Thursday 29 September 2011

Down for the Count - Christmas Party Band

I know, I know, it's a beautiful sunny afternoon at the end of September (how many times have you been able to say that in this country?!) and Christmas is probably the last thing on our minds, but it's creeping up on us and now is the perfect time to think about your Christmas party.

We've played for many Christmas parties in the past, but this year we've gone for it in a big way - arranging and learning some fantastic Christmas hits that will really give you a party with "class"!

If you're anything like me, you probably can't stand 95% of the Christmas songs that get played on the radio - which is why we've selected our Christmas repertoire very carefully.

For one thing, no-one wants a function band that plays JUST Christmas music - I couldn't think of anything worse - so we will be working our new Christmas repertoire around our great mix of Swing, Rat Pack, Soul and Motown classics.

We've also selected songs that sound 'right' next to the songs we perform - they have to be songs that suit a swing and soul band.  You probably won't be surprised to hear that we've started with two classic Frank Sinatra arrangements -  "Let It Snow" and "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town".  I'm not sure who the original arrangements were written by, but they're both fantastic - especially Let It Snow, complete with muted trumpets, swung saxophones and cheeky transposition into the vocal chorus where you would normally expect the horn soli.




We've also arranged "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year", by Andy Williams.  It's a fast jazz waltz, and probably the ultimate opening to any set of Christmas music!





Also on the set lists will be everyone's favourite Christmas Song - Maria Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You".  We've made a habit out of re-creating scenes from Love Actually this year and can't wait to play this for you - Amelia is particularly excited about the tubular bells part!




Of course we're also planning lots of other Christmas songs - but we don't want to spoil all the surprises just yet...

Head over to our website today to enquire about having the band perform for your Christmas party - and don't forget that we are hosting our very own Christmas party at Winslow Public Hall on Saturday 10th December - more information about this great concert will be released soon!

Mike

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