Review Centre: Big Bands

"Vibrant Jazz were brilliant and added a lot to the atmosphere and setting of our company's garden party. Communication with Dan was quick and easy and they were very professional, 10/10 recommend. "

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:

"‘Once again a MASSIVE thank you for coming to entertain our residents, friends, family and staff at Leycester House for our very first Christmas party. Everyone had a fantastic evening and we will of course be in touch again at some point next year!’ "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"A huge thanks to you and the band in contributing to a very successful Battle of Britain Ball. The music was varied, fun and had the dance floor full from start to finish. This is the 3rd time I have seen the swing band and each time there has been a different arrangement or new tune to add to each occasion. Looking forward to next year."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Fantastic! Could not fault! From the performance to the introducing of the music, absolutely fantastic, could not be any more pleased with the band – huge thank you."

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:

"Amazing band. Added such a fun a festive element to our party. They had everyone from 15 to 85 on the dance floor. Loved it!! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"You were great and I’ve had some lovely comments about the music, people were impressed. Thank you."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Ребята, спасибо вам огромное! Наша свадьба была идеальной - музыка, организация, всё на высшем уровне. Даже не представляю сколько усилий и профессионализма нужно чтобы 300 человек остались в восторге… Всем рекомендую LBP!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"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:

"Jack Bowers The Rick Holland—Evan Dobbins Little Big Band Trilby RPO Productions Five years after a sensational opening act (In Time's Shadow, 2006), trumpeter Rick Holland and trombonist Evan Dobbins have returned for an encore, Trilby, marshaling as before their irrepressible Little Big Band. As was noted of that earlier recording, "the only thing small about [this band] is its numbers." Baritone saxophonist Dean Keller, who shared that chair with Kerry Strayer on Shadow, also returns. The rest of the lineup is brand new, with Evan Dobbins' dad, the well-known educator Bill Dobbins (Eastman School of Music), replacing the splendid pianist John Nyerges. Besides shining at the keyboard, Bill Dobbins wrote "My Darling Darlene" and arranged half of the album's other ten numbers. Although he doesn't play this time around, Strayer composed "Rich's Call" and arranged Sonny Stitt's "Eternal Triangle" and Oscar Pettiford's "Tricotism," while Brent Wallarab wrote "Trilby" and arranged Benny Golson's "Stablemates." Bill Dobbins' engaging charts brighten three originals by Hendrik Meurkens—"Slidin," "Second Waltz," "The Cottage"—as well as Hal Crook's "Fused" and Alec Wilder's lovely standard, "While We're Young" (a reprise from the band's earlier album). Holland, who plays flugelhorn exclusively, solos strongly on seven numbers, striking the ball with assurance and perception on every turn at bat. Bill Dobbins ("Slidin," "The Cottage," "Trilby," "Darlene," "Tricotism") amplifies the message, as do Evan Dobbins ("Slidin," "Fused"), Doug Stone (alto on "Stablemates," clarinet on "Second Waltz," soprano on "Trilby" and "While We're Young"), tenor Mike Pendowski ("Eternal Triangle," "Fused," "Rich's Call"), trombonist Nick Finzer ("Second Waltz," "Tricotism"), bassist David Baron ("The Cottage," "Tricotism") and blue-chip drummer Rich Thompson ("Eternal Triangle," "Fused," "Rich's Call"). When they're not having their say, the ensemble is front and center, giving each of the charts its single-minded attention. The result is music that flows easily without miscue. Trilby marks a second triumph by the Holland / Dobbins Little Big Band, which, as was noted after its debut album, "is more big than little, in every sense of the word." Those who appreciate a tight, swinging band, even if slightly undersized, are sure to admire Trilby."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The Viimsi concert program was very engaging and diverse. Well-known pop music and jazz went well together!"

Rating: 9 / 10 Share this review:

"MCR absolutely ROCKED our Wedding Event!! They brought the house down and then some, w/ rarely an inch of the dance floor empty! Couldn't recommend Layonne and the Motor City Revue crew enough for any and all Live Music needs... now we just need to plan another event!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Ease of contact with Rock2Night and the right arrangement for the wedding. They performed as a trio at the ceremony (3 songs to choose from) and during the cocktail party, that is, they are quite versatile for what you want. The performance was very good as a result of the great quality they have, the friendliness and the ease they had at all times. The performance ended up lasting much longer than it was defined, and Rock2Night maintained a fantastic repertoire without the need to repeat songs. It was without a doubt one of the great successes of our wedding, the guests loved it and interacted a lot with the band. Great!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"They played a variety of music for us and even made our announcements throughout the night. They helped keep everything on schedule and had everyone out dancing. We had so many compliments on their music and how good they were. Our guests really and truly had a great time and loved the music"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: