Below is a selection of the feedback from clients who have previously booked our Function Band. If you have seen the band and would like to give us more feedback, please e-mail us here.
"Dear Mike,
When I heard about you, a jazz, Rat Pack and soul band made up from former AGS and AHS pupils, I just knew you were perfect for our Ball to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Aylesbury High School.
Now we are here on Monday after the Ball, I have to tell you how many people have contacted me to let me know how WONDERFUL Down for the Count were. You were professional, smart and above all flexible!
You changed from a jazz quintet to greet our guests as they sipped champagne, to the full function band to dance to after the dinner. And dance! I have never seen a dance floor more packed for the whole evening. Everyone loved dancing to the Rat Pack set - so sophisticated! The soul set was perfect to dance to the end of the evening.
You may have heard that no-one was prepared to let you off the stage - the "encores" could be heard in the next county!
So a very big thank you from us all at AHS - you made the evening."
Fran Newman, AHS 50th Birthday Commemoration Ball, June 2010
"Hi Mike,
Just a short email to say how much we enjoyed having Down for the Count at our party on Saturday. You were absolutely fantastic. Very nice people, very smartly dressed, very well organised and flexible, and you even learnt a song that we requested! We were so happy with the band and would thoroughly recommend you to anyone. You were absolutely great.
Thanks very much."
Ellie, 21st Birthday Party, Cheltenham, April 2010
"Hi Mike, I just wanted to drop you a quick email to thank you and your band members for the excellent music we received for my special birthday celebration dinner on 7th November at the Carriage House Restaurant. Without exception, all my guests were impressed with the quality and professionalism of your band. I have received lots of compliments - all of which you certainly deserve.
The evening went without a hitch and we could have all danced on for hours and hours!! My thanks again for helping to make the musical entertainment part of a memorable evening. I will certainly recommend you to anyone who is looking for high quality music for a special event."
Chris, 50th Birthday Party, Buckinghamshire, November 2009
"Hi Mike,
After our wedding last week we wanted to write to thank you and the band for your fantastic performance. We both had a brilliant day, as did our guests, and Down for the Count were a vital part of it, creating the perfect atmosphere. All three of the sets were spot on and really kept the night buzzing right through to the end of the party. So many people have commented on how much they loved both the music and the dancing and it will certainly live long in our memories.
Thanks also for letting us plug in our laptop, use your mikes and for being so accomodating and flexible with our timings for the evening which went a bit off schedule.
Thanks again for helping to make our wedding party so special."
Tom & Tracy, Wedding Reception, Stratford-Upon-Avon, July 2009
"Well, what a fabulous evening!!
Thank you so much for making the party so enjoyable. All of our friends had a great time and several said "it was the best party ever"! They especially liked the music and were impressed by your repertoire and talent. We loved the jazz sets and I am sure you all noticed how many people were dancing to the soul set.
Please pass on our thanks to the band and especially to you for your hard work and energy - you should get some follow on Gigs from the rave comments I heard."
Guy & Lin, 30th Wedding Anniverary party, Buckinghamshire, June 2008
"Dear Mike,
Sarah and Jami are, of course, on honeymoon. However I couldn't wait until they return to send our own thank-you for your fantastic music at our daughter's wedding last Saturday. You were absolutely perfect and really hit the spot getting all ages on the floor - from age four to ninety! We will highly recommend you."
Lin Carey, Mother of the Bride, Oxfordshire, June 2008
"To Mike and all the guys in Down for the Count,
Well, we're back from our honeymoon now; and we'd both like to really thank all of you for helping to make our wedding such a fantastic day.
The music was perfect from the first dance to the last - even if our dancing didn't quite do it justice! Everyone had so many great things to say about you, and were unanimous in your praise.
The only downside was that it had to end!"
Richard & Jo, Wedding Reception, East Sussex, April 2008
" Down for the Count played at one of my oldest friend's weddings last week - the best wedding I've ever been to, and the band played a huge part in that! We all rushed to the dancefloor and didn't leave. The music pleased all age groups, which is just what you want on these occasions, and the band looked like they really enjoyed being there too. I've stored them in the memory bank to recommend to others - talented, professional, slick, fun!"
Gilly, attending Lucie & James wedding - 11 August 07, Beesthorpe Hall, Nottingham, August 2007
"I can honestly say that having the band play at our event was the highlight of our evening. From the moment we contacted them about a quote to the end of the evening they were always happy to work around our needs which took the pain out of the organising! Their flexibility, professional attitude but above all, their fantastic performance was exactly what we were looking for. I would not hesitate to recommend them for any event where you want to provide that 'something special' for your guests."
Sarah Curtis, E.ON UK Corporate Event, Coventry, September 2007
"Hi Mike,
I thought I would email you to thank you for your brilliant performance at our wedding.
We both thought you were fantastic and really helped finish the day off with some outrageous dancing!
Thank you as well for being so flexible and accommodating with your equipment so that we could play as well, it made everything much easier!!
When we were planning the wedding, my father didn't think that we needed a band and wanted to have a disco set up but I am so pleased that I persevered. He is now eating his words and is glad that I persevered too!
Well, If I ever need a band booked in the future of if anyone needs a band recommended, I will definitely come back to you."
Jami & Sarah Wedding Reception, Oxfordshire, June 2008
"Just a short letter to thank you and the band for such a wonderful performance at Ian’s recent birthday party. You all made such an effort to make the day go well. The choice of both background and dance music was perfect – the combination of jazz and soul numbers that showed off the vocals and solos made it great listening and, on top of that, you also managed to incorporate some of Ian’s favourites into your set – it was really special.
All of our guests were impressed by the band’s professionalism, vitality, humour and obvious talent – quite a few have asked for your details for their own do’s – I hope they get in touch.
I wish you and the band all the very best for the future – and thanks again."
Sally Forster, January 2006
"This talented group of young musicians under the mentorship of Mike Paul-Smith played recently at my 50th birthday celebration. I can honestly say that the band were not merely a part of the party, but that they made the party. The standard of musicianship and the panache with which they perform is a credit to them. They gave my family and 200 guests a lot of fun and ensured the evening went with a swing. Without exception the feedback from my friends was that they have not enjoyed an evening as much as this in a long time. Do not hesitate to book these guys. They’re great!"
Hugh Martin, April 2005
"I have absolutely no qualms in recommending Down for the Count to anyone wishing to have a fantastic band for their wedding/event. Mike was fantastic, helping us pick out our songs and arranging the schedule for the day. Every guest congratulated us on the wonderful performance. To all members of the band, you were brilliant!"
Neil Beattie, Wedding Reception, October 2007
"Down for the Count were fantastic on the night and had everybody up and dancing. The lead vocals are really something. Just what we were hoping for."
Sally Woods, Northampton Hospice Fundraiser Ball Feb 2006
"Down for the Count played recently at the Royal Latin School Year 11 Ball and were simply magnificent. Not only did they get everyone in the room dancing, they brought an air of class and sophistication to the evening which certainly made my night, and everybody else's too. The music was excellent, a joy to listen to, and I would recommend them without hesitation to anybody looking for a live band."
Zack Ferguson, Royal Latin School Year 11 Ball, July 2006