Review Centre: 1920s Era Musicians & Bands

"Great Set, Great Guys, Great Time! says it all. Alan and the band were very professional and accommodating for our event in Sheffield. The variety and style of music was perfect putting a smile on everyones face. Thank you LA Jazz Band. (10 / 10) "

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"My dad's last wishes were for his wake to be a happy party with a Dixieland Jazz Band. He certainly got his wish. LA Jazz played exactly what my dad would have loved, and people were dancing and remembering fondly how dad used to dance to such music. Alan, the leader, was easy to deal with, well organised and sociable. Thank you for making the eake more like a wedding! (10 / 10) "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"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"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Dear Jess, Thank you from me and Mat!!! You and your band have been absolutely fantastic - we really enjoyed having you sing and play so beautifully and for being so flexible with timing. EVERYONE loved you and the band - they all said you have the most fabulous/ stunning voice and presence. The "EVERYONE" includes all the chefs (they were boogying whilst getting the meal out), the floor staff, and my neighbours who were still working in the garden and didn't quite make over to dinner. Thank you also for singing the 2 songs I requested - my brother (the one who led the speeches) was very touched as they were for him and thought you sang them beautifully! We will certainly be in touch again when we entertain with live music again! With very best wishes to you and all your band members Yvonne & Mat"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"we invited the incredible "Dupa Trio" to play at our new year's eve party for our lawyer firm, "GRO" the music that they played was perfect for the event, the crowd loved them. Have to say, that compared to the amazing value that they bring as a band, their fee is really fair and reasonable! looking forward to book them again in 2023 Erik"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Hi Fay, the music made our wedding an occasion . The music made the emotion. It was beautiful and all the guests complimented you all. The flute really added to it and you all played beautifully. Just highly recommended . Pasw on our thanks to the rest of the ensemble. Shrigley Hall 2022"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you for playing for us last night – we loved the music you played and felt it really set our night off perfectly! Everyone has been saying how brilliant the band was last night and the photos today show that people really had a great time!! Your outfits were also perfectly fitting with our Roaring 20s theme and we literally couldn’t have asked for more! Thank you so much once again and we would not hesitate to book you for events in the future!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We have had Rosie singing at our local village pub a few times now. Everyone loves her, brilliant voice and can't wait to have her back. Highly recommended!!!!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We asked Noa to sing at our wedding and she filled the church with a superb a cappella version of 'Amazing Grace' which left the congregation and us spellbound! Thank you Noa for helping to make our day so special!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

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

Rating: 8 / 10 Share this review:

"Robin and Jack are fantastic players and incredibly professional at every stage of booking/performing process - highly recommended! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you very much for coming along and performing at VWV LLP London Christmas drinks reception last year, you really put us all in the festive mood. We really appreciate it, thank you! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Frankie and Pete were absolutely brilliant. They were such lovely people to have around on the day (very sweet and accommodating), and their music was really wonderful - just what we were hoping for. They are an incredibly talented pair and we would like to highly recommend them to others. Our guests thought they were fantastic too. All best wishes, Claire and Phil (10 / 10)"

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 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:

"An absolutely fantastic evening at Southsea Beach Cafe! We couldn't have wished for more perfect music to accompany our Beaujolais Evening."

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