Review Centre: Big Bands

"Dear Danilo, You made our wedding by worlds the most special, wonderful, humorous and emotional experience in recent years. Friends and family keep telling us how great our free wedding ceremony was.... We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. PS: some are still asking for cookies???? best regards Stephan & Collin & Nadine"

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:

"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"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Astoundingly good jazz and great personal service. Highly highly recommended! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Just wanted to say a massive thank you for your performance last night; you sounded great and it went down a treat!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Vibrant Jazz were brilliant and added a lot to the atmosphere and setting of our company's garden party. Communication with Dan was quick and easy and they were very professional, 10/10 recommend. "

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"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"What did we want? Something a little bit different to entertain our guests of a mixed age group, something that was current and fresh with a nod to the traditional, fun but not cheesy. Musically Excellent. (I'm an ex cruise ship performer so quite fussy.) Trip 4 Biscuits achieved this in spades and has been one of the main talking points of our wedding at the Berry Head Hotel. Think Dua Lipa, Moose T. Right said Fred Sung to perfection in a sequined Ball gown with Tuxedoed Musicians in a 1920's/30's speakeasy style, arrangements that are simply impossible not to tap your feet or dance to. Well done to Laura and the band Edward and Lewis xx"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I can not say enough good things about J. Baxter and the Sauce! They have amazing energy and a great playlist. Thanks to them, all of our guests were on the dance floor and had a wonderful time. I would recommend J. Baxter and the Sauce to anyone looking for a fun, up tempo band for their event. Tyler "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Simone's performance capabilities as a jazz trumpet player are truly masterful. His technical proficiency, expressive playing, and improvisational skills make him a standout musician. Whether performing in small ensembles or leading a jazz band, Simone's performances never fail to leave a lasting impression."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"a wonderfull evening was had by all 350 people,who all thought you were superb.i would highly recommend you to anyone."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"What an utterly wonderful band and an unimaginably fabulous collection of humans - thank you for absolutely OWNING my partner's 40th birthday bash, she/we/the crowd loved you and would book you again in a trice... well played and THANK YOU lovely Laura, brilliant bandmates and associated biscuits xxx"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Love this band, love these people....and that's all I gotta say!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Just wanted to say a big thank you to you and the rest of the band for helping to make my 60th party such a special occasion. You were fantastic and everyone was asking where I had found you and how good you were. Maybe we’ll do it all again when I’m 70."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Big Thank You to Trip for Biscuits who performed at our retention event - they were amazing"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: