Review Centre: 1930s Era Musicians & Bands

""Dupa trio" played at my birthday party and it was a blast . if you need a jazz band - they are what your looking for ! "

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:

"Beautiful sound, great communication, and totally stress-free."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Miss Dolores and her excellent 'combo' played a selected repertoire for our wedding reception in December. We were impressed with the band's flexibility and quality of performance and of course Miss Dolores's beautiful and seemingly effortless singing. So many of our guests commented on the band and congratulated us on choosing them. Miss Dolores looked stunning in a lovely sequinned dress. In planning for the event she was keen to give us what we wanted, offering us an extensive repertoire of American song book, swing, latin, lounge, jive, rock & roll and contemporary songs, based on our initial conversations, and said there were many more to choose from if we needed them! She also recorded the song we'd selected for our 'first dance' so we could practice to it beforehand, which was very helpful indeed. Thank you Miss Dolores, we loved the music and relaxed vibe you generated for us on our special day."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I sent him only some humming about a song and he created something unique but still very authentic to the original "song". He was in time at the place we discussed. 10/10 communication. 10/10 creativity. 10/10 privacy after I proposed he just left without making it a big deal and contacted me afterwards. Very VERY satisfied with this lad !"

Reply by Victor Wahlström
Thank you again and I wish you all the best!

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We were recommended Dinner Jazz Duo by our wedding planner and we weren't disappointed. They played for the cocktail hour and created a lovely atmosphere. Great communication leading up to the day and very easy to work with :)"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Dinner Jazz Duo were totally awesome. They arrived early, were easy to work with, and pitched the music just right for our drinks reception. Definitely recommend."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Tracy has sung for me at a number of venues I have managed. Most recently she entertained with her Miss Swing theme. Was amazing, all our guests thoroughly enjoyed their Sunday afternoon and have been left waiting for more of Tracy later in the year. So accommodating to this new venture, I cannot recommend enough, get booking!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thanks for setting the tone for a wonderful works party with your great sax set... Your communication leading up to the event was prompt and professional and your performance on the night superb. It was lovely that you enjoyed yourself enough to stay for a drink with us and your play list hit, the perfect note.... :) thanks and to confirm that I will certainly be recommending you to others having a wedding, party or event in the future. Thanks again, Rob (MD of Proludic LTD)."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Beans and Biscuits have played at Baldock folk club 3 times in the past and they always put on a great fun night ,With some great toe tapping tunes and some fabulous fiddle playing .Their repertoire covers Country, Honkytonk, and Americana and we look forward to having them back in 2023"

Rating: 9 / 10 Share this review:

"The charismatic and charming Lucienne de Ville brings bags of joie de vivre to the stage, engaging warmly with her audience and delighting everyone with her sparkling personality and beautiful singing voice. With Lucienne you are guaranteed to be taken on an uplifting musical and cultural journey. I can highly recommend her artistry and talent."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Everybody absolutely adored these two! They did so well! Lovely people and gutted I didn’t get chance to meet them on the day properly before it started!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Really great at reading the room and keeping the vibe perfect."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"If Dr. John and Tom Waits leave you wanting more, lend your ear to one-of-a-kind Aussie artist Pugsley Buzzard, who assimilates their piano playing, singing and songwriting style into his own blues-jazz musical distillation. On this, his fourth solo CD since 2007’s Hammer These Tongs, Buzzard delivers an all-original set recorded in New Orleans, Melbourne and the Blue Mountains. The Aussie backing musicians are so hip to Buzzard’s swampy Crescent City-influenced grooves that it’s difficult to tell which tracks were recorded where. Complementing the Big Easy contingent of tenor and baritone saxophonist Jimmie Carpenter, trumpeter Antonio Gambrell, trombonist Craig Klein, double bassist Nathan Lambertson, guitarist John Fohl, drummer Charles Brewer and singer Irene Sage, is an equally talented band of top local players. The opening bars of the lead-in blues mambo instrumental ‘Cigarstore Indian’, on which Buzzard’s commanding piano echoes Professor Longhair, James Booker and Allen Toussaint all rolled into one, promises a bourbon-drenched musical trip to follow. Buzzard doesn’t disappoint, his gravelly Joe Cocker-by-way-of-Coco Robicheaux vocals and pulsating piano serving up a solid mix of New Orleans R&B from the Fats Domino styled ‘Dirty Kings’ and the inventive minor-key rave-up ‘Gumbo Boogie’, to the gris-gris-soaked, Night Tripper hoodoo funk of ‘Po’ Boy’, ‘Fire In The Hole’ and ‘Mischief’. The Dixieland flavoured ‘Sin City Lights’ gives way to ‘Salamanca Blues’ a solo instrumental displaying Buzzard’s mastery of stride piano. Chasin’ Aces is a well-crafted, authentic New Orleans Down Under body of work. Al Hensley Rythmns Magazine "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"My professional organization hired Simon Burke and his band to play at an after-conference happy hour event. The song selection was wonderful, and the band was perfectly set up to allow guests to talk to each other while also enjoying the music. We had so many positive comments from conference attendees who loved the music! Simon himself was a pleasure to work with and is very professional. We enjoyed the experience so much that we decided to hire him again for this year's conference. Highly recommend!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: