Review Centre: Swing Bands

"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:

"The band entertained everyone at our afternoon tea party. I have organised other events and it is very difficult to please everyone , but the feedback received from those attending was unanimous in their praise for the band . Laura’s singing was sensational. I will definitely hire again. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Hi Martin, We just wanted to say a huge thank you for your wonderful singing on our wedding day. You did an amazing job and are very talented at what you do. We are so glad we chose you for our wedding as everyone of all ages was up dancing and having a great time! And all the little extras that you did like MC and background music for the cake was so lovely. Our guests were talking about how good you were for days after the wedding! Thank you so much for making our day so special! And a massive thank you to Sonya for recommending you! All the best Rebecca & Gavin (Dublin)"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I just wanted to get in touch as Melisma Manouche played at mine and my husband's wedding this year. They were fantastic and everybody loved them!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Besides my wife saying "I DO" , the Groove Nation Orchestra was the biggest reason our wedding was such as success :) They had the ability to learn songs that were not on their playlist. They showed up very early to give themselves time to set up and prepare. The MC was precise and kept the party moving along at a good pace. The band was friendly and very professional. Songs sounded AMAZING and almost identical to the original artists. I cant recall a moment that the dance floor wasn't completely full of guests dancing. With over 150 total guests, their musical demeanor appealed to everyone in attendance. I strongly recommend this band without hesitation."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I just wanted to thank you and the band for the incredible music at our wedding. We loved it, it brought so much joy and such a great atmosphere. The band truly are the best in the business. Thank you also to them for allowing me to play my song. I very much appreciate it. We, along with our guests thoroughly enjoyed the jazz and the dance floor hits."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We had the pleasure of being introduced to Manee Valentine through a close friend in our group and we requested his entertainment services for our event, "Hooray for Hollywood" last February 26, 2022, @ the Carson event center. To our delight, his addition to the show was a total success. His professionalism and talent are instrumental to satisfying any and all audiences. Great appearance craft and personality are the comments we've been hearing since that day. We will definitely work with him in other opportunities. Yes, we give him a thumbs up and highly recommend him."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Laura and her Band were brilliant at the MND Event , music was amazing and she was incredibly compassionate with the people in the Hospice . You made their Christmas party special and for some it will be their last , so a huge thank you . "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Beautiful music, amazing presence, and great vibe."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Dear Hot Wings, Thanks for a great performance at our wedding celebration in Italy during July 2018! You selected the repertoire seamlessly and added the specific music songs that were important to us to help us make this a very special event. We would gladly recommend you to others and ask you to play for us again. Your performance during the wedding ceremony and celebration was very much appreciated by all our guests representing more than ten different nationalities! You are playing a perfect mix of music with great engagement that is seen by everyone who has the pleasure to listen to your performance. We are very happy with the wonderful music you played, not to mention the dedication and willingness to come to Italy to join our wedding day! Many Thanks"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Just love this band, Michele sure knows how to pick great musos, and as she is an exceptional dancer, knows exactly what rhythms us dancers desire in a song, follow her all over the Sunshine Coast."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"It began as a Swing Band project, in the winter of 2005, in Oswego, NY, where Rick met Evan Dobbins, and put together a ten-piece swing band, to play occasional concerts, and private parties. Evan was to contract and Rick would be in charge of music when, the band played five, or six-events, and Rick had the idea, they would not only play swing music, but play modern jazz. Thus, ''The Little Big Band'', and ''Uptown Society Orchestra'' were formed. In 2006, the band released their first disc, entitled “In Times Shadow”, which was a mainstream release on Blue Jazz. It received wide critical acclaim, prompting Ollie Bivins in LA to say: “Rick Holland (Trumpet) and Evan Dobbins (Trombone) lead a group of New York area musicians, who could give the more well-known big bands in New York and Los Angelas a run for their money, and as part of the the Blue jazz label, a label that promotes and distributes jazz musician’s albums. this big band is taking its destiny into it’s own hands rather than wait to be “discovered” by the major labels. More power to this label and all others who do the same. Lovers of Big Band music, especially, will like the Rick Holland-Evan Dobbins Little Big Band’s refreshing recording.” Doug Collar in East Lansing, Mi said this....''I have just played “In Time’s Shadow” the new CD from the Rick Holland-Evan Dobbins Little Big Band. What a disc! What a sound! What an ensemble! This disc is my top nomination for jazz ensemble release of the year. The arranging is nonpareil and the soloists masterful. The whole package is varied, listenable, and leaves the audience asking for more. Rick Holland and Evan Dobbins have created a musical experience that our listeners will absorb and enjoy.'' After the release of this disc, the band landed their first steady gig at Tasteology, every Monday night. The gig lasted 2 years, as the bands repertoire grew. The band then moved over to the Loving Cup, in Henrietta, New York. They played on Sunday nights, this gig lasted 3 years. This led to the band 2nd recording, “Trilby”, in 2011. Some of the review was just marvelous. For example: Throughout Trilby, the Rick Holland-Evan Dobbins Little Big Band plays on the level of most better-known ensembles, performing music that is inventive, full of life and fun. Their CD is highly recommended.-Scott Yanow, author of ten books including The Jazz Singers, The LA Times What a surprise! This band and musicians were unknown to me, but they are absolutely great! For listeners to hear musicians challenge themselves, and be taken along for the ride, records like this are a must! The musicians in the Rick Holland-Evan Dobbins Little Big Band are all reaching the high musical standards realized by playing in this excellent Little Big Band! This music will be featured in my playlists for many months to come. Thank you again for sending this exceptional CD to me. Peter Kuller - Jazz Presenter Radio Adelaide 101.5 FM, and www.radio.adelaide.edu.au JPL "Jazz from Down Under". The liner notes inform us that this ensemble started as a swinging dance band in 2005. Since then, they've evolved into a solid, well-arranged outfit with first rate solos played by intriguing, skilled jazz cats. The feeling I derived from the CD was similar to a classic Blue Note session. You know, several well-written originals that are melodically strong, and a few standards to test the players' chops on familiar material. The co-leaders play flugelhorn and trombone, respectively. Most of the arrangements come from pianist Bill Dobbins, who allows plenty of room for free-swinging solo work. The familiar vehicles here include Benny Golson's "Stablemates" and Sonny Stitt's "Eternal Triangle." I also spotted a tune called "Rich's Call" by Kerry Strayer, a baritone player of the highest stripe, and a skilled composer and arranger as well. It is interesting to note three compositions from jazz harmonica whiz, Hendrik Meurkens. Perhaps, he has some connection to the band. Finally, it should be said that this session is directed straight down the middle of the bop highway. Simply an outstanding blowing session on songs that, amazingly enough, sound like songs! Wow! What a Surprise! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I ragazzi sono stati formidabili. Hanno creato un atmosfera unica, tutti gli invitati hanno gradito e si sono complimentati. Sicuramente li richiamerò per suonare."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Mai es un artista excepcional. Nos cautivó desde el primer momento con su profesionalidad y gran actuación. Además de simpática es muy empática y tiene una capacidad de mimetizarse con el público y el entorno. Sus versiones Cover de Soul y Blues fusionaron perfectamente con nuestro entorno, rodeado de naturaleza y vida. Todos nuestros clientes quedaron prendados de ella y del arte de Jesús a la guitarra. Grandes profesionales y muy recomendables. Gracias por tanto Mai, espero pronto volver a contar con vosotros. Un abrazo"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

" Noa and her band provided the perfect mix of sophistication and fun for my daughter's 21st birthday party. We had a 1920s theme and Noa's velvet voice transported us back in time as we danced to the Charleston and swayed to the love songs. I can wholeheartedly recommend Noa and her sharp professional band to make any party pop!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: