Review Centre: 1950s Era Musicians & Bands

"Cara, just wow, honestly one of the most professional, versatile and adaptive singers I have come across. Not to mention her soul stopping voice! I’ve had to do a few events before and she is by far the most perfect entertainer. She made quite a niche plan (involving fancy dress, barges and fire!) completely feasible and all without batting an eye lid, especially impressive as she only found out there and then the full plan. It goes without saying that she has got true talent. Further the diverse requests were all met with such ease and at times she didn’t even need music! So straight forward, very responsive and approachable, with all her own equipment, Cara will honestly make your event a special memory and with such ease! Thank you Cara! Tom had a timeless send off! "

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"David has the timing and the swagger of Sinatra … for my money he’s the best"

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"Ed and the guys played some superb jazz during our wedding breakfast at Mitton Hall. They created just the right mood for dinner and we can't thank them enough for adding to our special day! "

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

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"Annelise Molloy performed at our WW1 Centenary Commemoration. She is an incredible singer and was the perfect booking. Her song choices were great and very fitting for the day. The crowds loved her and many enquired about booking her in the future. I would totally recommend! 5 stars"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Well done Saxyordon kept everyone happy , from young to old is there anthing you can't play , well worth the money great job 👏 "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"You guys were perfect for our party. I can’t tell you how many people told us how great the band was. You kept everybody dancing until the end. We’ll be seeing you again. Thanks for making our Anniversary party such a memorable event. Joe and Josephine"

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"The band was great! And fun! We hope to do it again sometime!"

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"The Jazz Centrale made our party unforgettable. They were on time, very friendly and incredibly good at their job. The music created exactly the right atmosphere. The communication before and during the event was smooth and professional. They were flexible and thought along well, which made the collaboration very pleasant. In short, a great experience and definitely recommended!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Great Trio! I hired the Simon Burke Trio through Gig Salad for a business cocktail party. It was easy. Everything went off without a hitch. Great Trio. Great People."

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"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

" Wow! That's awesome. You guys really did a great job on that one!"

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"Just to say a big thank you for playing on Wednesday.  It was just great and perfect for the occasion. Everyone loved your music."

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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."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The Jazz Central was very professional in every way. Their performance was great, they created the atmosphere at our wedding ceremony. As well as in terms of communication (request to handling), everything was perfect. Highly recommended to anyone looking for a jazz band."

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