Funky Buddha get the party going at the 2013 Print Awards in London!

We were delighted to be invited to play at the 2013 Print Awards in London this week.  Our 7 piece party band did an hour of cool jazz and chillout music over drinks and canapes as well as 2 hours of full on party music.  Special thanks to all the staff at The Grovenor Hotel in Park lane for looking after us so well throughout the evening.

The ceremony

Enjoying a boogie after

Funky Buddha Adventures...

We've been busy playing a a great set of weddings and parties since the last blog, and have met so many lovely people and seen some great places too!

There were great views playing at the walled garden in Cowdray park

Cowdray Ruins

And Josie and Mark got married at the Dome theatre in Worthing, what a great venue looking out to the sea and full of character.

Buddha boys at the Dome before playing

There were fantastic views at Lyme Regis!

Lyme Regis - a walk before playing at the theatre.

Abi gets the party going at Lyme Regis theatre

Hot Hot Hot! an amazing summer of gigs

I know the purpose of a blog is to keep everyone up to date with what we've been up to, but my blogs are a bit like my diary ... occasional!  I'll work on it :)

So then, what's been going on? we have played at 40 weddings and events since my last blog in June (which may account for the absence of updates here).  It's been a great year, but this summer has been my favourite, we have met so many great people and played at some wonderful locations, how about this for a view...

Studland

And here are the guests enjoying a boogie to Funky Buddha - this looks like a slow dance!

There has been a lot of traveling around the country, and it does sometimes feel like a bit of a road trip, but as long as there are rewards along the way we are happy...

Huw and Kelly

You may know that Funky Buddha comes in different sizes, mostly people opt for the 7 piece band, but this summer the 10 piece band has also been popular.  It's a GREAT sound with 3 singers and 3 horn players.  We had a fabulous night at Hendon Hall

Hendon Hall

Richmond Hill Hotel

Tithe Barn - Ditcham

Buddha Ladies

I have so many photos - but alas I can't always remember where they were, so if by any chance you read this blog and recognise yourself or your friends then let me know.  Here are a few to get started with...

Busy Busy Busy Buddhas!

Well a lot has happened since the last blog - it's been a long time, we have been playing at weddings, parties and functions every weekend since January - honestly.

In between performances we have rehearsed up some great new songs that are now included into our party sets; they have had audiences jumping up and down, dancing the night away and shouting 'More More More!' when we finish.

We've been playing all over the place, there have been weddings in Norfolk, Derbyshire, Cornwall,Somerset, Surrey, Sussex, Northampton, London and a few performances in our home city Brighton.  It's been great fun and we've met so many lovely people on the way. We also played at Epsom races for 2 days last week - already booked us for next year! Thanks to all the staff for looking after us so well and to the guests for their endless enthusiasm.

I've been busy playing solo piano for wedding ceremonies and over drinks/dinner, and have a chance to play on some wonderful pianos too which has been a bonus!   Our jazz option is turning out to be very popular - we included this last summer at a discounted price when people book us for the evening and I'm pleased to say that we will be continuing to offer this for the foreseeable future.  Our options are very flexible, Kelly and I have been performing solo piano and voice at weddings and Mark is busy playing guitar for weddings too.  Buddalicious has been busy too - this option is great for smaller venues as it's a 3 piece band, but still has all the great Funky Buddha backing playing along with the live music.

I've taken a lot of photos on the way which I'l attach to this blog - you may see yourself dancing in them!

Happy New Year!

Mark

Jim - roamed around Battersea power station playing solo sax to arriving guests

Happy New Year!

so it's been a very very busy time... LOTS of parties and even a few Christmas weddings.

Huw (and drums!)

Throughout December we played at parties and weddings - including a contract with Best Parties Ever at Battersea Power station.  The theme was 1920's (as you can see from our outfits!).  It was great fun - playing jazz as guests arrived, throwing in a couple of cheeky Christmas classics during dinner and finishing off with our much loved party set!  

We also played at the Royal Holloway University - photos to follow.... beautiful beautiful wedding and some VERY good dancing too!  




AND weddings in.... Cornwall... Kent.... Sussex2012 finished in style playing to a great audience on New Years Eve.... then REST!  But, not for long as we are preparing some new exciting songs for this year.  The next showcase is in March, you could come and have a listen for yourself.

View of the dance floor as we played

Abbie 

Looking up!

Me - given size 10 boots and a hard hat to wear as we load in..... 

View from inside

Looking good in 1920's dress