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REVIEWS “Musical Treat". "...fans of this style of music will revel in what is on offer! ...Superb imaginative scores, great three-part vocals… with the brilliance of the sax section... at the finish, cheers rang out continuously until the house lights came up! - JIM KENNEDY (Encore Magazine). "Sheer versatility !"Bournemouth Echo Ray O’Luby (Daily Echo) Five Star Swing, Regent Centre, Christchurch Fully living up to their five-star name, this London-based outfit under the direction of veteran Chris Smith (jnr) swept us along from the start with their excellent repertoire from Big Band’s golden era. And even if they’re not that “big” – there are only five of them – they make up for that with sheer versatility. The “brass” section alternate saxophones with flute, clarinet and even viola, while sharing vocals with the leader who plays piano and trumpet – sometimes both at once. The highlights came mainly from Sinatra’s inexhaustible songbook, with Chris Smith (jnr) extolling the delights of Chicago and dueting with the band’s female singer Simone Smith (who also happens to be his wife) on Something Stupid, while Stephen Davies made for a splendidly mean Mac the Knife. The instrumentalists took in all the musical genre’s shades, from Tommy Dorsey’s stomping Opus One to Dizzy Gillespie’s blasting Be Bop and Glenn Miller’s super-smoothly polished swing. There was some great instrumental work too, including Simone Smith’s sax on Errol Garner’s Misty and Stephen Davies’ clarinet on Benny Goodman’s Sing, Sing, Sing. "...Swept us along from the start" Bournemouth Daily Echo “They Swing like CRAZY!” Saxophones, a rhythm section and vocals, swinging like crazy – that’s the aptly named FIVE STAR SWING ! As saxophone section in any band, they would take some beating. Beautiful tones and well-rehearsed by their leader, Chris Smith (Jnr), who has the singular talent of playing the trumpet with his right hand and the piano with his left at one and the same time ! He also happens to be a very experienced music writer having learnt his trade with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and Glenn Miller’s Brother, Herb. Add to the fact that he can also well handle a vocal, as can his wife, lead alto Simone Smith and tenor man Stephen Davies, who’s clarinet playing on “Sing, Sing, Sing” was superb – and it will give you some idea of the breadth of talent in this line-up. This is a band crying out to be danced to and it wasn’t long before the jivers took to the dance floor. Five Star Swing –a “must” for every dance club in the country. REWIEW by Sheila Tracy (BBC) SWING 'n' SINATRA with FIVE STAR SWING HARLEQUIN THEATRE, REDHILL Musical Director: Chris Smith MUSICAL TREAT. Take a sixteen piece big band, remove the four trumpets, withdraw the four trombones, lose the rhythm guitar and what are you left with? The answer is the seven handed 'FIVE STAR SWING' - four saxes, bass, piano & drums - and although the line-up is as unlikely as you will find anywhere, it really does work a treat. The reasons are twofold. First is that each member of the band is a master of his/her instrument and second, the superb arrangements provided by musical director CHRIS SMITH. His imaginative scoring complements the unusual line up to perfection. Whatever drive is lacking from the missing brass sections, the 'swing' - is more than replaced by the dynamic keyboard, synthesiser and excellent trumpet, all contributed by the multi-talented front man and the fact that he also sings well, comes as no surprise. The sax section - SIMONE SMITH, VICKY COWLES, STEPHEN DAVIES and DAVID WIGRAM - all play the full range of reed instruments, with the latter playing some fine solos on Viola. The main vocals also come from the brass set up, with the sultry Simone Smith and the swinging Stephen Davies in fine form. If the title of the show is somewhat of a misnomer - the programme is much less of a tribute to 'Old Blue Eyes' than a journey through the great swing ballads of a former era - fans of this style of music will, nevertheless, revel in what is on offer. Some of the highlights which thrilled the onlookers, were the superb arrangement of the Glenn Miller classic 'In the Mood', coupled with 'Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree' which included a great three-part vocal set, the atmospheric 'Misty', the driving 'Bebop', which really showed off the tight brilliance of the sax section and 'You Again' a composition beautifully written and scored by leader Chris Smith....... and the big finish - 'Sing, Sing,Sing', featuring superb solos from the full ensemble including bassist NIGEL EMERTON and, particularly, drummer RICK PHILPOTT'. The near full house had cheers ranging out continuously until, finally, the house lights came up, announcing that the musical treat really had finally come to an end. JIM KENNEDY CLIENT COMMENMTS We and everyone else had a fantastic time and a lot of people said how your band was one of the highlights of the day, so thank you very much! Katharine Birkin, Wedding Aug’ 2017 My client was very pleased with the music provided for the evening of their corporate event. Imperial War Museum, ________________________________________ …And, for those who weren’t on the airfield, there was a big ‘Swing Thing’ in action in the American Air Museum where folk were frocked up in 1940′s style – swinging their all to the Five Star Swing Band. Children In Need , BBC TV ________________________________________ Thanks to Five Star Swing for making the Ball a big success, everyone was up dancing. The band was so versatile and all great performers Blenheim Palace, ________________________________________ Can you please pass my thanks to Five Star Swing. The music last night was superb and I received some fantastic comments from clients and partners National Portrait Gallery, ________________________________________ We would just like to say a big thank you to Five Star Swing. The music they played was great and I must say they were one of the best bands I’ve heard for a while. Granada TV Studios, ________________________________________ Saw you last night for the second time and felt you were even better and uplifting than last year. Your CD keeps the memories coming. Thank you John Boxall, St Neots ________________________________________ Just returned from the show at Stamford this evening 22 Nov. Outstanding musical ability, total enthusiasm and hard work, which produced a sound which defied any attempt to keep your hands or feet from moving! They love their music and it showed. It was an superb evening and I will be back. Eddie Harper, Stamford ________________________________________ Saw your show at Kings Lynn last night, to say we were pleasantly surprised would be putting it mildly. purchased your CD so can listen again and again, thanks for a great evening Derek & Ivy Wood, Wisbech ________________________________________ What a great night! Great music, talented musicians and vocalists, original arrangements… We can’t wait for a return visit by the band to Northamptonshire- please make it soon. In the meantime we’ll have to make do with the Album we’ve just ordered.! PS Just how does Chris play keyboard and Trumpet at the same time? (From an envious brass player!) Ros & Trevor Livsey, Stirrup Cup Barton Seagrave ________________________________________ We were lucky enough to see this wonderful band on the 27th March 2008. A combination of brilliant musicians and stunning arrangements left us wanting more at the end of a magical evening. Jim & Jean Rouse, Stirrup Cup Barton Seagrave ________________________________________ Just seen the band at The Municipal Hall Colne and what a great show from a very talented group of musicians – well done and thanks for a great night out. 26th Oct 2007. Richard Roberts, Barnoldswick, Lancs ________________________________________ Fabulous band,really enjoyed the evening,and the versatility of all the band members. H MICHAELS, MALDON ESSEX ________________________________________ I was sceptical at first that they could come up with the goods with only 7 players, but WOW did they deliver!!! the controlled tight and virtuosic ensemble playing was without peer. Great arrangements from Chris Smith, the whole band showed its multifarious diversity in every swinging number… and where did Stephen Davies learn to do all that stuff?! I commend them to the house! Alexander Testbridge, Cleethorpes ________________________________________ MY PARTNER AND I WON TICKETS IN THE LOCAL PAPER TO SEE FIVE STAR SWING WE HAD A VERY ENJOYABLE NIGHT THANK YOU mr A F HOSKINS, WESTON SUPER MARE ________________________________________ Arrived over 70 but left a teenager again what more can I say except thank you so much Doris Swift, Brentwood ________________________________________ Hi, Thoroughly enjoyed the concert tonight. It was the best evening we have had for many years. You all took my wife and me down memory lane and made us feel like teenagers again. I wanted to jive but the wife felt embarrassed. Thank you for all the hard work you put in. Bryan Roth, Brentwood ________________________________________ Hi all, Came to a show of yours recently and thought you were fantastic. Next time you are in or around MK I will be bringing friends to see you. Catch you soon, Luke Palmer, Milton Keynes ________________________________________ A big thank you for helping our special day go with a swing ! You were all fantastic! We’ll be sure to find an occasion to book you again. Lyndsey & Paul Wells, Wedding Day ________________________________________ I Just wanted to write to thank Five Star Swing for playing at our “1940′s night”. You interpreted the mood of the event perfectly and helped maintain the atmosphere right to the end. Hopefully we’ll have the opportunity to work with you again in the future. Collegiate School, Berkhamstead Hi there Chris, just a quick note to thank you guys for playing at our wedding on Sat 25th Feb’ 2012. We had a fantastic day – and many people commented on the quality of the live music – so that was great. Many thanks again, and I’ll leave you some excellent feedback with the bookings agency!! All the best, Bob Strawbridge | Managing Director | Ten Nine Ltd I just wanted to say a big thank you for playing at our wedding at Lulworth Castle, you guys were absolutely brilliant and were everything we had hoped for. You perfectly captured the mood of the day and everyone said how much they enjoyed the music and dancing along. I only wish Luke and I could have stayed longer to dance more! Luke and I are still so thrilled about our day and how perfect it was for us and your music at the reception drinks and in the evening played a huge part in making it just as we had imagined. I think two of your biggest fans are my grandparents who amazed me by not only lasting the whole night but also dancing on several occasions – my grandma called me up on Saturday to sing Chattanooga Choo Choo down the phone at me because she said she has been singing it every day since the wedding! Thanks very much again, Rebecca (Lulworth Castle) Hi Chris We just wanted to thank you again for playing at our wedding, it was truly fantastic. As I'm sure you could tell, our guests also shared our sentiments completely. Sarah particularly, had always hoped of having a big band play on her special day and you fulfilled her dream beautifully! We wish you all the best for the future. Best wishes Sarah and John Hummel

Kirsta can certainly bang out a tune! She provided the live music at our company Christmas function and was a great success. I would highly recommend her to anyone.

Very easy to organize and amazing performance for our private event, very successful in getting everyone going and putting on a great show