The Jay Bees

  • from £1425 in North West Help
  • from £1425 in Yorkshire & Humberside
  • from £1425 in West Midlands
  • from £1450 in Wales
  • from £1500 in North East
  • from £1550 in East of England
  • from £1550 in East Midlands
  • from £1575 in South East
  • from £1595 in South West
  • from £1595 in Scotland
  • from £1650 in London

Hard hitting seven-piece Manchester based funk band, recreating and refreshing the classic raw funk of the late James Brown and the J.B.’s, alongside similar artists from the same era.

Do you want to relive the magic of the Godfather of Soul? Do you want to ensure your guests dance with their smiles high. If your answer to both the above is a resounding 'yes', then The Jay Bees are your answer. A hard hitting six or seven-piece funk band, they recreate and refresh the classic raw funk of the late James Brown and the J.B.’s. The Jay Bee’s line-up includes Vocals, Saxophone, Guitars, Bass and Drums and Trumpet for the larger band. The group has been playing together since 2004. Every member is a top class professional musician with a wealth of experience. Vocalist Jon, the lead singer is currently recording his own material with legendry Grammy award winning producer Al Stone. Al is famous for producing platinum selling albums by artists including Bjork, Jamiroquai and The Stereo M.C’s.  Guitarist Ben won BBC ‘Busker of the Year’ in 2005 and has toured with Chris de Burgh.

The Jay Bees standard show is made up of two 60 or 3 x 40 minute sets. These can contain any combination of the material mentioned to suit your needs. You are also welcome to request other songs which are not on this list but requests need to be made at the time of booking. Shows of shorter or longer duration are also possible, and thanks to the wealth of talent within the band other “extras” are available. These include an Acoustic Duo or Jazz Trio for background music or a Funk/Party DJ to continue the music into the early hours. The band provide their own sound reinforcement and stage lighting as standard. Off stage the band is friendly, professional and discreet. So if you’re planning a corporate function, wedding, engagement party, birthday bash, school reunion or anniversary get in touch with the Jay Bees, we guarantee that you and your guests will “get on the good foot” and have a “funky good time!”

Performance information

Line-up Male vocals, guitar x 2, bass, sax or keys, drums
Performance duration 2 x 60 or 3 x 40 minute sets
Performance area required 16ft wide x 10ft deep
Recorded music provided between sets Yes (included in price)
Set-up/sound-check duration 1 hour
Lighting Yes (included in price)
Public Liability Insurance (PLI) Yes
PAT certificate Yes

Booking options

Requests (if not in repertoire) First request free (subject to suitability)
Late performances/Use of PA £100 per hour
Early set-up/sound-check £100 per hour before 6pm
7 piece band (adds a trumpet player) Add £225
60 minute acoustic duo set Add £200

What people say

  • Just wanted to say how great The Jay Bees were for our wedding on 17th October. Although we obviously said thanks to them on the day, we wanted to pass on our official 'thanks' to them via yourselves and to say how brilliant they were. Could you pass this on to them? Many thanks!

    Claire J., Wedding, Manchester, October 2009

  • I whole heartedley recomend the Jaybees they made my wedding so special. All of my guests commented on how amazing they were. The genre of music suited the wide range of ages and musical tastes. The band were so friendly and overplayed as my guests were pleading for more! We were absolutely astonished that the lead singer was a stand in- he was phenomenal. The band and function central were fantastic.

    The band was well worth every penny!

    Sam B., Wedding, Manchester, August 2009

  • Just had to contact you to thank you so much for providing us with such an excellent band! The Jay Bees were superb! From arrival, to performance, everything was totally professional and well executed. The guys were charming, discreet and easy to talk to and as for the music, as my daughters and their friends said, they were 'HOT'. Jon has a very distinct voice, I love it! All in all, the party was a great success and a huge part of that is due to The Jay Bees. Just trying to think of another excuse to hire them again! Thank you so much! Jacqueline & family x

    Jackie H., Wedding, Staffordshire, August 2009

  • Tight, soulful, dynamic and always funky. The band could have played all night long if you ask me.

    Matt W., Birthday Party, Cheshire, July 2009

  • You want relentless funk'til-you-drop delivered by one of the best outfits around? You've come to the right place...The Jay Bees have perfected the art of filling the dance floor with thier seriously infectious feel-good covers. This is as good as it gets!

    Rob D, Producer for Lisa Stansfield, London, May 2008

Repertoire

  • James Brown Songs
  • Hot Pants
  • Mother Popcorn
  • I Feel Good
  • Sex Machine
  • Cold Sweat
  • Think
  • Payback
  • It’s Magic
  • Soul Power
  • Super Bad
  • It’s A Man's World
  • Please, Please, Please
  • Doin' It To Death
  • There Was A Time
  • I Got The Feelin’
  • Lickin’ Stick
  • Try Me
  • Papas Got A Brand New Bag*
  • Get Up Offa That Thing*
  • Get On The Good Foot
  • Give It Up Or Turn It A Loose
  • Talkin' Loud Sayin’ Nothin
  • Drive Your Funky Soul
  • General Funk, Soul & R&B
  • Express Yourself
  • Funky Stuff
  • Pass The Peas
  • Cut The
  • Cake
  • Pick Up The Pieces
  • Midnight Hour
  • Mustang Sally
  • Soul Man
  • Take Me To The River
  • Hard To Handle
  • This Old Heart Of
  • Mine
  • Respect
  • Son Of A Preacher Man
  • Rescue Me
  • Shake Your Tail
  • Feather
  • Stand By Me
  • Higher And Higher
  • Aint No Stopping Us Now
  • Always There
  • Carwash
  • Aint Nobody
  • Just The Two Of Us
  • Use Me.
  • I Wish
  • Superstition,
  • Living For The City
  • Higher Ground
  • Signed Sealed Delivered
  • Musicology
  • It's About That Walk
  • Cosmic Girl
  • Virtual
  • Insanity
  • Too Young To Die
  • Rehab
  • Valerie