Review Centre: Big Bands

"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!)"

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"A great cause and a terrific night out. Jackie and I enjoyed it all thoroughly. Please pass on our thanks and congratulations to your band with our best wishes for another successful night and for a good Christmas and new year. You have some new fans and we’re looking forward to next year's extravaganza!"

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"These guys were brilliant, will definitely book again!"

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"Thank you for making our event so very special. We'll never forget our day."

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"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:

"thank you so much francis,my dad had a great time as did everyone else.thank you again for doing the extra time,it was very much appreciated."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I’d like to thank you and the band for an outstanding performance on Saturday night. The members and overseas guests commented on a great night of entertainment. I hope you all had a safe journey home. It was very much appreciated that you travelled down south for this event."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Wow, what a show! You have a great voice and all of your musicians were just fabulous. The music was smart, fun and sophisticated – again, just what we wanted, and such a pleasure to dance to a band who really know how to play!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"‘I just wanted to contact you to thank you for your performance on the evening, it really was first class. I have had nothing but positive feedback all week from many people who attended, and many of them from the younger set!’ "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I just want to thank you so much for making our wedding celebrations so perfect. Everyone who came has fed back to us how amazing you were. You were absolutely stunning and I loved every minute of your sets – terrific voice and music. It was lovely to see everyone dancing – from my 6 year old niece to my 83 year old aunt! Thank you so much."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you for an amazing gig on our Peaky Blinders night. We had lots of good comments about how good the music was. You really help make the night a success."

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"Dan Olivo Band provided fantastic entertainment, music and PA hosting duties for our non-profit fundraising event in April of 2019. Were very communicative throughout the planning process, and very accommodating when we suddenly experienced a downpour and had to completely adjust our staging. Highly recommended, and we'll definitely use them again in the future!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"This was my first ever swing band concert and what can I say – it was fantastic – I didn’t realise how good they were! What a great evening. We travelled in ice, snow, high heels and dresses and it was very worth it. Fabulous music and excellent entertainment. It really started off my Christmas. Can’t wait for next year."

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:

"Rick Holland’s music is certainly not radical or innovative, but is some of the best group playing in it’s genre of Jazz Bop. Robert D. Rusch, President of Cadence Records"

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