One of the most important factors when starting to plan your wedding is deciding on the wedding entertainment. Do you want a live band or a DJ? Consider the following for a smooth, special day filled with a reliable entertainment experience for you and all your guests.

1. Develop a contract that covers all the details of your event, and make sure you have signed and dated copies of the at the event, just in case.
2. Provide detailed directions and contact information to ensure that your wedding entertainment and performers will arrive on time and don’t encounter any complications.
3. Discuss venue specifics in advance, and make sure you and the entertainers you choose know where to set up a dance floor and stage and where all the outlets are around the room. And make sure you discuss all of these logistics with both the venue and entertainers, so last minute questions and concerns do not arise.
4. In case of bad weather, discuss a plan B with your venue and entertainer in a worst case scenario, so expensive equipment isn’t at risk.
5. Prepare some a list of some of your favorite songs and the type of music you want played on your special day. Then your musician and performers can rehearse and create a wedding song list.
6. Go over each detail of the wedding day schedule, so your entertainer knows where he/she fits in and when it’s appropriate to act as an emcee or announcer.
7. What should the entertainer wear? Make sure to tell him/her whether he should coordinate with your party’s theme, wear a black tie outfit or can where whatever he/she wants.
8. What food will you provide for your entertainer, and will you allow performers to have alcohol?
9. Discuss and agree upon overtime rates well in advance, just in case you want to continue the party. And this is also a great time to discuss final payment and method of payment.
10. Make sure you have all of the performer’s relevant contact information and he/she has yours. Give your cell phone number, the event address, the venue’s phone number, a contact name and website address well in advance to cover all your bases.

For more information about wedding entertainment or to book a live band (playing jazz, groove or reggae) for your wedding, contact Brian Allen: Brian@briansaxallen.com; 772-336-7517.

Sources: http://weddings.gigmasters.com/entertainment-checklist/

Ever wondered where the term “jazz” and its music style came from? You may be living under a rock, but jazz music has greatly influenced our American culture.

Jazz is known as “America’s classical music,” celebrated as one of North America’s oldest musical genres.

Jazz originated from African American culture in the early 20^th century. It has been part of African American traditions for more than 100 years.

“Jazz” used to be slang for Chicago music in the early 1900s, and early jazz men referred to sex as jazz. Musician and songwriter Clarence Williams said he was the first to use “jazz” in a song.

The sounds of jazz are strong rhythmic under-structures, blue notes, solos, call- and-response patterns and melody improvisations. This was an inventive, inspirational, genius style, and it still is in many ways.

Jazz music is most recognizable by its instruments: saxophone, vibraphone, trumpet, piano, guitar, double bass, bass guitar, trombone, drums and of course vocals.

Ragtime, Blues, Big Band and Bebop are all subgenres formed from jazz, and there are many more than that. Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis and Billie Holiday are just a few of the well-known jazz artists and inventors. They have inspired modern musicians and instilled a special musical love in cities like New Orleans, Chicago and New York City — the most renowned jazz cities.

Brian Sax Allen and his bandmates are greatly inspired by jazz. Brian Allen is a great saxophone player who developed multiple bands for all of the genres he plays. His exceptional jazz band is called Phantom Jazz, and they play all types of jazz from straight-ahead and swing to standards and smooth.

Jazz is perfect for every occasion, from background music to dancing music, quiet dinners and cocktails hours, to parties, festivals and club events.

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jazz

http://www.historyjazz.com/