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Elegant Music

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Downton Abbey High Tea | Backyard Party | Home Entertaining

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Design and music go hand in hand.

I have a lot of fun talking with couples and helping them choose music for their important event. Music is personal. You can say that music is a dynamic part of  the design for their event.

Here are links to posts from several recent events, each with music requests that were unique to the host, location and occasion.

 

Downton Abbey High Tea @ The Langham

High Tea A Proud Tradition

It is quite an art creating just the right atmosphere for an event. The sound track of a film, in addition to set design and cinematography, helps to set the mood, create an emotional response and forward the story line. In much the same way the music chosen for a special occasion supports the activities and “story line” as the event progresses throughout the evening. The Langham is already beautiful, steeped in tradition; a perfect location for the Downton Abbey New Era film release party! Now, let’s include a sound track. And yes, live music…

Pianist Eric Zimmermann @ The Langham High Tea 323-70-3650. Photo by Cathy Cheng Glow Concepts

“…perhaps you can suggest music that would work in theme with the film?”

I had a wonderful time collaborating with the art directors in charge of creating the perfect atmosphere for this film release party; a traditional high tea as it might have been at Downton Abbey.

See the song list I submitted for this event:

Downton Abbey High Tea (Song List) @ The Langham

 

 

Jazz Trio Add Guitar = Classic Rock Too…

The Elegant Music Jazz Trio traditionally features Piano, String Bass and Drums. But these can be changed around. Instruments are added to play the music requested or to fit the style or theme of the event.

Here is a video of the Elegant Music Jazz Trio with Rock Guitar (Keyboard, Electric Bass, Drums and Guitar) performing “I Shot The Sheriff” during a party “postponed Christmas party” on May 2022. This Christmas party had been postponed for 2 years due to… well, you know. Everyone attending were very happy to have a night out, an event to go to, a very good reason to get out of the house and catch up with friends. I know that I appreciate these simple pleasures that I once took for granted.

Watch video:

Elegant Music Jazz Trio & Rock Guitar – I Shot The Sheriff @ Backyard Party

 

 

One great song leads to another…

Talking with Scott I was reminded on how cool the music of Bruce Springsteen is. Just about every Springsteen song is an Anthem!

Los Angeles DJ Elegant Music Plays Springsteen

It is easy to get to know someone talking with them about music. During the course of the conversation they will mention a song they like and that will remind me of similar songs that I know they’ll like. We share ideas and that’s how I put together a play list for an event. “That playlist” is “the soundtrack” for their event. As a DJ/MC those casual conversations are important in helping me to know what to play  and that contribute to the success of the event. And so, I get notes like this:

Thank you note to Elegant Music 323-270-3650

 

See more about this post: Food, Music & Friends. The Successful Party!

 

Also see: Elegant Dinner Party – Home Entertaining

 

 

Los Angeles Pianist Eric Zimmermann Elegant Music
High Tea @ The Langham Pianist Eric Zimmermann Elegant Music 323-270-3650

I look forward to hearing your ideas.

Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann

Elegant Music 323-270-3650

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Beautiful Wedding on Catalina Island by DJ/Master of Ceremonies, Pianist and Bandleader Eric Zimmermann Elegant Music

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Putting together a wedding.

com·po·si·tion

…the action of putting things together; formation or construction.

…a thing composed of various elements.

…a work of music, literature, or art.

…the action or art of producing a work of music, literature, or art.

…the artistic arrangement of the parts of a picture.

Creative Wedding

Over the years I have found that planning music and announcements for a special event is almost as much fun as performing for one.  This is especially true for me when I get to work with creative people. Indeed everyone when planning a special event are artists, producers and performers.

Working with Artists

Rob and Tanya’s First Dance @ Descanso Beach Club, Catalina Island

I love working with artists. The father of the bride of this wedding is a Film and Television Composer and wrote a composition for his daughter’s processional.  His daughter is a dancer and choreographer and she composed a dance about “Familial Love” that was performed during her wedding reception.

Dance performance by the original members of the “Ka-nei-see Collective”.

Descanso Beach Club Catalina Island  

In the hallway off the foyer there are classic black and white celebrity pictures on the wall including Laurel and Hardy and a young Desi Arnaz “Ricky Ricardo” from “I Love Lucy”.

See dance performance video:  Ka-nei-see | Collective 

Tanya (being a choreographer) knows how to organize.

Unless they are “in the business” I don’t recommend having a “friend of the family” be your “day of wedding coordinator”.  However, the bride’s friend Linda in real life is a stage manager and being an artist really understands “performance” and “timing”. She was totally professional and a complete joy to work with.

Dining Room Descanso Beach Club Catalina Island

Again, I don’t recommend that a bride necessarily rely on family and friends to “do a job” at their wedding. However, Tanya is a choreographer and she knows how to organize.  She had at her disposal good people who being artists and dancers could follow directions. Everyone functioned as a team and got the job beautifully done! I think that guests who are suited to being assigned responsibilities rather enjoy being active participants in a celebration and this in part was their gift or contribution to their friend’s wedding. This was certainly the case with this wedding. Everyone had a great time.

Creative Wedding Ceremony Music

Wedding Ceremony @ Descanso Beach Club Catalina Island

Prelude music as guests arrived:
Flower Duet from the opera Lakme, L Delieb, Charlotte Church
When You Say You Love Me, Josh Groban
Gravity, Sara Bareilles
That Day from Cinema Paradiso, Karrin Allyson
Aerith’s Theme – Final Fantasy Dagmar Krug
Jake’s First Flight from Avatar, James Horner
La valse d’Amélie, Yann Tiersen
Stacks, Bon Iver
Receives, Keith Kenniff
All My Days, Alexi Murdoch

Wedding Ceremony Processionals:
Officiant & 7 Groomsmen:
In a Notebook, A. Zigman

Groom with Parents:
Gymnopédie No. 1, Erik Satie

Bride with Parents:
“Tanya”, B. Chianese

Recessional:
I Will Wait, Mumford & Sons

Wedding Reception Music

Cocktail Hour:
Amber, 311
Lovefool, The Cardigans
Sunday Morning, Maroon 5
Stop In The Name Of Love, Diana Ross
San Francisco, The Mowgli’s
Free Fallin’, Tom Petty
Float On, Modest Mouse

Grand Entrance:
Home, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros

First Dance:
Can’t Help Falling in Love, Ingrid Michaelson

Dinner Hour:
Safe and Sound, Capital Cities
Little Talks, Of Monsters and Men
Accidentally In Love, Counting Crows
Rather Be (feat. Jess Glynne), Clean Bandit
I’ll Be Around, Empire of the Sun
The Way I Am, Ingrid Michaelson
Kiss Me, Sixpence None the Richer
All My Loving, John Lennon & Paul McCartney
Sweet Caroline, Neil Diamond
Everlong (Acoustic Version), Foo Fighters
Ho Hey, The Lumineers
I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing, Aerosmith

Dance Performance:
Music: Murder in the City, The Avett Brothers

Family Dance:
What A Wonderful World, Louis Armstrong

Open Dancing:
September, Earth, Wind & Fire
Shut Up and Dance With Me, WALK THE MOON
Danza Kuduro Don Omar & Lucenzo
Despacito (feat. Daddy Yankee) Luis Fonsi
California Love 2Pac, Dr. Dre & Roger Troutman

Cake Cutting:
Wonderful World, Sam Cooke

Duration of Marriage Dance:
At Last, Etta James
You Send Me, Chaka Khan & Rod Stewart

Open Dancing:
Thrift Shop (feat. Wanz), Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars), Mark Ronson
Bust A Move, Young MC
Cake by the Ocean, DNCE
Since I Don’t Have You, Skyliners
I Want You Back, Jackson 5

Don’t Stop ‘Till You Get Enough, Michael Jackson
Wobble, V.I.C.
Pon de Replay (Radio Edit), Rihanna
Hey Ya!, Outkast
Rich Girl, Gwen Stefani
Signed Sealed Delivered, Stevie Wonder
Let’s Groove, Earth, Wind & Fire Earth
Dance To The Music, Sly & The Family Stone

CAN’T STOP THE FEELING!, Justin Timberlake
Rapper’s Delight, The Sugarhill Gang
Boomer Sooner, The University of Oklahoma Marching Band
I Love It (feat. Charli XCX), Icona Pop
Super Bass, Nicki Minaj

Bubble Grand Exit

Boom Boom Pow, Black Eyed Peas
Cupid Shuffle, Cupid
Love Shack, B-52’s
Boom Clap, Charli XCX

Last Dance:
Such Great Heights (feat. Kiah Victoria), Postmodern Jukebox

Bubble Send Off:
Viva la Vida, Coldplay

Closing Song:
Don’t Stop Believin’, Journey

Eric & Sheila Zimmermann and Son Lance Zimmermann Parasailing Catalina Island

Congratulations to Tanya and Rob…

…and to their Families on a Beautiful and Successful Wedding!

Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann

Elegant Music 626-797-1795

 

Association of Bridal Consultants Beautiful French Themed Event

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DJ/Master of Ceremonies Eric Zimmermann with French Cancan dancers who really can Cancan!

Un Soiree de Paris

Definition: Soiree

Google:  “An evening party or gathering, typically in a private house, for conversation or music”

Derivation:  French, from soir ‘evening.’

An Evening in Paris

Sheila and Eric Zimmermann Founders of Elegant Music
Sheila and Eric Zimmermann Founders of Elegant Music

It is my pleasure to be the Master of Ceremonies for a gathering of wedding and event professionals this Tuesday April 18th at D’Vine Wine Bar 821 South Flower Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017. This is an ABC (Association of Bridal Consultants of Greater Los Angeles) educational and networking meeting for industry professionals. So we will be meeting creative people, learning something and having a little fun!

In addition to being the MC for the evening Sheila and I will be performing live French Music for Flute and Piano. After all, it is a Soiree.

Soiree de Paris ABC – Greater Los Angeles at D’Vine Lounge from Godfather Films on Vimeo.

This event is produced and designed by Peggy Kelley of Timeless Celebrations and includes a food and wine paring presentation by Master Sommelier Killian Trehoux of D’Vine Wine Bar.

Presenting professionals include:

Featured locations include:

This event is open to wedding and event professionals only. Tours start at 6:00 PM. Food and wine presentation at 6:45.

Seating is limited.

Eric Zimmermann Elegant Music

Get tickets for An Evening in Paris at Eventbrite.

On se voit là-bas!

(Pardon my French. See you there!)

Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann

  • DJ
  • Master of Ceremonies
  • Pianist
  • Bandleader

Elegant Music 626-797-1795

Altadena Wedding DJ Eric Zimmermann @ The Altadena Country Club

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Altadena Wedding Ceremony Picture from the BalconyThis is a beautiful wedding location just 5 minutes from my home in Altadena.

I was referred to Andrea and Wesley as a DJ by their wedding coordinator Paula Klein. Part of our service at Elegant Music includes meeting and discussing music options and in some cases this also includes live performance to workout music. Andrea and Wesley were intending on DJ music for their whole wedding. I let them know that they had the option of live music also. Two pieces of music they had chosen for their wedding ceremony processionals were “Thousand Years” by Christina Peri and “Pachelbel Canon”. I played these for them on the piano. They said they hadn’t considered live music but on hearing Solo Piano versions of these songs they decided on the live music option for their wedding ceremony music.

Altadena Country Club Wedding CeremonyWedding Ceremony Program.

Officiant & Groom
Parents of the Groom
Mother of the Bride with escort

Music: Hymn, Vangelis

6 Bridesmaids with Groomsmen
2 Flower Girls

Music: Thousand Years, C. Peri

Bride and Father

Elegant Music Wedding Ceremony @ Altadena Country ClubMusic: Canon In D, J. Pachelbel

 

Recessional for Groom and Bride

Music: _Wedding March

Post Recessional for Bridal Party

Music: Ode To Joy, Beethoven

 

Wedding Reception @ Altadena Country Club DJ Eric Zimmermann Elegant Music
Wedding Reception Dancers @ Altadena Country Club DJ Eric Zimmermann Elegant Music

Wedding Reception Music and Announcing @ The Altadena Country Club

Announce Bridal Party Couples:  Music: Bring ‘em Out, T.I.

Grand Entrance  Music: I Gotta Feeling, Blackeyed Peas

 

First Dance - Altadena Country Club - Eric Zimmermann DJ/Master of Ceremonies
First Dance – Altadena Country Club – Eric Zimmermann DJ/Master of Ceremonies

Traditional Wedding Dances

First Dance  Music: Close Your Eyes, Michael Bubble

Father Daughter Dance  Music: My Little Girl, Tim McGraw

Mother Son Dance  Music: A Mother’s Song, T. Carter

Altadena Country Club Dancers
Wedding Reception @ Altadena Country Club

Thank you Paula.

Congratulations Andrea and Wesley!

Eric Zimmermann DJ/Master of Ceremonies, Pianist and Bandleader Elegant Music

See: DJ Dance Music from 3 Successful Weddings

Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann

Elegant Music 626-797-1795

 

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How To Tie A Bow Tie – Instructional Video

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My name is Eric Zimmermann.  I have had the privilege of presiding over special occasions as a DJ and Master of Ceremonies, Pianist and Band Leader since 1990.  I am in a tuxedo with a bow tie most of the time.

There is an old saying that “Clothes make the man.”  I think one stands a little straighter and remembers his manners when well dressed.  The transformation is unmistakable.  Use this video to learn to tie a bow tie.

Try it and see if you feel the difference!

To command the attention of an audience it is not enough to be well dressed.  It’s actually the responsibility of the Master of Ceremonies or “MC” to have a presence and strike the proper tone at a special event. Representing the host well is part of it.  There are several responsibilities of a Master of Ceremonies.  Not only does he have to be well groomed but the MC should be organized and easily conduct the festivities of the evening…

See:  Responsibilities of Your Master of Ceremonies.

Eric Zimmermann Pianist, Band Leader, DJ & Master of Ceremonies
Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann

Elegant Music 323-270-3650

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Beautiful, Successful Weddings & Events

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