Review Centre: Big Bands

"I hired Rick Holland Productions for my wedding and I thank my lucky stars I did. They were just an absolute solid band. I live in Toronto so the 10 piece band crossed the border for my wedding - our wedding coordinator said she'd never heard a band that good over her decade long career. I like to think I'm a genius for finding them ?? Kian K., Toronto, ON, CA"

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" All Music Review Thom Jurek The title of this set is an apt one. While much of the music presented by the Rick Holland-Evan Dobbins Little Big Band, it hearkens back -- in terms of its sophistication, confidence and outright jazz literacy, not nostalgically -- to an era when progressive jazz, and big bands (this one numbering 10 pieces) flourished on the scene. This is one sophisticated outfit. Featuring the arrangement and compositional skills of Brent Wallarab, Jim Martin, Bill Dobbins and Kerry Strayer, this band struts out the tradition and make some joyous, complex, and elegant music that reflects its own unique identity. The résumés of all these players are impressive and reflected in the confidence of the date. It opens with "SUNY-Triangle," a Martin composition that works its artful sleight-of-hand over Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Triste." Martin uses the rhythmically complex samba and drapes some tough, knotty twists and turns over it. The intro is a beautiful and raucous wake-up call, while the head of the tune, with its staggered entrances and exits -- including some fine soloing by John Viavattine on tenor and John Nyerges on piano -- give this tune a unique identity. "Creature Comfort" is a beautiful mid-tempo ballad by Wallarab with edgeless yet multi-dimensional dissonances written into its harmonics. It swings beautifully and includes a fine, punchy solo by tenorman Glenn Cashman. Besides the originals, there are some fine readings here as well. There's Wallarab's arrangement of Duke Ellington's "Black and Tan Fantasy" that's a thoroughly modern exercise losing none of Ellington's humor or rhythmic complexity. Likewise, Gerry Mulligan's haunting, wee-hours, "Night Lights," is given expert treatment here by Strayer, and Dean Keller's baritone saxophone playing combines Mulligan's sense of lyric and Ben Webster's sense of time. In Time's Shadow reveals that innovation need not sacrifice accessibility or swing. It is convincing evidence that the big band form is alive, well and full of surprises."

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"We hired Lachie for a home based birthday party. We can’t recommend him highly enough. He listened to what we wanted for the event and then delivered. We had an excellent night with everyone enjoying themselves. He was professional, an excellent communicator, respectful of our home and an absolutely brilliant musician. Thank you so much! It was a night to remember."

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"Thank you for being part of our special day. You were outstanding and gave us the night we had dreamed of. We’re always looking for when we can see you again."

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"You were great and I’ve had some lovely comments about the music, people were impressed. Thank you."

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"‘Chris was so nice. Very professional and the evening went so well. We had so much feedback and comments on how good he is and the music is great. It was a huge success' "

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"‘Unbelievable natural talent, effortless performance' "

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"your performance through dinner was just perfect and your dj set had them on the floor all night.thank you."

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"Andrew and his band are the BEST!! Our wedding planner recommended Andrew Thielen Big Band and his DJ and they were AWESOME! Our guests are still talking about how great they were. We had guests on the dance floor before dark, and we all danced the entire night! Andrew is very talented and we couldn't have gotten anything better!! Thank you so much!!"

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"‘Just wanted to drop you a line to say how impressed our family and friends were with Chris when he performed at our mum and dads joint 80th birthday celebrations yesterday! The quality of his singing was first class and his performance was exactly what we wanted for the day! He really did made this special occasion so memorable for everyone. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending him! Thanks so much to all involved in helping us and for suggesting Chris!' "

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"Mr Swing’s Dance Orchestra made our wedding! We thought our special day couldn’t get any better after we exchanged our vows and heard the kind words from our family but, as soon as we heard the music, I knew that the band would leave an impact on our guests. I did not stop dancing all night! We truly enjoyed every moment of the band’s set and all our guests have commented on how wonderful they were. Really wish we could have had them longer. I want to say a heartfelt thank you to Matthew and the rest of the band for making our wedding magical. All our love, Mr & Mrs Colbeck."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Since 2011, the band has a new focus. First, it is commissioning the legendary Bill Dobbins, to write sample arrangements from his famous “Evolution of Jazz Piano”, a series of movements based on the tune “All of Me”. Secondly, is breaking in it’s new vocalist, 19 year old sensation, Lindsey Holland. The band currently has over 60 arrangements for her to sing, including selections from Nancy Wilson’s disc with Cannonball Adderley. Furthermore, we have a Christmas Set now for her to sing, as well as many straight ahead jazz standards. The hope is for this group to record both of these projects sometime in the future."

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"Funk’N’Soul performed at a wedding celebration held at Maisemore Gloucestershire on 28th August. The two hour set and DJ kept everyone on the dance floor, which was exactly what was wanted!! Awesome night!"

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"You guys were amazing !!! Thank you so much for starting our wedding party off with such style xxx"

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"thank you francis for helping to make my birthday celebration a fantastic success,you were marvellous."

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