Review Centre: 1930s Era Musicians & Bands

"Dr Jazz were fantastic. We LOVED having you all to play for us on Saturday. It was so wonderful having you playing as we arrived in the car after the ceremony. You were brilliant and really made the reception go with a swing. Thank you so much."

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"Everything sounded amazing and flowed so well with the evening."

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"Dimitris Bako Trio was excellent and very professional! Both days their music was perfect for our dinner during the Posidonia event in 2024. They brought two great singers as well, and made our stay wonderful! Thank you so much!"

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" 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:

"Since 2011, the band has a new focus. First, it is commissioning the legendary Bill Dobbins, to write sample arrangements from his famous “Evolution of Jazz Piano”, a series of movements based on the tune “All of Me”. Secondly, is breaking in it’s new vocalist, 19 year old sensation, Lindsey Holland. The band currently has over 60 arrangements for her to sing, including selections from Nancy Wilson’s disc with Cannonball Adderley. Furthermore, we have a Christmas Set now for her to sing, as well as many straight ahead jazz standards. The hope is for this group to record both of these projects sometime in the future."

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"We were very impressed with the performance. The musicians adapted perfectly to the atmosphere and created a warm, elegant setting for our guests. Many people asked who had booked the music."

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"Stumbled across the band at the Club House hotel Kilkenny. Absolutely superb. Something different and what a treat to hear a small orchestra live. Definitely going back!"

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"Beautiful Music! My wife and I played tourists in Kingston today and dinned and shopped at some of our favourite spots and also discovered some new ones. While enjoying our gelato by the Kingston tourism building, we had the pleasure of listening to Euro Café Duo perform. Let me tell you that I wish I could stay there all day long and listen to Ted and Andrea play... they are magnificent and extremely talented musicians. If you have an upcoming event, reach out to them and let your senses be marinated by their beautiful music!! "

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"I'd like to thank your team for their performance on March 10th. Everyone was very pleased with the Jazz Duo's performance! I hope the duo enjoyed the evening as much as we did."

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"Vibrant Jazz were brilliant and added a lot to the atmosphere and setting of our company's garden party. Communication with Dan was quick and easy and they were very professional, 10/10 recommend. "

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"Thanks so much for coming to Knowsley and taking part in our Serious Nonsense Festival. Your performance was one of the highlights of the programme and we have had so much positive feedback from audience members and visitors. Dr Jazz were as popular as ever!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Just wanted to thank you for a lovely evening, really positive feedback, everyone loved you. Will be in touch again to arrange another evening. Adriano - Sofalino Restaurant"

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"You guys were absolutely fantastic and everyone has been raving non stop about how good the band were! Thanks again for letting me on the stage and I wish you every success for the future. You really were brilliant and I will be sure to pass your details on and recommend you to friends and colleagues!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"A beautiful performance in the Lisettezaal of cultural center De Brink in Obdam on Sunday December 15th. A beautiful interplay of 4 musical friends, who played alternating gypsy swings. With personal stories told by Marcia , it was a true theater performance. The audience enjoyed the musicians and their playing. Recommended."

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"Duke Ellington, Glenn Miller and the rest of the "big" band leaders would be proud of your leadership and musical skills-the music was so amazing!!!m studying the great American Band Leaders for my PHD in American Musical History. I have to say, there hats would have been off to your splendid performance. Your daughter was great too.’Take care and thank you again so much for the great music! Katie Smith, Buffalo NY"

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