Review Centre: Swing Bands

"Dear Jess, Thank you from me and Mat!!! You and your band have been absolutely fantastic - we really enjoyed having you sing and play so beautifully and for being so flexible with timing. EVERYONE loved you and the band - they all said you have the most fabulous/ stunning voice and presence. The "EVERYONE" includes all the chefs (they were boogying whilst getting the meal out), the floor staff, and my neighbours who were still working in the garden and didn't quite make over to dinner. Thank you also for singing the 2 songs I requested - my brother (the one who led the speeches) was very touched as they were for him and thought you sang them beautifully! We will certainly be in touch again when we entertain with live music again! With very best wishes to you and all your band members Yvonne & Mat"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"What an incredible musical journey that was. The talent displayed by these young musicians is astounding. They are well beyond their years. Their improvisational skills particularly blew me away. I can’t wait for their next performance! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"High quality musicians and very easy to work with during booking! Definitely recommend Eric's group to go listen to when they play and to hire for your event. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Our experience was amazing. The guys turned up on time, set up quickly, we're great to chat with, and their musicianship was wonderful. Everyone commented on how good the music was - and there was only 2 of them! Really impressed, wouldn't hesiatate to recommened them to anyone else. Thanks so much for making our evening so memorable!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Wow! You were wonderful. We have had so many messages saying how excellent the evening was – so many people loved the band, and we can’t thank you enough. The music, as you know full well, is such an important part of the evening and we could not have hoped for anything better. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

" All Music Review Thom Jurek The title of this set is an apt one. While much of the music presented by the Rick Holland-Evan Dobbins Little Big Band, it hearkens back -- in terms of its sophistication, confidence and outright jazz literacy, not nostalgically -- to an era when progressive jazz, and big bands (this one numbering 10 pieces) flourished on the scene. This is one sophisticated outfit. Featuring the arrangement and compositional skills of Brent Wallarab, Jim Martin, Bill Dobbins and Kerry Strayer, this band struts out the tradition and make some joyous, complex, and elegant music that reflects its own unique identity. The résumés of all these players are impressive and reflected in the confidence of the date. It opens with "SUNY-Triangle," a Martin composition that works its artful sleight-of-hand over Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Triste." Martin uses the rhythmically complex samba and drapes some tough, knotty twists and turns over it. The intro is a beautiful and raucous wake-up call, while the head of the tune, with its staggered entrances and exits -- including some fine soloing by John Viavattine on tenor and John Nyerges on piano -- give this tune a unique identity. "Creature Comfort" is a beautiful mid-tempo ballad by Wallarab with edgeless yet multi-dimensional dissonances written into its harmonics. It swings beautifully and includes a fine, punchy solo by tenorman Glenn Cashman. Besides the originals, there are some fine readings here as well. There's Wallarab's arrangement of Duke Ellington's "Black and Tan Fantasy" that's a thoroughly modern exercise losing none of Ellington's humor or rhythmic complexity. Likewise, Gerry Mulligan's haunting, wee-hours, "Night Lights," is given expert treatment here by Strayer, and Dean Keller's baritone saxophone playing combines Mulligan's sense of lyric and Ben Webster's sense of time. In Time's Shadow reveals that innovation need not sacrifice accessibility or swing. It is convincing evidence that the big band form is alive, well and full of surprises."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Very cool music, ideal for the occasion! Nice people, beautiful energy. Cudos!!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Amazing band great music! Really something different, welcome back at my pub any time."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Excellent performance from Hugh and Jack, perfect background music for celebrating my wife's birthday. Many of the guests complimented how good they were, thanks so much guys!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Just love this band, Michele sure knows how to pick great musos, and as she is an exceptional dancer, knows exactly what rhythms us dancers desire in a song, follow her all over the Sunshine Coast."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Enchant Your Event with Trip for Biscuits! They sounded amazing, dressed the part and provided our wedding with an unforgettable sound and enchantment that exceeded our expectations. They were flexible with the venue, easy to work & coordinate with, and absolutely professional. Can't recommend them enough!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"It was an amazing party and this guy made my day!!! His performance was so excited ,professional and all my guests were very happy!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

" I invited Noa to perform at my 60th birthday. Noa’s warm and soft voice accompanied by Ben on the piano helped to created a unique atmosphere at the event. Noa’s repertoire is rich and versatile and contains some of my all-time favourites, which she sang on the evening. I would highly recommend her!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"You really made our day extra special. Thank you so much!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Jack and the guys provided a perfect end to a perfect wedding day. The trio of double bass, saxophone and keyboard were exceptional – providing jazz after dinner background music. Really nice guys and really great music. I would definitely book them again!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: