Review Centre: 1950s Era Musicians & Bands

"If you’re looking for an amazing sax player, you found him!! We wanted a sax player for my mother’s 70th birthday and I am so glad we found Dan! He was very professional, easy to communicate with, and very reasonably priced. Dan kicked up the party to another level and played a wide array of music. My mother absolutely loved it as did all our guests. Thanks again Dan!"

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"‘On behalf of myself, my husband and our family and friends, you were truly brilliant! The amount of people that complimented you throughout the day/evening, you really added a special touch to our wedding day. On behalf of everyone thank you so, so much, I will definitely be recommended you!’ "

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"So glad we booked these guys, so talented and added the perfect background music for our reception. Sorry I wasn’t able to say thank you in person! As you can imagine it was a crazy day! Thank you all so much "

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"Great band and nice guys to work with. They played a French themed event and went down really well."

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"Their music is fantastic that appeals to all generations, and it is performed beautifully Everyone in the house just wanted to get up and dance to their fabulous music Never heard a band in North Carolina like this on someone that I can endorse forever to any venue"

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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."

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"Jack Bowers The Rick Holland—Evan Dobbins Little Big Band Trilby RPO Productions Five years after a sensational opening act (In Time's Shadow, 2006), trumpeter Rick Holland and trombonist Evan Dobbins have returned for an encore, Trilby, marshaling as before their irrepressible Little Big Band. As was noted of that earlier recording, "the only thing small about [this band] is its numbers." Baritone saxophonist Dean Keller, who shared that chair with Kerry Strayer on Shadow, also returns. The rest of the lineup is brand new, with Evan Dobbins' dad, the well-known educator Bill Dobbins (Eastman School of Music), replacing the splendid pianist John Nyerges. Besides shining at the keyboard, Bill Dobbins wrote "My Darling Darlene" and arranged half of the album's other ten numbers. Although he doesn't play this time around, Strayer composed "Rich's Call" and arranged Sonny Stitt's "Eternal Triangle" and Oscar Pettiford's "Tricotism," while Brent Wallarab wrote "Trilby" and arranged Benny Golson's "Stablemates." Bill Dobbins' engaging charts brighten three originals by Hendrik Meurkens—"Slidin," "Second Waltz," "The Cottage"—as well as Hal Crook's "Fused" and Alec Wilder's lovely standard, "While We're Young" (a reprise from the band's earlier album). Holland, who plays flugelhorn exclusively, solos strongly on seven numbers, striking the ball with assurance and perception on every turn at bat. Bill Dobbins ("Slidin," "The Cottage," "Trilby," "Darlene," "Tricotism") amplifies the message, as do Evan Dobbins ("Slidin," "Fused"), Doug Stone (alto on "Stablemates," clarinet on "Second Waltz," soprano on "Trilby" and "While We're Young"), tenor Mike Pendowski ("Eternal Triangle," "Fused," "Rich's Call"), trombonist Nick Finzer ("Second Waltz," "Tricotism"), bassist David Baron ("The Cottage," "Tricotism") and blue-chip drummer Rich Thompson ("Eternal Triangle," "Fused," "Rich's Call"). When they're not having their say, the ensemble is front and center, giving each of the charts its single-minded attention. The result is music that flows easily without miscue. Trilby marks a second triumph by the Holland / Dobbins Little Big Band, which, as was noted after its debut album, "is more big than little, in every sense of the word." Those who appreciate a tight, swinging band, even if slightly undersized, are sure to admire Trilby."

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"We hired Good Co for our 1920's themed holiday party. They were extremely flexible and accommodating, especially when we asked if they would follow our leadership around the office as they gathered people for the party. Awesome talent, great at judging sound vs space. Our office is pretty echo-y and loud, but they found the right balance immediately. Definitely keeping on the books for next time!"

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"fantastici! Ragazzi e musicisti meravigliosi che hanno fatto sognare e ballare i nostri ospiti di ogni età! Non avremmo potuto far scelta migliore! Grazie mille per aver contribuito a rendere ancora più speciale la nostra giornata! L., F., e la piccola C."

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"Warmly Recommended This is the second time I am organizing a company party with life music from “Jazz Centrale”. The first it was a Jazz quartet with Bossa Nova singer Agnes and this time it was a Jazz Quartet with Jazz Singer SaraLee. Both were equally great. Warmly recommended not only for quality of the music but also for the smoothness of the organization. "

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"Col loro swing hanno portato allegria a tutti. Con la loro eleganza e delicatezza hanno aggiunto magia alla nostra serata di maggio. Un gruppo appassionato e speciale. Un gruppo di cuori cantanti e cuori suonanti. Insomma, raccomando col cuore. Donia"

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"We booked Rockin Rebel for our event and can't express enough how great he was he kept the floor filled all night with his Classic 1950s and early 1960s songs from Artists such as Elvis Presley, Eddie Cochran, Billy Fury, Buddy Holly, and lots more artists from that era he also sang some great obscure Rock n Roll songs aswell and some lovely ballads which our members loved. We have recommended him to other rock n roll clubs aswell as he deserves plenty of recognition for the great performance he gave us."

Reply by Rockin Rebel
Thank you so much Daniel for having me I had a fantastic night at your Rock n Roll club Kind regards Rockin Rebel

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"Fantastic Night, Rock and Roll at it's Best Book Rockin Dave"

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"Many compliments received The performance was exactly as expected, and even a little more! We thoroughly enjoyed your performance—it was wonderful to do both the opening dance and unexpectedly the last dance. We also received many compliments from our guests for choosing the Rotterdam Jazz Trio. Guests especially appreciated that they could dance but also have a conversation at the same time. "

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"We thought Ben was brilliant and would thoroughly recommend. Provided a really cool and relaxed atmosphere which all our guests really enjoyed."

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