Review Centre: 1940s Era Musicians & Bands

"We couldn't have been more delighted with Hot Shoes performance, the dance floor was packed from the moment they started and stayed that way for the whole set!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"You gave the reception a huge atmosphere with your performance. I heard only positive reactions and several people wanted to know your e-mail address (including the observatory staff). Thank you for turning this drizzly day into a celebration with your performance. We enjoyed it."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you for playing for us last night – we loved the music you played and felt it really set our night off perfectly! Everyone has been saying how brilliant the band was last night and the photos today show that people really had a great time!! Your outfits were also perfectly fitting with our Roaring 20s theme and we literally couldn’t have asked for more! Thank you so much once again and we would not hesitate to book you for events in the future!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Great, atmospheric music! The collaboration with the musicians was pleasant and professional, both during the event (and the setup), and in the coordination beforehand. Highly recommended!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Exceeded our expectations. The band struck just the right balance between background music and something that my guests could listen to."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The party last Saturday was a great success and that is largely thanks to you. We have already received a lot of nice reactions. Once again, our thanks for that. As for the organization, that went well as far as we are concerned."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Dinner Jazz Duo played during my wedding breakfast at Coombe Abbey in Warwickshire - they were lovely. Nice background music and friendly with my guests. "

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:

"We hebben Jazz Moments geboekt voor een privé-evenement, en ze waren fantastisch! Hun mix van klassieke jazztunes gaf een verfijnde sfeer aan de avond en creëerde de perfecte ambiance voor onze gasten. Zeer aanbevolen voor elke gelegenheid."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"A lovely set performed by a lady with a beautiful voice. Fleur came along to play at my mother's 90th birthday party and entertained everyone with her wonderful soulful tones. A great evening complimented wonderfully by an excellent performer. Thank you Fleur."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Pía es un auténtico ciclón sobre el escenario. Aparte de su excelencia vocal e instrumental de los músicos que le acompañan, así como lo acertado del repertorio, tiene la capacidad de conectar con el público desde el mismo comienzo de su actuación, y provocar las más variadas emociones. Una presencia poderosa, una tremenda capacidad como actriz y su gran profesionalidad hacen que contar con ella sea un acierto seguro en tu evento, en cualquiera de los formatos que ofrece."

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"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Pure class. Set the mood perfectly for our daughter and son in law’s wedding reception. Highly recommended. "

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"Sax Addict laid the perfect backdrop to my lakeside canapes. Lush."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Lisanne and I had been searching for a good jazz band with a Latin flair for a long time. We were thrilled to stumble upon Jazz Centrale and were immediately captivated when we heard the beautiful Bossa Nova sounds they have in their repertoire. The performance more than lived up to our expectations. It's a shame we couldn't enjoy it even more because of all the conversations at our wedding. I would book them again in a heartbeat!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: