Review Centre: 1950s Era Musicians & Bands

"Shadow Sax! I cannot thank you enough. You went above and beyond. You were superb and you made our canapé reception! We are so glad we booked you. We so highly recommend!! Thank you so much! Amy and Harry. Note: this review was provided through a different system which rates out of 5, and received a 5 start rating (ie 5 out of 5)"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Grandi! Repertorio brillante, disponibilissimi, eleganti e simpaticissimi! "

Reply by The Peter Sellers
Grazie mille Marco! 😍

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"‘Once again a MASSIVE thank you for coming to entertain our residents, friends, family and staff at Leycester House for our very first Christmas party. Everyone had a fantastic evening and we will of course be in touch again at some point next year!’ "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Jack was amazing! He sang throughout our wedding day. It was amazing to walk down the aisle to Jack singing. Your patience and generosity to learn songs for us blew us away. Jack really got the party started and had a lot of patience when other guests got up to sing with him. This all made for the most amazing atmosphere. Jack has the most wonderful personality which really shone through, together with a great singing voice. Thanks again Jack, you were integral part of our day."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Dan and his band was amazing I threw my wife a surprise 10 year cancer remission party and found Dan Olivo on GigSalad. Soon as I talked to him I knew he was the right person for this special event. He definitely provided a memorable night and was the highlight of the party. I would recommend him without any reservations and can't wait to see him perform again."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We had booked Oliver and Tommy to play at our wedding, to help fill the time after the ceremony and to entertain our guests. Our day was planned to be a relaxed, chilled day and Corduroy Moustache certainly helped to create exactly that for us. Music was wonderful, exactly what we had asked for and we’ve had plenty of comments from guests saying just how fab they thought the music was. We couldn’t have asked for anything better to compliment our day. Would definitely highly recommend! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Big City Dixieland was a HUGE hit in our City Parade! Audiences from all ages were singing along, clapping and even dancing in the grass! Big City Dixieland sounded great! From what we (the organizers) could hear, they played a good variety of lively, well-known Dixieland Music, including a patriotic song. It was very easy to work with Maureen and Michael, their band arrived early, and everyone was very professional. We will definitely be hiring Big City Dixieland band for our next event in 2025! "

Reply by Big City Dixieland Band
Big City Dixieland appreciates this feedback. We're glad to hear you were so pleased, and appreciate you for choosing us to provide New Orleans Dixieland music to the parade!

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The duo went down really well and provided excellent music for us 10/10! The band were excellent, the two guys very sociable and had lots of positive feedback! We would use them again."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"It began as a Swing Band project, in the winter of 2005, in Oswego, NY, where Rick met Evan Dobbins, and put together a ten-piece swing band, to play occasional concerts, and private parties. Evan was to contract and Rick would be in charge of music when, the band played five, or six-events, and Rick had the idea, they would not only play swing music, but play modern jazz. Thus, ''The Little Big Band'', and ''Uptown Society Orchestra'' were formed. In 2006, the band released their first disc, entitled “In Times Shadow”, which was a mainstream release on Blue Jazz. It received wide critical acclaim, prompting Ollie Bivins in LA to say: “Rick Holland (Trumpet) and Evan Dobbins (Trombone) lead a group of New York area musicians, who could give the more well-known big bands in New York and Los Angelas a run for their money, and as part of the the Blue jazz label, a label that promotes and distributes jazz musician’s albums. this big band is taking its destiny into it’s own hands rather than wait to be “discovered” by the major labels. More power to this label and all others who do the same. Lovers of Big Band music, especially, will like the Rick Holland-Evan Dobbins Little Big Band’s refreshing recording.” Doug Collar in East Lansing, Mi said this....''I have just played “In Time’s Shadow” the new CD from the Rick Holland-Evan Dobbins Little Big Band. What a disc! What a sound! What an ensemble! This disc is my top nomination for jazz ensemble release of the year. The arranging is nonpareil and the soloists masterful. The whole package is varied, listenable, and leaves the audience asking for more. Rick Holland and Evan Dobbins have created a musical experience that our listeners will absorb and enjoy.'' After the release of this disc, the band landed their first steady gig at Tasteology, every Monday night. The gig lasted 2 years, as the bands repertoire grew. The band then moved over to the Loving Cup, in Henrietta, New York. They played on Sunday nights, this gig lasted 3 years. This led to the band 2nd recording, “Trilby”, in 2011. Some of the review was just marvelous. For example: Throughout Trilby, the Rick Holland-Evan Dobbins Little Big Band plays on the level of most better-known ensembles, performing music that is inventive, full of life and fun. Their CD is highly recommended.-Scott Yanow, author of ten books including The Jazz Singers, The LA Times What a surprise! This band and musicians were unknown to me, but they are absolutely great! For listeners to hear musicians challenge themselves, and be taken along for the ride, records like this are a must! The musicians in the Rick Holland-Evan Dobbins Little Big Band are all reaching the high musical standards realized by playing in this excellent Little Big Band! This music will be featured in my playlists for many months to come. Thank you again for sending this exceptional CD to me. Peter Kuller - Jazz Presenter Radio Adelaide 101.5 FM, and www.radio.adelaide.edu.au JPL "Jazz from Down Under". The liner notes inform us that this ensemble started as a swinging dance band in 2005. Since then, they've evolved into a solid, well-arranged outfit with first rate solos played by intriguing, skilled jazz cats. The feeling I derived from the CD was similar to a classic Blue Note session. You know, several well-written originals that are melodically strong, and a few standards to test the players' chops on familiar material. The co-leaders play flugelhorn and trombone, respectively. Most of the arrangements come from pianist Bill Dobbins, who allows plenty of room for free-swinging solo work. The familiar vehicles here include Benny Golson's "Stablemates" and Sonny Stitt's "Eternal Triangle." I also spotted a tune called "Rich's Call" by Kerry Strayer, a baritone player of the highest stripe, and a skilled composer and arranger as well. It is interesting to note three compositions from jazz harmonica whiz, Hendrik Meurkens. Perhaps, he has some connection to the band. Finally, it should be said that this session is directed straight down the middle of the bop highway. Simply an outstanding blowing session on songs that, amazingly enough, sound like songs! Wow! What a Surprise! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Hitchen Jazz Group travelled all the way to Holland to play for my family at a party. There were going to be many jazz lovers in attendance, so I checked out the Hitchen Jazz Website, and loved what I viewed. Hitchen Jazz Trio played an excellent selection of Jazz Standards, and we all loved it. The guys in the group were super friendly, and David even gave an impromptu trumpet lesson to one of the guests. Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We booked Paul to sing for two sets after our corporate dinner and our guests loved it! Amazing to see that our crowd knew most of the songs and sang along. I'll definately reccommend Paul Hudson and we'll book him again! "

Reply by "The Sounds of Sinatra" with Paul Hudson
Many thanks and much appreciated!

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you for coming, it was wonderful listening to you. One of the ladies in the kitchen thought it was a CD playing as you are so good!! We do have some event ideas in the pipeline for this year which you would be first choice"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"...wanted to say thank you again for helping us out today, you were great! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Everything was perfectly taken care of! What we appreciated most was the quick turnaround and scheduling. The saxophonist was a huge asset to the whole thing. We're already looking for a reason for our next party!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The brass monkees were hands down the highlight of our wedding, apart from the getting married bit of course! They surpassed all our expectations and their 3 set performance was just incredible. An amazing bunch of very talented people. Our guests absolutely loved them too and did not leave the dance floor! Highly recommend! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: