Feature: Swing Special
Hullabaloo
I f you follow the live music scene in Kent, you would almost certainly have come
across Hullabaloo at some point.
With a massive following in
Holland, Germany and Belgium
already, they have established
themselves as live music
professionals.

Like it or not, these guys have a
golden key that most bands would
love to own, appealing to a wide
range of audiences they have a
stage presence that washes over
the crowd and when I asked the
lead singer Jarrod about this, his
explanation was very simple...

"We love what we do, and I
think that this must come inspiration from the Everly In addition to being highly
across to people" Brothers. Drums are played by original, Hullabaloo come with a
Shaun O’Keefe whose roots are in pretty impressive CV. Not only do
Hullabaloo are four professional Rockabilly, but whose talents now they regularly play around
musicians who originate from span to jazz and swing. Shaun England and Europe, at festivals
South-East England. Jarrod also adds to the bands superb such as the Cork Jazz Festival in
Coombes on double bass and lead four part harmonies. The newest Ireland, the band has also played
vocals, counts Nat King Cole, member of the band is in South Africa and Dubai. They
Bobby Darren and Ella Fitzgerald saxophonist Ivan Thompson, were also invited to play at the
as his vocal heroes. Both Jarrod whose idols include Zoot Sims, wedding of TV chef, Jamie Oliver.
and guitarist Jim Knowler have Junior Walker and King Curtis. Closer to home, Hullabaloo are
been heavily influenced by Belgian Together these four individuals regulars at the Pizza Express Jazz
gypsy jazz guitarist Django come to produce a distinctive Club Maidstone and the 100 Club
Reinhardt. As well as singing sound, that once heard is rarely London, both popular venues for
backing vocals, Jim also arranges forgotten. jazz legends.
the vocal harmonies and takes his
Above all, the band love playing
music and entertaining people.
Their versatile repertoire of classic
hits spanning the 1930’s to the
present day, played with
enthusiasm and professionalism is
sure to impress any audience.
Look forward to a memorable
occasion (where dancing shoes
and participation is essential)!

Hullabaloo are sensitive to corpo-
rate needs too. If you need some
quiet dinner jazz and then some
well known hits for dancing, they
are happy to accommodate where
possible. Although mainly a jazz/
swing outfit, Hullabaloo can get
the party going when the time is
Jim Knowler & Jarrod Coombes right.
p12 | The Gig Guide | September/October
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