Hire Nick Smith | Saxophonist in Poole

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From£375

1 hour

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About Nick

Soul, Blues, Pop, Rock, Funk, Theatre, Jazz; all comfortable styles for me. Reader, improviser, happy to play by ear. Jolly chap, too...

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Saxophonist

Poole

Public liability insurance of £10 million

Verified profile

Born to parents, Nick was a slow starter with music; a "child prodigy" was how no one described him. After leaving University and getting a real job, Nick remembered he used to play sax, and pausing only to earn a living for a few years and pay off the student loans, Nick threw off the shackles of stable income to become a freelance muso. Sixteen years on, he's no better off, but likes life more. Solo or band work is equally welcome, Nick is willing to travel and very happy to perform in any style, please get it touch if you'd like to know more.

Nick

4.9 out of 5

4 verified reviews

Satisfaction

5.0

Professionalism

5.0

Communication

5.0

Punctuality

4.3

Nick's Reviews

5 out of 5

We were really pleased with the service we received from Nick… from initial communication and booking right through to him turning up on the day it all went very smoothly and his music was the perfect accompaniment to our wedding drinks reception. Thank you

Reply from Nick

7 months ago

Thanks Kate, from my perspective I was well looked-after too! I hope the rest of the day went just as well, and thanks for having me. Congratulations again!

4.5 out of 5

Nick was absolutely fantastic. Guest at our wedding reception raved about his saxophone playing and s lovely guy too. Would have no problems in booking him again. If you want a professional Sax player book this guy .

5 out of 5

Great communication / great musician! Highly recommended!

5 out of 5

Hi Nick, I wanted to say a huge thank you for playing last night. You created an amazing atmosphere and the guests loved it! I will definitely be recommending you :) Kind regards Katy

Nick recently played at our wedding during the ceremony and drinks reception. Nick spent lots of time emailing before the ceremony to ensure we were happy with song choices which was such a lovely touch. Nick was absolutely amazing on the big day, it sounded incredible. Lots of our guests also came up to us commenting on how brilliant he was as well. I would definitely, definitely recommend.

Read all 3 reviews

Encore badges

5 gigs

Experienced: 5 bookings through Encore

Saved the day!

Booked for an Encore gig with less than 24 hours’ notice

8th Anniversary

This act has been working with Encore for over 8 years

Encore expert

Demonstrated expertise by completing the Encore Academy

Member of the Encore community forum

Nick's Song list

** A typical setlist performed for your pleasure can include:

All Blues - Miles Davis

All of Me - John Legend

Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison

Can't Stop the Feeling - Trolls/Justin Timberlake

Careless Whisper - George Michael

Crazy Love - Michael Bublé

December '63 - The Four Seasons

Every Breath You Take - The Police

Fever - Michael Bublé

Fly Me to the Moon - Frank Sinatra

Got My Mind Set on You - George Harrison

How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You - Junior Walker/James Taylor

I Can See Clearly Now - Jimmy Cliff

I'm a Believer - Shrek/The Monkees

Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley

Just the Two of Us - Austin Powers/Bill Withers

Let's Face the Music and Dance - Robbie Williams

Let There Be Love - Nat King Cole

Moon River - Audrey Hepburn

Night and Day - Frank Sinatra

Perfect- Ed Sheeran

Rather Be - Clean Bandit/Jess Glynne

Sunny Afternoon - The Kinks

Signed, Sealed, Delivered... - Stevie Wonder

Up All Night - Take That

The Way You Make Me Feel - Michael Jackson

We Are Young - Fun

Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong

** Jazz Standards include:

As Time Goes By - Herman Hupfeld (from Casablanca)

Take the A-Train - Billy Strayhorn

Bésame Mucho - Consuelo Velázquez

Canteloupe Island - Herbie Hancock

Chameleon - Herbie Hancock

Comin' Home Baby - Mel Tormé

Crazy Rhythm - Kahn/Ceasar/Mayer

Days of Wine and Roses - Henry Mancini

Del Sasser - Cannonball Adderley

Girl from Ipanema - Astrid Gilberto

Grazin' in the Grass - Hugh Masekela

(On) Green Dolphin Street - Bronisław Kaper

Honeysuckle Rose - Fats Waller

How High the Moon - Morgan Lewis

Jeannine - Cannonball Adderley

I Just Wanna Make Love to You - Willie Dixon

Joy Spring - Clifford Brown

Mambo Italiano - Bob Merrill

Mas Que Nada - Jorge Ben Jor

Mercy Mercy Mercy - Joe Zawinul

Mr Bojangles - Jerry Jeff Walker

Never Too Much - Luther Vandross

Route 66 - Nat 'King' Cole

Satin Doll - Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn

Summertime - George Gershwin

Stranger on the Shore - Acker Bilk

Unforgettable - Irving Gordon

When the Saints... - Traditional

Work Song - Nat Adderley

**Party songs include:

All Shook Up - Elvis Presley

Baby Come Back - Pato Banton

Baby I Love Your Way - Peter Frampton

Baggy Trousers - Madness

Baker Street - Gerry Rafferty

Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino

Brown Sugar - Rolling Stones

Can't Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley

Can't Take My Eyes off You - Andy Williams

Dancing in the Street - Martha and the Vandellas

Forget You - Cee Lo Green

Get Ready - The Temptations

Great Balls of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis

Golden Lady - Stevie Wonder

Hound Dog - Elvis Presley

Hit the Road Jack - Ray Charles

I Wanna Dance With Somebody - Whitney Houston

I Wish - Stevie Wonder

I'll Be There For You - Rembrandts

Johnny B Goode - Chuck Berry

La Bamba - Richie Valens

Living Doll - Cliff Richard

Lonely Together - Avicii/Rita Ora

Marry You - Bruno Mars

Never Give Up on a Good Thing - George Benson

Mr Brightside - Killers

You're My First, My Last, My Everything - Barry White

One Step Beyond - Madness

Play That Funky Music - Wild Cherry

The Prayer - Josh Groben/Celine Dion

Reet Petite - Jackie Wilson

Ring of Fire - Johnny Cash

Rock Around the Clock - Bill Haley

Save the Last Dance for Me - Michael Bublé

Somebody that I Used to Know - Gotye

Soul With a Capital S - Tower of Power

Streetlife - Crusaders

Stuck in the Middle With You - Stealers Wheel

Superstition - Stevie Wonder

Sway - Michael Bublé

Teddy Bear - Elvis Presley

Tequila - The Champs

The Thrill Is Gone - B B King

Uptown Funk - Bruno Mars

Valerie - Amy Winehouse

Walk On By - Dionne Warwick

We Are In Love - Harry Connick Jr

You Can Get it if You Really Want - Jimmy Cliff

** Frank Sinatra classics:

April in Paris

Have You Met Miss Jones

I've Got You Under My Skin

The Lady is a Tramp

Me and My Shadow

My Kinda Town

My Way

New York, New York

One For My Baby (and One More for the Road)

The Shadow of Your Smile

Something Stupid

The Way You Look Tonight

(I've Got the) World on a String

** Epic Ballads include:

Always on My Mind - Michael Bublé

Angels - Robbie Williams

Careless Whisper - George Michael

Cry Me a River - Michael Bublé

Everything - Michael Bublé

Home - Michael Bublé

Imagine - John Lennon

Love is All Around - Wet Wet Wet

Me and Mrs Jones - Michael Bublé

Our Day Will Come - Mort Garson

Shine - Take That

Skyfall - Adele

Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheehan

What a Difference a Day Makes - Dinah Washington

When You Say Nothing at All - Ronan Keating

Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton

Writing's On the Wall - Sam Smith

** Disney classics include:

Can You Feel the Love Tonight

Beauty and the Beast

Circle of Life

Hakuna Matata

I Just Can't Wait to be King

A Whole New World

Nick's Prices

Last updated: 2024

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Performance duration	Price
Short performance (up to 15 min)	£250
Up to 1 hour	£375
Up to 2 hours	£425
Up to 3 hours	£475

Wedding ceremony

This includes music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave.

£210

Drinks reception

Two performances of up to 60 mins each during your drinks reception

£330

Party Rate

Three performances of up to 45 mins each during your event

£385

Wedding ceremony + Drinks reception + Dinner

- Music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave. - 2 x 45 min performances at the drinks reception. - 2 x 45 min performances as dinner is being served.

£500

Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

Clients and their guests love my saxophone! It's actually a modern instrument, though it looks vintage. It's been well used!

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

As a solo artist I have performed at venues throughout the south such as 10 Castle Street in Cranbourne, and the Ageas Bowl (Hants Cricket Ground) in Southampton, while in my career with other bands I've performed at festivals and events all over Europe.

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

I'm fairly eclectic, taking influence from musicians like Queen, Sidney Bechet, Ella Fitzgerald, Michael Jackson, Peggy Lee, George Ezra, Mr. Scruff, Amy Winehouse and Frank Sinatra.

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

As a band member I've performed gigs and tours all over the UK, Norway, Israel, France, Ireland, Greece, Germany, Czechia, Poland and probably most notably supporting Gary Moore in front of around 40,000 people at the Moto Clube Faro biker festival in Portugal. That was a fun one!

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

I always try my best to be flexible to help ensure your event runs as smoothly as possible. If timings change slightly in the run up to the event just let me know.

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

Absolutely. This is a really popular request and I actually offer this service for free. I can accommodate any music player with a standard headphone socket, or play a shared Spotify playlist for you if that's easier. I also offer a virtual DJ service after my final set. Please ask for details.

How much time do you need to set up?

I usually take around 20 minutes to set up my equipment, plus a little time to check the volume levels. Packing away again takes around the same sort of time, and I do try to be as discreet as possible!

Can I pick the songs you play from the set list?

I'm very happy to take direction on this - I often get requests during my sets. Please get in touch if you'd like me to play any particular style.

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

Yes, I'm fully self-contained. Everything is PAT checked and insured, too.

Can you learn song requests before the event?

If you'd like a specific song for your first dance or another reason, I'd be pleased to learn it for you; given enough notice that's not a problem!

Musicianship

Genres:

Soul, Pop, Rock, Musical theatre, Film / TV music, House, 1920s era music, 1930s era music, 1940s era music, 1950s era music, 1960s era music, 1970s era music, 1980s era music, Jazz, Blues, Cabaret, Dixieland, Latin jazz, Postmodern jukebox jazz, Ragtime, Swing, Easy listening, Covers, Top 40, Tribute, Vintage, Motown, Funk, Ska, Gypsy jazz, Marching, Christmas

See all genres

Instruments:

Saxophone, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Flute, Tenor saxophone, Alto saxophone, Baritone saxophone, Soprano saxophone

See all instruments

Event types:

Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Burns night, Birthday party, Christmas party

See all event types

Other skills:

Arranger, Transcription, Fluent improviser, Fluent sight-reader, Instrumental teaching, Theory teaching

See all skills