May 27, 200818 yr I have been brainstorming for my wedding. One idea I absolutely love is having jazz music playing while guests arrive and cocktail hour. Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin are two must-haves in the track list. Does anyone have any other song recommendations? I like Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong, for example. I am just not tooo familiar with their music.
May 27, 200818 yr Just go with anything from the following musicians, you can't go wrong: Dave Brubek Ella Fitzgerald Miles Davis Thelonious Monk Vince Guaraldi Winton Marsalis By the way, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin are not jazz musicians. Those two fall into the "American Standards" category (more along the lines of big band or showtunes). True jazz is something else. Whatever you do, just don't play Kenny G!!!!!!!!
May 27, 200818 yr Fantastic recommendations SoFla but I wouldn't suggest ANYTHING by those artists. As much as I love Miles and Thelonius, some of the material can be a bit too "dark" for a cocktail hour at a wedding.
May 27, 200818 yr Everyone here is throwing out some great names and legends but it has to fit the mood of what he asked for. I like the idea of Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin, but I'd also suggest getting some nice jazz trio stuff. Just your basic piano-bass drums is simple enough, sounds good and doesn't intefere if people like to socialize. Some names in that relam I would suggest Oscar Peterson Bud Powell Brad Mehldau (either of his two recent albums with Pat Metheny would be perfect, in my opinion)
May 27, 200818 yr Author Thanks for the suggestions. But, I refuse to leave Ol Blue Eyes and Dino out. They're my favorites. I really like Ella Fitzgerald too. Oh, and no, no Kenny G. I want classic stuff.
May 30, 200818 yr Can't leave out some Bossa Nova stuff, anything withAntoio Carlos Jobim or Joao Gilberto is good.
June 8, 200818 yr Etta James (At Last) Billie Holiday Sarah Vaughn Pat Methany Nat King Cole What about some Big Band stuff?? If you want to add some contemporary stuff, Harry Connick, Jr. Norah Jones Michael Buble Bossa Nova stuff is good, I agree. Anything by Jobim is awesome. Trini Lopez & the Brazil 66 is good too. What about Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass?? Any good instrumental would be nice during the cocktail hour. It's not too heavy and your guests will be able to talk without being over powered by the music. I know this might sound trivial but you must sit down with the DJ and give them your list of songs. I did this for both kid's Bar/Bat Mitzvah's and I was very happy. When you leave it up to someone else- your taste and theirs might not be in sync. Have you thought of soundtracks to movies? Gladiator Troy Meet Joe Black Edward Scissorhands Angels in the Outfield Harry Potter All are wonderful instrumental tracks as well. Just a suggestion- don't kill the messenger.
June 18, 200818 yr Author Yenta, I love Big Band. I am thinking of switching the jazz for dinner time instead. I want to enjoy it too.
June 22, 200818 yr Lite Jazz during dinner would be an even better idea because it really is easy to talk around. Big Band/Swing during the cocktail hour is an even better idea. People recognize the songs and even if they don't, they're upbeat enough to make anyone happy. Some names that come to mind: Louis Prima Glen Miller Benny Goodman Artie Shaw Tommy Dorsey Look here for more info: Big Band info I'd also start with songs you like and then, find out which bands did them I also went a wedding of friends of mine who were into swing dancing and used "Moondance" by Van Morrison as their first dance. It was awesome. You should have a song that means something to both of you.
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