Review Centre: Big Bands

"Having Chris at our event was wonderful!..such an elegant person and a superb musician, he added an extra touch of class to our event!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"What a fantastic band. We booked Steve & the band for my parent's 60th Wedding Anniversary. The music was fantastic and some modern songs were played too. Just brilliant and thank you for making their night extra special "

Reply by Steve King Band
Thank you for your review Moira, and once again, thank you for the booking!

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Un equipo fantástico, muy predispuestos, profesionales, gran repertorio, aceptan peticiones y muy amables, sin duda un gran equipo, muchas gracias por su actuación, un saludo y hasta la próxima!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We had an amazing time with them. They played a variety of music and had everyone dancing and singing. They Kept the audience entertained. Highly recommend them. Would love to attend another venue with them. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"‘Just wanted to drop you a line to say how impressed our family and friends were with Chris when he performed at our mum and dads joint 80th birthday celebrations yesterday! The quality of his singing was first class and his performance was exactly what we wanted for the day! He really did made this special occasion so memorable for everyone. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending him! Thanks so much to all involved in helping us and for suggesting Chris!' "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"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"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Nos ha gustado mucho en general, aunq la ocasión a sido triste ya q era funeral , era lo q buscábamos, gracias por todo "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"This band is fabulous – a performance not to miss!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I’d like to thank you and the band for an outstanding performance on Saturday night. The members and overseas guests commented on a great night of entertainment. I hope you all had a safe journey home. It was very much appreciated that you travelled down south for this event."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

" When we set about choosing our nighttime entertainment for our wedding ceremony we wanted a band that would appeal to all, with a sense of fun - to get people up and dancing. We watched you on YouTube and read your reviews, it all seemed quite good. Your energy - live, on stage - was even better than we expected. We were also very impressed by your professionalism throughout the booking process and on the night itself. Judging by the numbers on the dance floor, I'd say the night was a success! Sandra and I would like to thank you very much for making our celebrations perfect. We cannot recommend you highly enough. Chris"

Rating: 9 / 10 Share this review:

"Un espectáculo muy bonito y con un amplio repertorio de canciones. Se nota que les gusta su trabajo porque ponen muchas ganas y esfuerzo en cada canción. Sin duda volveré a repetir"

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:

"We love rich, he’s a great performer and would highly recommend… Taken from Google, verified."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"TRILBY Scott Yanow, author of ten books including The Jazz Singers, Trumpet Kings, Jazz On Film and Jazz On Record 1917-76 The Rick Holland-Evan Dobbins Little Big Band, which is based in Rochester, New York, was founded in 2005. Co-led by flugelhornist Holland and trombonist Dobbins, the 11 piece group has the sound of a big band despite having eight instead of the usual 11 or 12 horns. Its musicianship is top-notch, soloists are impeccable, and arrangements are both colorful and swinging. The 11 songs heard on Trilby consist of four standards, three originals by harmonica great Hendrik Meurkens, and a song apiece by Kerry Strayer, Hal Crook, Brent Wallarab and pianist Bill Dobbins. The father of Evan Dobbins, Bill Dobbins is the best known musician in the band, contributed six of the arrangements, and is a key soloist on five songs. But enough of the statistics. The Little Big Band swings hard and puts plenty of spirit into each performance. The opener, Benny Golson's “Stablemates,” has fine solos from Holland and the Phil Woods-inspired altoist Doug Stone, with the two battling it out near the tune's finish. Meurkens' “Slidin'” has an arrangement by Bill Dobbins that in its use of restrained tone colors is worthy of Thad Jones. A heated jam on “The Eternal Triangle” gives Holland and tenor-saxophonist Mike Pendowski an opportunity to jam, trade-off and interact with each other. Holland, Doug Stone (this time on clarinet) and trombonist Nick Finzer play lyrically on the melodic “Second Waltz.” David Baron's bass is featured prominently on “The Cottage,” a haunting tune particularly worthy of several listens. “Trilby,” a lengthy exploration of the chord structure of “Alone Together,” has some excellent hard bop flugelhorn from Holland, adventurous soprano from Stone and a memorable spot for Bill Dobbins' piano. Trombonist Dobbins, Pendowski and drummer Rich Thompson are not only well featured on “Fused” but at one point they play as a pianoless bassless trio. Rick Holland is heard at his best on the ballad “My Darling Darlene” and a jazz waltz version of “While We're Young.” David Baron is naturally in the spotlight during bassist Oscar Pettiford's “Tricotism” (along with Nick Finzer and Bill Dobbins) before Trilby closes with its most intense performance on “Rich's Call.” 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."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We and everyone else had a fantastic time and a lot of people said how your band was one of the highlights of the day, so thank you very much!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: