"‘Thank you for such a wonderful performance last night! Everyone was so impressed with you and wish you the very best for the year to come. I hope you enjoyed the evening too. I thought the concert went very well!' "
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:
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"We were extremely pleased with the American jazz company and their performance at our fundraising masquerade dinner So many of the organizations in our area use a DJ and a digital playlist I had so many unsolicited comments from our guests that truly appreciated the live music and the talent of the group We didn’t plan for dancing, but spontaneously couples got out of their seats and danced It was a perfect blend of songs, and they held very closely to our time schedule, which made it extremely helpful in our program of events Dan and his team are a treasure and we hope to book them for next year."
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:
"I love jazz but many of my party guests were not so keen. After Vibrant Jazz entertained us for a brilliant evening I have had so many comments about how good they were and how much they enjoyed the music. Many thanks for helping the night go with a swing!"
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:
"A precise and discreet person, he accompanied our evening with friends by playing jazz guitar, including manouche style, in a varied yet impeccable way—never overly virtuosic, never banal. The melodies did not take the center stage, providing the perfect background, just as we had requested. A wonderful evening. Thank you, Romeo!"
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:
"Really good voice and players, we love the music and everybody was dancing all night. I won't repeat because I'm not planning to get married again but definitely totally recommendable."
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:
"Kit made our Bonfire Lunch super special, reading the crown and pleasing all ears. He is super reliable, communication is excellent, punctual and a delight to treat with him overall. We will definitely call him again and we can recommend him 100%."
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:
"You probably don't remember me but I'm the guy from last night's event with the beard with thought you were miming because you were that good. I just wanted to say, you were class mate. The best crooner I've heard and I went to Frank Sinatra's 100th birthday celebrations!"
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 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:
"One Size Fits All is a party band that knows how to get a crowd moving. With two vocalists and a 4 piece horn section, they played a 50th birthday party and had everyone on their feet. The band is tight and energetic, and their repertoire spans a wide range of genres. "
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:
"Good Co made our outdoor August wedding so magical. They were incredibly easy going and communicative and learned a couple request songs for us. They were great at reading the room, playing more subdued songs when people were eating and talking, and a great variety of more danceable songs towards the end of the evening. They even played the Hora on the spot when a Jewish relative of mine requested it. Guests were abuzz about how great the music was, and neighbors (we had a backyard wedding) who overheard sent notes about how much they loved the music. They were also very patient with some power issues that arose midway through dinner (and even kept playing for us!)"
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:
"We would like to thank you and the swing band for making our silver wedding anniversary so special and such a memorable occasion for us. We had such a perfect evening and we are sure all our family and friends enjoyed themselves as much as we did. We would like to think if in the future we have another occasion to celebrate that Mr Swing would be there!"
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:
"I have been meaning to message you directly also to thank you. What you produced the night of our wedding was nothing short of magical - and I do not say this lightly. I am very happy to hear the band enjoyed the evening - I think their enjoyment and energy showed through their music. The feedback we have had from guests is overwhelming, particularly that the band and the singer (I don't remember his name) was the best they have ever heard at a wedding. You guys nailed the performance. I am so happy that we decided to do a live version, you could not have gotten the same energy and vibe with just a recording / original version. Your two sets were also perfect. There were a few times that we all stopped in the marquee to listen and appreciate the music, particularly My Way - I remember looking around and quite a few people were singing along! I think another sign of a success of a wedding is the number of people on the dance floor, and there was not an empty space during the second set. The amount of people of all ages dancing was a true highlight for me as we wanted this to be a wedding that everyone would enjoy - not just us. "
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:
"I can not say enough good things about J. Baxter and the Sauce! They have amazing energy and a great playlist. Thanks to them, all of our guests were on the dance floor and had a wonderful time. I would recommend J. Baxter and the Sauce to anyone looking for a fun, up tempo band for their event. Tyler "
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:
"We’d just like to say a massive thank you to you and your swing band for performing at our wedding at Beamish Hall. The overall presentation was extremely professional from start to finish and the standard of the music was superb – we had a lot of guests who are musicians including the bride, and they’re still all talking about the quality of your performance! We all thought that the way you got everyone involved with certain musical numbers was great fun and created a whole new dimension to the evening. We have had lots of guests comment on how much fun they had dancing and how incredible your performance was. Quite a few guests said that you were the best swing band they’ve seen at a wedding by a long way. We are also very grateful to you all for learning That’s Amoré for our first dance. It was an excellent rendition – so much so, that we danced to it twice! All in all, Mr Swing’s Dance Orchestra played a very big part in making our wedding day so special and unique! We will certainly be recommending you to everyone we know and I’m sure our guests will be too. You will be talked about with great delight for many years to come!"
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:
"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 "
Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: