"What a find ˜Feed the Cats" have been for us at Dogs Bar. They're now regulars here, usually the Sunday arvo spot. They pack the place out and the whole room is jumping along to their funky and swinging jazz. Magnificent band! Gavan and Sonya, Dogs Bar, St Kilda"
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:
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"Una festa da non dimenticare Io e Giuseppe avevamo già ascoltato i Retrofive ad un matrimonio di nostri amici. Non avevamo dubbi che sarebbe stato il gruppo del nostro. Il ricevimento è stato molto allegro e il gruppo è stato capace di far ballare e coinvolgere anche i più “anziani” delle nostre famiglie! È stato un momento davvero felice e divertente per noi. Consiglieremo i Retrofive a chiunque si sposi che ama un tocco vintage, ballare e non prendersi troppo sul serio! I ragazzi sono stati professionali, simpatici e molto disponibili. Sia prima che durante il ricevimento."
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:
"Barry was unbelievable! When we selected a touch of class for our wedding we knew we were going to get what we wanted, but we did not know that it was going to be 10 times better than we expected! absolutely everyone at the wedding was dancing and having the best time! Our wedding was perfect and Barry had everything to do with that! We gave them a genre of music to play and they accommodated it exactly how we wanted. We had a smaller wedding and they were able to put together the exact size ensemble for the space provided!"
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"One of the best decisions I made was when I found this band and asked them to please perform! They were EXCEPTIONAL. Communicating with Stefano before the wedding- he was amazing, helping me with the SIAE, their response times were so quick, and so kind – they are also so so talented and great at what they do! Everyone was dancing and singing these guys are amazing 🤩"
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:
"We were very lucky to have Alice and Fernando travel up the country and perform at our wedding. We had them perform at both our drinks reception and the after-dinner entertainment. We had given a few suggestions like to play some ‘summery rock music but in their own style’ as well as performing their own style of music, and they absolutely delivered! They are both extremely talented and it was such a unique musical act to hear at a wedding which was exactly what we wanted! We were so happy with everything they did and highly recommend them. The only downside was that myself and the groom were not able to just sit and listen to them playing as we were so busy throughout the day 😂"
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:
"Huge Thank you to Darren Newbould for a fabulous evening of amazing music! You are just awesome! (10 / 10) Caroline"
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"Professional, helpful, friendly and human. The music was perfect, we chose the violin that made the atmosphere very romantic and then finish with the dj set all on track. I highly recommend them. Thank you for everything! "
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:
"It was a great night and everyone enjoyed it immensely. I'm sure those that came will do it again. So we must plan another one for the New Year!"
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:
"Musicisti veri La bellissima voce di Floriana accompagnata da musicisti di altissimo livello equivalgono a performance impeccabili. Non avevamo dubbi sulla loro bravura, ma l’avete confermata ancora di più? Grazie Retrofive"
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:
"What a brilliant and authentic soft jazz voice from Noa and fantastic music from the band, a marvellous afternoon jazz musical exceeding all expectations. I give Noa and the quintet a 5 out of 5 stars!"
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:
"Feet tapped, eyes shone, hands clapped and hips and heads rolled as the brilliance of the great song writers Gershwin, Porter, Warren, Berlin and others became the hymns of this Saturday evening. But light-hearted as most of the music was, there was contrast in the emotive classic 'Every Time we say Goodbye' sung by the nightingale Gaylene Parish (close your eyes and it was Ella Fitzgerald)."
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:
"Muriele performs magnificently in our Moldy Fig wine bar at least twice a month. Her charisma and beautiful singing creates such a lovely dining experience for our customers. She has proved to be one of the most popular entertainers with many repeat customers. You Muriele are a joy to have as an entertainer because of your lovely laid back personality. Great voice, great person, great act. Thank you Jamie Mathieson Director Of The Concorde Club Eastleigh "
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:
"It was SO WONDERFUL to have you as part of our 'Celebration of Seeds'. Seeds can be taken in the literal way or indeed sowing the seeds of thoughts and feelings inspired by your beautiful tunes. Everybody I spoke to said what a joyful addition it was to have you there as part of our event. Two of my favourite moments were the dancing and then your version of 'Here, there and everywhere' which is a particular favourite of mine. A member of staff at the library said to me that this is what Saturdays should be like every week. Thank you for bringing so much joy to the event. And YES I would highly recommned!!!!!"
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:
"James was so terrific that words don’t give him justice! His performance blew the guests (Naval Officers and High Ranking friends) of my father Admiral James "Ace" Lyons' 90th birthday party away! He sang very special songs that brought back very found memories of the past locations where we lived around the world! James was absolutely wonderful and accommodated everything I had ask and dreamed of. Lastly, James' rendition of ‘My Way” brought tears to everybody's eyes! It was better than Frank Sinatra's and just an unbelievable fantastic evening that none of us will ever forget! Thank you so much!! Michele Lyons"
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: