X-elle Function and Party Band
Based in East Anglia but working all over East Anglia, London,
Manchester, and the whole of the UK
X-Elle was born out of demand. The musicians featured in the band regularly
perform
together for shows and concerts at the Key Theatre in Peterborough.
Audiences often asked
if the band could be booked for functions—well now it can!
X-Elle was conceived by Steve Hession (Key Theatre’s Musical Director) who
has many
years experience in function band, touring, backing, arranging and theatre
work. He is joined
by an excellent team of similarly experienced professional musicians – Mike
Robinson on
Guitar, Andy Clifton on Drums / percussion, and Nick Smith (Doctor Bass) on
Bass.
Top this with the wonderful blended voices of professionals Diana Nash (Lead
Vocals),
Tor Hills and Amy Bowles and you have a band that looks and sounds truly
spectacular.
A band able to play and entertain totally live with no backing tracks, click
tracks or sequences.
Pure musicianship giving the flexibility to perform, entertain and fully
engage with
an audience. Listen to the demo tracks and judge for yourself.
What their Clients say!
Thank you very much for all your help in making our Awards Night a night to
remember.
Sheelagh Smith, Managing Partner, Greenwoods Solicitors, Peterborough
Just a quick note to express my sincere thanks for the wonderful evening of
entertainment
provided by X-ELLE. A fantastic range of music, backed by a fabulous sound,
made for a
really memorable evening thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. We will book you
again.
Hamish Phillips, Director– National Accounts, Grey– Dawes Business Travel
Management
The best party band I’ve seen or heard in a long time. It was a rocking good
night.
Paul Crosby, Actor, ex Brookside and Blood Brothers
Wow! Fabulous all round entertainment with something for everybody.
Best night I’ve had
in years.
Ray Wagner, Ambergate Ltd, Mayfair, London
Plus the following add-ons….
· Full reading / busking band with MD. Able to back any act, anytime,
anywhere!
· Professional Sound Engineer who also acts as DJ. No need to book a
separate Disco.
· Theme Nights catered for. (Theatre nights a speciality)
· Jazz / Easy Listening dinner music provided live.
· Add Horn Section (two or three piece) and/or dancers if required.
· 5k PA rig (extendable) with full light show and smoke!
Audio
(30 secs of each Track)
Get Here
Jailhouse
Murder on The Dance Floor
We Are Family
River Deep
Dancing Queen
X-Elle Song List.
With vast
experience and repertoire, X-Elle can cover most styles of music.
Selections from the current play list are categorised below.
Pop / Disco Include: I Will Survive, We are Family,
Car Wash, Le Freak, Believe, Kiss Kiss, Murder on the Dance Floor, Get the
party started, Movin' on up, Venus, Abba medley, Blame it on the Boogie, Hot
Stuff, Lady Marmalade, Streetlife, Don't Stop Moving, It's Raining Men, Let
Me Entertain You, Walking on Sunshine, I'm So Excited.......and many many
more!
Our very own tribute to Tina Turner:- River Deep Mountain High, Disco
Inferno, The Best Addicted to Love, Nutbush City Limits
The 60's, Motown and Soul include: Various medleys including songs
such as: Dancing in the Street, Mony Mony, Bend Me Shape Me, Do Wah Diddy,
Black is Black etc.
It's My Party, Under the Boardwalk, I only want to be
with you, Sweets for My Sweet, Needles and Pins, Do you Love Me, Think, Da
Doo Ron Ron, Chain Reaction, Supremes Medley, Stuck in the Middle, Midnight
Hour, I Got You, Respect, Heatwave, Nowhere to Run, You Can't Hurry Love,
Walk on By, Rescue Me, Shoop Shoop Song, Baby Love..........
Party & Rock And Roll include: Shout, Twist, Let's Dance, Move
It, Nutrocker, Blue Suede Shoes, Jailhouse Rock, Oh Boy, Rockin' Robin, Walk
of Life, Great Balls of Fire, This Ole' House, Hound Dog, Rock and Roll is
Here to Stay, Splish Splash.
Tribute to Chuck Berry incl: Johnny B Goode and Bye Bye
Johnny Plus our own "Greatest Rock and Roll Medley Ever"
Ballads include: Hero, Eternal Flame, Get Here,
All Woman, Out here on my own, Ben You're still the one, Save the best for
last, Against All Odds
Standards / Other X-Elle is able to provide a
comprehensive package of standards for ballroom dancing and also jazz and
easy listening (instrumental and vocal) for dinner/ background music. For
example:
Are you lonesome tonight, Top of the World,
Unforgettable, Fly me to the moon, Close to you, Killing me Softly, Don't it
make my brown eyes blue, Fever, Hello Dolly, Lady is a tramp, Cry me a
river, The Look of Love, How Sweet it is. Plus our own special tribute to
the Carpenters.
The Band
DIANA NASH – LEAD VOCALS
Diana is a multi talented performer whose career has spanned across
musicals, voiceovers for
television, theatre and writing and recording her own material.
Television adverts her vocals have been used on have been shown worldwide
and she was the
voice of Morag in Channel Fours animation “Attila The Hen”.
Diana has been involved with the music for “Me and my movie”, an exciting
project in
association with BAFTA. The website is part of a unique new children's
film-making initiative,
which inspires and enables kids to make their own films and tell their own
stories.
Diana continues to do session singing for top producers, alongside writing
and recording original material, and performing with X-Elle.
TOR HILLS – BACKING VOCALS
Tor has been singing since the age of 11. She developed her passion for
singing by performing in
local dance school shows and many performances at The Key Theatre,
Peterborough. At the age
of 18, Tor attended the Brighton Institute of Modern Music where she gained
a National
Diploma in Popular Music Performance. She is now studying a degree at the
UK's top popular
music school, Vocal Tech in West London. Tor has been a member of X-Elle for
over 2 years
now, as well as depping for various other London based Function Bands.
AMY BOWLES – BACKING VOCALS
Amy has been singing and dancing from the age of three. Amy has a wealth of
theatre experience and has performed in a number of musicals and pantomimes
at the Key theatre in Peterborough including Cinderella in which she
understudied the Prince, Dandini and Cinderella. As well as understudying in
Panto Amy has played leading roles in musical adaptations of the Merry Wives
of Windsor, Much Ado About Nothing. Amy has also performed on the stages of
the Royal Albert Hall at which she performed a vocal solo, Her Majesties
Theatre and Saddlers Wells. Amy has now been singing with X-elle ever since
they formed and thoroughly enjoys the buzz and entertaining people at their
special occasions. When Amy is not performing she teaches dance to
individuals of all ages.
STEVE HESSION – KEYBOARDS & MD
Steve is an incredibly talented musician and spent many years recording,
touring and arranging for a host of top stars before taking up the position
of musical director at the Key Theatre, Peterborough. He has worked in many
different genres including
theatre, pop, classical and jazz. He is an accomplished pianist, composer
and arranger and continues to artistically drive X-Elle forward.
NICK SMITH - BASS
Widely regarded as one of the UK's foremost exponents of the bass guitar,
Nick has been playing bass since '82 and holds down the rhythm section with
long time associate, Andy Clifton. Starting out by sneakily playing along to
Shadows tunes on his dad's Fender, it soon became apparent that the bass
would be the main instrument of choice! Not long after the purchase of his
first bass and amp, he teamed up with Andy and played many gigs in a band
called `Sleek' this group causing much local interest as the average age of
the players was only 13! Over the years, Nick has played in countless bands
ranging in many different styles of music, including Doctor And The Medics,
and a supporting role as bass player for guitarist Bert
Weedon! Many other bassists have come to admire his technique, most notably,
top players Alan Jones (the UK's top session bass player) and Colin
Hodgkinson
(Back Door, Whitesnake, Mick Jagger etc) More recently, as a core member of
X-Elle, Nick has played bass in a wide variety of diverse projects,
including stints in musical theatre alongside X-Elle MD, Steve Hession,
Andy, Mike and the girls. As to the future, Nick is looking forward to
writing material for a solo album and a tuition book, as well as continuing
to
drive X-Elle along as bass player!
Many thanks to Markbass Amplification, Vigier Basses and Status Graphite.
MIKE ROBINSON – LEAD GUITAR
Mike Robinson represents the X-Elle veterans section, being old enough to
have worked with
many of the major international stars of the 50s and 60s, though he never
did.
An early disciple of Hank Marvin, he eventually saw the light and studied at
the Leeds College
of Music in the 70s where he learnt some really hard chords (that he's not
used since).
His career began at the bottom and went down from there. Balancing
peripatetic guitar teaching
with the resident guitar spot at one of Nottingham's seedier 'International'
night clubs, things
were looking so-so until an interminable nationwide tour with Rod Hull, Emu
and the Pink
Windmill Kids in the 80s just about did for him.
The last 20-odd years have seen him mishandle a huge variety of work, from
recording with the
BBC Radio Orchestra to performing on the QE2, from working in cabaret with
the likes of Tony Christie to waterproofing the Forth Road Bridge.
X-Elle is now providing much needed rehab and integration back into
mainstream society.
ANDY CLIFTON - DRUMS
Began playing drums in 1982 and shortly afterwards joined my first band with
some school friends which quickly developed into the band SLEEK ( see Nicks
biog ). At the same time I began playing drums and percussion for local
amateur dramatics productions. Over the next few years I played in as many
bands and different styles as possible and progressed from amateur to
professional engagements. It was during this time ( approx 1988 ) that I
first played with Steve Hession in a modern jazz quartet setting.
Over the years I have performed with numerous bands and have backed many
“named" artists in theatre / cabaret / gig situations both in the UK and
abroad.
During recent years X-Elle ( along with it's associated Greased, West End
and Bond tribute productions ) have been the main focus of my musical
activities but I still play in musical theatre and with other artists, both
live and in the studio, as the X-elle schedule permits.
Many thanks to PDP drums and Sabian cymbals.
Welcome to the website
of Nice People Productions Entertainment Agency.
We provide a
complete entertainment service and quality wedding and corporate
entertainment
for all types of event in London, England, Wales, Scotland,
East Anglia, Suffolk, Norfolk, Ipswich, Colchester, Bedford, Felixstowe,
Lincoln, Northampton
and across the whole of the UK. We specialise in
Tribute
Bands,
Function Bands, Party Bands 60s 70s and 80s Bands and Name Bands
including Boney M.
Nice People Productions
has a large database of Acts. If you would like
Comedy,
Comedians,
After Dinner Speakers, Magic and Illusion, Close Up
Magicians, Caricaturists, Punch and Judy,Marionettes, Puppet Shows, Fun Casinos, Horse
Racing, Childrens Entertainment,
Father Christmas, Costume Characters,
Look-alikes, Sound-alike, DJs, Mobile Discos, Comperes, Comedy Vocalists,
Stand Up Comics, String Quartets, Harpists,
Fashion Show Choreography with Production.
PA Hire, Audio & Video
Production. Five times Grammy award winning
Amy Winehouse
Tribute is here and
the winner of The hit TV Show The one and only"
Dusty Springfield Tribute. Norfolk is a growing area for
Corporate enteratinment and we strive to provide the best service possible
in Norfolk and indeed East Anglia.
Quality Tribute Acts, Tribute Shows and Tribute Bands are available
through Nice People Productions. Tribute Shows of a Professional Quality
can almost recreate the same atmosphere as that of the star name they
are portraying. Tribute Acts, Tribute Bands and Tribute Shows are
regularly selling out at Hotels and Theatres. Nice People Productions
will guide through Booking Process with ease.
Classic living statues, human statues, mannequins, natural stone
living statue, human statue acts and metallic living statues.
Less is definitely more as the mesmerizing stillness of the living
statue melts into surreal comedy moments and high drama. The Living
Statue and or Human statues are very versatile, requiring minimum space
they can be a theatrical solution for small areas, hold a large crowd in
bigger areas and add artistic kudos to empty areas.
Star names available now from Nice People Productions include:-
Amy Winehouse, Avril Lavigne, B52's, Charlotte Church, Craig David, Danni
Minogue, Kaiser Chiefs, and McFly. For an up to date list please click
the picture to the left.
Feedback via email received re event for
Daze Party Band Feb 16
2008 Having Daze provide the musical entertainment at our Golf
Club Dinner & Dance in February 2008 ensured that the event was a great
success. They engaged with the guests and kept the momentum going all
evening and I was pleased to receive many favourable comments about their
performance. Our guests ranged in age from teens to 70s & 80s and they
managed to accommodate all tastes. They made every effort to meet our
requirements and I would have no hesitation in hiring them again or
recommending them.
All the best,
Gill Feedback via email received re event October 6th 2007
Paul,
Following my phone call yesterday I would just like to say how fantastic
the band were at our wedding. We had a beautiful service,
a great meal and
then the icing on the cake were the band. They were fantastic,
the dance
floor was full for both hour sets.
We have had so many comments from our
guests about them and I can sum it all up by saying,
they really made the
day so special.
Here some other comments from some e-mails I have received.
"Despite being there on my own I couldn't stop myself from dancing given
how good the band were. There's absolutely no doubt
that a good group makes
for a good evening. I was fortunate that most of the gents on our table
didn't mind me
borrowing their wife for a quick boogie barring the last
couple of smooches at the end".
"Hope you are doing well and your dancing feet have recovered! I bet
Neave slept for most of Sunday?
She was dancing all night bless her, she
should start ballet she would love it!"
Please please pass this all on to the band, we will certainly be calling
you again to book them for future functions with
organisations that I am
involved with. ......Jeremy
Would you like to be as happy as Jeremy and his new wife, of course you
would.
A special once in a lifetime day can end up a disaster.
You need great entertainment and you need the help of professional people
who can understand your needs and fears.
When it comes to Quality of sound,
superb presentation and amazing performances, we offer you our professional
help.
We will provide the best entertainment available within your budget.
Don't wait too long, it only takes one other wedding
on the same day to book
your preferred wedding band or wedding singer. CALL NOW 01603426009.
Feedback from an event July 1st 2007 for
Transport & General
Workers Union
I would
like to congratulate you for finding such a terrific band.
Please pass
on our thanks to everyone for their efforts in making the event such a
success.
Thanks .....Eleanor
"AbbaDaze are the Best Abba Tribute Duo We Have seen"
Oxford Hotel
Our Ronan Keating Tribute is Tremendous
"Dave Summerton is Great My Kids Love Him" ..Bradley
Walsh (Actor)
The Best Marilyn Monroe Lookalike...TV Credits for
Citroen & Guinness
Q Mercury.. A Tribute to Freddie Mercury...The Ultimate
Performer
Mr. Ray Lewis The True Professional in Every Way ... A
Great Show
Ray Lewis (Ex Drifters) also Performs with "The New
Drifters"
Splash....Absolutely Fantastic.........Managing Director Bennetts Retail Jimmy Jones.............The People's Comedian....Puts
Bums On Seats
Tim Goodacre.........Superb Vocalist, Nobody does it
better for the Money
The Masters of The House...............former
stars from Les Misrables
Party Planning
Nice
People Productions also Provide a specialist Party
Planning Service including
finding a Venue, Decorating or themeing the
room, Supplying Sound, Lighting and
special Effects, Video Cameras, Video
Screens and Projectors, even Plants.
We are the only company you will need
for the complete Entertainment service for
Corporate Events, Wedding
Services
and Party Organisers in the UK.We would very much like to offer
our Professional experience and
assistance to quote on any entertainment requirements you may have.
Large
or Small budget we still provide a Great Service."We are Nice People, we
understand your Needs and we have the Experience to Provide you with
The
Service that You Require, from a Solo Entertainer to a Mobile Theatre with
Full Production,
We Do ALL the Hard Work and take the Stress out of your
event Leaving you to
Enjoy the Moment and Impress your Guests"Our clients, both private and corporate
include:- hotels and hotel chains, e.g Holiday Inn, Hilton, De Vere,
Swan
and Elizabeth Hotels, private individuals, marketing and
promotion companies,
blue chip organisations, nightclubs, cruise ships,
stately homes, exhibition organisers, agents, councils,
theme parks,
national retail outlets, pub companies, haven holidays, bourne leisure,
Mecca Leisure, Park Resorts and many more....... Please always remember..."The sooner you Book the more likely you
are to receive your First Choice"
We cover many counties/regions
including
all of the following:-
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(George is an Ex Gigging Musician, so he understands us)