"'Chris was fantastic! All agreed he was cool, suave, talented and could belt out a great tune! My wife the birthday girl loved it' "
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:
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"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:
"I can honestly say that it was fabulous entertainment. In all the years of the awards the dance floor has never been so full and for so long!! You made our Awards just a fabulous experience and everyone I have seen since has raved about you all! Thank you so much for an unforgettable night!!"
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"Swing Shift played at our wedding, a modest affair with 200 of our closest friends and family. After our wedding dance, a foxtrot, the band started into that great swing tune, "In the Mood". Everyone, and we do mean everyone, ran onto the dance floor and danced the night away. What a magical evening!!! Bob and Karen PS: I have attached one of our favourite photos from the evening. "
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"Thanks so much for coming to Knowsley and taking part in our Serious Nonsense Festival. Your performance was one of the highlights of the programme and we have had so much positive feedback from audience members and visitors. Especially Lady Anne Dodd who loved the tribute! Thanks for taking the time to create this for her. Mr Swing’s Dance Orchestra was as popular as ever!"
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:
"I just want to thank you so much for making our wedding celebrations so perfect. Everyone who came has fed back to us how amazing you were. You were absolutely stunning and I loved every minute of your sets – terrific voice and music. It was lovely to see everyone dancing – from my 6 year old niece to my 83 year old aunt! Thank you so much."
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:
"Dan and his band was amazing I threw my wife a surprise 10 year cancer remission party and found Dan Olivo on GigSalad. Soon as I talked to him I knew he was the right person for this special event. He definitely provided a memorable night and was the highlight of the party. I would recommend him without any reservations and can't wait to see him perform again."
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:
"What a great group of musicians On 30 June, we had a fantastic celebration for our 40th wedding anniversary. Everything was perfect: the location, the weather, the food, the people, and the music. What a great group of musicians you sent—we received compliments from all sides. Not only was the music excellent, but the way they approached it was perfect: they arrived, found a good spot, set up quietly without anyone really noticing, and then started playing beautifully. No fuss or showmanship—just playing perfectly at the right volume. Thank you, the music truly contributed to making the celebration a success. "
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:
"In a word... FABULOUS! These guys gave us just the sound we needed for our fun Prohibition-theme wedding. It is now two weeks later, and all we keep hearing is "Man, that band was fantastic!" They are worth the asking price (which is very reasonable to begin with!) Steve Curry is a great guy and very easy to deal with. I would recommend them without any reservations."
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Awesome..thanks! Texas Gypsies
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:
"Thanks for helping create such a brilliant atmosphere at our wedding reception - lots of people commented on how good the music was!"
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"Cristiano Giardini ha reso unica e raffinata l'atmosfera della nostra serata. Oltre ad essere un musicista di talento e di grande esperienza, è anche una persona puntuale, affidabile e disponibile, che saprà comprendere le vostre esigenze e darvi ottimi consigli sull'organizzazione del vostro evento. Noi contiamo di rivederlo presto per qualche altra occasione. "
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:
"Thank you Greg, For appreciating our event and our property. The truth is, I am one of the lucky ones who got to marry their best friend. It's true love through and through, and I think that is why things were just destined to work out as beautifully as they did. I think you will appreciate this, the next day, Jay said, "that was the best wedding I have ever been to. I had to laugh thinking to myself, "I wonder how the groom feels"!!! ����! But I knew it was going to be terrific when two days prior this incredible rainbow engulfed our house!!! Auspicious indeed!!! All the best to you and your awesome band! Margrit Dr. Margrit Mikulis, ND, AD"
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:
"The broad repertoire his groups encompass and the care with which he deals with musical details are a welcome exception in this age of super specialization and an obsession with quick results at the expense of real quality. Bill Dobbins, Eastman School of Music"
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..."
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