Review Centre: Big Bands

"He was on time. The play was good my wife and children really enjoyed your play. I will surely use him again."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The Las Vegas Experience was a great show for our Christmas Party. Music for all tastes with a fantastic singer and musician performing with a full light show and great sound. Marty is a true professional and a gentleman, nothing was too much trouble and provided a good DJ service as well."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Hired a jazz trio with Dan for my wedding - which was themed around an outdoor garden party. Dan was fantastic at keeping in touch and booking couldn't have been easier. The guys were there and ready for when they said they would be, and they were absolutely brilliant! Provided the perfect backdrop to our event, excellent musicians too. I would have no hesitation in recommending these guys, and should I have any events in future that would suit some smooth jazz then these guys would be top of the list! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"This band is INCREDIBLE! They truly made our night special - despite a downpouring of rain, change of venue, etc - they rolled with the punches and put on a show! Every person at a 275 person wedding was dancing, including my 92 year old grandmother. They even booked a guest at the wedding - if that isn't a good enough recommendation, I'm not sure what is. If you have the choice to go with them, do not hesitate. Thank you to ATBB for making our wedding night perfect."

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:

" 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 Rick Holland and his band played our wedding on August 28, 2010. Rick could not have been more accommodating to my husband and my wants and needs for music at the wedding. We communicated through email, over the phone, and met with each other once to go over the details. Rick was very thorough and always set our minds at ease. During our ceremony, his quartet played us up the aisle with a romantic song and down the aisle with ''Fireworks'' which set the mood for the festive evening to begin. The cocktail hour began immediately following the ceremony and Rick''s band did not miss a beat....the little big band entertained guests while they mingled and got a bite to eat. When the wedding party was ready to be announced, Rick took the microphone as we were all introduced. After the speeches were out of the way, Rick and the band let loose! With a full band and two singers, a male and a female, we partied for the next four hours! The guests were dancing, singing, and truly having a great time as did we! The band definitely made the night! The songs were exactly what we requested and the sound quality was superb. I would gladly book Rick and his band for another occasion as well as recommend them. Thanks again Rick! Erin and Mike Victor, New York"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"He contratado Alex para ambientar cenas especiales en el hotel Casa Coco de Lloret de Mar y de verdad ha sido un éxito. Flamenco emocionante, persona motivada y humilde. Lo recomiendo. Ya tenemos más fechas con él a lo largo de este verano!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Just wanted to say a massive thank you for your performance last night; you sounded great and it went down a treat!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thanks a lot for the music. I really enjoyed it and many of the guests also commented how great you guys sounded and how the style fitted perfectly with our day"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"To Jim and the whole Swing Shift crew: My wife and I just really wanted to thank you guys YET AGAIN for playing at our wedding back on Dec 21, 2010. So great to have you here for my brother's wedding too. Thank you so much, for all the fun, for all the joy. Thank You! JP & Michelle & baby Penelope Love"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The band was superb. We all had a brilliant evening. Even James the golf club manager commented at the end of the evening and asked how we’d found you. He also thought you were great. Will definitely highly recommend you. And when my next two girls get married will be in touch! Thank you Matthew."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"WE were so glad we found Andrew Thielen Big Band. They are a real band that has been together for over twenty years perfecting their music, showmanship and dazzling variety of music that kept our dance floor jammed. WE almost got swayed into one of these chain bands called Empire something where they throw together bands for one night until we figured out you cannot be a 3 piece band one week and a 12 piece band the next. WE wanted a real band where the band leader has had repeat performances for the most discriminating buyers for years. Every age, everyones taste in music and our twenty something wedding party had the time of our life. Call them now for sensational singers, instrumentalists and organization. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"‘Everybody has commented on how well the party went and absolutely loved your singing - they all really praised you. I think you really made the night and you were so good with the kids I think they will talk about you for a long time.’ "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Hi Stevie, Thank you so much for your performance at our fathers 80th birthday. It was fantastic; you truly made a lasting memory for us all as a family, and one that won’t be forgotten. You totally finished us off with “My Way”. There were tears! You should be highly recommended by any agency that has signed you up. I’m sure we’ll see you again. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"'Please thank the excellent Chris Weeks for his singing yesterday. The team has asked me to pass on their heartfelt thanks for making their event so special. There was a very magical atmosphere and many happy guests.' "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: