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"Richard does a good job of engaging the crowd: he really pays attention.
For instance, sometimes you get a loud, raucous band that forgets
that they're at a wedding. Not Richard. He very much plays to the
audience, reads the crowd well, and since he's so versatile, he
reacts well to requests. My clients have been really happy with
him."
"Richard's got the type of band
I would use at a big wedding where you really want the music to
be great, something really special. I see him at the better functions,
the bigger more elaborate ones with the higher budgets. He's at
the high end of the spectrum because he's very talented, versatile
and personable. He's definitely high caliber. Just fantastic."
"Richard offers everything from
a small combo to the full 30-piece Richard Olsen Orchestra with
its wonderful big band and swing repertoire. They really have a
big sound and his music is very, very danceable. Joel Selvin of
the Chronicle says Olsen has the 'swingingest' band."
"Richard is really flexible about
changing tempo or style. I think he's so easy to work with because
he's totally versatile: he combines a fabulous range of music with
style and class."
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Since the 80's, clarinetist Richard
Olsen has been leading this bright and sassy big band. Considered
San Francisco's top society dance band, the Richard Olsen Orchestra
is available in a variety of sizes to best accommodate your event,
from a 5 piece swingin' combo to a full 30 piece orchestra with
a 9 piece horn section.
While the band's songbook includes the requisite staples of the
big band genre, Olsen also leans heavily on rhythmic numbers from
the songbooks of Ray Charles and Louis Jordan. This big band is
just as likely to play "Let the Good Times Roll", or "Smack Dab
in the Middle" as it is to play "Satin Doll" or "String of Pearls."
"I like the idea of a rockin' big band" says Olsen. And rock they
do this is one very danceable band!
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"I have used him for the last 20 years. I can't recommend him highly
enough he is fabulous. He has quite a presence, like an old-time
bandleader, but he's young and attractive with his own style. He
is so great on stage. He's quite accomplished as a musician
both as a clarinet player and a singer. He also manages to be pleasant,
charming, engaging and obliging on and off stage. I've never heard
him say a derogatory thing about anyone he gets along well
with everyone."
"Richard is fun to work with since
he's so easy going and flexible. He's also articulate, very professional
and detail oriented. All of this makes him a real team player
and it's important for the vendors at a wedding to work as a team.
For example, Richard willingly adjusts his playing time when needed.
He cooperates with the other vendors to make the event work. I remember
one event where we had a sound problem while band was tuning up.
The sound company had already left, so Richard called in his own
person and he took care of it. Now that's going the extra mile!"
"I have a real comfort level when
they're the entertainment, because I know they're experienced and
they're going to do a good job. Richard's able to get high quality
musicians because he knows all the San Francisco talent. The band
is very appealing, he has a great bandstand and horn section, and
I especially like the two female vocalists who can change to a Motown
style. Plus, his band members always look very professional at events.
You can't go wrong with them Richard and his band are talented
and trustworthy."
"They are topnotch with swing and
big band music, but also quite good with rock n' roll from the 50's
to the present. I'd say their biggest strength is that they're very
good for all ages. My list of references are important to me
I rely on them and I feel very good recommending Richard."
Quotes were excerpted from
multiple interviews with event industry professionals conducted
by Hopscotch Press, an independent marketing company in Berkeley,
California.
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