank you very much and I'm sure we will see you again at some point!"

Bath Wedding - Jazz and Swing

The Hipcats were chosen as the band for a wedding at The Saracen's Head in Bath and performed a great selection of tunes with their quintet of drums, double bass, keyboards, saxophone and vocals.  It was difficult to keep people off the stage, let alone the dancefloor, as guests danced to a classic selection of jazz, latin and swing tunes.  A great time had by all.

More information on Bath jazz and swing at www.TheHipcats.co.uk/bath

Jazz and Swing at The Snooty Fox, Tetbury

Nick Langston and Dale Hambridge appeared at The Snooty Fox on Friday 29th June for an evening of quality jazz and swing.  Nick's choice of classic songs hit the spot for the diners in the fabulous restaurant and his top vocals were accompanied by the brilliant keyboard skills of Dale.  A great lounge duo doing their thing with just piano and voice and very much enjoyed by an appreciative audience.

Photo:  The Snooty Fox, Tetbury - live jazz and swing

More information on Nick Langston and his album at www.NickLangston.com

Wedding Jazz and Swing at Grittleton House

The Hipcats took their swinging jazz quartet to Grittleton House for a fabulous wedding on 3rd June.  Amongst the classic jazz and swing there was also a request for songs from Michael Bublé and the band were happy to oblige, including the first dance which was the beautiful You and I (written by Stevie Wonder) - this was brilliantly sung by guest, Nathaniel Kelly who joined the band for this special song.  He wasn't the only talented performer around as West End and Broadway star Laura Kelly (Mary Poppins amongst other things) also had a great time enjoying the music with the rest of the guests.

The whole day and evening was brilliantly organised and the bride and groom had a fabulous day at a fabulous venue.  More information on the band at http://www.thehipcats.co.uk/ - as seen on http://www.bristolandbathjazz.co.uk/ and http://www.bristolandbathweddings.co.uk/

Waitrose jazz band in Warminster

Stardust Music were chosen by Waitrose to be their jazz band for the big Jubilee event in Warminster on Sunday 3rd June.  The band greeted the crowds as they entered the park with a mix of upbeat swing-jazz and even the occasional showers didn't dampen spirits.

An 'awesome' band said one of the Waitrose representatives at the event and the families who were dancing along to the band certainly seemed to agree.

Find out more about hiring the jazz band at www.Stardust-Music.co.uk

A jazzy wedding on the farm

Huntstile Organic Farm in Somerset provided the unique setting for Abi and Mark's wedding.  They chose The Hipcats quartet of double bass, drums, keyboards and vocals for music in the evening and had a special request for The Love Cats by The Cure for the first dance.  The band were happy to learn it for them and what a great first dance it was!

The music for the rest of the evening was a mix of jazz, swing, latin and funk which got everyone up dancing, whether they were 8, 28 or 88.  A brilliant night enjoyed as much by the band as by the guests.

More on the band at www.TheHipcats.co.uk/somerset

Wick Wedding Jazz

The Hipcats were invited by Izzy and Ferdy to join them at their wedding at Wick Farm near Bath, Wiltshire on 2nd June.  The bride and groom had chosen a trio of double bass, keyboards and vocals to play at their drinks reception outside and the band found a great spot under the tree on the terrace.  The classic and cool music went well with the vintage Porsche which brought the happy couple to the venue and the weather was just right for drinks and canapés.

The Hipcats Jazz and Swing Trio - photograph by award-winning wedding photographer Anushe Low

Keyboard player, Phil, from The Hipcats stayed on in the evening to provide cocktail piano in the bar area and he played a mix of classic jazz and romantic tunes from the 1920s through to the present day.  Sophisticated and cool.  More information at www.TheHipcats.co.uk/wiltshire

Wick Farm, Bath, Wiltshire - The Hipcats Wedding Jazz

Sunny day for jazz at Clearwell Castle

After several weeks of cold weather the sunshine came out in force - just at the right time for a beautiful day (26th May) in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire on the terrace at Clearwell Castle.  The Hipcats (www.TheHipcats.co.uk) had been chosen by the bride and groom to provide a suitably summery set with a mix of latin and swing instrumentals on piano, double bass and guitar - just right for drinks in the sunshine after a service at the nearby church.

The band very much appreciated all the kind comments they had from the guests (who, it has to be said, were displaying an excellent selection of smart suits and pretty dresses and so clearly had very good taste!) and the music provided a nice sonic backdrop for the bride and groom as they had photographs taken in the grounds.

A perfect summer's day.

Stunning views for jazz in Newquay

The Cool Nachos were invited down from Bristol to the Glendorgal Hotel in Newquay on 29th April 2012 for the wedding of Natalie and Chris.  With stunning views the hotel was a brilliant choice and even the driving rain didn't dampen down the celebrations as the views were so dramatic.

The band played a laid-back set after the ceremony as people settled down to some drinks and nibbles.  In the evening the volume was turned up so that the guests could enjoy a mix of jazz, latin, swing and funk from the top band (www.TheCoolNachos.co.uk).  The happy couple had chosen the classic 'I've got you under my skin' for their first dance and had choreographed some smooth moves to accompany it.  A great choice of location and a brilliant day. 

Wedmore Wedding Jazz and Swing

The George Inn at Wedmore (Somerset) hosted a lovely wedding on 28th April and the bride and groom booked The Nick Langston Trio (www.NLA.me.uk) to entertain them in the evening.  The band consisted of vocals, keyboards and double bass which made for an interesting descent into the cellar bar through the throngs of celebrating guests!

However, once the band were set up they went into a collection of jazz standards and upbeat swing which got everyone tapping their feet and singing along.  As the band went into 'It had to be you' the bride and groom decided to pick this as their first dance - a brilliant choice.
A great venue and a great evening.

More bands available at www.hotandcoolmusic.co.uk

Valentine's Evening Jazz at Harvey Nichols

The fabulous restaurant on the second floor at Harvey Nichols in Bristol celebrated Valentine's Evening with wonderful food and flowers on every table. 

Singer, Nick Langston, provided laid-back vocals on a collection of classic jazz tunes accompanied on piano by classically-trained jazz wizard John Lambert.  Neither of them could resist a request for 'My Funny Valentine'  though were not sure how many of the men in the room could get away with saying the lines:  "is your figure less than Greek, is your mouth a little weak, when you open it to speak are you smart?".  However, the sentiment of the final lines would probably do the trick.  "Don't change a hair for me, not if you care for me, stay little Valentine, stay." 

A lovely evening enjoyed by all.  Information on Nick Langston at www.NickLangston.com

Welcome to a jazzy and swinging blog!

There's nothing like a bit of jazz, swing, latin or funk to jazz up your event or have your wedding go with a swing.  Whether its some classy and sophisticated sounds of a jazz duo or trio at a reception or a bit of slinky latin, upbeat swing or cool funk for a great party in the evening.  There's nothing better than some top live music.

There are some fabulous bands around who have played at some brilliant events and this blog picks out some of the highlights.  For those that were there it should bring back fantastic memories and for those of you who are thinking about your own event it might give you a few ideas.

All the bands mentioned are based in and around Bristol, Bath, Wiltshire, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire.  The events and weddings are both small and large but all of them feature a great atmosphere and great music.

If you'd like your wedding or event to be jazzy or swinging then get in touch with one of the great bands mentioned in the blog.