Review Centre: Swing Bands

"Played in our wedding last month and provided the best atmosphere for our reception and cocktail party. They even played some of the songs some guests asked for right on the spot. Highly recommended!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Pete and Frankie make an excellent, up-beat sound suitable for many occasions. They were well organised and professional I would recommend them to anyone. (10 / 10)"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Not knowing what to expect I was ready for anything on a warm September night in Edinburgh. This was a Sunday night too and the setting was complete in the nightclub atmosphere that is the Dirty Martini lounge. This band can swing, bass and drums groove sweetly while sax and piano trade solos making this a full sound like there are more on stage. Tony Delicata on vocals blends his Italian roots with Volare, On An Evening In Roma and O Solo Mio as we were escorted to warm Italy with cool sounds and cocktails to suit. The second half opened with I Wish I Knew, an instrumental from the days when Cinema was a TV series before Tony returned with more signature arrangements. By now the audience were itching to dance and with peaks like Mack The Knife and (Theme From) New York New York they were at one with the band. The closing title song was a creative masterstroke and a deserved ovation followed. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We are delighted that we choose Good Time Soul for our wedding! They were absolutely fantastic. Communication was always clear and we found them a pleasure to deal with. They learned a song for our ceremony which was delivered beautifully. They set a lovely chilled vibe for the aperitivo and the dance floor was filled later in the night. Many of our guests commented on how good they were. Great instrumental talent and an incredible lead singer. We are truly grateful to the band for the big contribution they made to making our day so enjoyable!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I just wanted to thank you and the band for the incredible music at our wedding. We loved it, it brought so much joy and such a great atmosphere. The band truly are the best in the business. Thank you also to them for allowing me to play my song. I very much appreciate it. We, along with our guests thoroughly enjoyed the jazz and the dance floor hits."

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:

" Super Künstler, sehr zu empfehlen Wer Jazz und Swing mag wird hier auf seine Kosten kommen. Der Künstler hat sowohl uns, als auch unsere Gäste begeistert. Sehr zu empfehlen!!!! Bewertet von Ansgar am 9. August 2022 "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Gerard was absolutely wonderful! I listened to his music through his website and enjoyed it but it was even better listening to it in person. We had a chef prepare our dinner but the soft music in the background just made the evening. I would highly recommend him for any occasion. If we didn’t live in the U. S. I would do it sooner than later."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We just wanted to say thank you Tom for appearing at our corporate function on Saturday night. From the moment you started singing all our guests were up on the dance floor and didn’t want the night to the end. A wonderful voice and great fun! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you so much for your music at my party - everyone said they loved it and really added to the party atmosphere - will definitely book you again for other events, and I know some of my friends and family want to book you too !"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We can’t thank you and your team enough for the most incredible night on Saturday. You were all fabulous. We just so appreciated your professionalism, communication, attire and incredible talent. The music was exactly what we had hoped for and even better that what we listened to on your website. You gave us so much more than what we expected. We have had so many positive compliments from our friends, the only regret being that we only had you playing for 4 hours!! Wish the evening could have been longer."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I've had the pleasure of knowing Barry for more than 16 years, and I've experienced his incredible performances at both public and private gatherings. Whether it's a small intimate setting or a grand event, Barry consistently gives his all and delivers an exceptional performance. His level of professionalism, attitude, and dedication as a musician and singer is truly outstanding and worthy of praise. As a fan, I wholeheartedly endorse Barry for any event you may have in mind! Cathlyn Choi Michelson"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Your jazz duo helped make our wedding day perfect! We had about 30 London musicians there that were all blown away with the skill, tastefulness and overall professionalism of you two, thank you so much again!!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Born and raised in Hawaii, and former vocalist and bass player with Don Ho & The Alii’s Show in Hawaii. Appeared in downtown main showroom Las Vegas Holiday Casino! Main showroom at Kono Hawaii in Santa Ana California! Personal manager to Barry Kim (Hilton Hawaiian Village) and entertainment director Surf Hotels (Maui Surf & Naniloa Surf) in Hawaii! Influenced at an early age with Jazz! Song writer and arranger. Single and now living in the Southbay of Los Angeles California performing mostly at private parties and luau’s. AWARD WINNER! “Male Singer/Songwriter of the Year by the “16th Annual International Los Angeles Music Awards!” Genre” World Music Song: Sunday Mornings Selected artist for The 20th Annual Fitger Brewhouse Triathlon Compilation CD! August 2006. Song: Sunday Mornings Original Member of the Don Ho and Swinging Alii’s show at “Duke Kahanamoku’s. Winner of the Male Singer / Song writer of the Year at the 16th Annual Los Angeles Music Awards and Current recipient of a “Life Time Achievement Award” with the Alii’s presented by the Hawaiian Academy of Recording Artist (“HARA”). "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"After just completing out wedding in Positano, Italy, we can’t speak highly enough of the crew at Good Time Soul Foundation and would highly recommend them. Importantly, everyone loved the music played by Good Time, meaning we had everyone up dancing all through the night, really enjoying themselves. The band were incredibly lovely and accommodating and just wanted my wife and I to enjoy our special day. Despite the fact that it was raining heavily during the ceremony, they stood out in the rain and played an acoustic set for us (we didn’t even need to ask). We worked with Good Time Soul F. for a number of years as our wedding was delayed many times due to COVID (initially from May 2020 to May 2023). In all of our dealings with Good Time, they were very prompt to reply and incredibly flexible/accommodating. In fact, despite our venue being difficult around certain issues, Good Time Soul Foundation communicated with them in the background and just reverted when things were resolved. Finally, no request for Good Time Soul F. was too large. Upon our request, they sang specific songs in Italian, they learned new songs, excluded songs from their playlist, etc. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: