Kit Packham Singer/saxophonist with backing tracks or live accompaniment.

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Price Guide

Description Price
Solo Mon, Tue, Wed, or Thu except bank holidays, New Years Eve, etc. up to 2 hours live playing£100
Solo Friday, Saturday or Sunday, bank holidays, etc. up to 2 hours live playing£200
Duo with pianist or guitarist Mon, Tue, Wed, or Thu except bank holidays, New Years Eve, etc. up to 2 hours live playing£180
Duo with pianist or guitarist Friday, Saturday or Sunday, bank holidays, etc. up to 2 hours live playing£360
I'm always up for ideas! What did you have in mind?£0
The above prices are typical. There may be room for negotiation but this gives you my expectations. You should expect to pay more if your event will involve a long journey for me. (See "Areas Covered" below). I'm not registered for VAT so there's no hidden extra to pay! I normally like to issue a simple contract setting out the basic details we've agreed and to take a deposit of 50% in advance. The balance is payable at the event. Alternative methods are possible by arrangement.

About / Biography

Kit Packham is well-known as the leader of 7-piece jive and swing band One Jump Ahead which has a separate page on this platform. He also performs SOLO with backing tracks and in a DUO format with either piano/keyboard or guitar. There is also scope for a TRIO or QUARTET with the addition of bass and/or drums. This variety of set-ups allow him to play virtually anywhere, even where there's very little space to spare.

Kit's repertoire includes all kinds of jazz, vintage pop, rock'n'roll and blues. His humorous re-written lyrics to jazz standards from the Great American Songbook have proved popular (check out "I Can't Get Started" or "Manhattan" on this page's soundclips) as have his own songs, much of which also demonstrate wry humour. Themed sets are possible for World War II, the 1950s, the 1960s, singalongs, easy listening and comic/novelty songs.

When a sophisticated background ambience is required, Kit is happy to play only instrumentals. He frequently does this during welcome drinks or dinner at wedding receptions where One Jump Ahead might be playing later for dancing. In restaurants and bars he'll more usually sing most of the music, covering the rest on either alto or tenor saxophone. These proportions can be easily varied to suit your own particular preferences or situation.

As a professional musician, Kit has public liability insurance and a recent (July 2021) DBS check.

He has his own PA and is available for daytime as well as evening bookings right through the week. Kit also teaches saxophone and improvisation skills and is happy to deputise for singers or saxophonists with other bands, being a capable reader and busker on alto, tenor and baritone.

SPECIAL NOTE ON COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS. While the pandemic was active, some engagements were able to go ahead within the government regulations and guidelines. As a singer/saxophonist Kit couldn't wear a mask while performing, although it was possible for loading in and out of equipment, etc. In the event of a recurrence or any new pandemics, Kit will of course observe any regulations and guidelines in operation.


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Reviews (16)

There are currently 16 user ratings for Kit Packham

AVERAGE RATING

10 / 101

Location

Based in Caterham, Surrey

Will travel up to 150 miles
green circle = areas covered (up to 150 miles)
pink circle = free travel (up to 10 miles)
Please note that the circles shown on the map are calculated "as the crow flies". By road distances may vary, so please get in touch for an accurate quote.

NB: THIS IS JUST A SELECTION! A FULL

LIST CAN BE SENT ON REQUEST!

Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens

Ain't That a Kick in the Head

After You've Gone

As Time Goes By

Beyond the Sea

Blueberry Hill

Bring Me Sunshine

Brother Can You Spare a Dime

Brown Eyed Girl

Buona Sera

Bye Bye Blackbird

Chattanooga Choo Choo

Choo Choo Ch’Boogie

Come Fly With Me

Delilah

Don’t Get Around Much Any More

Fly Me to the Moon

Here Comes the Sun

I'm a Believer

I'm In The Mood For Love

Is You Is Or Is You Aint My Baby

It Must Be Love

It's Now Or Never

Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini

I've Got You Under My Skin

Java Jive

Lester Leaps In

Let’s Do It

L-O-V-E

Manhattan

Makin’ Whoopee

Memphis

Misty

My Babe

My Old Man's a Dustman

Need Your Love So Bad

Pennies From Heaven

Pennsylvania 6-5000

Return to Sender

Saturday Night at the Movies

Save the Last Dance for Me

Singin' the Blues

Stompin’ at the Savoy

Summer Holiday

Summertime

Sunny

Sunny Afternoon

Sway

Take the A Train

Teddy Bear

Teenager In Love

Tenor Madness

That'll Be The Day

That's Life

These Foolish Things

Treat Me Nice

Under the Boardwalk

Underneath the Arches

We'll Meet Again

When You Wish Upon a Star

When You're Smiling

White Cilffs of Dover

Yeh Yeh

Yellow Submarine

You Make Me Feel So Young

Your Feets Too Big

Technical Info

What are your basic technical requirements?

A safe mains electricity supply at or close to the stage (or playing floorspace) is normally essential. However, with advance notice, a playlist can be prepared for a small battery operated PA speaker.
Sufficient space in which to play is also a must.
Other factors are negotiable but could include:
Food and drink for Kit (& his accompanist where appropriate)
Parking.
Use of premises own PA system or provision of PA.


Do you provide sound and lighting equipment?

Yes, I bring my own PA system, suitable for audiences up to about 250 (but able to operate at a modest volume for small venues/groups). I don't usually provide lighting by default for a solo performance but if you request it I can provide it.


What information do you require about a venue?

Obviously the full address and postcode is important. The best point of access for loading in and any particular parking requirements are often helpful. Sound limiters are sometimes an issue (very rarely for solo performances). As long as I get a reasonable idea of what to expect there's rarely any issues.


Can you provide a Spotify/DJ service before and between your sets?

Yes, I can provide my own playlists or I can play yours from an iPod, smartphone, laptop, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best gig you've ever done and the best venue you've ever played at?

In a musical career of over 50 years that's too hard to decide without a lot of thought! I've played almost all the leading West End hotels, the Marquee, the 100 Club, the Vortex jazz club, many great theatres including Belfast Opera House. The most exotic would probably be the Ishtar Sheraton Hotel in Baghdad but I'll have to come back to this question....


Which artists have you been most influenced by, who is your favourite artist and what is the greatest song of all time?

Louis Jordan. His hits from the 1940s were the basis of the musical "Five Guys Named Moe", full of fun and swinging saxophone solos. One of his best is "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" which was a million seller in 1946. Other artists that have inspired me are Ray Charles, Louis Prima, Big Joe Turner, Slim Gaillard and Mose Allison.


What's your previous experience and how did you start gigging?

I began entertaining as an infant, travelling with my mother as she performed at Darby & Joan clubs, hospitals and similar venues in the late 1950s and early 1960s. She taught me a few songs so that I could "do a turn" for her audiences. As a teenager, I sang in a rock and roll band and taught myslef to play guitar and harmonica. At art college I fronted another rock band and then began to learn the saxophone. This led on to many exciting musical experiences from Bromley to Baghdad!


What's your favourite type of event to play at?

Anywhere with an appreciative audience is great. Fortunately that applies to almost all my bookings. I get a special kick when one of my own songs inspires people to get up and dance, so I guess that dances would be my favourite.


Are you mainly a singer or mainly a saxophonist?

I'm both! I've been singing ever since I can remember and first performed in public as an infant! I've "only" been playing the saxophone for the last 50 years but I enjoy that just as much as I do singing. Consequently you're in safe hands booking me as "just" a saxophonist or "just" a singer, although I would normally play some solo breaks or similar on sax when booked to perform vocals. However, if you don't like the saxophone, I can perform without it!

Performance Info

What are your typical setup and performance times?

Set up time is dependent on ease of access and whether it's a solo, duo or larger booking. Less than 30 minutes in most cases. Possibly just 10 minutes!

Performance times are fully negotiable but are commonly 2 x 45 minutes or 2 x 60 minutes.


Are you happy to perform outside?

That depends! In most cases, yes, and I've often done so. However, if wet weather is occurring or predicted I'd expect a client to provide protection for myself and my equipment from rain, or an alternative location. I'd also need a power supply adjacent to the performance area.


Do the clients have a say in what you play or is it a set repertoire list only?

I'm happy to liaise with my clients regarding material. I can provide a list of my usual material from which they can pick any songs or tunes they'd like to hear. Given reasonable notice I'm also prepared to add requests that I've not performed before as long as they're not completely incompatible.


How do previous clients most commonly describe your performances?

One typical comment was "...classics that get your feet tapping and where you just cant help singing along." Why not check out my reviews, all of which rated me 10/10.

Recent Clients

Kit Packham has performed for these clients:

Bluebell Railway Beer Festival, Sheffield Park

Surrey National Golf Club

Acorn Court Care Home, Redhill

Charrington Manor, West Byfleet

Cote restaurant, Horsham

Venue 28, Beckenham

Smokin' Grill restaurant, Kenley

Saxon Day Centre, Orpington

Clearwell Castle

Signature Care Home at Beckenham

The Harrow, Ulcombe, Kent

The Belvedere Arms, Sunninghill

Westway Centre (formerly Douglas Brunton Centre), Caterham

Venues

Kit Packham has performed at these venues:

Glebe House, Chaldon

Kenley Memorial Hall

The Misty Moon, Northwood

The "Gherkin", London EC3

Bumpkin Restaurant, Chelsea

The Chequers, Maresfield

Ashdown Park Hotel, Wych Cross

The Old School, Noke, Oxon.

The Old Kings Head, Hampton Wick

The Hallmark (formerly Airport) Hotel, Croydon

Royal Star & Garter Home, Surbiton

Coach & Horses, Carshalton

The Manor Bar & Parlour, Earl's Court

Heathland Court, Wimbledon

Horseshoe pub, Warlingham

Nettlestead Care Home, Bromley

Heavers Court, Selhurst

Abbey House, Morden

Besins Healthcare (at Cutty Sark, Greenwich)

Contact

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