Review Centre: Swing Bands

"Working with Petro was smooth from the very beginning. Both communication and the agreement process were professional and pleasant. His saxophone playing adds a vibrant and elegant touch to any event, and he is highly versatile across many event types and musical genres…Whether you’re looking for something jazzy, more pop-oriented, or even a 60s–70s Motown vibe... He can quickly put together a setlist and accommodate your requests. I can confidently recommend him. "

Reply by Saxophone,Wedding sax
Thank you so much, Ezel, for your kind words. I truly enjoyed being part of your event.

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"‘I just wanted to say thank you again for yesterday - everyone loved your sets and kept telling me how much they enjoyed it! Would be happy to recommend you to others!’ "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you all so much for your amazing performance on Saturday evening, which was everything I could have hoped for! Your music was brilliant, got everyone up dancing and I can’t tell you how many people told me afterwards ‘how brilliant the 1920s band were’. As soon as you played your first song I knew we’d struck gold! It couldn’t have been more perfect given the whole Gatsby theme and everyone so dressed up, so thank you all so much. You may be interested to know that we raised an astonishing £7,000 on the night! With just 96 people in the room…amazing! Thanks again Matthew and I’ll not hesitate to recommend you if anyone should ask me for a fabulous 20’s Jazz Band!"

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"Kars and his band will be a highlight of your event! Truly a professional, artistic, and charming band! Looking forward to working with them again!"

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"Dennis is an incredible musician and person. He was quick to respond on emails, flexible during our pandemic postponement scheduling process, and willing to take our special requests for music. We received so many compliments from guests on Dennis’ acoustic guitar during our ceremony and the band’s renditions of hits from Van Morrison, Grateful Dead, and Eric Clapton during our cocktail hour. I would hire Dennis and his band again in a heartbeat."

Reply by Dennis Winge Ensemble
Thanks so much Erika and many blessings to you both.

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you so very much for playing yesterday. We all thoroughly enjoyed it and it turned a sad occasion into the celebration that Della wanted. The music you played was fabulous. Everyone commented that the music was a magical touch and that Della would have loved every minute of it. So thank you and please send our thanks to the rest of your band. I found booking your band a very easy and straightforward process with prompt correspondence from you. A few friends and myself are going to book a Friday evening with your band and dinner at the Savoy "

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"Dave Sang at mum's 80th birthday, he was absolutely fantastic and had the most amazing voice. Everyone loved him. Thank you for making mum's day so special."

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"Hello Mr. Lilienthal, To take it straight away: Everyone was totally thrilled. Everything was really to the best satisfaction. The way you played, volume, choice of music - everything accompanied at the right time, always atmospherically adapted to the situation and always the "right tone", whether at the standing reception, at dinner, in the course of the evening. Simply perfect. The nice possibility that the audience could wish for titles was really well received. After all the feedback and our own feelings, it was really a great decision that we entrusted you with the musical framing of the evening. We would like to thank you very much for that."

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"Could not be happier with Liz and the duo that sang and played at my wife's 50th Birthday arranged at last minute - highly recommend them."

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"It was the best day of our lives. Kevin and his team played at our wedding, and it was incredible. Everyone loved the music and the atmosphere that Tibi Events created. From the incredibly professional planning to the loving nature of all the musicians, it was simply perfect. Kevin is the best violinist in all of Italy, and he proves it every time. Highly recommended, and we will definitely book Tibi again. Thank you for everything! ❤️ Nina & Pepe"

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"I can’t say enough great things about this entire band. Igor is such a pleasure to work with and the all of the musicians were not only impeccable but musically very very talented. Our entire event went off without a hitch due to their talents."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The sound of KAMA Jazz&Bossa band made our silver wedding party unforgettable. We chose the duo with Francesca on vocals and Alex on guitar. Francesca followed us step by step in choosing the songs she would perform, including bossa nova, jazz standards and Italian songs. She took care of all the organizational aspects, so that my wife Elena and I only had to think about enjoying the performance. She is very professional. Francesca's in tune voice and Alex's expertise, the excellently chosen pieces (including some of their own compositions) gave us a concert that enchanted us and all our guests. I hope we will have the opportunity to hear KAMA Jazz&Bossa band again as soon as possible. I can only thank Francesca and Alex once again and wish them all the recognition they deserve."

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"We chose "Matrimonio di Note" after seeing their bravura in another wedding, we varied the proposal which is still very wide and did not disappoint expectations. Marica was always available to advise us in the choices and the music was perfect, she gave a special touch to every important moment of our day. "

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 You get the feeling from Holland’s recordings, that Holland and his compatriots are not only talented musicians, but fully formed human beings with wit, style and elegance---folks whom you would enjoy sharing a fine dinner and stimulating conversation. Bill Barton, Green Mountain Jazz Messenger "Rick brought his quartet and the little big band to our wedding and reception. He was wonderful to work with, being both receptive to our requests and knowing where to fill in the gaps with his expertise. Not to mention I could call him anytime, and he worked around our schedule. They played a tasteful mix of songs great for just listening to and a few that got everyone up on the dance floor. In the end, everyone was raving about how great the band was. We couldn't be happier!" P.S. Lindsey was amazing, the two comments I heard most were "Wow, they are great!" and "That girl can sing!" Sam and Ellie Carrell 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 From the bride: "The music was wonderful! We could not have asked for a better band. Our guests were really impressed; the Uptown Society Orchestra really made our reception special.” From the groom: "What a professional group. Their exceptional musicianship brought a real element of class to the party. There is nothing like the sound of a live band, and this group made our reception better than we could have hoped for.” From the father of the bride: (Dennis Nowicki): "The band was fantastic -- they really exceeded our expectations." Anders Dahlberg and Stacy Nowicki, Wedding at the Chicago Art Museum The Uptown Society Orchestra may have had six members, but it sounded as if it had twice as many as members blew triumphantly throughout New Years' eve night. (Front page Kalamazoo Gazette, regarding the New Years Eve Festival 2004, Kalamazoo, Michigan) Bill Wood, Arts and Entertainment critic, Kalamazoo Gazette Amazing! Rick Holland Productions worked seamlessly with our wedding, where we had three separate "performances" that were adpated to by Rick's use of different members of the Little Big Band. We had a cocktail reception where a trio played, then a brass quartet accompanied our Wedding ceremony. After our guests were transported by horse-drawn carriage to a lake side reception site, the Little Little Big Band got things started and the full Little Big Band played the night away to the extreme pleasure of our entire party. They even let Joe Robinson jam with them in the chill of the autumn, fire-lit evening! Thank You so much Rick! Matthew Cooper, Bradford, PA Rick brought his quartet and the little big band to our wedding and reception. He was wonderful to work with, being both receptive to our requests and knowing where to fill in the gaps with his expertise. Not to mention I could call him anytime, and he worked around our schedule. They played a tasteful mix of songs great for just listening to and a few that got everyone up on the dance floor. In the end, everyone was raving about how great the band was. Lindsey Holland was amazing, the two comments I heard most were "Wow, they are great!" and "That girl can sing!"We couldn't be happier! Sam and Ellie Carrell When we heard the Uptown Society perform at a New Year's Eve concert we knew that we wanted them to play at our wedding. They had the perfect blend of jazz, swing and romantic ballads. They are excellent musicians and we were thrilled to find that they were available for our wedding. Our guests were thrilled that we hired them; we received so many compliments. Uptown Society provided a wonderful 'soundtrack' for our storybook wedding. Eric and Kim von Oeyen, Battle Creek, MI Rick Holland and his band played our wedding on August 28, 2010. Rick could not have been more accommodating to my husband and my wants and needs for music at the wedding. We communicated through email, over the phone, and met with each other once to go over the details. Rick was very thorough and always set our minds at ease. During our ceremony, his quartet played us up the aisle with a romantic song and down the aisle with ''Fireworks'' which set the mood for the festive evening to begin. The cocktail hour began immediately following the ceremony and Rick''s band did not miss a beat....the little big band entertained guests while they mingled and got a bite to eat. When the wedding party was ready to be announced, Rick took the microphone as we were all introduced. After the speeches were out of the way, Rick and the band let loose! With a full band and two singers, a male and a female, we partied for the next four hours! The guests were dancing, singing, and truly having a great time as did we! The band definitely made the night! The songs were exactly what we requested and the sound quality was superb. I would gladly book Rick and his band for another occasion as well as recommend them. Thanks again Rick! Erin and Mike Victor, New York"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I just wanted to say a massive thank you. You were all amazing last night! You absolutely made my party and I’m so grateful!! I had so many people comment on how awesome you were! Many thanks again for making my 40th fabulous and unforgettable."

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