We are not talking old hum drum Jazz. This is an example of a few great "fast pace" JazzI used to use instrumental jazz stuff during dinners at elegant events, but many times I would get guests coming up and asking to "pick up the pace" a little.
I never got complimented using instrumentals, but with what I've been using for the past few years, I've gotten many.
So it boils down to what works for you, what your clientele prefer and how you want your reputation to be viewed.
I much prefer Instrumentals during Dinner/Cocktail Hour where the focus can be on the instruments and melody rather than the words. To me its a better blend than vocals. If its an elegant affair such as a Wedding, corporate party etc I like selections from Artists such as :
Andreas Vollenweider.............Harp Music
Dave Koz..................................Sax
Wynton Marsalis..........................Trumpet
Peter White............................Guitar
David Sanborn......................Sax
Warren Hill..............................Sax
Kim Waters............................Sax
Esteban................................Classical Guitar
Alex Bugnon............................Piano
Keith Jarrett............................Piano
Candy Dulfer..........................Sax
Rick Braun...............................Trumpet
Mindi Abair...............................Sax
Kofi.................................Piano
Waymon Tisdale....................Guitar
Jeff Kashiwa.........................Sax
Praful..................................Sax
Joyce Cooling...........................Guitar
Chick Corea...........................Piano
That is not a playlist my friend. Thats is a list of Artists from which one can choose songs to be played during Dinner/Cocktail hour. I see by your knowledge that you know a lot about Contemporary Jazz. :triwink:you are subconsciously putting your guests in the mood to sleep....zzzzzzzzz.....wha? sorry took a look at that playlist and nodded off again
Professional Rebuttal:Personal comment: I know nothing of jazz other than I hate it and if I heard at a wedding during dinner/cocktail I would wan't to shoot myself. I admit it. I don't get Jazz. It all sounds the same to me...like classy porno music.
Professional Comment: Jazz is polarizing. Either you love it or hate it which is why I won't use it at an event.
I much prefer Instrumentals during Dinner/Cocktail Hour where the focus can be on the instruments and melody rather than the words. To me its a better blend than vocals. If its an elegant affair such as a Wedding, corporate party etc I like selections from Artists such as :
Andreas Vollenweider.............Harp Music
Dave Koz..................................Sax
Wynton Marsalis..........................Trumpet
Peter White............................Guitar
David Sanborn......................Sax
Warren Hill..............................Sax
Kim Waters............................Sax
Esteban................................Classical Guitar
Alex Bugnon............................Piano
Keith Jarrett............................Piano
Candy Dulfer..........................Sax
Rick Braun...............................Trumpet
Mindi Abair...............................Sax
Kofi.................................Piano
Waymon Tisdale....................Guitar
Jeff Kashiwa.........................Sax
Praful..................................Sax
Joyce Cooling...........................Guitar
Chick Corea...........................Piano
For Modern Jazz with a Hip Hop flair try the Hidden Beach Recordings
For Older Traditional Jazz there is also John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck. Scott Joplin, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, Count Basie etc
Dare to be different get rid of the la la songs and be elegant!
There is nothing like walking into a ballroom and hearing just elegant refined music at a Cocktail Hour. Think in terms of what clients use for Live Music at Dinner hours.....Harps, Trios, Pianists, Guitarists etc. Rarely do they use singing groups. Leave the vocals for dancing! Forget the same ole same ole. :triwink:
If anyone wants actual name pick songs by the above artists I will be more than willing to post.
The Combined List Of Songs...
Paul Weller - Early Morning Rain
More Today Than Yesterday - Spiral Staircase
The Love Of A Woman - Lionel Richie & Enrique Eglesias
Upside Down (Curious George Soundtrack remix) - Jack Johnson
Stealin' Kisses - Ben Harper
Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
David Sanborn - Bang Bang
Bobby Caldwell - Come Rain Or Come Shine
Joe Satriani - Your My World
Nightmares on Wax - "Nights Interlude" (new age electronica)
Jerald Daymeon (jazz violinist)
Build Me Up Buttercup - The Foundations
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye/Tami Terrell
We Can - Leann Rimes
Your Love Is Lifting Me Higher - Michael Mcdonald
Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond
Be My Baby - Ronettes
Signed, Sealed, Delivered - Stevie Wonder
Rise - Herb Alpert
Feels Good - Chuck Mangione
8th World Wonder - Kimberley Locke
Beautiful Soul - Jesse McCartney
Here With Me - MercyMe
Latin Quarter - Marc Antoine
Out of the Blue - Mindi Abair
Ain't That a Kick In the Head - Dean Martin
Michael Buble - Everything
To Be With You - Mr. Big
The Search Is Over - Survivor
Get Down On It - Wayman Tisdale
Sway - Pussycat Dolls
Forward Emotion - Pieces of a Dream
Groovin' High - Arturo Sandoval
All Nite Long - Lionel Richie
Tiny Dancer - Elton John
Saturday In The Park - Chicago
You Make Me Feel Like Dancin
All Nite Long - Lionel Richie
Tiny Dancer - Elton John
Saturday In The Park - Chicago
You Make Me Feel Like Dancin
Cecelia
Me and Julio
Kodachrome
Sweet Caroline
Forever in Blue Jeans
Bubble Toes
Come Undone - Duran Duran
People Gonna Talk - James Hunter
Hold You in My Arms - Ray LaMontagne
Wild Night - Van Morrison
Baby Got Back - Richard Cheese
Better Together - Jack Johnson
Maxi Priest - Wild World
Ne-Yo - Because Of You
Toto - Africa
Luther Vandross - Power of love
With Plenty of Money and You - Tony Bennett & Count Basie
Moondance - Van Morrison
Oyo Como Va (4:14)
All My Life (3:38)
Come Away With Me (3:06)
Sway (3:04)
Caught Up In The Rapture (3:56)
Don't Stop Believin' [1981] (4:03)
First Time (4:08)
Moondance (4:07)
Rhythm Is Gonna Get You (3:54)
David Archuleta - Crush (3:25)
Zoot Suit Riot (3:49)
Could I Have This Kiss Forever (Metro Mix) (3:53)
Alicia Keys - Prelude To A Kiss (1:58)
Peabo Bryson - Can You Stop The Rain (5:09)
Smooth Jazz Does The Divas - Greatest Love Of All (4:32)
Walking In Memphis (4:06)
Gregory Abbott - Shake You Down (3:56)
Jennifer Lopez - Let's Get Loud (3:57)
Ready For The World - Love You Down (4:22)
Enya - May It Be (3:26)
Black Velvet (4:38)
Buster Poindexter - Hot Hot Hot - Big Band (4:03)
You Can Do Magic (3:43)
Shania Twain - You're Still the One (3:30)
Regina Belle - Make It Like It Was (4:58)
Malo - Suavecito (Single Edit Version) (3:15)
Brad Paisley - She's Everything (4:17)
Sail Away (5:03)
I Could Fall In Love (4:28)
Usher - U Remind Me (4:25)
Ding-Dong Daddy Of The D-Car Line (3:25)
The Manhattans - Shining Star (4:30)
Daughtry - Home (4:09)
You forgot just one that is really fun near the dinner--Sir Duke