Sure prerecorded music is fine but there is certainly the magic of a “Live Performance.”
Live Band
I think there are certain kinds of music that are best appreciated when played by a DJ and other styles that are best appreciated when performed by a band. I would say that Hip Hop and some Top 40 for example are best appreciated by hearing the original recording and so for those tunes, hire a DJ. I think most Rock, Jazz or Chamber Music for example are best appreciated when heard “Live”.
A wedding for example has several parts and each can have its own music and potentially its own ensemble.
Wedding Ceremony – Chamber Music Quartet
Cocktail Hour – Solo Piano or Duo
Grand Entrance – DJ/MC
Dinner Music – Jazz Trio or Live Band
Dance Music – DJ or Live Band
Live Bands and Intro Song Lists (Scroll down and find songs you like.)
I lead a number of ensembles that perform for parties and weddings throughout Southern California; each has its unique repertoire. It is very creative to match up the audience and purpose of the event with the right ensemble (or DJ music.) When choosing ensembles for each part of your celebration is thoughtfully done the result is pure magic!
Trio
Here is an example: As a musician I can play just about any song on the piano. Adding to this Bass and Drums greatly expands what I can play. I have a lot of fun playing with this trio: Keyboard, Bass and Drums. This group all by it self can play just about anything from Jazz Standards and Rock and Roll, and even some Top 40.
Quartet (4 piece band)
Creating a quartet by adding to this trio a Female Vocalist greatly expands music possibilities of this ensemble.
Quintet (5 piece band)
Now add to this quartet (the trio with a Female Vocalist) a guitar/vocalist. With this five piece band the music possibilities expand exponentially.
Sextet (6 piece band)
Ok, so if you’re following along, now add sax to this (trio with a female vocalist and guitarist/vocalist) to create a six piece band and let your imagination work over the possibilities.
To give a better representation of what I am describing here is a partial song list showing several categories/styles of music for dinner and dance music played by the Elegant Music Live Band.
Popular, Swing & Standards Introductory Song List
Fly me to the moon, Sinatra
Come Fly With Me, Sinatra
Everything, Michael Buble
SWAY, Michael Buble
Can’t Take My Eyes off of you, Frankie Valli
The way you look tonight, Sinatra
Dancing Cheek To Cheek, Sinatra
All The Way, Sinatra
Perdido, Cha Cha
Satin Doll, Duke Ellington
Save the Last Dance For Me, Michael Buble
Dance Music Introductory Song List
Just The Way You Are (Amazing), Bruno Mars
Forget You, Ceelo Green
Dynamite, Tao Cruz
I Can’t Help My Self, Four Tops
I Got A Feeling, Black Eyed Peas
Feel So Close To You Right Now, Calvin Harris
We Found Love, Rhianna
Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry
Respect, Aretha Franklin
Boogie, Oogie, Oogie, Taste of Honey
Stand by Me, Ben E. King
Haven’t Met You Yet , Michael Buble
You Can’t Hurry Love, The Supremes
Your Kiss Is On My List, Hall & Oats
Bad Girls, Donna Summer
Love You Like A Love Song, Selena Gomez
Please Don’t Stop The Music, Rhianna
California Gurls, Katie Perry
Hot Stuff, Donna Summer
Rollin’ In The Deep, Adell
Waiting For Tonight, Jennifer Lopez
Hey Soul Sister, Train
Last Dance, Donna Summer
80s Introductory Song List
I Just Can’t Get Enough, Depeche Mode
Everybody Have Fun Tonight, Wang Chung
You Shook Me All Night Long, AC/DC
What I like About You, Romantics
Make My Dreams Come True, Hall & Oats
Walkin’ on Sunshine, Katrina and The Waves
Don’t Stop Believing, Journey
Rock and Roll Introductory Song List
Old Time Rock And Roll – C – Tommy
Pretty Woman, Roy Orbison
Run Away, Del Shannon
Shout, Isley Brothers
Browneyed Girl, Van Morrison
Rock Around The Clock
Long Tall Sally, Little Richard
Oye Como Va
Satisfaction, Rolling Stones
Start Me Up, Rolling Stones
You Really Got Me – The Kinks
Mustang Sally, Wilson Pickett
La Bamba, Richie Valens
Wipe Out, Surf Rock
Pipeline, Surf Rock
I love Rock And Roll, Joan Jet
Tequila, The Champs
Slow Dance Introductory Song List
Sky Fall, Adel
Because (I Love You), Dave Clark Five
Kissing A Fool, George Michael
Don’t Dream It’s Over, Crowded House
Where Or When
Hold Me Thrill Me, Mel Carter
What A Difference A Day Made
I Can’t Help Falling In Love
Unforgetable
Latin Introductory Song List
Spanish Harlem
La Cumparacita
Perfidia
Amapola
Solamente Una Vez
Sabor A Mi
Amour Amour Amour
Besame Mucho
Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White
Frenisi
It’s Impossible
Stadium Rock Introductory Song List:
American Girl, Tom Petty
La Grange, ZZTop
Sharp Dressed Man, ZZTop
2 Princes, Spin Doctors
Love Me Two Times, The Doors
Sweet Home Alabama, Lynard Skynard
Let’s Groove Tonight, Earth, Wind & Fire
Highway to Hell, AC/DC
Middle, Jimmy Eat World
(Love Is) What I got, Sublime
Come Together, Beatles
Who Can it Be Now?, Men At Work
Should I stay or go?, The Clash
Lets get it on, Marvin Gaye
I Want You to Want Me, Cheap Trick
I Wish, Stevie Wonder
Signed Sealed Delivered, Stevie Wonder
High and Dry, Radio Head
Yellow, ColdPlay
Don’t You Love Her Madly?, The Doors
Road House Blues, The Doors
Get It On (Bang A Gong), T-Rex
Keep Your Hands To Yourself, Georgia Satellites
Pride and Joy, Stevie Ray Vaughn
He Baby Que Paso, Texas Tornados
I’m a believer, Smashmouth
Walking On The Sun, Smashmouth
Mysterious Ways, U2
Start Me Up, Rolling Stones
Under My Thumb, Rolling Stones
Jazz Trio Introductory Song List showing categories of styles:
Swing and Standards
Fly Me To The Moon, Sinatra
The Nearness of You, Tony Bennett
Moonglow, Rod Stewart
Moon River, Mancini
Tuxedo Junction, Big Band
Rock and Roll
Tequila, The Champs
The Wanderer, Dion
Pretty Woman, Roy Orbison
Great Balls Of Fire, Jerry Lee Lewis
Rock Around The Clock
70s Song Writter
Saturday In the Park, Chicago
Bennie And The Jets, Elton John
Oye Como Va, Santana
Tiny Dancer, Elton John
Leave A Tender Moment Alone, Billy Joel
80s
All Night Long, Lionel Richie
Lady In Red
I Had The Time Of My Life from Dirty Dancing
Isn’t She Lovely, Stevie Wonder
Caught Up In the Rapture, Anita Baker
Dance All Night, The Cars
Don’t Stop Believing, Journey
More 80s
Under the Sea from Little Mermaid
Beauty And The Beast
You’ll Be In My Heart from Tarzan
Hold Me Now, Thompson Twins
Kiss From A Rose, Seal
Rock and Classic Rock
Ena Gotta Da Vida, Iron Butterfly
First There Is A Mountain, Donovan
Truckin’, The Grateful Dead
It’s A Beautiful Day, U2
Paradise, Coldplay
There are many more songs to choose from but more importantly I look forward to hearing your ideas and receiving your requests. It’s one of my favorite things to do.
Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann DJ/Master of Ceremonies, Pianist and Bandleader 626-797-1795