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We mostly play for weddings, family celebrations and various types of fundraisers. However if you fancy a ceilidh at your rock festival or instead of your company Christmas Ball, we can do that too. Call for a chat.

Steve: Melodeon, Squeezeboxes, Harmonicas, Guitar, Vocals, Cheek, Calling
Steve used to be the token folkie in the band - until Dave joined. He started playing concertina many years ago when he worked in London. He wanted to learn an instrument that he could play in the car! [Some think this is still the best place to hear him]
He used to play for Morris teams in the North London area and later became a barn dance caller working with a band called Nightwatch from St. Albans. After that he started his own band called Rough Trade.
Steve also plays squeezebox in the aptly named Zhiggy, Zhiggy, Zhiggy three-man Morris side. They can usually be experienced at various folkin' festivals and at the Jellies occasional General Malarkey nights at The Cricketers pub in Kington Langley. They are easy to spot as they have prominent black bells.

Grey: Drums, Percussion, Vocals
"Next time I'll learn to play the harmonica" - a phrase often heard at the end of the gig when Grey is packing away his drum kit. The rest of the band would love to help, of course, but only he knows how it comes apart.
Graham has played in sixties bands, soul bands, jazz and cabaret dancebands, during this time he ‘depped’ (stand-in) for Simon Dupree and The Big Sound (remember "Kites" from 1967? Sadly we do.) He has played on the same bill as The Baron Knights, Black Lace, The Searchers, The Swinging Blue Jeans and Slade. Grey has done session recording with several Soul and 60's Bands in the South of England. He has had several offers to go fully professional but has preferred to stay solvent and play gigs with friends, much to the Jellies' relief.

Grey can also be spotted out playing stand-in gigs for various function, ceilidh and pop bands when not out gigging with the Jellies

Si: Bass, Vocals, Percussion, Didge, Calling, Sax, Lip, Jelly-Baby Delivery System Operative
Most bass players work in the background, but Si tends not to be like that. He’s an upfront kind of guy, and spends most of his time on stage cracking jokes with Steve and generally winding up the caller, even if it is Steve or himself. Si is chief delivery man for the Jelly Babies award (see below).
Si has been playing since the dawn of time (much of it with Grey) and has played most styles of music in all sorts of venues. His one brush with fame was playing Baritone sax in Otis Grand's band "The Dance Kings". Si left before Otis was awarded Blues Guitarist of the year and made his highly successful albums. (Some connection there Si?). Si also played Baritone sax for 8 years in Bristol’s premier soul band The Soul Destroyers and in South Wales's biggest community jazz-funk-soul-reggae band Wonderbrass. Now and then he wheels out Kylie the skinny upright bass for a Twmpath with Pluck and Squeeze, the Gavin and Stacy barn dance band.
Si plays a Jon Shuker Custom Precision 5 string Bass (the sunburst one). Thanks Jon!

Bertie:  Jelly Baby Award, Lookin' cool
Bertie is perhaps the oldest member of the band. He is responsible for the Jelly Babies awarded for acts of supreme courage during events; first couple on the dance floor; surviving a particularly arduous routine; dancing barefoot; dancing with the caller for "demonstration purposes" etc etc.
He is certainly the only member of the band to have cousins who are hot air balloons and kites.

We did our first gig together in 1994 but each of us has been playing for (ahem) some years before that. However we do all still have our own hair, just don't ask about teeth.
Some time in the early 1990s Steve moved West and started working in the same place as Si and Grey. Si and Grey had been playing some pop and jazz projects together and got on well. After a long night, and way too much coffee, they talked Steve into taking them on as apprentice folkies and the Jellied Reels were formed.  Dave joined a few years later after a stint as occasional stand-in Jelly. It took a while to talk him into it as he lives in the Far East (Buckinghamshire) and had played with Steve before.

The Consultants:
As might be expected in a band full of project managers and consultants we have a ton of experience in playing and organising of all sorts of successful events, know a lot of experts, and we are happy to share our knowledge and experience to help you make the most of your event - even if we are not playing the gig!  Just ask.

There's more information in the FAQ and About Ceilidhs sections

Reviews:
Read some reviews of us at the Review Centre
Read reviews on Bristol Rocks website Fundraising gig | Wedding

"It was a brilliant night thanks! Everyone loved it. Thanks again and all the best. I'll certainly be recommending you guys." Rob. Hospital department Summer Party organiser.

"Rich and I want to say a HUGE thank you for the amazing performance from you all on Saturday night. We've had nothing but praise for our fantastic choice of music! We are both still reeling (excuse the pun)," Claire, Rich (and baby Leo). Wedding Celebration.

"Thank you so much for such a great evening, I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews from all the delegates. Thanks again and I hope to work with you on another conference in the not too distant future." Kate Openshaw, BFS Conference Organiser

"Just wanted to say a huge thank you to you and the band for a great evening on Friday.  We've had loads of positive feedback and a good time was had by all". Linda Ross, Sherston School Fundraiser.

"Many, many thanks for a fantastic night, people could not stop saying words like 'wonderful' 'fantastic' 'great fun'. You were all outstanding. People are still saying to us now what a great finish to a wonderful day the Jellied Reels were. We wanted an evening that got everybody up, got them dancing and interacting...and kept them smiling! You guys certainly achieved that." Adrian & Rebecca: Bride and Groom.

"Just a quick note to say a huge big "thank you" for Friday night. You guys were ACE!!!   Everyone had such fun. Martin and I are still on a bit of a high from it. Good dancing, good beer and good company." Leigh and Martin, Party for a really good cause.

"Thanks for a fantastic night. You were brilliant. Mark and I and the whole villiage had a superb evening and raised over £1000 for the charity.  We've already booked you for the same event next year and we can't wait. Thanks again!" Victoria, Fundraiser, Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society

"A particularly talented and funny band. The music was full of surprises. One minute we were dancing to something very traditional, the next it was 'Blue Suede Shoes' - in the same dance. We joined in every dance and can't wait for the next Jellied Reels ceilidh."  Liz Adams

"Well, what on earth can we say about the Jellied Reels efforts on our wedding night? [er, steady now! - ed]. We were lost for words for how great you were. Thanks so much.
You were exactly what we hoped you'd be. All the music and dances were brilliant, you encouraged and coaxed people really nicely and gently, you were a great laugh from the stage. Our guests were so impressed, they really were. We had so many positive comments about you." Anthony and Louise, Bride and Groom, Bristol. [Anthony and Louise continued their wedding celebrations by bringing 20 of their wedding guests to our subsequent summer gig in Kington Langley - they were wonderful - ed] Anthony's review of us at their wedding bash: Bristol Rocks Website

"Thank you so much for playing at our wedding...everyone loved you and we have had loads of feedback, all very very positive.. We had a great time and were upset when it all came to an end.. We will always direct people your way if we hear of friends wanting a Barn Dance. " Julian and Helen Harvey's wedding, Malvern

".. you gave us such a good evening's exercise, dancing our toes off and raising another packet for Save the Children. Thanks yet again and see you next year" Ronnie Harding, Co-ordinator Save the Children Dursley and Cam area. (This was our 8th year running doing this fundraiser. Great fun!)

"We would like to thank you all for a fantastic evening!  We had a lovely day and really enjoyed ourselves.  Our guests have all commented on how great the band were! Thanks again." Samantha and Euan, Bride and Groom

"Thanks very much. Everyone had a great time! Can we book you again for next year? "  Simone Pennie, Lower Mill Estate Residents raising money for Friends of Cirencester Hospital, November 2006

"Many, many thanks to all the 'Jellied Reels' for making our ceilidh on the 18th March such a huge success. Everyone really enjoyed themselves! For an English band, I have to say that you play a mean Scottish reel! We raised far more than I ever expected and The Nelson Trust were absolutely delighted." Jane Barnes, Nelson Trust Fundraiser. March 2006

"A BIG Thank you for the Marlborough Road Schools Barn Dance. We all had a great time. It was inspiring to see everyone wanting to be on the dance floor, including the barman! It is unanimous, all agree you played wonderfully and made the evening a really happy time." Pilar Gutierrez - PTA fundraiser. December 2005

"The Reels were a great success and managed to get people on their feet who swore they were only there for the beer.  We'd recommend them to add full bodied character to any dance night." Sarah Jones - PTA fundraiser. December 2005 (Full bodied?? Diet time, chaps!)

"Thanks! You and the guys were really brilliant and we all had a smashing time. My head needs some serious repair time though! " Jeremy Bullock - Fireworks barn dance 6th Nov 2004

"We would like to say a huge “Thank You” for last Saturday night, (30th October 2004 - Jellies 10 year celebration). It was a truly amazing evening! I never dreamt my 15 year old son and his friends would have enjoyed themselves so much –teenagers being what they are– but we couldn't keep them off the dance floor. The whole event was such a success, due to your goodselves and all your friends. Everyone there had such a great time and the atmosphere in the hall was wonderful. Please pass on our thanks to the rest of the Jellied Reels, the callers, Morris dancers, Belly and Clog dancer and anyone else involved. From some exhausted but happy fans, " Lorraine, Matt, Kirsti, Chelsea, Chaz and Anita

"This is a BIG THANK YOU for a fantastic evening. I think both of us lost some weight that night through dancing & sweating. The music was great; the dances were good fun - even if we didn't get it right some of the time!; the belly dancer and morris men were highly entertaining. It seemed like all of you were enjoying the evening as well & having fun. We certainly laughed a lot at ourselves trying out the moves - it is a great forum for people of all ages to join in and not feel embarrassed.  Congratulations to you for the past 10 years and here's to another 10+." Sandy & Keith at the Jellies' 10 year party, October 2004

"Thanks so much for your spirited performance at our wedding do! All the guests were enthusing about the fabulous band and lots of the ceilidh virgins said they never realised how much fun it would be. I shall definitely be recommending you to anyone who'll listen!!"   Kevin Jones, September 2004

"Thanks guys! We had a great day and everyone enjoyed the band and the dancing. Will definitely use you for our next wedding :-)"  David and Paula Hudson  (Groom and Bride)

"Thanks again for a superb night on Saturday. We also made £lots for Yorkley Hall funds so that is a double bonus. As such a damn good time was had by all, the committee is now very keen to extend its remit by laying on regular events like this through the year. So you've shifted the mindset of the place too!"  Ian Lodge, Yorkley Hall Fundraisier

"Please accept our grateful thanks for playing at our Ceilidh [The Jellies' 4th year running for this event] and making it such a success yet again! We are already being asked about next year's event and look forward to seeing you all again then."  Margaret Larroucau, Save the Children, Dursley branch