Review Centre: Jazz Bands

"Band has tons of energy, a great sound, and remarkable vocals. They made our daughter's wedding a great event with nearly every guest choosing to be on the dance floor for hours"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"It was a pleasure to have the Nalis at our wedding and all the guests complimented us. Right from the start they proved to be professional and available to our every request, for example with the song of the first dance which they played of our choice outside of their repertoire. Very good and highly recommended."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Ashford Gordon & the Local Group played for our corporate holiday gathering. Everyone was moving to the music and their musicianship and professionalism was superb."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"What a fantastic voice, Mickey's performance was outstanding! He entertained our audience of 650 plus members and guests, at our New Years Eve Ball, with effortless charm, from the ballads he began with, to the big band numbers he sang at the end. Many of our guests are still talking about him now! A classy and professional act I would highly recommend."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Second year Danna has performed at our annual summer party bringing her fab vibe, great set list so well suited to the families and coolly popped in an a Capella version of Purple Rain when the lead thingy (which we hired in), went wrong. Totally professional Danna is a great performer and team player, everyone from 2-92 loved your two great sets, thoroughly to be recommended..!! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"An endless supply of blues, soul and sultry vocals."

Rating: 7 / 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:

"I highly recommend Vincent Cassotta and this band for any event. We had this incredible band play for our Housewarming party at the end of September, 2023. Each member of the band was professional, dressed professionally, and arrived early with plenty of time to prepare. We have attended many concerts, as we love music, and this band plays the best jazz we have heard. In our home, they were very conscientious to choose the correct space for acoustics and assisted to make our visitors feel welcome. Many of those in attendance still speak about the “smooth” jazz and how they could have sat and listened to them for hours.Thank you to this talented group of musicians for making our event and the evening extra special. Warmly, Angela And Jeffery Foss "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Fedeste band i Nordjylland der passer til alle Varmeste anbefalinger! Fedeste band i Nordjylland! Thomas sørgede for afslappende stemning med musik under middagen. De aflæste gæsterne og sørgede for at der var fuld gang i dansegulvet til langt ud på natten til vores bryllup."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Wow, we can’t recommend Good Time highly enough! Their incredible repertoire, style, and sound truly made our wedding SO much fun and SO memorable. We heard so many complements from our guests as well, no one wanted to leave the dance floor! Disco, R&B, and Jazz were exactly what we were looking for for our matrimonio in Lazio, Italy. Their vocals, sax, bass, and drums were all spot on. The band are responsive and – lucky for us – very easy to communicate with in both English and Italian. We are especially grateful for their patience and understanding working with us throughout the pandemic years. Thank you and bravo!!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Voor onze bruiloft zochten we iets unieks en speciaals. Via vrienden werden we getipt op Tommy and James. Ze waren pas bij een bruiloft geweest waar Tommy and James bewegend door de zaal de meest lekkere Jazz-pop muziek speelde. Dit in combinatie met de uitstraling van de mannen (wij houden wel van een goed maatpak) leek ons dit een uitstekend duo voor ons huwelijk. Vanaf het eerste contact hadden we er meteen een goed gevoel bij. Alles tot in details kunnen bespreken. Toen was het zover onze dag. Wat waren Tommy and James een geweldige aanvulling op onze dag. Iedereen heeft staan dansen en swingen. Het is dat je maar 1 keer trouwt in je leven. Anders weten we zeker wie we weer uit zouden nodigen. Nogmaals bedankt mannen"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"What a joy to have Hot Boots Band perform at our Inaugural Redhead Love Day at Red Leg Brewing Company! They kept everyone entertained from start to finish and participated in our theme celebrating Redheads. We would recommend Hot Boots Band for anyone looking for great, local entertainment."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"A friend of ours told us about this duo. We checked through the web and immediately called them for our wedding party. They were even better than we expected! As a guitar player myself, I appreciated Andrea's skills, but you don't need to be a musician to be charmed by Martina's stunning voice. We are Diadema fans now and follow them live, every time we can! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thanks a lot for the music. I really enjoyed it and many of the guests also commented how great you guys sounded and how the style fitted perfectly with our day"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I felt I must write to thank you for the part you played in making the ball so successful. I have had many telephone calls since and everyone says it was the best event they have ever been to at Elland Road. I am fully aware that without your help this would not necessarily have been the case. I could not have wished for a better start to my testimonial year."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: