Review Centre: Big Bands

"I find it very important in todays jazz environment that a player of Rick Holland talent gets heard and recognized because he carries on a tradition of swing and melodic playing that I consider most important in jazz. Hendrik Meurkens, Jazz Harmonicist, NYC"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Swing Shift played at our wedding, a modest affair with 200 of our closest friends and family. After our wedding dance, a foxtrot, the band started into that great swing tune, "In the Mood". Everyone, and we do mean everyone, ran onto the dance floor and danced the night away. What a magical evening!!! Bob and Karen PS: I have attached one of our favourite photos from the evening. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"What an absolutely fantastic band, we recently hired them for our mums Gatsby themed party, they were amazing, would definitely recommend them to add that touch of roaring 20s Glitz & Glamour to any occasion, 5 Stars"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"What an utterly wonderful band and an unimaginably fabulous collection of humans - thank you for absolutely OWNING my partner's 40th birthday bash, she/we/the crowd loved you and would book you again in a trice... well played and THANK YOU lovely Laura, brilliant bandmates and associated biscuits xxx"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Having recently been involved in organising a big birthday one of our family members. I can wholeheartedly recommend Funk’N’Soul, Our party was a great success and a large part of that was down to the great music provided by the band and DJ service. This is a large band of very accomplished musicians with great arrangements and showmanship thank you Funk’N’Soul."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"This letter will confirm that the Gabriel Rosati Group led by Mr. Gabriel Rosati played at The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka from May 23rd to August 22nd 1997. Mr. Rosati, the band leader, performed nightly with the trumpet and vocals superbly played Jazz, Latin, Brazilian and Pop music. He was always a true professional, reacted to the comfort of all the Japanese and foreign guests, and was as well received by all. Many guests returned several times to hear the groups performances. I have no problem recommending Mr. Rosati to any future employers."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"'Please thank the excellent Chris Weeks for his singing yesterday. The team has asked me to pass on their heartfelt thanks for making their event so special. There was a very magical atmosphere and many happy guests.' "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"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 "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"What did we want? Something a little bit different to entertain our guests of a mixed age group, something that was current and fresh with a nod to the traditional, fun but not cheesy. Musically Excellent. (I'm an ex cruise ship performer so quite fussy.) Trip 4 Biscuits achieved this in spades and has been one of the main talking points of our wedding at the Berry Head Hotel. Think Dua Lipa, Moose T. Right said Fred Sung to perfection in a sequined Ball gown with Tuxedoed Musicians in a 1920's/30's speakeasy style, arrangements that are simply impossible not to tap your feet or dance to. Well done to Laura and the band Edward and Lewis xx"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

" “ I want to thank The Midtown Horns for a spectacular show. The NSDDS Gala and Benefit for Sam was a great success and our guests were thrilled with the great sounds and song stylings of this fabulous band. Once again, my thanks to The Midtown Horns”! Dr. Linda J Massod, DMD, Chairwoman, North Shore District Dental Society. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"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."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"This was my first ever swing band concert and what can I say – it was fantastic – I didn’t realise how good they were! What a great evening. We travelled in ice, snow, high heels and dresses and it was very worth it. Fabulous music and excellent entertainment. It really started off my Christmas. Can’t wait for next year."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you Trip for Biscuits, you were amazing! From the after dinner duo, to the evening 5 piece band, it was perfect. With your unique style, your music added such great flare to our wedding. From randomly seeing you perform for the first time in the Bootlegger in Exeter, we absolutely loved your music & you certainly didn't disappoint for our big day!!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I think I thanked you about a dozen times on the night but once again thank you so much for making our wedding such a magical day. Everyone enjoyed Mr Swing and would have danced to you all night. We have both been singing King of the Swingers ever since. Keep us informed of any future events."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"One Size Fits All is a party band that knows how to get a crowd moving. With two vocalists and a 4 piece horn section, they played a 50th birthday party and had everyone on their feet. The band is tight and energetic, and their repertoire spans a wide range of genres. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: