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Played at Amberley Castle near Arundel on Saturday for a beautiful wedding. We provided a jazz trio during the champagne (and Pimms) reception, then 3 x 45 minute sets of party music in the evening. Fabulous grounds, polite and helpful staff, a wonderful wedding planner (Isobel Lamplough), fireworks, even a rare albino peahen – we had such a nice time. Looking forward to performing there again soon.

Cornucopia rocked the Dover Street Wine Bar last night – we played a 2-set showcase there from 10.30pm and received many appreciative comments from the punters (and indeed the bouncers!). The sound seems to have vastly improved there since last I played Dover St – I seem to remember being hit with a wall of noise. We will hopefully be holding these showcases every 3 months to enable our clients to see us perform. Most of our gigs are private, so it’s a bit difficult otherwise. I shall keep you informed…

Cornucopia opened up the conference for the GSK Oncology Department up in the North Mymms training centre with a fantastic rendition of Queen’s “One Vision”. We then performed for their evening Masked Ball and had them crying out for more at the end of the night. On request we included a few more Queen numbers which seemed to be appreciated by all. Queen stuff is not necessarily the best stuff to dance to, but it is enormous fun to play, so we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. On that note, Cornucopia are quite happy to learn up to 3 songs for your event, as long as there is adequate notice (that means more than a week!).

CORNUCOPIA – OUSEFIELD HOUSE OFFICERS’ MESS TESTIMONIAL

“I would like to take this rather belated opportunity to thank both yourself and your band members for the superb levels of entertainment you have delivered at the Officers’ Mess for the two major functions that we hold each year. Both the Summer Ball (17 Jul 10) and Xmas Ball (11 Dec 10) were outstanding events that benefitted greatly from the professional expertise and flexibility that you have afforded the Mess Committee on both occasions. With a diverse Membership ranging from the ages of mid twenties through to mid seventies the attendees are always going to be potentially difficult to please. However, you have an unfailing ability to judge what needs to be delivered and managed to keep the dance floor packed throughout the evening. Be it catering for the broad needs of a diverse audience or “banging out” the modern classics in the early hours, the live entertainment and disco have been outstanding. The seven and five piece groups that you provided for the two events met all expectations and where very responsive to the tailored needs of both evenings. Qualifying my comments with the observation that I have been involved in organising events in various capacities over the last 16 years I can confidently and unreservedly recommend the services of Cornucopia to any potential customer.”

D Godderidge
Major
President of the Mess Committee

Well, we didn’t play for the Royal Wedding, but our lead vocalist Damien did sing at Hyde Park in the afternoon before hot-footing it down to Horsted Place near Uckfield for a beautiful wedding. A fantastic gig – indeed, possibly one of our best. We wowed them with 3 sets, and we had the lovely Maria Henderson on vocals with Damien. We wish Lauren and Matt every happiness together.

Went along to the amazing One Marylebone with Mary-Jane from Halcyon Weddings last night to attend the Luella’s Boudoir Wedding Fair. It was stunning. One Marylebone is an amazing venue to start with… and with red roses on the walls (amazing what one can do with some red par-cans and gobos) the main hall looked sensational. There were some beautiful dresses being paraded on the catwalk down in the basement – Rock ‘n’ Roll Bride was there in all her shocking-pink-haired glory, and it was lovely to put faces to names. Caught up with a few old friends, and made a few new ones. Delicious, unusual chilled sparkling red wine from Grainger’s Fine Wine and amaaaaaazing vodka cocktails (I had 3!) courtesy of Uluvka Vodka. Gorgeous canapes were provided by Cottage Caterers with Rhubarb – wish I’d managed to get a few more prawns though…!

It’s official. “Cornucopia are the best band for Rockaoke we’ve ever heard”. So say Marc and Julie, who hired the band to play for their wedding in Brighton. “We went to see several Rockeoke bands at places like the Roadhouse, but they were all a bit limited in the choice of music they offered. Cornucopia’s song list is massive and covers all sorts of genres. They even accompanied my dad singing some light opera, but still managed the Kings of Leon and Duffy. Richard was also really encouraging, and all our guests left the stage with huge smiles on their faces.”

Unlike many of the bands out there who simply ditch the lead singer and allow a punter to take their place, Cornucopia are experts at making the “guest star” feel a part of what is going on. With the ability to transpose easily and instantaneously, and armed with an extensive songlist (and a vast body of other material just in case), Cornucopia are fast becoming the UK’s number one choice for Rockaoke. It’s much more fun than Karaoke, as it has the live band element, and there is a real sense of achievement from the participants. Move over Chris Moyles. Know your place.

Last night we performed at the Ousefield House Officers Mess Christmas Party in York. The 5-piece played till 1am and I DJ-ed until 3am – some dedicated partygoers were still on the dancefloor right till the end. It’s a long way to go, but it’s worth it – they know how to party and always treat us very well. We are building on our contacts with the military functions, and they seem to like us because we are not only a fantastic band, but we are straightforward and easy to deal with.