Review Centre: Brass Musicians

"Dan was amazing from start to finish, We asked Dan the special request of playing our First Dance for us and he literally made me cry at the start of the Dance, I sent him the song we wanted and he played it exactly like we wanted, All of our Guests were blown away with Dan and he filled the dancefloor everytime he came on. Thankyou again Dan for such an amazing night, you definitely made the night for us "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Mark was awesome! Really enhanced the whole flow of our wedding and gave the guests something to enjoy whilst we were off taking photos! Set the vibes for the day perfectly. It was especially important to us having Mark perform as it was a nod to my late grandad who used to play sax in a band many years ago. We can’t thank you enough! 100% recommend!!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Mark was extremely good at communicating from the start and was efficient at providing supporting documents for our venue. He performed for our drinks reception and very last minute offered to play us into our wedding breakfast with the song that we personally requested; he organised this very quickly with the best man who announced our entrance. We couldn't thank Mark enough for adding that extra special touch to our wedding day and would gladly recommend Mark to family/friends for all occasions!! Thank you so much :)"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Harry has played for us on many occasions. From the very first note he literally captivates his audience and people gather to hear more. He encompassed a variety of musical styles and is just so talented and versatile. Harry has helped us with several fundraising events and we know that if he is playing the event will be successful. He is such a delight work with and we just love his enthusiasm and the joy his music brings to so many"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Phil offers such an amazing presence to any space! Absolutely love his sounds and he is great to work with. Thank you Phil. We just love everything you do! Such talent. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Cranberry Flick entertained us at our Garden Party at Kings Newton. They played some excellent music which was enjoyed by everyone and all the members were delightful. Very professional and organised. We would certainly highly recommend them."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Absolutely amazing sax and DJ, was so happy to help and really made the evening special. Highly recommended"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Il loro stile si sviluppa attraverso i canoni musicali delle sonorità più varie e complesse da Bach, attraverso Mozart e scivolando in Gershwin affrontano con armonia e ritmica incalzante e melodica brani di jazz, blues, rock e pop, in particolare con classici dei Beatles e dei Queen, con puntate davvero interessanti nelle colonne sonore dei films più noti. Non mancano il tango e il funky. Davvero è una bella occasione ascoltarli."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Beautiful setting, and the sax just made it even better. It felt so natural and relaxing. Loved it."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Luigi was very attentive and followed everything I asked for also was great taking the lead with things I didn’t knew, very recommended!"

Reply by LuiSax A power sax for your events
Thanks so much Ana!!! It was a big pleasure to play for you and your guests.

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thanks Miguel Sucasas and DJ' Golden Sax for making the launch of the 'Humanitarian Research Centre' to an even bigger success! There's nothing like music to relieve the soul, and uplift it!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

" All Music Review Thom Jurek The title of this set is an apt one. While much of the music presented by the Rick Holland-Evan Dobbins Little Big Band, it hearkens back -- in terms of its sophistication, confidence and outright jazz literacy, not nostalgically -- to an era when progressive jazz, and big bands (this one numbering 10 pieces) flourished on the scene. This is one sophisticated outfit. Featuring the arrangement and compositional skills of Brent Wallarab, Jim Martin, Bill Dobbins and Kerry Strayer, this band struts out the tradition and make some joyous, complex, and elegant music that reflects its own unique identity. The résumés of all these players are impressive and reflected in the confidence of the date. It opens with "SUNY-Triangle," a Martin composition that works its artful sleight-of-hand over Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Triste." Martin uses the rhythmically complex samba and drapes some tough, knotty twists and turns over it. The intro is a beautiful and raucous wake-up call, while the head of the tune, with its staggered entrances and exits -- including some fine soloing by John Viavattine on tenor and John Nyerges on piano -- give this tune a unique identity. "Creature Comfort" is a beautiful mid-tempo ballad by Wallarab with edgeless yet multi-dimensional dissonances written into its harmonics. It swings beautifully and includes a fine, punchy solo by tenorman Glenn Cashman. Besides the originals, there are some fine readings here as well. There's Wallarab's arrangement of Duke Ellington's "Black and Tan Fantasy" that's a thoroughly modern exercise losing none of Ellington's humor or rhythmic complexity. Likewise, Gerry Mulligan's haunting, wee-hours, "Night Lights," is given expert treatment here by Strayer, and Dean Keller's baritone saxophone playing combines Mulligan's sense of lyric and Ben Webster's sense of time. In Time's Shadow reveals that innovation need not sacrifice accessibility or swing. It is convincing evidence that the big band form is alive, well and full of surprises."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Our place felt completely different with him playing. People stayed longer, enjoyed more… it just added something special."

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 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"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: