Review Centre: Big Bands

"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:

" 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:

"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..."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Incredibly well done! The speech and the singing were so beautiful and went to everyone's heart! You made our wedding ceremony so special! We are so proud to have been the first. Met our expectations 110%. We can hardly put into words what we experienced and wish everyone just such a great experience with you! Here are a few extra stars ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ because 5 are not enough! LG Michi and Ilka"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you for an amazing gig on our Peaky Blinders night. We had lots of good comments about how good the music was. You really help make the night a success."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I would recommend to anyone Trip for Buscuits they were amazing, all our Guest were full of praise and it made my daughters 21st a night to remember. Do not hesitate to book this band for your special occasion"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Georg played at our wedding on Saturday 24th May 2025. Overall, he was excellent and everyone attended love the music! Booking via Gig Heaven was easy and Georg was easy to reach and to align on what music we wanted. On the day, we extended the session by a full 1.5 hours as everyone was having a great time! I would fully recommend Georg, he made our evening even more special with his excellent choice of music and quality of play. Thank you Georg!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I have been meaning to message you directly also to thank you. What you produced the night of our wedding was nothing short of magical - and I do not say this lightly. I am very happy to hear the band enjoyed the evening - I think their enjoyment and energy showed through their music. The feedback we have had from guests is overwhelming, particularly that the band and the singer (I don't remember his name) was the best they have ever heard at a wedding. You guys nailed the performance. I am so happy that we decided to do a live version, you could not have gotten the same energy and vibe with just a recording / original version. Your two sets were also perfect. There were a few times that we all stopped in the marquee to listen and appreciate the music, particularly My Way - I remember looking around and quite a few people were singing along! I think another sign of a success of a wedding is the number of people on the dance floor, and there was not an empty space during the second set. The amount of people of all ages dancing was a true highlight for me as we wanted this to be a wedding that everyone would enjoy - not just us."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Vibrant Jazz were brilliant. Provided exactly the right music for our party in the garden on a beautiful summers day greatly appreciated by all our guests.Dan and Charlie both professional and charming. Will definitely be using them again when the occasion arises. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"With the smooth sounds of the Martini Set, our corporate guests had a fabulous event and loved to dance the night away. Such an easy group to work with, we loved their music and their happy attitude. Have used them a few times and suggest you BOOK THEM or your event."

Reply by The Martini Set
Thank you Carol it was a pleasure working with you, take care see you again cheers Steven The Martini Set

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We just wanted to say a massive thanks to the Band for playing at our Great Gatsby Party on Friday last week! They were amazing! Everyone really loved them and wished they could have stayed for longer! What a great mix of old vs. new Gatsby and great singer and musicians would definitely recommend them!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"He was right on time and we all really enjoyed it. He played very good and will use him again. Thanks"

Reply by The Traveler Trumpet
Hello Sr. everything is ok but there is a little mistake and it is that you have to type again where it say "name of reviewer" you have to type your name and not it mine

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"One Size Fits All is a party band that really knows how to get a crowd moving. With two vocalists and a 4 piece horn section, they played at my 50th birthday party and had everyone on their feet. The band is tight and energetic, and their repertoire spans a wide range of genres. A fantastic evening and we will be inviting them back soon."

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:

" I am proud that the Rick Holland - Evan Dobbins Little Big Band calls Tala Vera cantina home once a month. Rick is a consummate professional as well as a top tier musician. His Band comprises the best players Rochester has to offer. Such talent coupled with an amazing book of swing and traditional jazz, presents a special evening of music every time they play at Tala Vera. Bernard Matthews, Owner of Tala Vera, Rochester, NY I have had the pleasure to do some arranging and writing for Rick's groups and I have to say that his groups are always chocked full of the best musicians around. It's a pleasure to have music played with precision and integrity - no matter what the style or genre. I would highly recommend any or Rick's groups for a jazz or commercial setting. Jim Martin, Grand Rapids, MI 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 Sometimes it all just falls into place. The setting, the situation, the scene, the tone -- everything is going your way. That describes last night for me. And at the heart of this mid-week Xanadu was the Rick Holland Uptown Orchestra, a modest, brass-centric outfit led by the trumpet-blowing Holland that swung with equal parts effervescence and laid-back cool at Lovin Cup. And come to find out, five of his Hollands regular guys were sidelined, and the holes on the bandstand were plugged with subs --- hired music muscle like Po’ Boy Erik Jacobs on the slide trombone. By the time the Orchestra heaped on a helping of Count Basie, there was nowhere else I wanted to be. I dragged my mom out in the cold for this show and she was thrilled when they stomped on the Savoy. Holland led the affair with a relaxed air, coaxing more than conducting under his porkpie lid. He went around the bandstand numerous times so every cat there got his fair shake, including pianist extraordinaire Bill Dobbins. This is one sweet band, yes, yes. Frank De Blase, Roch City News With all the hype going to Wynton Marsalis, you might not guess that there are other, lesser-known, straight-ahead trumpet players out there who are consistently ripping the hide off the ball. This, Rick Holland's auspicious debut, is an impressive effort. The trumpeter leads his quartet, backed by a solid Michigan-based rhythm section: pianist Terry Lower, bassist Ed Fedewwa, and drummer Larry Ochiltree, through a fiery trail of originals and standards, interspersed with some fine balladry. Holland's sensitive ear translates to some tight arrangements and a well-organized program. On flugelhorn, he boasts a rich, full tone that purrs with warmth. On the faster tunes, he steams. This is the kind of jazz that feels just right on a wintry day, with the fireplace in full throttle, and the feet resting on a cushion: it hits the spot perfectly, drenched with emotional power and skillful fortitude. Steve Loewy, All Music Guide"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: