Review Centre: 1920s Era Musicians & Bands

"Thank you once again for making my father’s birthday party such a great success. Having the party on a boat made for slightly more difficult logistics but your professional yet flexible and enthusiastic approach to the situation really helped. On arrival you quickly tuned into the nature and tone of the event and your personality and sense of fun charmed everyone. You play the accordion wonderfully and is the perfect accompaniment to your beautiful voice transporting us all to a timeless Left Bank cafe in Paris. As you know, my father was enchanted by you. He said that you were the absolute highlight of the party. And that’s the first time I can remember dancing with my mum! "

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"Flash Mob Jazz bring the magic to life for our guests every time they play"

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"Dr Jazz arrived at our wedding in good time and set up their stage area and equipment with no fuss. Looking keen and smart with their authentic outfits and array of instruments. Already I was impressed with the professionalism and appearance of the band, but little did I know just what I had booked for the evening. Matthew Hardy’s outfit, Dr Jazz, simply surpassed all our expectations. Never had I guessed we would receive such a wonderful, exciting, dynamic but most of all musically awesome series of sets. The accuracy and quality of the performances were second to none. Studio quality sound and execution, professionally managed without a hint of fuss or issue. The musicianship of the ensemble was outstanding. The set list was varied and of a consistently high standard. The arrangements were just perfect and the solos were fantastic. Matthew himself leads the band with confidence and skill. His stage presence tasteful and engaging. The clips available of the band are wonderful but even they cannot capture just how tight and well executed the ensemble’s live performance is. I cannot recommend this band highly enough to anyone considering them. They set an atmosphere at our wedding that was everything we had hoped and more, carrying the mood and wonderful day’s atmosphere from dinner into the evening. They are worth every dime. 10/10 would definitely book again."

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"We booked Almaz for a Charity event held at The Virgin Money Lounge in Manchester. They were extremely professional, arriving on time to set up and tune up. Their set created the perfect atmosphere for the day. They are both exceptionally talented and do a lovely repertoire of both originals and covers. I couldn't rate them any higher or I would have. Thanks again for all your support!"

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"Thank you for making our wedding even more unique special! You definitely added a level of excitement to the party! I highly recommend this band, they were on time, professional and they played good music! "

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"I booked Camino Sonoro to play at a garden party for my wife’s birthday, and couldn’t have made a better choice. They played some gorgeous Latin American jazz, interspersed with swing classics, and the sound was perfect for a laid-back summer afternoon. Roland’s smooth saxophone is an excellent foil for Hetty’s flexible but beautifully expressive vocals. Miguel holds it all together, unobtrusively and elegantly, on guitar. The three band members were lovely people to work with, and I’d confidently recommend them for social events of this kind."

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"They keep alive, with great perfection, a pearl of Italian art, nowadays almost forgotten. congratulations."

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"Hi Derek, Many thanks for your good wishes. Can't tell you how much we all enjoyed your music. It made the evening for us all. ... the response and dancing by the guests spoke for itself. There is no question that if we celebrate our anniversary again in the future, we will ask you back to celebrate with us. Our best regards to all the Dixielanders and again our thanks for making the evening the success it undoubtedly was."

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"The broad repertoire his groups encompass and the care with which he deals with musical details are a welcome exception in this age of super specialization and an obsession with quick results at the expense of real quality. Bill Dobbins, Eastman School of Music"

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"Ruby sang yesterday at my nans 90th Birthday party. What can I say. Absolutely amazing I would highly recommend her. Her voice is beautiful and she sang all my nans favourites as requested. Such a lovely friendly lady who made the party a huge success. "

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"The Feed back on you guys has been amazing thank you and well done. "

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"Robin is a great musician – he has a beautiful melodic turn of phrase and a strong personal sound."

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"On the night Pete Billigton set the right atmosphere with his piano, leading up to a superb gig with Fleur Stevenson singing, accompanied by Pete and Raph Mizraki on the double bass. Fleur's voice is remarkable and the choice of pieces was most fitting. I was complimented by many friends about the music - some jazz players themselves. "

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"Nice swinging gypsy sounds and excellent singing during the Cool Jazz Festival on October 13th. Compliments! Above all, keep participating in the festival!"

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"TRILBY Scott Yanow, author of ten books including The Jazz Singers, Trumpet Kings, Jazz On Film and Jazz On Record 1917-76 The Rick Holland-Evan Dobbins Little Big Band, which is based in Rochester, New York, was founded in 2005. Co-led by flugelhornist Holland and trombonist Dobbins, the 11 piece group has the sound of a big band despite having eight instead of the usual 11 or 12 horns. Its musicianship is top-notch, soloists are impeccable, and arrangements are both colorful and swinging. The 11 songs heard on Trilby consist of four standards, three originals by harmonica great Hendrik Meurkens, and a song apiece by Kerry Strayer, Hal Crook, Brent Wallarab and pianist Bill Dobbins. The father of Evan Dobbins, Bill Dobbins is the best known musician in the band, contributed six of the arrangements, and is a key soloist on five songs. But enough of the statistics. The Little Big Band swings hard and puts plenty of spirit into each performance. The opener, Benny Golson's “Stablemates,” has fine solos from Holland and the Phil Woods-inspired altoist Doug Stone, with the two battling it out near the tune's finish. Meurkens' “Slidin'” has an arrangement by Bill Dobbins that in its use of restrained tone colors is worthy of Thad Jones. A heated jam on “The Eternal Triangle” gives Holland and tenor-saxophonist Mike Pendowski an opportunity to jam, trade-off and interact with each other. Holland, Doug Stone (this time on clarinet) and trombonist Nick Finzer play lyrically on the melodic “Second Waltz.” David Baron's bass is featured prominently on “The Cottage,” a haunting tune particularly worthy of several listens. “Trilby,” a lengthy exploration of the chord structure of “Alone Together,” has some excellent hard bop flugelhorn from Holland, adventurous soprano from Stone and a memorable spot for Bill Dobbins' piano. Trombonist Dobbins, Pendowski and drummer Rich Thompson are not only well featured on “Fused” but at one point they play as a pianoless bassless trio. Rick Holland is heard at his best on the ballad “My Darling Darlene” and a jazz waltz version of “While We're Young.” David Baron is naturally in the spotlight during bassist Oscar Pettiford's “Tricotism” (along with Nick Finzer and Bill Dobbins) before Trilby closes with its most intense performance on “Rich's Call.” 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."

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