Whether you’re planning a wedding reception or private party, or looking for background music for your dinner club, a jazz combo is a great way to add a touch of sonic ambience. And the good news is, you don”t have to drain your budget in order to find something you”ll like.
How much band can you get for your buck? It depends. Seasoned musicians will typically command a higher price. Younger players may be less expensive; however, you”ll want to consider the potential trade-off in quality. There truly are some incredible young musicians, but as a general rule, you”ll get what you pay for.
However, no law says you”ve got to hire a full entourage. You may do just fine with a duo, such as a piano and vocalist or solo instrument. That can be a particularly effective solution if you”re concerned about the amount of space you”ve got to work with.
Of course, you”ll be sacrificing something in the way of sound. Add a bassist and the keyboard player will thank you. You”ll be freeing up his left hand, and you”ll love the added fullness and inventiveness that result. Plus, a trio is still small enough to offer economy of space.
If you”re dealing with a big event, though–a wedding reception, for example–you”ll probably want at least a quartet. Drums adds drive and energy that will take your listening experience up to the next level, and when it comes to setting a beat for dancing, a drummer is indispensable. Of course, in such circumstances, space isn”t likely to be a concern for you.
In a nutshell…
* Consider your needs, your options, your limitations, and the tradeoffs.
* Consult with the band leader. He or she may offer suggestions that fit your unique circumstances.
* Finally, at the risk of stating the obvious, plan well in advance and budget for what you’ll be delighted with, not what you can get by with. You’ll love the payoff as your guests compliment you over and over on the fantastic band!
A Jazz band without a bassist?? Yuk. But – thanks for the blog Stormie!
Are you coming to Founders Thursday to hear Organissimo??
Unthinkable, I know. 🙂
Though a duo isn’t exactly a band in my mind. It”s a duo, and a somewhat different animal, more the equivalent of a soloist with an accompanist. I enjoy playing duo gigs–providing the keyboard player or guitarist knows his stuff. The big question mark is how well that person can compensate for the the absence of a bass player.
To me, the ideal format is a quintet, with another horn person to kick me in the butt creatively. I love the energy and the ideas that come from a dual horn lineup.
Organissimo is playing? Cool. You’re going, I take it? Gotta check my schedule. I may give you a call and we can hook up down at Founders.