Review Centre: Big Bands

"Fantastic performance by Las Vegas Nights Experience, great variety of songs to suit all and to get our retired employees up singing and dancing. Lovely guy, Brilliant singer. Would highly recommend."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

" I am proud that the Rick Holland - Evan Dobbins Little Big Band calls Tala Vera cantina home once a month. Rick is a consummate professional as well as a top tier musician. His Band comprises the best players Rochester has to offer. Such talent coupled with an amazing book of swing and traditional jazz, presents a special evening of music every time they play at Tala Vera. Bernard Matthews, Owner of Tala Vera, Rochester, NY I have had the pleasure to do some arranging and writing for Rick's groups and I have to say that his groups are always chocked full of the best musicians around. It's a pleasure to have music played with precision and integrity - no matter what the style or genre. I would highly recommend any or Rick's groups for a jazz or commercial setting. Jim Martin, Grand Rapids, MI We had the pleasure of having the USO-10 piece play at our wedding in May 2017. From the minute we met Rick Holland and heard the band play we knew they were the band for us. It was a pleasure to work with Rick, who was so professional and helpful in many ways especially song choices from everything to cocktail music, our entrance song, first dance, parent dances to our exit song. The dance floor was never empty. We are thrilled with the USO and look forward to hearing them again in the near future!! Thank you for making our wedding so special! Maureen and Mark Deckman Sometimes it all just falls into place. The setting, the situation, the scene, the tone -- everything is going your way. That describes last night for me. And at the heart of this mid-week Xanadu was the Rick Holland Uptown Orchestra, a modest, brass-centric outfit led by the trumpet-blowing Holland that swung with equal parts effervescence and laid-back cool at Lovin Cup. And come to find out, five of his Hollands regular guys were sidelined, and the holes on the bandstand were plugged with subs --- hired music muscle like Po’ Boy Erik Jacobs on the slide trombone. By the time the Orchestra heaped on a helping of Count Basie, there was nowhere else I wanted to be. I dragged my mom out in the cold for this show and she was thrilled when they stomped on the Savoy. Holland led the affair with a relaxed air, coaxing more than conducting under his porkpie lid. He went around the bandstand numerous times so every cat there got his fair shake, including pianist extraordinaire Bill Dobbins. This is one sweet band, yes, yes. Frank De Blase, Roch City News With all the hype going to Wynton Marsalis, you might not guess that there are other, lesser-known, straight-ahead trumpet players out there who are consistently ripping the hide off the ball. This, Rick Holland's auspicious debut, is an impressive effort. The trumpeter leads his quartet, backed by a solid Michigan-based rhythm section: pianist Terry Lower, bassist Ed Fedewwa, and drummer Larry Ochiltree, through a fiery trail of originals and standards, interspersed with some fine balladry. Holland's sensitive ear translates to some tight arrangements and a well-organized program. On flugelhorn, he boasts a rich, full tone that purrs with warmth. On the faster tunes, he steams. This is the kind of jazz that feels just right on a wintry day, with the fireplace in full throttle, and the feet resting on a cushion: it hits the spot perfectly, drenched with emotional power and skillful fortitude. Steve Loewy, All Music Guide"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I just want to thank you so much for making our wedding celebrations so perfect. Everyone who came has fed back to us how amazing you were. You were absolutely stunning and I loved every minute of your sets – terrific voice and music. It was lovely to see everyone dancing – from my 6 year old niece to my 83 year old aunt! Thank you so much."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Our top performer. Friendly, accommodating has audio equipment to handle any type of performance. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We were both extremely impressed by the band and really enjoyed the music. Even more telling was the number of comments we had from guests as we walked around during the reception. The band is extremely talented and the music they played for us was perfect. They played two songs for us that weren't on their regular set list, and both were great. We were really pleased with their performance and professionalism. Anybody who likes well played gypsy, Dawg, or music that isn't cookie cutter will love these guys."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"‘Unbelievable natural talent, effortless performance' "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you so much Matthew. Honestly everyone was raving about the band. Honestly in that room it was just incredible. Truly was. Thank you xx"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Just a short note to thank you ever so much for the great show and dance for us here at the HAG. I have waited until today to write this as we had a meeting on Wednesday and it confirmed everything that I told everyone about the upcoming show and dance. I was told, the band said this was the first time you have played in a hanger and I must say, the acoustics were awesome and the sounds were great even where I was sitting. At the time I thought you had more than enough on your plate but how in hell did you save the song "At Last" for the very last number. It was the very song I would have requested and it back to my Junior and Senior days in high school. Nuf said about that. Yup, I might have had a small tear in my eye, hearing the music, you absolutely stunning! And the Band, exceeded my expectations. Got to get you guys back—Rick Holland is just a splendid musician!!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Lo recomiendo. Fue un regalo de una invitada y nos encantó. Vino Alex con el guitarrista José y el percursionista Dany y no nos pudo gustar más!!!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"If you're seeking top-tier performances across one or more key venues, Elite Music is not only a pleasure to work with, but they consistently deliver stunning performances!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Simply the Best !!! was an understatement. not only do they offer you any band combination you can think of but they had string quartet as I walked in my venue for my wedding with the unaccompanied cello. they sang and had a great band during the reception as well as a DJ and steel pan band during the cocktail hour..."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you for the wonderful work you did at our wedding reception at the Eglinton Grand. Your music was absolutely wonderful and perfect! Everyone was so thrilled and impressed with the band, and had nothing but the best things to say about you. You were professional, prepared, and amazing-and we couldn't have asked for anything more! Thank you again, Nick and Lara"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"5 stars deluxe Dear Danilo, Now we would like to write a review for you and your brother Tobias. We decided on a complete package of DJ + singer + photographer for our wedding and were mega happy with the all-round carefree constellation. You are really a great and well-rehearsed team. Danilo, your singing had already moved us to tears when we met you. It was simply wonderful to dance our wedding dances with life song. All our guests were thrilled and full of praise, especially the bridesmaids when you performed your show. Also, you were up for any fun. ? When Danilo wasn't singing, his brother Tobias was the DJ and provided us with great dance music. We had a lot of fun, especially at the Ostrock Block. We can wholeheartedly recommend all three of you and would book you again and again. Keep up the good work. Hopefully we'll see you three again sometime. For now, enjoy your well-deserved holiday. Best regards Steffy & Marco"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We needed a band for our wedding in Lisbon. Given we had a themed wedding (rock and heavy metal), we’ve been looking for a band playing in this genre. We were so glad to have found Rocktonight, and when they sent us their setlist, there could be no other choice! We aren’t from Lisbon ourselves and all our guests were coming from somewhere else, so looking for a band had to be done remotely, and we weren’t able to meet the band in advance. But the communication with the band was great, with Laura replying to all our questions promptly. In addition, we somehow managed to pick the hottest day of summer for the wedding, but Laura and co. took up that challenge! They have been absolutely awesome! Not only they made everybody dance (mainly, jump), but they also learned our wedding song (a ballad by Steel Panther), which wasn’t an easy one to learn. Needless to say, all our guests were amazed by the band too! We doubt the party would have been the same without them. Highly recommended!"

Reply by Rocktonight
Thank you so much! It was such a pleasure to be part of your special day. You are amazing and we wish you all the best! ??

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Saxophones, a rhythm section and vocals, swinging like crazy – that’s the aptly named FIVE STAR SWING ! As saxophone section in any band, they would take some beating. Beautiful tones and well-rehearsed by their leader, Chris Smith (Jnr), who has the singular talent of playing the trumpet with his right hand and the piano with his left at one and the same time ! He also happens to be a very experienced music writer having learnt his trade with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and Glenn Miller’s Brother, Herb. Add to the fact that he can also well handle a vocal, as can his wife, lead alto Simone Smith and tenor man Stephen Davies, who’s clarinet playing on “Sing, Sing, Sing” was superb – and it will give you some idea of the breadth of talent in this line-up. This is a band crying out to be danced to and it wasn’t long before the jivers took to the dance floor. Five Star Swing –a “must” for every dance club in the country."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: