Jazz Bands

Selecting a Jazz band for your wedding reception or after party may be a nifty theme idea but can limit dancing participation to those who know the dance styles. Jazz bands make a great retro statement and make a wedding look natural and less like a hard charging rave. Make sure wedding guests know if jazz classics will be “on the menu” for boning up on the dance moves. Jazz themes weddings can be very fun for guests to dress up for and art directed napkins, décor and cake styles can compliment this choice of music.

Certain jazz dances go with certain types of jazz music, and a throng of nonplussed dancers who don’t know the music can bring a wedding to a standstill. But upbeat adaptations of modern music can amuse and entertain wedding guests trying to identify each song. Jazz bands can also provide long instrumental segments for seating, dining, and transition activities without confusing guests who are uncertain about dining, dancing, and programmed sequence of events.

A jazz band can be large or small. Adding another instrumentalist can vary the musical selections available. Jazz bands can make a nice change for people have been to endless weddings and want a change form the do razzmatazz and too-familiar cover band act. Jazz music often follows the musical sound eras of the 1930’s and 1940’s and the Big Band sound. Modern Jazz can be very experimental and somewhat tricky to dance to.

Know your wedding party group and the dance experience most of the guests have. Older guests or senior guests will appreciate a few classic jazz sounds but unless the younger crowd is very up to the minute with their dance lessons, they may not be able to fake it. Jazz classics can be a great way to get seniors and other members of the “older set” up and onto the dance floor. These songs make for great pictures.

A great jazz band can entertain a lot of guests with “oldies” and familiar classics that blend the formality of the wedding event with the enjoyment of live music. Jazz music may seem alternative to those guests with a pop or radio top 40 preferences, but a wedding is the place for formal and traditional music styles to be present. Jazz bands will likely have a varied series of songs they can play, slow dance songs, traditional fun music, and special selections for spotlight wedding dances.

Modern jazz bands can present a very sleek and modern contemporary feel to a smaller wedding and less vast reception space. If just a light cocktail and get together is planned, a jazz combo can provide music without pressuring wedding guests to overdo it. The smaller room and power provided by a modest space, second wedding or afternoon reception can work well with a jazz band without a full party throttle. Simply hearing music while guests greet each other and chat can make a band a welcome background noise while the party gets really started.

Search for Wedding Bands.