Review Centre: 1940s Era Musicians & Bands

"We asked Noa to sing at our wedding and she filled the church with a superb a cappella version of 'Amazing Grace' which left the congregation and us spellbound! Thank you Noa for helping to make our day so special!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Je viens d'écouter ton enregistrement, bravo à toi et aux autres musiciens! C'est très agréable à écouter et pas si sombre que ça, comparé à Almost blue de Chet Baker, une des rares musiques que je connaisse vraiment de lui avec My funny Valentine. Cela m'a surtout fait replonger dans l'ambiance d'un très bon film noir de Louis Malle de la fin des années 50 à Paris " Ascenseur pour l'échaffaud", la BO est de Miles Davis"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Absolutely fabulous, hugely entertaining and lovely music for a wedding, with a great variety of music keeping things going with a swing. The guests loved it and applauded at the end of each song. Highly recommend as not only fantastic artists but such nice guys too."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

" All Music Review Thom Jurek The title of this set is an apt one. While much of the music presented by the Rick Holland-Evan Dobbins Little Big Band, it hearkens back -- in terms of its sophistication, confidence and outright jazz literacy, not nostalgically -- to an era when progressive jazz, and big bands (this one numbering 10 pieces) flourished on the scene. This is one sophisticated outfit. Featuring the arrangement and compositional skills of Brent Wallarab, Jim Martin, Bill Dobbins and Kerry Strayer, this band struts out the tradition and make some joyous, complex, and elegant music that reflects its own unique identity. The résumés of all these players are impressive and reflected in the confidence of the date. It opens with "SUNY-Triangle," a Martin composition that works its artful sleight-of-hand over Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Triste." Martin uses the rhythmically complex samba and drapes some tough, knotty twists and turns over it. The intro is a beautiful and raucous wake-up call, while the head of the tune, with its staggered entrances and exits -- including some fine soloing by John Viavattine on tenor and John Nyerges on piano -- give this tune a unique identity. "Creature Comfort" is a beautiful mid-tempo ballad by Wallarab with edgeless yet multi-dimensional dissonances written into its harmonics. It swings beautifully and includes a fine, punchy solo by tenorman Glenn Cashman. Besides the originals, there are some fine readings here as well. There's Wallarab's arrangement of Duke Ellington's "Black and Tan Fantasy" that's a thoroughly modern exercise losing none of Ellington's humor or rhythmic complexity. Likewise, Gerry Mulligan's haunting, wee-hours, "Night Lights," is given expert treatment here by Strayer, and Dean Keller's baritone saxophone playing combines Mulligan's sense of lyric and Ben Webster's sense of time. In Time's Shadow reveals that innovation need not sacrifice accessibility or swing. It is convincing evidence that the big band form is alive, well and full of surprises."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Everyone loved the band and the selection of music they played!!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I can not fault Ben he played beautifully and he is definitely talented we had so many compliments how much of an amazing touch it was to have him play at my mum’s funeral and will definitely be recommending him to friends and family, anybody considering booking a saxophone players for any form of even I highly recommend Ben his prices are also amazing for the quality of services 10/10 I would book him again in a heartbeat"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Highly recommended Booking was friendly and smooth. The repertoire was excellent—highly recommended for a reception as we had planned. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"You will enjoy… While looking for a great band for the musical opening of our wedding, we came across the Jazz Centrale. The previews on their website were promising and live they exceeded our expectations. Among the guests were several “lovers of the genre” who have been playing piano and sax for decades. Appreciation all around. With flair, humor, and passion they bring their performance to life; they are true professionals… Highly recommended… you will enjoy… "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Played two sets of excellent Jazz. Was enjoyed by all those in attendance. Would highly recommend to anyone. Superb. Thanks Chris and Sue. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The Colleyville Police Department would like to thank Just Jazz for providing such outstanding musical entertainment at our 2024 Police Department Awards Banquet. Your music made a huge difference in the ceremony and there were many positive comments about the music. Please extend our appreciation to all of your musicians! It goes without saying your music helped make this year's event very special for everyone in attendance."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Reviews - (Barry) Just a quick note to say a very big 'thank you' for your performance and performers last night. Everyone here thoroughly enjoyed the whole evening with an excellent mix of music and vocals. - (Ann) It was a great set that you did at …….. -(Diane) I enjoyed the evening very much. "

Rating: 9 / 10 Share this review:

"Perfect accompaniment We were a bit nervous because we hadn’t been able to see you perform before Saturday, but those nerves disappeared quickly. It was the perfect musical backdrop to what was a perfect evening for us. You struck exactly the right tone — not too heavy, not too light. Even the non-jazz lovers among our guests liked it very much. I’d have no problem recommending you to others. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"“Absolutely perfect! Without drawing attention, you made the evening. Kars and his team provided the music during a large corporate dinner we hosted for our clients. Their presence is never in the foreground, yet it sets a major part of the atmosphere. Thank you, and looking forward to the next collaboration!”"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Just wanted to extend our thanks to you both again. A perfect addition to our day and we couldn’t be happier. Hope you enjoyed yourselves and we name dropped ‘Dinner Jazz Duo’ as much as we possibly could during the day, as people were asking!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We thoroughly enjoyed the performance. Despite the large number of guests and the busy environment, the music provided the perfect backdrop for networking and conversation. The trio added real value to what became a highly successful event."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: