"Hugely talented"
"The Empress Orchestra contains some of Britain's finest young players"
"Ashley Frohlick's clever arrangements...satisfy both dancers and listeners"
You can read more about the BBC Radio 2 broadcast on our Blog page, where we would also welcome any comments you might have.
MARCUS HILTON MBE
“…The dancing is wonderful though I must confess, I actually stopped watching to listen to the orchestra instead.”
“…What a fantastic competition and what absolutely sublime, brilliant music from Ashley Frohlick and the Empress Orchestra.”
“…It doesn’t get any better than this, the best dancers in the world supported by the best orchestra in the world. Wow!”
“…It’s the most incredible sound I’ve ever heard.”
DONNIE BURNS MBE
“Absolutely fabulous music Ashley.”
PETER MAXWELL
“…The orchestra under the leadership of Ashley Frohlick continues to go from strength to strength and I can’t express enough the importance of this orchestra to the Blackpool Dance Festivals…”
“…Great dancing can only come from great music and the music has been truly inspirational…”
“…A huge debt of gratitude should go to Ashley Frohlick, he has transformed the music for this event immeasurably…”
“…Quite simply, this is the finest orchestra in the world today.”
KENNY WELSH
“…The music is phenomenal. It’s by far the best orchestra I’ve heard in all the years I’ve been coming to Blackpool.”
KAREN HARDY
“Fabulous orchestra Ashley, I’m absolutely loving your music.”
RICHARD GLEAVE
“…Marvelous, marvelous music from a truly wonderful orchestra.”
GRAHAM OSWICK
“The Empress Orchestra and its special sound have always been synonymous with the famous Blackpool Dance Festivals. Since Ashley Frohlick took over the helm, the orchestra has had a new lease of life with new direction and fantastic new arrangements. I constantly have students telling me how much they love the ‘new’ sound of the orchestra and how inspiring they are to dance to. I can only say how jealous I am of today’s dancers that Ashley and his team weren’t around during my competition time!!”
“Hi there Ashley, Just wanted to congratulate you and the guys for the fabulous music you played all week for the dancers. It was really inspiring. I only wish I had the chance to dance to it myself! Congratulations and thanks. Graham Oswick”
LINDSEY HILLIER-TATE (reporting on the BDF Star Championships 2009)
“…I could not finish this report without mentioning the wonderful music of Ashley Frohlick and the Empress Orchestra. They lifted the event into another dimension. We were all treated to some new arrangements in the ballroom and the latin styles, which were hugely appreciated by the competitors and spectators alike.
Competitors, those of you that did not attend, missed a wonderful competition. Super quality location, easy safe parking, great prize money, well organised by the BDF team, top class judges, a ballroom and Latin expert panel (all former champions, knowledgeable about our business). Fantastic orchestra….What more do you want!!
See you next year”.
THE DANCING CHANNELS.COM (reporting on the Blackpool Dance Festival 2008)
“For those of you lucky enough to have been there you will have witnessed what was probably the most exciting festival for many years, lots of new champions, excellent dancing throughout and the unbelievable music of Ashley Frohlick and the Empress Orchestra…”
LUCA and LORAINE BARICCHI (writing for Dancebeat World)
“…Tonight The Empress Orchestra under the musical director Mr. Ashley Frohlick had an amazing sound. He had new musical arrangements, the audience, the couples along with the judges were totally absorbed. Congratulations to Mr. Ashley Frohlick and his musicians for a truly superb and true sound that stimulated the audience and the dancers.”
PETER SMITH (writing for Dancebeat World)
“Now to the music, my first memories are of the very famous Charles Barlow and his Orchestra. There have been many Musical Directors since those days and today it is the Empress Orchestra under the direction of Ashley Frohlick. Whilst there may have been many changes in personnel within the orchestra over the years the quality of the music has not wavered. I know I sat tapping my feet almost all the time they were playing trying to concentrate on the dancing at the same time. Not too sure if the people sitting near me enjoyed my rhythmic interpretations as the days and night progressed, but I sure as hell did love the music played for the duration of the festival.”
MIDLANDS DANCE EVENTS
“Ashley led his orchestra with all the flair, charm and finesse of the band leaders from days gone by. The music reverberated around the Hall and set it alight with its captivatingly rich tones. Trumpets, saxophones, trombones, drums, percussion...This was the first time that MDE has brought a live orchestra to one of their events... and what a night it proved to be. The world renowned Empress Orchestra, led by musical director Ashley Frohlick, entertained our guests to a night they will never forget.”
GREG DE WET
"Hi Ashley. I am sure you realise by now that I absolutely love the “Big Band Sound” and eagerly awaited the arrival of your new album. What a blast !!!! Superb in every way, and a member of your orchestra (can not remember his name) commented on the sound of the recording as I played during the practice sessions. He said he was amazed that the quality of the recording was so good. So there you go….congratulations on producing such a stunning album! I concede that one cannot beat the LIVE sound of a band, but the recording was very close… Thank you for that. My very best wishes to you, and hope to see you in November for the Nationals and Worlds. Best regards Greg"
HOWARD WING
“Blackpool's Tower Ballroom played host to a veritable galaxy of stars, as a sell-out crowd enjoyed a show-stopping performance from Howard Wing, Shirley Bassey, and the legendary Ashley Frohlick…”
“…Of course, that's to say nothing of Ashley Frohlick and his band the Empress Dance Band, whose lush musical backdrop brought real big band splendor to the evening. Ashley is no stranger to the swing scene, having played with Frank Sinatra's band – a real pedigree if ever there was one!”
JUSTIN LEE COLLINS
“…Absolutely stunning music Ashley it’s been a pleasure to listen to, what a cracking orchestra!”
BRYAN ALLEN
“…This is music at its most sublime… Dancers, if you can’t dance to this, then you can’t dance at all.”
