About this project

If you made it this far, thank-you for reading our project proposal!!

We'd like to record our Christmas Set! We have some unique arrangements written for us --that feature the band playing a variety of Christmas Favorites, in  a variety of Jazz Styles.These arrangements are tastefully done, and feature many of the fine soloists of the Little Big Band. Everyone who donates, will receive a Christmas Cd, plus a promotional copy of our last disc, 'Trilby'!

This unique 10 piece ensemble, focuses on not just contemporary mainstream arrangements, but we also play a variety of authentic Swing material. The group has been hailed at the Local, National and International levels, as the 3 reviews (I posted) will attest.

Our previous disc, landed once in the top 25, at #25, then #33, and several weeks in the top 40 --as one of the top discs on the Jazz Week Poll. We'd like to premiere our young vocalist on this recording, Lindsey Holland, who has become our regular vocalist over the last 2 years.

What people have been saying about the Little Big Band Project:

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. Best Wishes and Regards, Peter Kuller - Jazz Presenter Radio Adelaide 101.5fm Brisbane, Australia

 

Rick Holland-Evan Dobbins Little Big Band Trilby 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 10 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 Golsons “Stablemates,” has fine solos from Holland and the Phil Woods-inspired altoist Doug Stone, with the two battling it out near the tunes 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 Barons 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. Rich 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 Pettifords “Tricotism” (along with Nick Finzer and Bill Dobbins) before Trilby closes with its most intense performance on “Richs 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. Scott Yanow, LA Times, author of ten books including The Jazz Singers, Trumpet Kings, Jazz On Film and Jazz On Record 1917-76, Los Angeles California

CONCERT REVIEW: Rick Holland Uptown Orchestra at Lovin Cup By Frank De Blase ----City News , Rochester, NY

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-Little Big Band, 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.

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