"One of the pleasures of writing for Jazz Views is having the opportunity to follow the progress of an artist with each new release. It has been my very great pleasure to follow Lush Jazz Band's progress over the last few years. Having reviewed Lauren’s debut album, in 2016 and the follow-up, five years later, it was with great interest that I listened to her third album. If you’re looking for continued growth and artistic development in a musician, then Lauren has certainly delivered. Earlier today, prior to writing this review, I listened again to all three albums back-to-back and was amazed at what I was hearing. Listening in such a concentrated way, I was struck by how consistent each of the albums is and how the vocalist’s progress is not taking place with gargantuan leaps but steadily, as we can see here, in a paced and sustainable development. One huge advantage for Lauren is retaining the services of pianist Liam Dunachie, who arranges much of the music, and the two have built a solid rapport that has resulted in a formidable partnership. With “Tide Rises,” Lauren Bush has found a perfect balance between the old and the new, with a couple of strong original compositions, a handful of standards, and some contemporary works that she has done a wonderful job of adapting to her voice. The album gets off to a stunning start with a brisk and swinging “Joy Spring.” The tricky lyrics are handled with great aplomb by Bush, and after a lovely solo from Dunachie, she gets in a nice scat chorus of her own. This is followed by the title track, one of two original compositions, in which Lauren has drawn inspiration for the lyrics from the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Played over an ethereal opening from Rhodes and guitar (and the only song to feature electric bass), the music evolves over a gentle tempo with an empowering delivery from Lauren. The other original, “Easy Does It,” has a relaxed, almost lazy tempo, and Lauren has written lyrics that add to the gospel flavor of the music. Versatility and variety being the name of the game, we are treated to a beautiful bossa nova written by Earl Okin titled “Madrugada,” and Joni Mitchell’s “Circle Game” is given a delightful treatment, with some exquisite playing from all. The music flows in a beguiling manner, and Mitchell’s lyrics are given a sensitive reading by the vocalist. Standards have been a constant inspiration for Lauren, and with the depth of maturity that she has gained in the last few years, I have witnessed her raise her game significantly. It is difficult to pick one over another. Her treatment of “Oh What A Beautiful Morning” is flawless and joyous, with a lovely scat solo too, and “Nobody Else But Me” has a charm all of its own. If proof is needed of Bush’s stature as a jazz vocalist, then take a listen to the ballad performance on “This Is Always.” A duet for voice and piano, this is a pure delight and even, dare I say it, surpasses the duo’s reading of “Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most,” which was such a highlight of her last album, “Dream Away.” Closing with another contemporary tune, this time from the pop duo Yazoo, Lauren and Liam Dunachie cleverly recast Vince Clarke’s song, with Lauren giving the excellent Alison Moyet a run for her money. Another step forward for Lauren in a hugely enjoyable set that sees her setting the bar increasingly higher."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you so much for the music on Friday night, we were very pleased with the way the jazz enhanced the evening. You certainly gave us value for money."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Rachel has sung for our older adults in residential care for the past year and is always very entertaining and professional. The feedback from our residents is always good and we just wish we could afford to book her every month. If you are looking for entertainment for older adults that is excellent value for money then look no further. Thank You Rachel. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Would just like to say a big thank you for the wedding last weekend. Everyone had a great time and having you guys playing live was definitely a big part of it - one of our friends (who's a professional musician himself) said you were the best band we could have possibly found! Thanks again!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The band entertained everyone at our afternoon tea Event . I have organised other events and it is very difficult to please everyone , but the feedback received from those attending was unanimous in their praise for the Band . Laura’ s singing was sensational . I will definitely hire them again . "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Your singing and playing was absolutely wonderful, and created exactly the right mood during our wedding breakfast. I was very impressed by your professionalism - you dressed the part, set up quickly and efficiently, and made sure that the whole day was stress free."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Dr Jazz was great on Saturday evening. The performance created a nice, lively atmosphere for the event and all the guests obviously enjoyed it! I'll hold on to your details for any future events that we may hold at the hall. I'll also pass your details on to clients who are looking for entertainment for their weddings/parties."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Amazing performer, evocative and emotional singer and a complete professional to boot! Highly recommended!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Absolutely amazing evening at A la Russe Restaurant. Great feedback from all the customers, a lot of them returning and everyone requesting to host additional evenings in the future. Amazing selection of songs, warm and friendly interaction with the customers.  Looking forward to hosting more events in the future. Atmosphere was absolutely great and everyone wants Muriele to return again.  Merci beaucoup".   Andre Shkuropat, Proprietor and Head Chef, A La Russe Restaurant, Windsor."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We saw Pseudonym at a wedding Fayre and they were fantastic! They sung songs of all different styles and we were entertained the whole day! Wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to any of my friends!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"What pipes you have! everyone at the wedding tonight was talking about your amazing voice and you were great with the crowd. I was there doing the photography and you made the day even more perfect! So good to see and hear you ! Anyone with sense should book you up"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"What a fabulous performance by Viviana and her band!! It showed the variety and top level skills. Loved the music and the little stories in between! Well done! And now we want MORE performances!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"IPU Group is a manufacturing company based in West Bromwich with a proud 60-year history. We often put events on for our staff and to celebrate the end of COVID restrictions we put on a ‘festival vibes’ event on Saturday 24th July and asked Ruby to perform along with another artist to entertain our wonderful employees. Ruby turned up nice and early, and had great communication with the other supplier and IPU event staff to ensure everything ran smoothly from start to finish. Ruby is a great bubbly personality and her performance certainly matched it. We would hire her again if such an event happens in the future."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Brilliant set yesterday to help us clebrate the 90th anniversary of the Bradford Movie Makers. Witty and non-stop playing. Superb musicianship!"

Reply by The Hot Club of Halifax
Thank you so much for the review and an absolutely delightful afternoon ! It gave us considerable pleasure to be part of the club's celebrations and meet so many wonderful people. Congratulations on the award for the film too. The Hot Club of Halifax

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Francesca sang amazingly at my wedding 2 years ago. She was a surprise to my husband and I arranged by my father who has sadly since passed away. Her voice was beautiful and I will always remember her incredible performance as a last gift from my father. Francesca sang a mix of pop and classical and had the audience gripped from the moment she revealed she wasn't really a waitress. Just brilliant. Thank you."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: