Posts Tagged ‘nat king bing and the kings of shwing’

Top Ten Entertainment For May Balls 2010

Thursday, February 18th, 2010
Plan B are just one of our great live bands for May balls

Plan B are just one of our great live bands for May balls

LMM are now taking bookings for May Balls.

If you are a University entertainment manager,social secretary or a mess sergeant looking for the right live band or DJ for your University,Military or charity ball then you have come to the right place.

LMM are the top suppliers of entertainment for May and Summer balls in the UK and we would welcome the opportunity of speaking to you in order to make sure that you get the right act for your event.

LMM have a twelve year history of supplying entertainment to Universities,charity events and the  military (both here in the UK and overseas.)

Every event is different and we have a very wide range of tried and tested acts perfect for a variety of audiences.

In this blog I have identified ten key bands suitable for balls.They represent a small selection of our full roster which can be found here www.lmmuk.com  .If you have any questions,or you are spoilt for choice,please call 08454 900515 or email info@lmmuk.comand you will recieve honest,friendly advice.

Many of our clients have been with us for some years.Our inteention is for you to become a repeat customer….we really value your custom..

The Top Ten Entertainment SuggestionsFor Your May Ball

1.Freak Out    http://www.lmmuk.com/band/Freak+Out%21   This truly great five piece party band based in Yorkshire have a lively set suited for all kinds of functions.They have been a perennial favourite at University Events throughout the UK and have played many Law Society Balls.

2.Nat King Bing http://www.lmmuk.com/band/Nat+King+Bing+  If you are looking for something different for your ball then consider this great band who play jazz swing versions of rock and pop anthems.Check out the video!

3.Sugar Shack http://www.lmmuk.com/band/Sugar+Shack   with a wide repertoire and both male and female lead vocals Sugar Shack have been a popular choice for many corporate functions,university and school leavers balls.

4.Plan B http://www.lmmuk.com/band/Plan+B London based band Plan B are available for University events and corporate balls throughout the South Of England.With strong female vocals and a great set you will be sure to have a great night.

5.Bandeoke/Rockaoke/Live Band Karaoke http://www.lmmuk.com/bandeoke-rockaoke.php  LMM are the originators of the Rockaoke/Bandeoke craze in the UK and we have te largest selection of quality Rockaoke bands in the UK.We have acts based throughout the UK and tailored to suit every type of event and every budget.

6.The Bailey J Band http://www.lmmuk.com/band/The+Bailey+J+Band  With a flexible line up from four piece right up to nine piece band with backing vocalists and horn section this Liverpool based band have a quality sound and pedigree musicians perfect for balls and parties.Check out the live video.

7.The Crusaders http://www.lmmuk.com/band/The+Crusaders  are a great Southern based band with an incredible line up of talented musicians.They are available for every type of ball.

8.After Dark http://www.lmmuk.com/band/After+Dark   After Dark offer a number of different line ups to suit events from five piece with female vocals right up to nine piece with make and female vocals and horn section.They are based in London but travel throughout the UK.

9.Bloxed  Beatbox Collective http://www.lmmuk.com/band/Bloxed+Beatbox+Collective  If you are looking for something different for a University event or forward thinking corporate ball why not take a look at Bloxed Beatbox Collective.Formed from the ashes of Britains Got Talent finalist Crew 82 Bloxed play a wide range of RNB and dance music anthems…..all without the aid of instruments!

10.Club Mix Band http://www.lmmuk.com/band/Club+Mix+Band  A unique band playing fully live versions of dance music classics from Old Skool hits to current chart favourites Club Mix are perfect to get eveyone dancing at your event.

The list above is just a very short selection of the wide range of bands represented on www.lmmuk.com   Please look at our main pages if nothing in this blog suits your University,Military or Charity ball.

Besides the list above LMM also represent over 300 DJs.You can find profiles for some of them here http://www.lmmuk.com/djs-karaoke.php  but if you have a specific DJ requirement for your May Ball please call LMM as we will almost certainly be able to help (we have specialists in everything from UK Garage to Electro to 1970s Disco rigt the way through to indie and thrash metal!)

We look forward to being able to help you find the right entertainment solution for your UK May Ball.

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Posted in Entertainment for University Balls, entertainment for military balls | No Comments »

Let It Snow,Let It Snow,Let It Snow!!

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009
Snowing like a demon-no problem!!!!!

Snowing like a demon-no problem!!!!!

Okay I don’t want to jinx anything.As I write this there is still two inches of ice compacted snow outside my window and snow is falling heavily in some parts of the UK but I wanted to thank our acts for their efforts over the last few days in getting to their gigs in treacherous conditions.

Whilst the chairman of Eurostar is apologising for his train service breaking down in the Eurotunnel at the first sign of snow LMM acts should congratulate themselves for making the extra effort and  making sure that everyone gets the entertainment they have booked during the Xmas period.

With over 200 hundred acts working on Friday Dec 18 2009 as the snow began to fall in many parts of the UK and traffic reports stating that roads were impassable and the UK was coming to a standstill we were rightly worried about delivering our acts to the venues and two of the LMM team were on hand with the emergency phones to ensure we could help where possible.

As it happened a couple or acts were,understandably,late but everyone turned up in time for their shows and clients were all happy.

Special mention needs to be made of the following.

Sugar Rush played a duo show for us at Oldham Wahoo club and played a great set of sing a long acoustic covers.They then legged it up to Middlesboro Walkabout where the drummer and bassplayer were already waiting and soundchecked ready to play a mega party set.Despite black ice,snow banks,traffic accidents and Motorways with backed up traffic the Sugar Rush band were on stage at the allotted time and played a fantastic set.

Platform Six were up in Edinburgh on Thursday Dec 17 and were due to fly back to Luton Friday morning in order to get their van and drive to Sheffield ready for a 3 oclock soundcheck at Ponds Forge for Irwin Mitchells Law firm.Should have been simple.

They got to the airport to find all flights were cancelled.So they rushed to the train station and got on the first train to London.They got off the train at Stevenage (because the train was running so slow they didn’t dare risk going to St Pancreas and getting the train across to luton) and got a taxi to Luton. Picking up the van they set off in a snow storm only to break down 30 minutes on route!

With a local mechanic on board they got on the road again only to get a flat tyre outside of Sheffield!!

Despite all of this Platform Six were on stage on time and the client reported that they were one of the best bands they had ever seen.They went down so well that an immediate re-booking came in for the December 2010 party came in on Monday.

Well done boys…..real troupers.

Special mention also needs to be made of The Jacks who made it to their wedding at Bovey Castle in Devon despite shredding a tyre whilst sliding backwards down a hill road covered in black ice!!

Nat King Bing And The Kings Of Schwing plus DJ Johnny Gibson made it to their show in rural East Humberside despite zero visibility oon the motorways with the freezing fog and snow blizzards.

So just a little note of thanks to all the bands and DJs who really went to some length to ensure that no ones Xmas party or night out in a Walkabout,Rewind,Jongleurs or Bar Risa venue was ruined.

LMM acts-We Salute You!!

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Posted in Random stuff we salute you!, Xmas entertainment-bands and DJs for Xmas parties | No Comments »

Sheffield Limit Club Revival Night At The Casbah

Sunday, November 29th, 2009
The Limit Clubs Welcoming Front Door!!

The Limit Clubs Welcoming Front Door!!

When I was seventeen years old I walked into the Limit for the first time .The place was a dingy,stinky and, famously,sticky carpeted hellhole.But it was my dingy hellhole and for the next few years I was to be found in there a minimum of three nights per week.

I would often go down after rehearsing with The Mirror Cracked (the band I was playing with at the time) and if noone else was bothered about going I would go on my own…there was always someone to hang out with,the music was great  and this (the early 80′s) was my time to hang out till dawn and live the life!

There is now a book by Neil Anderson about Sheffields Limit club called “Take It To The Limit” .It tries to explain why this small nightclub in Sheffield which closed twenty years ago was as important to its patrons as the more celebrated  Hacienda in Manchester or CBGBs in New York.

Its true that some great bands played on its stage .National touring acts like U2,The Police,Robert Plant etc etc and local bands like Pulp,Tsi Tsa,Clock DVA,Mrs Beech and The Heretics,The Negatives,The Human League (bizarely in a double bill with Sheffield Metallers Def Leopard) and,I am not laying any claim to greatness here,The Mirror Cracked but more than this it was a social melting pot for anyone in Sheffield who wanted more than the townie experience that the rest of the City Centre offered.For a short period in the early 80s it was your only option if you were of an “alternative” frame of mind.

I guess this is why last nights Limit reunion party at The Casbah Club brought out over five hundred Sheffielders all aged over forty and all ready to party like its 1979.

Nostalgia,they say,is not what it used to be but last night was great.  Downstairs at The Casbah was darker than The Limit I remember (maybe my eyesights not all it used to be.)The music played by original DJ Paul Umwin (and Paul you looked good….I mean seriously you looked better than you looked in 1982) was even better than it was back in the day.It was worth the entrance fee just to be amongst five hundred people who would cheer the start of a Joy Division tune and clap when The Slits ,frankly weird ,version of Heard It Through The Grapevine was played.

Standing by the dancefloor as Springsteens Badlands and the Violent Femmes were played we felt we were on the edge of the action.There was Mirror Cracked Bass player and Take It To The Limit chief anecodotist Phil Staniland,Mirror Cracked guitar player Pete Hiley(who now plays with popular Sheffield band Boy On A Dolphin) and myself.Once The Specials Too Much,Too Young and Talking Heads Road To Nowhere were pumping out we were no longer on the edge of the dancefloor.The whole room was the dance floor!

With The Sex Pistols,Public Image,Magazine,Blancmange,Wire,The Skids,The Human League and Cabaret Voltaire amongst the playlist it was like reliving the alternative eighties.I can honestly say its been a long time since I have been amongst five hundred people who cant help but let out a whoop of glee when David Bowies Queen Bitch starts.

There was some strange eighties dancing (particularly on the top floor) but over all I think we  were all doing ok.

Many had stayed true to their 80s alternative look….if you were a 50s influenced rockabilly in 1982 then you were still rocking a 50s influenced rockabilly look in 2009 and why not?

We had all aged.Some better than others (step forward to the fountain of youth Mr Pete Eason of The Negatives/ Yah Boo and Mr Pete Hiley of The Mirror Cracked …please share with us your moisterising secrets.)

Some of us had gone on to on to worldwide fame and acclaim(various members of The Human League,ABC,Pulp.)Others had flirted briefly with it (The Bailey Brothers/Artery,the scores of other local bands present.)

One thing is for certain.We lived it hard in the early 80s and we lived it all again last night.

Its twenty years since the Limit closed.Nearly thirty since its heyday.

We better not leave it another thirty years or we will all be in old peoples homes….of course its possible that the old folks home of the future will be black walled and strobe lit with a soundtrack of The Clash,The Cabs,The League,Magazine,Joy Division etc etc etc.I’ll be the one propping up the bar with a grin on my face.

Anyone curious to see what the singer of The Mirror Cracked is up to in 2009 check out this video on You Tube of my band Nat King Bing And The Kings Of Schwing playing (in homage to our Sheffield roots) The Arctic Monkeys Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor in a jazz swing style! Enjoy …….Take It To The Limit!We Salute You.  http://www.youtube.com/user/lmmuk#p/a/u/2/nstP2zXUbFg

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Posted in Random stuff we salute you!, Uncategorized, sheffield | 2 Comments »

That Friday Feeling-We Salute You

Friday, October 16th, 2009
Hey Groovy Jazz DJ Daddio Can You Play Me Some Nat King Bing (Preferably on 8 Track Quad.)

Hey Groovy Jazz DJ Daddio Can You Play Me Some Nat King Bing (Preferably on 8 Track Quad.)

Here at LMM we have that Friday feeling and we are grooving out to the sound of Nat King Bing And The Kings Of Schwing playing their jazz swing version of The Arctic Monkeys Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor.  Click here to watch the fabulous video  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nstP2zXUbFg

If youwant to book a great Jazz swing band playing modern covers for your wedding,event or ball please call our office on 08454 900515.If you just want to enjoy the video please be our guests!

Hope your are having a fabulous Friday.

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Posted in Brides Guide To Wedding Entertainment, Random stuff we salute you! | No Comments »

Nat King Bing And The Kings Of Schwing Sing The Arctic Monkeys In A Jazz Style

Friday, October 9th, 2009

 

Nat King Bing And The Kings Of Schwing Make A Video

Nat King Bing And The Kings Of Schwing Make A Video

It was a few Sundays ago when I had the great fortune to spend a day in the company of those gentlemen of Jazz-Nat King Bing And The Kings Of Schwing.

They had convened in a top secret location somewhere in the heart of Nottingham in order to film their first pop music video.

The whole gang was there…Eggs Benedict on guitar,Proffessor Strange on Keys,Chubby Bottles on his big double bass,Contenido Caliente on the drums and,of course,Mr Nat King Bing on vocals.

The fruits of that days labour are now out in cyber world for all to see and we would hope that you might take two minutes out of your busy day to pull up a chaise longue and relax…..enjoy the special jazz stylings of Nat King Bing as they croon their way through The Arctic Monkeys Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor.Nat King Bing Bet you look Good on the dance_floor

http://www.lmmuk.com/band/Nat+King+Bing+and+The+Kings+Of+Schwing

This band are perfect for weddings,university balls and corporate events as well as festival stages and a multitude of other live shows.

Enjoy their performance.

If you are looking to book a band playing jazz swing versions of pop,indie rock and dance music classics then call LMM on 08454 900515 or email us on info@lmmuk.com   you will find helpful advice about Nat King Bing and all LMM acts.

Should you be interested in making a video or hiring a production agency who can produce high definition quality films as featured on the Nat King Bing site then please contact LMM and we will arrange a telephone consultation.

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Posted in rock and pop songs in a jazz swing style | No Comments »

Jamie Afro Fever Hits LMM As The Freshers Go Nuts To DR Karl,Nat King Bing and The Blings Of Leon

Saturday, October 3rd, 2009
Jamie Afro on X Factor

Jamie Afro on X Factor

Just a short post.

After watching Jamie Afro on X Factor this evening we are all on tenterhooks about whether Jamie Afro is going to get past the Boot Camp stage of X Factor.

As regular readers will know Jamie Afro has worked for LMM for over five years playing Walkabout Bars,weddings and parties.He is a great performer and has been a real assett to the LMM family of entertainers.

Jamie Afro is in Simon Cowells last six in the over 25s category of X Factor.All the guys in the LMM office are rooting for him but nowhere near as much as my daughters who have gone a little Jamie nuts and are jumping around the room everytime he appears on screen (which,for those of you who have not seen the show,is quite a lot!)

Jamie is in a very strong group and it is hard to call who will go through to the live finals but we find out tomorrow night so Jamie Afro-We Salute You….Good Luck.

Jamie Afro Looking Cool And Funky

Jamie Afro Looking Cool And Funky

In other news this week.

LMM have supplied lots of entertainment for student nights throughout the UK.Its been Freshers fever.

Our great Kings Of Leon Tribute wowed the student audience at Middlesborough on Wednesday night (Sept 30 2009.)A packed audience went wild for the guys and the manager reported that not only were they “awesome” but also that they were a nice set of guys.as well.There is always a great atmosphere in Middlesborough Walkabout for its regular Friday night band night but apparently this student show was like seeing the Kings Of Leon but in a small veniue.

The Blings Of Leon (for it is they) have been regularly mentioned by the real Kings Of Leon in interviews after Steve Lamaque drew the bands attention to the Blings tribute act.Although there are several Kings Of Leon Tributes operating in the UK only the Blings have the real Kings Of Leon seal of approval!

The Kings Of Leon Tribute Available From LMM

The Kings Of Leon Tribute Available From LMM

Talking of Kings ….Nat King Bing And The Kings Of Schwing played a student show this week.

They played the very popular “I Love Toms Mum” night at Birmingham Walkabout where they jazzed up versions of indie and pop classics in front of 1200 students.A large crowd sang along to a swing version of “I Predict A Riot” by the Kaiser Cheifs,showed their Jazz Hands as a latin american version of The Killers “Somebody Told Me” was played and swayed around during a spirited jazz rendition of “Like A Virgin.” A great time was had by all.

Much of the performance was caught on video by a TV crew and we hope to bring you some clips in a future blog.Book this jazz swing band playing rock and indie covers by calling 08454 900515 or emailing info@lmmuk.com

Nat King Bing And The Kings Of Schwing

Nat King Bing And The Kings Of Schwing

Finally (and probably the biggest news of the year for most students) Dr Karl Kennedy is back on tour!!

LMM have a long history with Alan Fletcher who stars in Neighbours as DR Karl Kennedy.His UK agent is a good friend of ours and we have been involved with a couple of his tours in the past including his very first University and Nightclub tour when DR Karl fever first hit these shores.

That particular tour (back in 2003) is raw in mind because the very first night of the tour was at Sheffield Walkabout and I arrived at around 5.30 to meet and greet and supervise the sound check.At the time we were unsure of what kind of crowd would attend and on this first night we were selling tickets on the door rather than in advance.

When I arrived at The Walkabout On Carver Street in Sheffield (and remember this was at 5.30) there were already 500 or more peoplr queing to get in the venue.By the time we opened the doors at 7pm we had over 1000 people outside the venue and the road was a sea of students all hoping to get the hottest ticket in town.

This student fever for Alan Fletcher was soon picked up by Radio One and TV and Alan has been a regular guest on the Jo Whiley Live Lounge section and Edith Bowmans show on all the UK tours.

For Alan Fletchers 2009 tour LMM are very proud to have supplied the band which will back him.

The band are one of our favourites and an act who are very popular at student events,weddings,parties and at Walkabout bars.

For the purpose of the Alan Fletcher tour they are called The X Rays (in homage to the fact that they also backed Ben Nicholas AKA Stingray on a previous tour on which they were called The Rays!) but you can find them on the main LMM site as Lucas http://www.lmmuk.com/band/Lucas

Check out Lucas….they are one of the UKs best bands for weddings,university balls and parties and if you get the chance to see Alan Fletcher (AKA Dr Karl Kennedy) live then please do.You will be in for a treat.The atmosphere he generates on stage will astonish you.

Alan Fletcher AKA Dr Karl Kennedy backed on tour by the amazing Lucas band

Alan Fletcher AKA Dr Karl Kennedy backed on tour by the amazing Lucas band

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Posted in Random stuff we salute you! | No Comments »

Party Swing Jazz Band For Weddings And Events

Friday, July 10th, 2009
Nat King Bing Band playing Jazz swing modern pop and rock anthems

Nat King Bing Band playing Jazz swing modern pop and rock anthems

Nat king Bing And The Kings Of Schwing play jazz swing versions of pop classics
Nat king Bing And The Kings Of Schwing play jazz swing versions of pop classics

If you are planning a wedding,party or event and you are looking for a great band who will give your guests a different experience then Nat King Bing And The Kings Of Schwing are the perfect act.

Take a look at Nat King Bing And The kings Of Schwing on www.lmmuk.com …you can hear sound samples here http://www.lmmuk.com/band/Nat+King+Bing+and+The+Kings+Of+Schwing

Nat King Bing play jazz swin versions of modern pop,rock and dance music anthems.They do great fun swing versions of tracks by Michael Jackson,The Killers,The Kaiser Chiefs,Culture Beat etc etc.Every show delivers top quality entertainment .Audiences join in with the songs,dance and enjoy the humour in the unusual treatment of these great songs.

This week Nat King Bing And The Kings of Schwing were very pleased to have been included in the programme for Birmingham Jazz week.On July 9 2009 the boys played two shows for Birmingham Jazz week.In the afternoon as the sun shone the guys played on the terrace of Red Pepper in the Birmingham Mailbox.A huge crowd gathered on the steps of the Mailbox and sang along with jazz swing covers of tracks like I Predict A Riot,Billie Jean,Somebody Told Me and Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor.

In the evening Nat King Bing played a set at Bluu in the Jewelry Quarter.A possibly sceptical Jazz crowd fully bought into the jazz swing versions of modern pop anthems and loved the show singing along with many of the songs and enjoying the superb musicianship and entertaining showmanship.

Nat King Bing would like to thank Big Bear Music for the chance to play at this prestigiuous event.If you want any more details about Nat King Bing please call 08454 900515 or email info@lmmuk.com

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Posted in Brides Guide To Wedding Entertainment, Live entertainment | 5 Comments »

Modern Pop And Rock Songs Played By A Jazz Band

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

  

Nat King Bing perfect for events and weddings with their jazz swing take on modern anthems
Nat King Bing perfect for events and weddings with their jazz swing take on modern anthems

Nat King Bing And The Kings Of Schwing play modern songs in a jazz swing style.

If you are looking for something unique and different for your wedding,party or event then why not book a jazz swing band which plays modern pop,rock and indie anthems.For details call 08454 900515 or email info@lmmuk.com or visit the page on the main LMM website http://www.lmmuk.com/band/Nat+King+Bing+and+The+Kings+Of+Schwing

 

There’s a new sound in town.

 

It’s the sound of your favourite indie rock, dance and pop classics played in the Jazz Swing style.

It’s the sound of the past mixing with the present to create the future.

It’s the sound of Shwing!

 

Your best-loved songs now sound even better.

 

predict-a-riot  The Kaiser Chiefs I Predict A Riot Played In a Jazz Swing Style By Nat King Bing

 

Nat King Bing And The Kings Of Shwing take much loved modern anthems like The Killers “Mr Brightside” and The Arctic Monkeys “Bet you Look Good On The Dance  Floor “and re arrange them with a unique jazz swing feel. They re-work dance floor classics like Culture Beats “Mr Vain” and Snaps “Rhythm Is A Dancer” to give them a Vegas Lounge Style. They are unlike any other band in the UK.

 

Nat King Bing and The Kings of Showing offer you a unique evenings entertainment combining brilliant musicianship with fabulous showmanship.

 

Equally as happy playing a wedding, corporate event, military party, university ball or bar mitzvah Nat King Bing And The Kings Of Shwing have just one aim and that’s to make your party go with a Swing.

 

The Kings Of Shwing are four of the UKs finest jazz swing musicians. Professor Strange on Keyboards, Chubby Bottles on double bass, Lance Lopez on drums and Eggs Benedict on guitar. They are joined up front by a great vocalist and consummate showman , Mr Nat “King” Bing.

 

On Stage

 

Between them the band have shared the stage with just about everyone in show business including The Bee Gees, Kim Wilde, Boyzone , Ant And Dec, Tony Hadley, Tom Robinson, Pulp, Curtis Stigers , The Merseybeats , Billy Joe Spears , Duran Duran , Rolf Harris, Ian Dury andThe Blockheads, Jules Holland, The Levellers, Sebadoh, Thin Lizzy and The Mothers of Invention.

 

Previous Clients

 

Individually they have worked for the biggest corporate clients in Europe including Gordon Brown ,Tony Blaire ,The Football Association, Marks And Spencer’s ,British Telecom etc etc.

 

Previous Venues

 

They have played some of the top venues in the UK and beyond including The Landsdowne Hotel, Wembley Stadium, Glastonbury, The JJB Stadium , Browns Hotel , Phoenix, Milwaukee, Roskilde Fest, Summerfest , Bergen Blues and Jazz Fest, Midem in Cannes, New York and Boston Fleadh, House of Blues Boston, Brixton Academy, The Barrowlands ,The Borderline.

 

In Movies

 

One member co-wrote two songs featured on the soundtrack of the Sean Bean/Emily Lloyd Football movie “When Saturday Comes.”

 

On TV

 

TV appearances include ITVs Love2shop, The Big Breakfast , MTV ,Sky Sports .Eire TV’S This Way Up, Toronto Breakfast TV, Sky kids show Eggs And Sausages ,The James Whale Show etc

 

In Print

 

Tony Hadley’s autobiography “To Cut A Long Story Short”   ” …….were an outstanding five piece pop/rock band. The quality of the songs was impressive and the singer, R B (AKA Nat King Bing) ,had a great voice.”

 

Martin Lillekars Book about the history of music in Sheffield “Beats Working For A Living” Jarvis Cocker from Pulp says “I remember going to parties and if RB (AKA Nat King Bing) was there you could guarantee that around 1 or 2 in the morning there’d be some a capella sing song going on.” 

 

Nat King Bing and The Kings Of Shwing are your chance to inject some Vegas cool into your party or event. Your chance to give your guests a special night of music they will have never seen before and that they are unlikely to forget. The Kings Of Shwing experience is an infectious and irreverent take on the greatest indie , Britpop ,dance and pop anthems and it always delivers top quality entertainment

 

 

What is Shwing?

 

Shwing is an ice cold Martini with a single olive in a wide brim glass.

 It’s a double bass playing a walking bass line.

Shwing is a piano improvising lightning quick solos.

 It’s the savage bossa nova rhythm of the drums

Swhing is the cool guitar lines.

It’s the swagger of the crooner clicking his fingers to the beat. It rides a fingersnap on the off-beat, claps only triplets.

Shwing hints at its presence in the jaunty angle of a hat and the arched eyebrow of the singer scatting over a Killers song.

Its Nat King Bing and The Kings Of Shwing and they’re in town to party!

 

Please call LMM on 08454 900515 for more details of this fantastic band who play modern pop and rock anthems in a jazz swing style.

 

Nat King Bing play your favourite chart songs in a jazz swing style

 

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Posted in Live entertainment, cover band playing indie, events and parties, rock and pop songs in a jazz swing style | 8 Comments »

May Entertainment Round Up

Friday, May 29th, 2009

 

The LMM stiltwalking band.Spring has sprung!

The LMM stiltwalking band.Spring has sprung!

 

 

Spring/ Early Summer has finally arrived and the wedding season has started in earnest. Every weekend from now until the end of September the diaries are full with bands playing at wedding receptions, DJs providing music for wedding parties and with jazz and classical performers creating a great atmosphere during the wedding ceremony itself or at the drinks reception.

It’s been a great month for LMM and the fantastic live acts we represent.

 

May 2009 provided the first chance this year for one of our bands to play at a drinks reception outside on the lawn (at a private residence but our bands very often play in the grounds of hotel venues ) for a very nice afternoon of Pims and champagne in the English Summer sunshine.

 

The Hi Fidels  http://www.lmmuk.com/band/The+Hi-Fidels    played several weddings including a  lovely wedding after which the bride and groom were kind enough to send us this email

 

”Hi Daniel,
We just wanted to thank you for last night. We had a perfect day and you guys finished it off fantastically. We expected you to be good, but not that good.

 

Everyone loved you. You even got my parents dancing and they haven’t danced since before I was born!! I’m told that at one point there was nobody in the bar and nobody sitting down – everyone was dancing!
You also helped settle an age old argument with my best man  – I’ve been telling him for years that Wonderwall and Boulevard of Broken Dreams are the same song.

Thanks for getting all the special requests in too!

Best regards,

James & Lindsay”

 

 

During May our wedding bands and DJs played at some fantastic wedding venues including Whitley Hall Hotel , Addlington Hall , Addington Palace , The Wild Boar Hotel ,Thornton Hotel and Spa, London Rowing Club , Lillebrook Manor as well as less traditional venues such as Newquays funky Fistral Blue and Londons exclusive  Cobden Club.

 

Swingshot played a great set at The beautiful and very trendy Landsdowne Hotel where one of our bands swears he once saw Michael Jackson coming out of the lifts!!

http://www.lmmuk.com/band/Swingshot

 

Our DJs have been entertaining the guests at the very splendid Baglioni Hotel at Hyde Park Gate in London.  http://www.lmmuk.com/djs-karaoke.php

 

May has also seen the 125th anniversary celebrations for Marks And Spencer’s which we helped them to celebrate by supplying a couple of great bands for the Oxford Street Pantheon store. On Wednesday May 20th we supplied our stilt walking band to entertain the crowds as they queued to get into the store from 8am.

On Saturday May 23 we supplied both the Blossom Street Singers who are a fabulous scapula vocal group and our stilt walking band. The festivities included a giant pass the parcel game with part of Oxford Street closed for a street party.

 

On May 27 and 28 we had dozens of our great jazz swing duos playing across the UK in Marks and Spencers stores. http://www.lmmuk.com/jazz-blues-swing.php  

 

We also supplied entertainment to the annual young farmers AGM in the Blackpool Winter Gardens. Made In England rocked it up on the main stage and Lucas provided fun and games with their Rockaoke set on Sunday afternoon.

 

May 2009 presented an opportunity for more of our bands to travel overseas including a prestigious British Forces radio show for Electric Mayhem.

 

Electric Mayhem  http://www.lmmuk.com/band/Electric+Mayhem      also featured , for the second year running ,at the Bournemouth Sevens Festival where they ripped the place apart on Saturday night in front of 10,000 festival goers. Mayhems terrific front man was throwing himself around the stage like the bastard son of Jagger and Bono (if such a thing were biologically possible) whilst the band played the perfect sing a long rock anthem set. Lucas    http://www.lmmuk.com/band/Lucas       did much the same job on Sunday and by all accounts everyone who attended the Bournemouth Sevens event had an amazing time. We expect this event to grow and grow and become a regular part of the calendar. LMM are very proud to be part of the team. See here for more details http://www.bournemouthsevens.com/index.php

 

As the motor sport season began in earnest we were privileged to supply acts for some key motor sports events and bands like Lucas and No Change were keen to be part of the action.

Lucas are one of the best party bands in the UK.They are available from www.lmmuk.com

Lucas are one of the best party bands in the UK.They are available from www.lmmuk.com

 

Besides all these great private events we were very pleased to supply the Rockaoke band with the fabulous Kirsty Crawford hosting for Regent Inns annual conference at Leeds Bar Risa. Its been several years since we put this band together to play in the Walkabout Bars and they have recently been featured on the Chris Moyles Radio Show. Lmm have Rockaoke acts throughout the UK suitable for every type of event from a small party or wedding up to a product launch or event. We are also the supplier who can guarantee that your event gets the right type of band from funky players to cool indie types who would be perfect for a festival stage.

 

Its been a great month which included several high lights. One of them was the weirdest band rehearsal session I have ever attended when I stopped off to see the Tom Wardle band play a full show …… in Toms front room!! With windows rattling the three piece line up of guitar, bass and drums played a cracking 45 minute set of pure pop covers. Tom is a bit of a mod (plastic mod according to him) and from his cool red mini parked on the pavement outside to the drums sat on the Sgt Peppers Hearts Club Rug to the Keep The Faith Wigan Casino sticker on the drum kit and the Beatles/Lennon posters on the walls of his front room everything was in its place. Tom is a very cool guy with a great voice. You should book him solo or in a duo or full band line up for your house party! http://www.lmmuk.com/band/Tom+Wardle  

Tom Wardle available as a solo,duo or band.The coolest kid on the block

Tom Wardle available as a solo,duo or band.The coolest kid on the block

 

Club Mix have also begun a residency at Butlins as well as playing a number of awesome shows over May. I have been blown over by them whenever I have been to see them and if you are into Dance music you should take time out to see this fantastic band who play the dance anthems of the 90s to current day .Exceptional musicianship and an infectious groove make Club Mix a great band for parties and weddings. http://www.lmmuk.com/band/Club+Mix+Band   

 

The best part of the month for me was my time spent in the Analog Recording Studios (which is used by The Kaiser Chiefs) with Nat King Bing And The Kings Of Shwing. This unique new act with their fantastic re inventions of pop, indie and dance classics as jazz and swing tunes take some beating.Check out their version of I Predict I Riot or Bet You Look Good On The Dance Floor and you will be convinced that this is the future (or is it the past!!) Nat King Bing And The Kings Of Shwing have already been booked for the Birmingham Jazz Festival on July 9 and have several other events and shows planned as the summer sees their launch with some exciting work. A University Tour is already being planned as we speak and Shwing mania is sweeping the LMM office . The shows are going to be lots of fun and a great deal of planning has gone into this brand new concept in order to make it a premier act for corporate events, product launches, university balls etc.  http://www.lmmuk.com/band/Nat+King+Bing+and+The+Kings+Of+Shwing

Nat King Bing And The Kings Of Shwing -Unique Jazz swing versions of modern anthems

Nat King Bing And The Kings Of Shwing -Unique Jazz swing versions of modern anthems

Thanks to Anolog studios and Matt who did a great job with the Nat King Bing recordings and also to  http://www.andyoliverphotography.co.uk/     for great images.   

 

There isn’t time or room to tell you everything we have done with LMM this month (for instance I haven’t even begun to mention the great bands and DJs playing at Walkabouts and Bar Risa which are our largest and longest running client but there will be more stories and more events at the end of June.

 

Thanks for reading.Please feel to comment via the comments box below and if you are looking for a great band or DJ for your wedding ,party or event please call us on 08454 900515 or email info@lmmuk.com or just visit www.lmmuk.com   we will make sure you get the best act at the best price.

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Brides guide to Wedding Entertainment-Pt 3 Jazz

Tuesday, May 19th, 2009

After Dark are one of LMMs great cover bands who play some Jazz material at weddings and parties

After Dark are one of LMMs great cover bands who play some Jazz material at weddings and parties

 

 

There is a story, possibly apocryphal, that Peter Mandelson entered a North East chip shop  pointed at the mushy peas and said, “I’ll have some of that guacamole.”

 

At LMM we often argue over what’s peas and what’s guacamole…especially when it comes to Jazz cover bands.

 

 Most people who ask for a Jazz band for a wedding or party usually mean a swing act playing covers of what has come to be known as The American Song Book. Songs like “Fly Me To The Moon” and “You Make Me Feel So Young” made famous by singers like Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Ella Fitzgerald and recently covered by Westlife, Robbie Williams, Michael Buble and Rod Stewart. We have a number of great acts playing this music amongst the best of them are

 

Powder  http://www.lmmuk.com/band/Powder+Jazz

 

Swingshot  http://www.lmmuk.com/band/Swingshot

Dan Redding Band http://www.lmmuk.com/band/Dan+Redding+band

Miss Sarah http://www.lmmuk.com/band/Miss+Sara

Just Blue http://www.lmmuk.com/band/Just+Blue

Andrea Vicari http://www.lmmuk.com/band/Andrea+Vicari+Band

 

Some of them also play a little bit of pop and soul music.

 

We also have some great pop and soul party bands who play a few swing covers and can play a dinner jazz, background set . These would include

 

The Joel White Band  http://www.lmmuk.com/band/Joel+White+Band

After Dark  http://www.lmmuk.com/band/After+Dark

The Bailey J Band http://www.lmmuk.com/band/The+Bailey+J+Band

Sugar Shack http://www.lmmuk.com/rock-pop-party.php

Big Rig http://www.lmmuk.com/band/Big+Rig

 

LMM have been a major supplier of  laid back dinner jazz to Marks And Spencer’s for their card holder and store revamp events. Over the past four years we must have supplied well over three hundred jazz swing acts to Marks And Spencer’s through their events company. On one day alone in May 2009 we had thirty five duos playing in thirty five stores from Scotland down to Devon. For the past three years we have supplied acts to the Oxford Street Marks And Spencer’s for their Xmas lights party.

 

We have also supplied Jazz swing acts to the Old Orleans Restaurant chain for their Mardi Gras festival and for regular dinner jazz nights.

 

We supplied Powder Jazz to the Labour Party Charity Fundraiser at Wembley Stadium on the last public occasion that Gordon Brown and Tony Blair appeared together. Powder were so successful that Gordon Brown invited them back the following year to entertain the guests  who included The Bee Gees, Pete Waterman and a host of sporting stars .The band , who are not sports fans , were unable to recognise anyone from the sporting world. They did say, however, say that they saw “that footballer from the telly!” Ironically they have since gone on to play for the Football Association over at their annual dinner conference in Portugal.

 

Powder Jazz with Prime Minister Gordon Brown after LMM booked them for a Labour Party Fundraiser

Powder Jazz with Prime Minister Gordon Brown after LMM booked them for a Labour Party Fundraiser

 

Besides the dinner jazz swing acts we do have a number of other types of more specialist jazz acts.

 

Trad Jazz in a Dixie Land style is popular for store openings and out door events as well as lively drinks receptions, parties and weddings. We have some great Dixie Land bands playing traditional material such as  “When The Saints Go Marching In” and “Bye Bye Blackbird.” Upon request they can dress in the traditional costume of straw boater and blazer and they blast out some up lifting New Orleans Jazz.

 

See The Hot Stompers http://www.lmmuk.com/band/+Hot+Stompers

 

We supplied Trad Jazz to the opening of the Old Orleans Floating Restaurant in Thurrock and to the Village Hotel in Cheadle where they like to use a Trad Jazz band when some of the big sporting events are televised.

 

Hot Stompers Play Dixie Land and trad Jazz at weddings and parties

Hot Stompers Play Dixie Land and trad Jazz at weddings and parties

 

Improvisational Jazz featuring great soloists who can play around with melodies and themes epitomised by some of the works of genius jazzmen like Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane and Charles Mingus is something we get asked for less often for weddings and parties. It tends to be a specialist taste reserved for Jazz clubs. However we have a number of great jazz players in our swing bands who are involved in playing more challenging music at specialist jazz events.

 

So What http://www.lmmuk.com/band/So+What+

 

Recently we supplied an instrumental quartet for an event which required a band to provide a cool, hip atmosphere with music inspired by the Miles Davis classic album “A Kind Of Blue.”

 

If you are looking for something a little different and esoteric for your event please speak to us direct because we will almost certainly have musicians on our books who will be able to help.

 

Finally at LMM we also represent a new breed of jazz swing music .We have a number of solo piano players and guitarists who can play dinner jazz or classic rock, pop and indie tunes in the swing style .We also have a great new band “Nat King Bing And The Kings Of Swing who play rock, RNB , indie and even Old Skool House classics in the swing style. This band can be booked for a  cabaret style evening or to provide background music for a drinks reception or dinner.

 

Whether your taste is for peas or guacamole LMM have the Jazz to suit your wedding , event or party.

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