Review Centre: Dixieland Bands

"I am delighted to recommend Vincent Cassotta of Enfield CT in pursuit of his grant application for the Louis Armstrong Tribute with a Jazz Quartet performing at the Eli Whitney Elementary School. My previous role as the PK-12 Music Coordinator for the Enfield Public School District has brought me in direct contact with the professional, innovative, creative, and artistic musician and retired teacher Mr. Vincent Cassotta. I have witnessed first-hand the impact and quality of his quality music instruction provided for his thirty-nine years of teaching tenure in our community. To have the opportunity to bring the genre of American Jazz Music as a tribute to the legend of Louis Armstrong with quality professional musicians under Mr. Cassotta’s organization is a blessing to the young minds and ears of our elementary students, especially at a time when music education in Enfield offers less opportunities. This past Spring I had the opportunity to guest speak at Mr. Cassotta’s retirement party celebrating his many years of service in music education. In that speech I spoke about multiple areas beyond the collegial and professional relationship Mr. Cassotta, and I achieved since 1999. These in my opinion provide strong evidence for the Enfield Cultural Council to support this mission of this application fiscally. One of the points shared was that Mr. Cassotta balanced his career of music education and professional trumpet performing with incredible success throughout his career. Aside from the technical, logistical and time management responsibilities from such an endeavor, he achieved this success with never letting go of the care demonstrated to his students, family members, school building staff, and his music professional colleagues. The fact that he desires to continue to expand the music opportunities to students in Enfield now in his retirement resting years is evidence of his dedication to this art form and willingness to always educate. Furthermore Mr. Cassotta’s wealth of experience professionally as a performing musician and student of the trumpet is stellar. In his education Mr. Cassotta studied trumpet with Rolf Smedvig of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Empire Brass Quintet, Jimm Maxwell a NYC Studio Musician, Roger Murtha of the Hartford Symphony and Hartt School of Music, and Dan Patrylak of the Eastman Brass Quintet and UCONN. To continue, Mr. Cassotta was a freelance performer with Frank Sinatra, Manhattan Transfer, Ella Fitzgerald, Bobby Vinton, Bob Hope, The Four Tops, Phil Woods, The Temptations, Sammy Davis Jr., Andy Williams, Franki Valli and the Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. Including numerous local and state pit orchestra’s and local well know jazz bands. He has also published works as a composer and arranger with KJOS music as well as multiple professional recordings. I strongly urge you to consider Mr. Cassotta’s application for this grant. Your support will help impact music education in Enfield and continue to make a meaningful impact on the lives of its students. Thank you for considering this recommendation. Sincerely, Mark F. Reppucci Jazz, Orchestra, Music Technology and Piano Teacher Enfield High School Write your tex"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"My dad's last wishes were for his wake to be a happy party with a Dixieland Jazz Band. He certainly got his wish. LA Jazz played exactly what my dad would have loved, and people were dancing and remembering fondly how dad used to dance to such music. Alan, the leader, was easy to deal with, well organised and sociable. Thank you for making the eake more like a wedding! (10 / 10) "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Romina and her band are incredibly talented! They performed for our family during a cozy dinner at Poggio il Castellare and exceeded our expectations! We cannot thank them enough for sharing their craft and really elevating the evening. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Great Set, Great Guys, Great Time! says it all. Alan and the band were very professional and accommodating for our event in Sheffield. The variety and style of music was perfect putting a smile on everyones face. Thank you LA Jazz Band. (10 / 10) "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Brian was absolutely perfect for our wedding. As my partner and I have totally different tastes, we wanted something that incorporated both of us and Brian was 100% willing to do that - he played jazz piano during our brunch reception, and then transitioned into classic party DJ music for the later portion of the reception. He took all of our requests very well, and was very easy to work with. When some guests made requests that went against our desires (line dances, gross!), Brian thoughtfully checked in with us before playing them, and of course he maintained the dance vibe of the party. He is adaptable, friendly, easy to work with, very good as a musician, professional, and "budget-friendly." I can't recommend him enough. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Peter was incredible! We hired Peter C. to play live at our wedding reception - he was truly the highlight of the night! His Sax skills are unreal, he brought everyone to the dance floor and kept the party rolling into the early hours. I've had multiple wedding guests ask for his contact information after our wedding as they were so impressed. He will turn your event into the party of the year! We can't recommend him enough."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you so much! Everyone loved you and your band and I really appreciated the way you just seamlessly fitted in with our plans! The music really was just ripping and really set the tone for the whole evening! Young and old thought it was spot on. I would have no hesitation in recommending you to anyone!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I hired the L.A Jazz band for my dads funeral. My dad knew his prognosis as was adamant it was to be a celebration of life for him. With the help of the band - we made this happen. I had positive feedback from friends and family. The band are extremely talented and professional. They ensured the service was upbeat with the music which helped to lift our spirits. I know my dad would have loved them and I’m sure he looked down on us with a smile that day. Thank-you L.A Jazz band. Can’t recommend you enough. (10 / 10) "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Doesn’t time fly by! Two weeks today since we got married and you came along to keep us entertained. It was an amazing day and you and your band contributed immensely. From the moment I contacted you I knew we had made the right choice. Your communication and understanding was excellent. Our 1930s theme fit right in with the venue and your style of music. We received lots of comments from our guests about how lovely it was to sit on the lawn drinking Pimms listening to you play whilst we were off having photos taken. It was so relaxing and elegant. Like being on a film set, one guest said. I think what made it for me was when all the guests had gone inside to sit down for the meal and we were passing some hotel guests sitting on the terrace enjoying the sun. As I walked passed one gentleman starting clapping and commented how beautiful I looked and thanked me for providing such wonderful music that he had enjoyed listening to; a real unexpected pleasure. In fact the venue told me the following day that quite a few hotel guests had commented on the great music. The evening was astounding. In the DJ sets you provided between Dr Jazz’s live sessions you managed to fit in all our guests’ special songs. This made it a lot more personal. And thank you so much for rearranging one of your songs to fit in with the routine we had learned for our first dance. This just shows how versatile and amenable you are. We would like to thank you for coming and making our wedding day most enjoyable, not just for us but for our guests. I have already been recommending you and will continue to do so."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you so much for providing such wonderful music for the party! Everyone has been saying what fun it was with your live music and it really set the scene. The pudding was a bit late but everyone was so happy listening to you. We especially appreciated the improvisation over the Gatsby film tunes which sounded amazing! It really made the party go with a swing."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The band was timely, friendly, professional, and sounded GREAT. They are eager to work with you to develop the ambiance and timing you want for your wedding day or any event. I highly recommend them!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Dr Jazz were fantastic. We LOVED having you all to play for us on Saturday. It was so wonderful having you playing as we arrived in the car after the ceremony. You were brilliant and really made the reception go with a swing. Thank you so much."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"What an amazing way to kick off our wedding reception, we hired the Roaming Jazz Band for our wedding in Barcelona, at first we loved their style and musical ideas, but when they started playing, roaming around and engaging with our friends and family it all became special, they truly know how to entertain and they have fun while doing it. I totally recommend them!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Just to say a huge thank you for the gig on Saturday – which was clearly very well received by the audience. There’s a comment on FB asking if you’ll come back and the customer saying (yesterday afternoon) that she is still smiling! Although I’ve seen you guys a few times, I really thought it worked very well at Ashcroft and it was the best gig I’ve seen. You are all such talented, wonderful musicians individually in your own rights, but the chemistry was fantastic. It felt like we had experienced something very special and unique. The playfulness and sense of enjoyment and fun was contagious. Thank you – and please do pass on my thanks to all the band. I hope the journeys back home were all ok.  Many many thanks,  Helen Cundy"

Reply by Funky Pineapples
It was a real pleausre to come down to The Ashcroft. Thank you also for looking after us nicely with food and drink when we arrived. What a lovely arts centre. Graham

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We booked Oleg for our wedding reception and we were beyond impressed! He was incredibly talented and professional throughout the whole process. Everyone really enjoyed his music and he made our drinks reception extra special! We would recommend his services to anyone looking for a saxophonist!"

Reply by Oleg Sax
Thank you Ben and Gabriella!!

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: