Review Centre: 1950s Era Musicians & Bands

"Tony it was lovely meeting you & we would definitely call you back again & everyone had a lovely time."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"EverClare are amazing, there’s not a song In their set that won’t make you want to get up and dance. Absolutely brilliant x"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Kars and his team provided the music during a large business dinner that we organized for our customers. Their presence is not in the foreground, and yet it sets a great deal of the atmosphere. Thank you and until the next collaboration!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Just a quick note to say thank you so much again for playing at The Reckoning. You both sounded fantastic and were the perfect start to the evening. I had so many great comments about your playing. Really appreciate your flexibility to carry on through our slight delays at the start!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"This brilliant pianist and singer played on our wedding reception and wedding breakfast. I highly recommend them for any event. A wide range of songs. Something for everyone. Liaised with me regarding our choices of music. In between sets Punctual even though they had to travel."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Jack was absolutely amazing. Such a delight to deal with in advance and on the day - he is so talented and played so many amazing tracks, everyone loved him! A real talent."

Reply by Jack Barnes
Thanks for having me Georgina, and thanks to yourself, Barrie and the rest of your friends and family for making me feel so welcome.

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 You get the feeling from Holland’s recordings, that Holland and his compatriots are not only talented musicians, but fully formed human beings with wit, style and elegance---folks whom you would enjoy sharing a fine dinner and stimulating conversation. Bill Barton, Green Mountain Jazz Messenger "Rick brought his quartet and the little big band to our wedding and reception. He was wonderful to work with, being both receptive to our requests and knowing where to fill in the gaps with his expertise. Not to mention I could call him anytime, and he worked around our schedule. They played a tasteful mix of songs great for just listening to and a few that got everyone up on the dance floor. In the end, everyone was raving about how great the band was. We couldn't be happier!" P.S. Lindsey was amazing, the two comments I heard most were "Wow, they are great!" and "That girl can sing!" Sam and Ellie Carrell I hired Rick Holland Productions for my wedding and I thank my lucky stars I did. They were just an absolute solid band. I live in Toronto so the 10 piece band crossed the border for my wedding - our wedding coordinator said she'd never heard a band that good over her decade long career. I like to think I'm a genius for finding them ?? Kian K., Toronto, ON, CA From the bride: "The music was wonderful! We could not have asked for a better band. Our guests were really impressed; the Uptown Society Orchestra really made our reception special.” From the groom: "What a professional group. Their exceptional musicianship brought a real element of class to the party. There is nothing like the sound of a live band, and this group made our reception better than we could have hoped for.” From the father of the bride: (Dennis Nowicki): "The band was fantastic -- they really exceeded our expectations." Anders Dahlberg and Stacy Nowicki, Wedding at the Chicago Art Museum The Uptown Society Orchestra may have had six members, but it sounded as if it had twice as many as members blew triumphantly throughout New Years' eve night. (Front page Kalamazoo Gazette, regarding the New Years Eve Festival 2004, Kalamazoo, Michigan) Bill Wood, Arts and Entertainment critic, Kalamazoo Gazette Amazing! Rick Holland Productions worked seamlessly with our wedding, where we had three separate "performances" that were adpated to by Rick's use of different members of the Little Big Band. We had a cocktail reception where a trio played, then a brass quartet accompanied our Wedding ceremony. After our guests were transported by horse-drawn carriage to a lake side reception site, the Little Little Big Band got things started and the full Little Big Band played the night away to the extreme pleasure of our entire party. They even let Joe Robinson jam with them in the chill of the autumn, fire-lit evening! Thank You so much Rick! Matthew Cooper, Bradford, PA Rick brought his quartet and the little big band to our wedding and reception. He was wonderful to work with, being both receptive to our requests and knowing where to fill in the gaps with his expertise. Not to mention I could call him anytime, and he worked around our schedule. They played a tasteful mix of songs great for just listening to and a few that got everyone up on the dance floor. In the end, everyone was raving about how great the band was. Lindsey Holland was amazing, the two comments I heard most were "Wow, they are great!" and "That girl can sing!"We couldn't be happier! Sam and Ellie Carrell When we heard the Uptown Society perform at a New Year's Eve concert we knew that we wanted them to play at our wedding. They had the perfect blend of jazz, swing and romantic ballads. They are excellent musicians and we were thrilled to find that they were available for our wedding. Our guests were thrilled that we hired them; we received so many compliments. Uptown Society provided a wonderful 'soundtrack' for our storybook wedding. Eric and Kim von Oeyen, Battle Creek, MI"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Very professional band, good mix of music, good sound. Really enjoyed them."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Added value for a successful event We really enjoyed the performance. Although there were many guests, it was very noisy, and many people were on the terrace, it was very nice to have a pleasant tune playing in the background. It contributed greatly to a successful event. I also really appreciated that this musical trio could be arranged on such short notice, which certainly added value to the event. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Well hello, it’s Larry Richmond back on the entertainment scene, and so good to be attending live entertainment again. On Sunday 20th February I attended the Pheasantry in Chelsea, to see Lorraine & The Flames. This gig was produced by Aspects Productions and presented in association with Pizza Express Live. I had previously seen the band’s showreel and was looking forward to seeing them live on stage. The Pheasantry is one of London’s top two cabaret rooms. I arrived well in time to order a meal and a bottle of wine. The show started at 8.00 pm. The venue was full. After an introduction by the compere, Lorraine looking stunningly elegant in her long glittering dress entered the room from the above stage balcony and slowly descended the stairway singing her opening song. Throughout the 90 min show, consisting of two 45 min sets, Lorraine backed by her excellent band of piano, bass, drums, and guitar, gave us the best of the American songbook in a relaxed and stylish style which was a joy to hear and see. I understand that Lorraine Heavey was a successful professional performer in her native Ireland during the early part of her career, and then gave up performing to marry and start a family. How glad I am that this talented lady has decided to return to her showbiz career and is now performing again. Lorraine Heavey has that certain element that we call ‘star’ quality. I hear through the grapevine that Lorraine and The Flames will be performing again at the Pheasantry later this year on the 6th Sept and at another of London’s top cabaret rooms, The Crazy Coqs, on the 3rd of October. I for one look forward to seeing her on stage again. Larry Richmond Entertainment Reviewer February 2023 "

Reply by Lorraine And The Flames
Thank you so much Larry for this great review!!! Lorraine Lorraine and the Flames 🔥

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Lovely was amazing, she has the most beautiful tone to her voice. Lovely interacts brilliant with the audience. Thanks for your hard work. Keep doing what you do."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you for being part of our special day. You were outstanding and gave us the night we had dreamed of. We’re always looking for when we can see you again."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"My Favourite was solo guitar with Jack, I love music, i could really not go a day without it. My favourite genre singer/songwriter and classic rock. However this genre is typically left out "entertainment" on cruise ship schedules. So it was a joy to enter the Ocean Plaza and hear Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Jeff Buckley, and the Beatles coming out of this Englishman"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Paul, was amazing we all had the best night and my husband had a great time ! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The Lewis Barfoot Jazz Quintet delivers amazing performances. The ensemble demonstrated a deep understanding of both the jazz and swing tradition and the soul of live interpretation, balancing technical precision with an inviting sense of spontaneity. Lewis's leadership was evident throughout, with singing that was confident yet understated, allowing space for all the musician voices to shine.There was an unmistakable sense of enjoyment and mutual respect on stage, which translated directly to the audience. Dynamic contrasts were handled with care, and solos were expressive without ever feeling self-indulgent. Particularly impressive was their attention to providing music that truly worked for dancers. Tempos, dynamics, and phrasing were handled with care, ensuring the music was not only enjoyable to listen to but also perfectly suited to the dance floor. Beyond the performance itself, the professional approach stood out throughout the entire process. Communication was clear and reliable from the initial booking through to the end of the event, making the experience smooth and stress-free. Overall, the Lewis Barfoot Jazz Quintet combined high-quality musicianship with professionalism and thoughtful consideration for their audience, resulting in a thoroughly successful event."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: