The 1930s and 40s was the golden age of the dance bands, when America and Europe became captivated by this new sound, which combined jazz and the popular song as penned by the likes of George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern and a host of others. Two great bands survived from this era right through to the 1980s – led by Duke Ellington and Count Basie – and these provide probably the biggest inspiration for Jivin’ Miss Daisy, but this dynamic nine-piece band also plays the music of Fletcher Henderson, Charlie Barnet and others as well as arrangements specially written by bandleader Simon Thorpe.
To play this music with an authentic sound demands musicianship of the highest calibre. This presents no problems for JMD as the band is packed with some of London’s best young swing jazz musicians. These guys regularly play with acts like Jools Holland, Stacy Kent, Bryan Ferry and Ray Gelato's Giants, and have appeared on TV shows including Johnny Vaughan and The Big Breakfast. This really is an all-star band. Vocals are mainly provided by Anjali Perin, an up and coming singer on the London jazz scene; but trombonist Malcolm Earle Smith and sax player Alex Garnett can also add male vocals. The rest of the band comprises piano, bass, drums, guitar, trumpet and two saxes. As well as the full nine-piece, the band is also available in more compact line-ups to suit personal requirements or budget.
The band performs regularly at swing jazz venues including The 100 Club, Carisbrooke Hall and Blue Jays Jazz Club, as well as at weddings, dances and corporate functions where JMD’s retro flavour creates a great musical atmosphere and is wonderful for getting guests of all ages on to the dance floor. Normal performance time is two one-hour or three 45-minute sets and the band provides its own PA system.
Price: from £1,875 for 9-piece
Jivin’Miss Daisy are London based
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