Guitarist

Jason Henson

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About Jason

Jazz, Swing and Gypsy Jazz bands of all sizes and instrumentation available.
Guitarist
Brighton
Public liability insurance of £10 million
Verified profile

I’ve been playing the guitar for over 25 years, and turned professional over 20 years ago. I’ve worked with many of the world’s finest musicians, including the US legend Joe Lee Wilson, Bobby Wellins, Jo Hunter, Andy Mackintosh, Louis Stewart, Jim Mullen, Alan Barnes, Andy Panayi, Simon Spillett, Geoff Simkins, Rino Van Hooijdonk, Charlotte Glasson, Chris Speading, Herbie Flowers, Sam Spoons, Mike Piggott, and Jonny Hepbir. It was with Jonny that I travelled to the gypsy campsites in Holland and Germany to play with some of the grand masters of gypsy jazz in order to incorporate their incredible techniques into my playing. Some of my heroes and influences on the guitar are: Django Reinhardt, Joe Pass, Barney Kessel, Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Freddie Green, Charlie Christian, Lenny Borough, Billy bean, Louis Stewart and Russell Malone to name only a few. As well as playing in many jazz clubs all over England, I’ve appeared on the BBC and have travelled the world performing at festivals, on cruise ships and at many other events. Music festivals I’ve performed at include Love Supreme, South Coast Jazz Festival, Beachdown Festival, Marlborough Jazz Festival, Ealing Jazz Festival, Swanage Jazz Festival, Bestival, North Devon Jazz Festival, Hayling Island Jazz Festival, Glasgow Jazz Festival, Teignmouth Jazz Festival and Plymouth World Music Festival. Previous clients Paul McCartney Vogue magazine Mark Williams (The Fast Show, Harry Potter) Credit Suisse Jo Malone Harrods William and Son The Shard Four Seasons Claridges Hotel The Ritz Hotel Savoy Hotel Oxo Tower Swan Hellenic Hurlingham Club

Jason
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5 out of 5
12 verified reviews
Satisfaction
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5.0
Professionalism
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5.0
Communication
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5.0
Punctuality
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5.0

Jason's Reviews

From Encore customers:

EL
Ella L
5 months ago
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5 out of 5

Brilliant musician! Such an enjoyable experience, and a great accent to our wedding.

Reply from Jason
5 months ago

I had a lovely time and enjoyed the gig. Thanks so much for having me and looking after me!

JS
Janet S
2 years ago
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

Very pleased to have found Jason on the internet. Good communication when booking direct with Jason. I found Encore slightly confused the issue. Performance on the night was just what was required

From other customers:

JP
Jo P
5 years ago, for a Corporate event in Brighton Pavilion
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5 out of 5

Organising the booking with Sam was easy and quick and then the music on the night was brilliant, totally perfect for the setting and the event. Would definitely recommend!

PM
Phil M
5 years ago, for a Wedding in Abergavenny NP7
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

My wife and I took a trip to Brighton to listen to Sam Carelse's band before asking them to play at our wedding. Lucky for us, they agreed. The band was absolutely perfect for the wedding venue with 90 guests. They created a very warm musical ambience which was enjoyed and appreciated by everyone. They are all skilled musicians who are at ease with each other, and Sam's voice is just something else, playfully controlled, delightfully interpretive of the wonderful numbers she chose to sing for us. Negotiating the gig with Sam was very straightforward, and Sam is a good communicator, and very friendly. They did a 6 hour car trip to get to us, which shows the level of commitment. I recommend them 100%.

Read all 18 reviews
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This act has been working with Encore for over 6 years
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Jason's Song list

A foggy day
a night in tunisia
a nightingale sang in berkley square
agua de beber
alright, okay, you win
all of me
all the things you are
alone together
angel eyes
as long as i live
at last
bei mir bist du schein
bernie’s tune
between the devil & the deep blue sea
beyond the sea
black coffee
blue skies
brazil
brigas nunca mais
but beautiful
but not for me
bye bye blackbird
caravan
cheek to cheek
corcovado
crazy rhythm
cry me a river
dancing in the dark
days of wine & roses
deep purple
desafinado
do nothing till you hear from me
don’t explain
don’t get around much any more
east of the sun
easy living
everything happens to me
every time we say goodbye
favela
fever
fly me to the moon
footprints
four
gee baby ain’t i good to you
Georgia
get happy
girl talk
god bless the child
honeysuckle rose
how deep is the ocean
how high the moon
i’m beginning to see the light
i’m in the mood for love
i can’t give you anything but love
i get a kick out of you
i’ve got you under my skin
i love you
i remember you
i thought about you
i’ll remember april
i wish i were in love again
if i were a bell
in a mellow tone
in a sentimental mood
invitation
it don’t mean a thing
it’s only a paper moon
jersey bounce
just friends
just one of those things
let there be love
let’s do it, let’s fall in love
love for sale
loverman
love me or leave me
lullabye of birdland
mas que nada
midnight sun
misty
moondance
more than you know
my baby just cares for me
my funny valentine
nature boy
never let me go
nica’s dream
night & day
no more blues
old devil moon
on the sunny side of the street
one note samba
our love is here to stay
pennies from heaven
polkadots & moonbeams
‘round midnight
satin doll
secret love
sentimental journey
skylark
so many stars
so nice/summer samba
social call
summertime
star eyes
stella by starlight
straighten up & fly right
sway
take the a train
tea for two
tenderly
that old feeling
the good life
the great city
the gypsy
the nearness of you
the shadow of your smile
the very thought of you
there is no greater love
there will never be another you
they can’t take that away from me
this can’t be love
this is always
this masquerade
too darn hot
undecided
unforgettable
watch what happens
wave
well you needn’t
what a difference a day made
what is this thing called love
whisper not
willow weep for me
you & the night & the music
all of me
anniversary song
anouman
appel direct
armandos rhumba
artillerie lourde
autumn leaves
avalon
bei mir bist du schoen
besame mucho
blue drag
blues claire
blues en mineur
blues for ike
bossa dorado
c'est si bon
caravan
cherokee
chez jaquet
china boy
clair de lune
coquette
crazy rhythm
dance norvege
daphne
dark eyes
dinah
django
django's tiger
djangology
double scotch
douce ambience
fantasie
for babs
for sephora
frankie and johnny
honeysuckle rose
hungaria
i'll see you in my dreams
i can't give you anything but love
i got rhythm
it don't mean a thing
it had to be you
j'attendrai
jojo swing
la foule
lady be good
latcho drom
limehouse blues
lulu swing
manoir des mes reves
melodie au crepuscule
manha de carnival
micro
minor swing
moonglow
my blue heaven
nature boy
night & day
noto swing
nuages
nuits st.germain des pres
oriental shuffle
out of nowhere
place de broukere
porto cabello
puttin on the ritz
rhythmes gitanes
rose room
september song
seul ce soir
sheik of araby
shine
si tu savais
some of these days
spain
stompin' at decca
summertime
sweet chorus
sweet georgia brown
sweet sue
swing 39
swing 42
swing 49
swing de paris
swing for ninine
swing gitan
swing guitars
symphonie
take the a train
tchavolo swing
tea for two
tears
them there eyes
there will never be another you
topsy
troublant bolero
undecided
valse manouche
vipers dream

Jason's Prices

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

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Short performance (up to 15 min)£100
Up to 1 hour£175
Up to 2 hours£200
Up to 3 hours£225
Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

Obviosly clients love our music but the also love our ability to play background music or take centre stage depending on what is required. In addition, we can setup very quickly and quietly and we don't take up too much room.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

The Ritz Cafe Royal The Shard Wembley Stadium The Dorchester The Hurlingham Club The Hippodrome Excel London Oxo Tower The Royal Automobile Club W Doha Brighton Pavillion

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

Cole Porter Duke Ellington Count Basie Joe Pass Wes Montgomery Ella Fitzgerald

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

Paul McCartney's Christmas party

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

We always try our 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 us know.

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

Yes, but we may charge for this service.

How much time do you need to set up?

We usually set up in 10-15 mins although bands with drums may take slightly longer.

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

Our set lists are crafted from countless performances and learning what works best to ensure guests dance and have an amazing time. However, we're definitely happy to chat through and make sure we find what works for your event.

Do you bring all the equipment you need to perform?

Yes we do. We also have battery amps if power is not available and we can also play acoustic if noise is a problem.

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

If a song isn't included in our song list there may still be a chance we already know it. If there is a special song you'd like us to learn we are happy to do this for you. There is a fee of £30 for this service to take into account rehearsal times etc.
Musicianship
Genres:
Jazz, Gypsy jazz, Latin jazz, Swing, Easy listening, Light music
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Instruments:
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Event types:
Wedding, Wedding proposal, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Recording session, Cruise, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve
See all event types
Other skills:
Fluent improviser
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