Review Centre: Big Bands

"“Absolutely perfect! Without drawing attention, you made the evening. Kars and his team provided the music during a large corporate dinner we hosted for our clients. Their presence is never in the foreground, yet it sets a major part of the atmosphere. Thank you, and looking forward to the next collaboration!”"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Really good voice and players, we love the music and everybody was dancing all night. I won't repeat because I'm not planning to get married again but definitely totally recommendable."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Amazing! Rick Holland Productions worked seamlessly with our wedding, where we had three separate "performances" that were adpated to by Rick's use of different members of the Little Big Band. We had a cocktail reception where a trio played, then a brass quartet accompanied our Wedding ceremony. After our guests were transported by horse-drawn carriage to a lake side reception site, the Little Little Big Band got things started and the full Little Big Band played the night away to the extreme pleasure of our entire party. They even let Joe Robinson jam with them in the chill of the autumn, fire-lit evening! Thank You so much Rick! Matthew Cooper, Bradford, PA"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"‘On behalf of myself, my husband and our family and friends, you were truly brilliant! The amount of people that complimented you throughout the day/evening, you really added a special touch to our wedding day. On behalf of everyone thank you so, so much, I will definitely be recommended you!’ "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Jim, it has been an absolute pleasure working with you. Thanks so much for your flexibility. Wow!!! (Learning curve for me lol). Looking forward to collaborating again in the future. All the best Juliet"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"This is a very good African group that I have seen performing live"

Reply by The African JAZZ Hounds
Thanks Sir for the kind words of encouragement god bless

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"An excellent surprise 😍 We found Rock2night by chance during a Google search. We didn’t know them, and our choice was based on the videos we heard on YouTube, and we loved it! We chose the songs for our ceremony, shared them with Laura, and trusted her talent blindly. The first time we heard the songs sung in her version was on our wedding day, and what an excellent surprise!! 😍 Without a doubt, they made our ceremony even more beautiful and special, and without them, it wouldn’t have had the same magic and charm. For all their friendliness, professionalism, and talent, I highly recommend Rock2night. Thank you so much for being a part of our day ❤️ "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Couldn’t have asked for a better performance. My guests are still talking about it."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and the rest of the "big" band leaders would be proud of your leadership and musical skills-the music was so amazing!!!m studying the great American Band Leaders for my PHD in American Musical History. I have to say, there hats would have been off to your splendid performance. Your daughter was great too.’Take care and thank you again so much for the great music! Katie Smith, Buffalo NY"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Just the best band I have ever hired. The music just wanted to make me dance all night long. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"What an entertaining band last night at the VJC at Clayton RSL. The High Society Jazz Orchestra played a magical mix of Big Band numbers from a number of eras. They not only played well, but looked the part in their dinner suits and lovely dresses. The music kept dancers on the floor all night and the audience looked very happy with the music - even the children were enjoying the night!"

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 You get the feeling from Holland’s recordings, that Holland and his compatriots are not only talented musicians, but fully formed human beings with wit, style and elegance---folks whom you would enjoy sharing a fine dinner and stimulating conversation. Bill Barton, Green Mountain Jazz Messenger "Rick brought his quartet and the little big band to our wedding and reception. He was wonderful to work with, being both receptive to our requests and knowing where to fill in the gaps with his expertise. Not to mention I could call him anytime, and he worked around our schedule. They played a tasteful mix of songs great for just listening to and a few that got everyone up on the dance floor. In the end, everyone was raving about how great the band was. We couldn't be happier!" P.S. Lindsey was amazing, the two comments I heard most were "Wow, they are great!" and "That girl can sing!" Sam and Ellie Carrell I hired Rick Holland Productions for my wedding and I thank my lucky stars I did. They were just an absolute solid band. I live in Toronto so the 10 piece band crossed the border for my wedding - our wedding coordinator said she'd never heard a band that good over her decade long career. I like to think I'm a genius for finding them ?? Kian K., Toronto, ON, CA From the bride: "The music was wonderful! We could not have asked for a better band. Our guests were really impressed; the Uptown Society Orchestra really made our reception special.” From the groom: "What a professional group. Their exceptional musicianship brought a real element of class to the party. There is nothing like the sound of a live band, and this group made our reception better than we could have hoped for.” From the father of the bride: (Dennis Nowicki): "The band was fantastic -- they really exceeded our expectations." Anders Dahlberg and Stacy Nowicki, Wedding at the Chicago Art Museum The Uptown Society Orchestra may have had six members, but it sounded as if it had twice as many as members blew triumphantly throughout New Years' eve night. (Front page Kalamazoo Gazette, regarding the New Years Eve Festival 2004, Kalamazoo, Michigan) Bill Wood, Arts and Entertainment critic, Kalamazoo Gazette Amazing! Rick Holland Productions worked seamlessly with our wedding, where we had three separate "performances" that were adpated to by Rick's use of different members of the Little Big Band. We had a cocktail reception where a trio played, then a brass quartet accompanied our Wedding ceremony. After our guests were transported by horse-drawn carriage to a lake side reception site, the Little Little Big Band got things started and the full Little Big Band played the night away to the extreme pleasure of our entire party. They even let Joe Robinson jam with them in the chill of the autumn, fire-lit evening! Thank You so much Rick! Matthew Cooper, Bradford, PA Rick brought his quartet and the little big band to our wedding and reception. He was wonderful to work with, being both receptive to our requests and knowing where to fill in the gaps with his expertise. Not to mention I could call him anytime, and he worked around our schedule. They played a tasteful mix of songs great for just listening to and a few that got everyone up on the dance floor. In the end, everyone was raving about how great the band was. Lindsey Holland was amazing, the two comments I heard most were "Wow, they are great!" and "That girl can sing!"We couldn't be happier! Sam and Ellie Carrell When we heard the Uptown Society perform at a New Year's Eve concert we knew that we wanted them to play at our wedding. They had the perfect blend of jazz, swing and romantic ballads. They are excellent musicians and we were thrilled to find that they were available for our wedding. Our guests were thrilled that we hired them; we received so many compliments. Uptown Society provided a wonderful 'soundtrack' for our storybook wedding. Eric and Kim von Oeyen, Battle Creek, MI"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Mr. Swing’s Dance Orchestra performed at our wedding at the Hospitium in York and we couldn’t have asked for a more perfect band. The swing band was fantastic at reading the room and getting everyone up and dancing. All of our guests have raved about how amazing they were, and we totally agree. If you want to make your special day even more memorable, definitely hire Mr. Swing."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"A precise and discreet person, he accompanied our evening with friends by playing jazz guitar, including manouche style, in a varied yet impeccable way—never overly virtuosic, never banal. The melodies did not take the center stage, providing the perfect background, just as we had requested. A wonderful evening. Thank you, Romeo!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We have loved having you at The Square and hearing your unique style at Claire and Andy's wedding on the 28th December. Your duo was so fun and went down so well with all the guests and ourselves!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: