Review Centre: 1940s Era Musicians & Bands

"I hired the L.A Jazz band for my dads funeral. My dad knew his prognosis as was adamant it was to be a celebration of life for him. With the help of the band - we made this happen. I had positive feedback from friends and family. The band are extremely talented and professional. They ensured the service was upbeat with the music which helped to lift our spirits. I know my dad would have loved them and I’m sure he looked down on us with a smile that day. Thank-you L.A Jazz band. Can’t recommend you enough. (10 / 10) "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you so much for performing at our daughters wedding in December. You are an extremely talented group of musicians and you certainly added ' a touch of class' to such a wonderful day. We all thoroughly enjoyed the style and quality of your jazz music; you provided a unique and varied tempo that complimented and enhanced our other musical selections for the wedding. Many of our guests commented on how much they enjoyed listening to you. Thank you all once again for contributing to such a memorable day and we wish you all the best."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"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"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Dear Gav, We just want to say a big thank you for playing at our wedding ! We and the guests had a fantastic time and you guys were great! Thank you again :) Best wishes, Ruby and Rory "

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:

"What can I say? Paul and Ed were consummate professionals from initial contact through to the end of their set at our wedding. Their enthusiasm and playing style were exactly what we were looking for and their repertoire was fantastic. I cannot fault them and would book them again in a heartbeat. As an added bonus for one of our guests, I requested a rendition of Jump Up, Super Star from Super Mario Odyssey and not only did they find and purchase the song, they also converted it to a two piece version for us. Absolute class and would 100% recommend to anyone"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The feedback from the party was very positive. I think everyone enjoyed the event, and the guests were certainly very complimentary about you both."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Phil arrived in plenty of time before the start of the event. He played a great set of music and interacted well with everyone attending the event. Would highly recommend. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We enjoyed it immensely! The music certainly met our expectations. I am glad I chose you. And that it turned out so well. Without ever having met you, without having heard the music beforehand (other than on the site), the performance was as expected. I can confidently recommend someone else to book you this way. Friendly (telephone) contact."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The performance on Thursday was great! Our guests thought so too. In short, we're very satisfied, including with the booking process."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Melissa your set was fantastic, just right in terms of the songs and you have a lovely voice. In the future if we have other events I would be most happy to invite you back again."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"we invited the incredible "Dupa Trio" to play at our new year's eve party for our lawyer firm, "GRO" the music that they played was perfect for the event, the crowd loved them. Have to say, that compared to the amazing value that they bring as a band, their fee is really fair and reasonable! looking forward to book them again in 2023 Erik"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Ruby sang beautifully at my Nanny Whites 90th Birthday tea party. The videos we have of that day will be forever treasured as that was to be her last Birthday. Xx"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Birthdayparty Flexible Good music Nice Guys.5 stars of 5"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We hired The Crotchet Club for an outside Diamond Wedding celebration. They were everything we had hoped for: communication beforehand, exactly the style of music we wanted, willingness to play specific pieces chosen by us and throughout a cheerful, helpful and pleasing demeanour. We are very happy to recommend them."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: