Review Centre: 1920s Era Musicians & Bands

"Looking round at the audience I noticed most were tapping their feet or bobbing their head to the trio’s first number! Expert rhythm guitar, clean and swift lead and the all important swing of the bass saw several dancers on the small wooden floored area trying to keep up with the fast rhythm. Classics like Caravan and Limehouse Blues had the diners applauding appreciatively. Two hours of music, with a short break to let your feet have a rest the band finished with a flawless rendition of Sweet Georgia Brown. Sadly the evening was over for the music, but I was assured they will return, and I shall be there again giving support for these talented men!!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We came across Bella Jazz Quintet while looking for a band for our Anglo-Italian wedding and I am so happy we found them! These guys were simply phenomenal, the performance was great and all the guests still compliment them to this day. From the first exchange of email Hetty was extremely helpful and accommodating, she gave us plenty of her time and went above and beyond to help me through organising everything - from picking a nice set list to helping us hire the best pa system. I have no words to thank these guys enough, as without them the wedding would have not been the same. Lovely people, but mostly absolutely amazing artists."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you Beauty Shop Dolls for making our Christmas party magical. We had a blast! We loved everything about your show, it was classy and perfectly planned on theme. The dress changes were a beautiful touch, to an already fabulous performance (I especially loved the blue feathers 😊). Everyone in the office is still buzzing from the dance class too. Highly, highly recommended!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"we invited Dupa Trio to play at our wedding in France last august, It was such a blessing to have them on board, what a lovely group of amazing people and super talented musicians. I Heard many jazz concerts in my life but, the show of Dupa Trio is absoulostly stunning! if your looking for a jazz band, look no further, They are simply the best! kind regards, josh"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you Trip for Biscuits, you were amazing! From the after dinner duo, to the evening 5 piece band, it was perfect. With your unique style, your music added such great flare to our wedding. From randomly seeing you perform for the first time in the Bootlegger in Exeter, we absolutely loved your music & you certainly didn't disappoint for our big day!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We welcomed Carolyn Saint-Pé and her trio Le Jazz Hot Band to Old Mary's Cocktail Bar and were treated to some classic jazz and rich vocals. Le Jazz Hot Band is a top quality trio with accomplished musicians and Carolyn is an expert entertainer and singer. We look forward to having Carolyn and her trio at Old Mary's again in the future. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"This is a great jazz ensemble with a varied repertoire and a punchy attitude which makes for a very entertaining act for a corporate or community event like ours. They even went the extra mile and learned a jazz version of Highway to Hell for our Australian themed gala dinner. They helped make an unforgettable evening!"

Reply by Lady & the Devil
Thank you, Richard! It was a pleasure to perform for you.

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:

"These guys were FANTASTIC! We had a picnic section to our wedding and they set the scene beautifully with incredible dixieland jazz. Boaters and ham sandwiches all round! Such lovely chaps that clearly love what they do. Thank you for just being you. Big love, April and Gav Dickson (10 / 10) "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Euro Café Duo were invited to entertain guests at my 80th birthday event held at the beautiful Rockport Barn venue at Rockport, Ontario on June 8, 2024. I had asked for a blend of nostalgic easy-listening and European/Parisian music as social-background and then more watchable treatments. Andrea and Edward delightfully exceeded my expectation. Our mixed age gathering thoroughly enjoyed the music and the duo’s showmanship. My wife and I loved dancing to some of our requests such as, La Vie en rose and As Time Goes By. Thank you, Andrea and Ted, for adding such a magical touch to my special day. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We hired Melissa to sing at our restaurant last month. She performed a fantastic 1940's to 1960's set which went down really well with all of our regulars. Looking forward to her coming back in a few months. 10/10 highly recommend!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Rosie was an absolute star. She was technically brilliant (beautiful voice) and when she was let down by the sound system completed her set unaccompanied. Her professionalism and un-flappability in the face of difficulty was very impressive. Would strongly recommend. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thanks so much to Fleur and Chris for providing such beautiful music for our wedding on 8th July 2017, it was truly magical xx"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Rick brought his quintet to our "An Evening of Jazz" and put on a great show! What incredible musicianship and professionalism. Thank you so much Rick to and your guys for providing great entertainment for the people of Kendall. Rick, it was amazing stuff. You have a great thing going.....keep up the good work. The community is better for it. I look forward to working with you again. Joe Pompilli, Band Director, Kendall HS"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We had Jen sign at our afternoon tea babyshower - she was fabulous, will definitely use again at our next event"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: