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Jazz music is one of the many forms of music that is usually played at parties, quiet kickback pubs and dedicated jazz venues. Most people like jazz music because it is not too loud and noisy, has minimal instruments, and is extremely pleasant.  A Jazz band doesn’t always need a singer as it is very interesting to listen to, even as simple instrumental pieces.

Jazz music, many people say, got its birth in New Orleans. The Kid Ory’s were the very first jazz band that began playing their music in New Orleans and recorded it. They became extremely popular and the people’s love for jazz grew rapidly. The dynamic city of Chicago soon took over and gave birth to numerous jazz musicians and bands.

A Jazz band is a group of musicians that usually comprise of a drummer to provide the beat and tempo to the piece and a bass guitar which plays single or flowing bass notes. The piano or guitar is also included in a jazz combo. In most places in the world, the saxophone is one of the most important instruments of the jazz group along with the trumpet.

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In the present day, with the rapid growth of fusion music, jazz bands are incorporating other forms of music too. Many jazz bands include a light touch of Indian string instruments like the sitar and also the Indian violin. Although this kind of music is still not very well known, it seems to be rapidly growing and will catch up to other genres in the years to come.  Read more...

Jazz Music and culture has a rich history, with its roots beginning in the United States. Jazz is known as an incredibly passionate music that touches people in different ways through the variety of styles within the genre. One type of band, which also originates back to the beginning of this music movement, is called the ‘spasm band’. Ever heard of it? If not, you may have heard it referred to as other such names as a jug or skiffle band.

First, let me explain what a spasm band is. The term ‘spasm band’ was coined back in 1895, when a band of seven boys, ages twelve to fifteen, appeared in New Orleans (this band, considered by some to be the first jazz group, was named “Razzy Dazzy Spasm Band”). This street-performing band plays a variety of old-time jazz, Dixieland, skiffle or jug band music with improvised instruments created out of found objects and is often made up of children. Popular instruments used in these types of bands included washtub basses, jugs, washboards, spoons, harmonicas, one string fiddles, horns, bells, pipes and kazoos, which I’m sure many of us played with as children. Now do you feel more familiar with this type of music?

There are quite a few popular jazz bands you may be familiar with that are known for their ‘spasm’ style. I will go over a few of them here.  Read more...

In Manchester, there are plenty of great bands for hire. If you’re getting married, throwing a party, or having work-related function, you should have no problem finding a rocking band for the event.

Here is a small list recommended bands for hire in Manchester:

1. The Coolers are an extremely popular group. They play a wide variety of classic music, from James Brown to Lynyrd Skynyrd. They mostly play parties and corporate events, but are also available for weddings. Interestingly, The Coolers have a sort of alter-ego-band called The Swingers, which is a swinging jazz band that is also available for parties, corporate events and weddings.

2. The band Rough Hill would also be an excellent choice for your next party, corporate event, or wedding. They perform a tasteful assortment of funk of soul classic from the likes of Michael Jackson, Sister Sledge, and Aretha Franklyn. Jennie Sawdon, the band’s singer, is known across the UK for her vocal talent.

3. The Funky Monks is a terrific, young and hip party/event band. They play a wide-variety of primarily up-tempo classics. They’re a band known for their superb musicianship.

4. A Few Good Men is another up and coming party/event band. They perform many recent hits, such as “Clocks,” by Coldplay, and “Are you Gonna Be My Girl,” by Jet. A Few Good Men is a band that prides itself on putting on an exciting show and have gained a loyal following over the past few years.  Read more...

Recording studio setup is the icing on the cake when you have a band. Starting your own band is a real thrill. However, an even greater thrill is when you have finally written enough songs to record your own music and are able to send it out to prospective music industry executives.

You want the sound quality to be perfect, so you can really showcase the music and what your band is about to industry A&R representatives. It is they who will ultimately pass on your golden ticket to a recording deal. Your bands demo has to be perfect but what if you do not have the money to record in a fancy studio, though? Not to worry, you can create your own recording studio setup, at home, and receive just as great a result.

First, you need to use a room with the correct acoustics. This is likely to take some work and experimentation but getting this right within your recording studio setup is of fundamental importance. Play something through your mixing speakers. If you can hear very loud music outside of the studio, you may want to consider using headphones when recording as a courtesy to others in the building.

Next, remember to trust your ears. If within your recording studio setup something sounds dissonant to you then it will be magnified through a microphone. Remember to tune all instruments correctly before recording so they will be sounding prime for the recording. Also, you may need to purchase new drum heads or a new set of strings in advance of the recording session to enhance the quality of the sound.  Read more...

With the recent rise of groups in the UK such as Arctic Monkeys and Arcade Fire, the internet is proving its worth more and more in the music industry. As traditional formats decline in use, the internet is providing independent musicians with a myriad of possibilities for promoting their music. Indeed, unsigned bands can reach their audiences without needing a record label.

Emerging artists used to spend most of their time down at the post office, licking envelopes, sending off cassettes and making further copies of their cassettes. Looking back, it seemed like the dark ages. Today’s indie music scene sees many bands sat at their computer screens, looking for new ways to promote their music. The emergence of several top bands over the last few months thanks to the Internet is proof that the cream will always rise to the top, and using the net, they have every chance of doing so.

Almost all artists have band pages nowadays. In fact, it seems to be the first step on the way to internet recognition. A band page will commonly feature a news page, a separate page for downloading music for free, a photos page, and a contact page. These band pages are, in effect, business cards for musicians. The website receives promotion on various music websites and forums, and the band can create their own image through web branding.

 Read more...