Testimonials

Baly's Cream Jazz played at our Street Party recently and without them the day would have not been the same. They have a very comprehensive list of songs to choose from and all of the musicians in the band are extremely skilled, and it's virtually impossible to keep your feet still. Even the elderly neighbours were dancing! Thank you very much.

Tahmina Tomkins.

We would like to thank Baly’s Cream Jazz for an evening to remember. They recently performed at our annual International Reception where 500 students from across the world were welcomed to Bristol in style. Internationals could not stop talking about their highly professional performance: ‘This band has talent and skill of an exceptional quality’ and ‘The range of songs are truly amazing – like nothing we’ve heard before’.
Thank you Baly’s Cream, you are our number one Bristol based band.
Jacqueline Conradie-Faul and the Bristol International Student Centre (BISC)

Baly's Cream Jazz Band recommend:

If it's rock you want, try:
www.halflightband.co.uk

Paul recommends guitar technician Eltham Jones at
www.edgeguitarservices.co.uk
for all guitar repairs and servicing.

Dear Balys Cream Jazz Band, we thought you may like to know how much we enjoyed the party. The musical choice was excellent. You really have some talented and personable muscians in the ensemble. We liked the fact that we didn't have to shout to hear each other over the meal. Thanks for a good evening,

R&K.
Wedding Photographer.

We are afiliated to two wedding photographers. If you would like advice or further details, you can contact them through us (see contact page) info@balyscreamjazz.co.uk
or alternatively, at:
mark.buff@virgin.net

You can view some of his work on this site:
www.markbuffphotography.com
or:
Caroline lyall at
www.bristolweddingphotographic.co.uk

John Lyall is a professional drumming tutor in Bristol. If you are interested in further details on drum tuition, contact him at:
www.jldrumtuition.co.uk

He is also a member of two other bands; Dr.Jazz and Halflight. Contact at the same address.

About Baly's Cream Jazz Band

Paul Baly: Alto Sax, Acoustic Guitars, Vocals, harmonica, Ukulele.
Paul has played guitar for over 30 years, sax for over 20 years and has played in several bands, mostly GoldFunk and currently Baly's Cream Jazz.
Influences: Paul was trained semi-classically as a singer, but has also been influenced by people like Pentangle, Jacques Loussier, Acoustic Alchemy, Madeleine Peyroux, Dave Grisman and Manhatten Transfer. He teaches guitar to 7- 11 year olds and has made three albums: one with Baly's Cream Jazz, one jazz album with the children he teaches and one of his own jazz compositions. see: www.balymusictuition.co.uk

Darren Jarvis: Acoustic, Resonator and electric guitars.
Influences:
Darren has been with Balys Cream since 1993, playing rhythm and lead guitar. Musically influenced by jazz, fingerstyle and delta blues players, such as Django Reinhardt, Chet Atkins, Robert Johnson and Brooks Williams, Darren plays electric, acoustic and bottleneck resonator guitars by Fender, Lowden, Gitane and Ozark.

Chris Gill: Double Bass, Fretted and Fretless Bass. Chris is one of the original members of Balys Cream Jazz. He enjoys playing pop, soul, funk, blues gospel and jazz.

Mark Bentley: Trumpet and Cornet.
Mark has been with Baly's Cream since 2008, playing the Trumpet and Cornet. He has an eclectic musical taste, with influences ranging from orchestral and brass band music, classics from the Rat Pack through to the Beach Boys, Beatles, Counting Crows, Meat Loaf, Stereophonics & many others. Classically trained, he played in a number of Brass Bands & Orchestras, with Mickey Mouse being one of the high profile celebrities to have heard him play! He is now enjoying the freedom of playing jazz music with Baly's Cream, and the opportunity to develop his own style.

John Lyall: Drums & Percussion.
Biography: John started playing when he was 11 years old and was influenced by drummers like Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Brian Bennett and Ringo Starr.
He likes a wide range of music from Bix Beiderbecke, Benny Goodman, The Shadows, Beatles, Mark Knopfler, JJ Kale, Jeff Beck, The Meters, The Eagles, Madeleine Peyroux, Paolo Nutini and many more.
John was playing in clubs when he was fourteen with The Concords (Bristol's youngest beat- group). As time rolled on he played a wide variety of music playing in function bands, Bristol Concert Wind band,Country F M.,Textas (tribute band), Into The Shadows (tribute band), Pete Burges and the Resonators.
John has completed four albums and have recorded for B.B.C Bristol.He is currently playing with Dr Jazz, Halflight and Balys Cream Jazz. He also works full time teaching drums from his studio in Bristol. www.jldrumtuition.co.uk.

Chris O'Shea: Flute, bass guitar, keyboards, PA.
Chris started piano lessons when he was 7 and flute from 8 years old, following the ABRSM 'Grades' method of teaching to grade 8 with flute so the bulk of his early influences were classical, his preference being for Baroque music and JS Bach in particular. He then played in the University of Bristol wind orchestra for 4 years. He likes the music of Queen & the Eagles, but enjoys the freedom to explore jazz.

Laura Williams: vocals.
Laura has an amazingly warm contralto voice. Influences include Pop, Gospel and Blues.