A Dance Band That Can Help You Plan the Party!

Are you thinking of a dance band from 9pm to 1am in a ballroom, but unsure of how to make it happen? Do you imagine a rockin' party for your final business bash of the year, but aren't clear about what to look for next?

Whatever you want to celebrate Mardi Gras, a birthday, the Super Bowl, an anniversary, or just LIFE, JMO will arrange the location, the needs of the party throwers, the entertainment, the invitations (working in correlation with an association and organization) everything you need to host your event without having the headache of pre-arranging. We do it all!

JMO has a repertoire of every event, gathering, gala, ball, fundraiser, dance party they have ever played. These guys personally know every location in New Orleans and can recommend, based on your needs (number of people, type of event, etc.), which place is best suited to rock the party.

JMO is a dance band where the name of the game is variety: disco, rock, Latin, jump/swing/blues, R & B, pop. From public events and charitable galas to Mardi Gras balls and private parties, the band is ready to show up in black tuxes with black banded collars with button covers or ready to adapt to a costume party or a simple "come as you are" event. 

A good dance band that provides variety is not easy to find today. Usually bands focus on just one area of music. JMO plays the widest variety of music for an avenue desired. If you would like a DJ for your dance party, our dance band can also provide that for you as well. If you would like vocalists or a singer,we can definitely take care of it. Working in association with premier professionals, we create for you the party, dance party of a lifetime!

JMO is a flawless, full service dance band that will take care of every single detail needed taken care of. All you do is tell us what you want and JMO will deliver in style, fun and perfection!

6 Tips for Booking Great Corporate Event Entertainment

At JMO, we've been producing entertainment for more than a few decades. Our extensive experience gives us a particular vantage point on the field, and today we'd like to offer a few things you might not have thought to consider as you book music for a business affair.

So, what should you look for in a band? Here are 6 tips to choosing the perfect entertainment for a corporate event!

1. Make sure the song list is what you are looking for

A good first step is to the song list of the band you're considering. Most bands post a list of songs on their website but the question to ask yourself is “what am I looking for”? A good place to start is by organization of the song list. Does it make sense? How is it grouped, by decades, by artist, by genre? Or is half of the listed devoted to original music? For most corporate events, original music is not what you have in mind. You’re looking for a band that covers the popular genre(s) that appeal to your guests. It may be a blue-collar good time country music party which can include old and new country songs along with cajun and zydeco music.

2. Consider if you want a "themed" event, and if the band can enhance that

JMO plays the JAFRA convention in New Orleans, July 2013It may be that you're taking your corporate event to the next level and hosting an upper-end awards banquet that rewards top sales associates or devisions. In this case you may want Broadway style or Academy Award type theme music. Some companies will go even heavier down the "theme night" route (i.e. James Bond themed entertainment, Dixieland jazz band with a classic second line, etc.), which can be a fun way to make "just another convention" actually a pretty fun party. The point is matching the right band for the right set of circumstances. You may want to consider a band that focuses on a wide variety of entertainment. These types of groups are known to play just about anything, anytime and anywhere. 

3. Things to look for in the band's video

Ok, you’ve checked the song list and decided on the genre of the party, but what does the band look like? Or, what do they sound like? Check their photos and video pages of their website. Do they wear various costumes? Costumes is a term borrowed from the theatrical world, but in band lingo means a wide variety of things. Your concern is do they show up in boots to a black tie affair (thank you Garth Brooks!). Do they wear tuxedos and formal gowns, or do are they bluejeans/flannel/t-shirts to a formal event? There’s nothing that says you can’t mix and match these concepts now-a-days. It's just important to remember that 1) it’s your decision, and 2)  you should be aware of these variables as you book the entertainment.  

4. Can this band create the right atmosphere for the party?

Remember, the band is a major driver in the "feel" of the evening and of your event. The band is often on stage all night, and will at some point have the focus every event attendee (including your boss and co-workers) as the evening progresses. 

The entertainment you choose also drives the energy of the audience which is something else you can secretly check out in the videos. It's easy to get a feel for the band, but equally important is to watch for how the crowd is reacting to the band. Is this the one time each year when your company gets to let loose (dance all night, sing along, participate in line dances, be pulled up on stage) or the only chance to have meaningful conversations outside of the office (network, enjoy the background music, connect with the CEO at a sophisticated and timeless party)? It's your choice, but remember that the band you hire will make all the difference! 

5. Reviews, press clippings, and good feedback from peers

You’re right, no body uses press clippings any more. What an archaic term that has become. But most bands also have their online equivalent called “comments”  or “reviews.”  This is that peer review process that has come to work so well. Are they drawing good reviews on their website? How many followers do they have on Facebook? Are they on other social media sites? Do they have comments or subscribers on YouTube? This is not a tell all or end all decision maker for the band but it will offer you some guidance. 

6. Flexibility and attention to detail

Be sure to ask the band if they are flexible in terms of set up, break time, green room accommodations and most of all, volume levels. There’s nothing worse than the band that won’t turn down the volume while people are having dinner conversation. Conversely, your party can be a dud if the band can’t step up to the plate (so to speak) and take the evening to the next level once the crowd has finished dinner. That’s the time to kick up your heels and dance the night away. 

Final Thoughts

Does the band have a profile that includes: photos, video, audio, and song list? Do they have recommendations and or comments critiquing or thanking them for a great job? Do they seem able to provide exactly the kind of evening you were imagining in terms of dress, theme, dancing, and logistical flexibility? If you take care of all of these variables in advance, you're all set to have a great party that will keep business flowing all year long.

If you're in the New Orleans area or would like to book JMO for your next business affair anywhere in the nation, check out our corporate event music page to give you an idea of what JMO can offer. Whether you choose us or someone else, best of luck in your search and we hope you have a great party!

New Orleans Cover Bands and Dance Bands - JMO Has you "COVERED!"

The ability to read an audience and give them exactly what they want is what Jimmy believes has allowed JMO to become the premier party band in the New Orleans Music scene. JMO have been around in their current configurations for 33 years making them one of the oldest lineup in the city.

“Ive had people tell me to you should play original material and write your own music but Elvis never wrote a song in his life. You wouldn’t say he was in a cover band, would you?

In a town where you can walk down Frenchman street and hear five different “original” musicians all riffing on “St. James Infirmary” (a song they didn’t write) making the determination that JMO and other New Orleans cover bands like them aren’t on the same level is a hard sell to Jimmy Maxwell.

I always say it takes a lot more talent to band that replicates dozens of different artists in an night as opposed to an original band that can come out and just “be themselves”.  I have to sound like Chuck Berry on one song and then the next song we have to sound close to Van Morrison.

For music producer Robert Maxwell, switching form playing in a cover band to an original band requires a musical separation, but he amount of talent and hard work he puts in remain the same. In addition to recording and producing, and playing drums in a popular cover band, he stay busy full-time.

Music requires 100% dedication. People see cover bands as a lesser form of music, but I don’t agree with that. Is it  easer to play your own music as opposed to someone else’s music? It depends. I know a lot of original band musicians who couldn’t play a cover to save their life. and I know cover band musicians who can’t jam with original bands.

Are You Searching for a "Cover Band" or a "Dance Band"

The terms "cover band" and "dance band" can mean different things to different people. OR! They may be interchangeable in your mind. Here's one point of vue.

Cover Bands (and by the way, we're talking in terms of "New Orleans Cover Bands") tend to do record copy and work off of a predetermined list. Most of the musicians in these type of groups tend to be weekend warriors who play music as a sideline and because it's fun. There's nothing wrong with all of that. They can do a great job and might be the right thing for your party.

 (again, think "New Orleans Dance Bands"), tend to play some (or alot) of cover tunes but also offer their own arrangements of certain songs particularly when it comes to standards or jazz tunes. The musicians in these groups tend to be educated in the field, professional in the work habits and attitude toward your event, and capable of "reading the crowd". Perhaps a very important point when it comes to your New Orleans Wedding Band Music. 

If you'd like to hear more about the differences, give us a call! 

A New Orleans Band to Play For Your Corporate Event Music Or Gala Entertainment

DO YOU NEED FLOWERS AT YOUR EVENT?

Yes. No. Maybe. It depends.

No one NEEDS flowers but as you create an environment conducive to being in harmony with your goals and desires (think feng shui), then flowers may add an excellent detail to the room or space. Maybe a few roses here or a few hydrangeas there. Maybe a room full of flowers, but whatever you choose, it will have an impact on your space and hence your guests.

Music is similar, weather it s for a corporate event or non-profit gala. It can do many things from add to the atmosphere to entertaining a small group or it may even provide for social interaction. Dancing is always a nice way to meet and interact with people. It provides for some non-verbal input; a way to evaluate social skills, or it may pull people to your event. Think about what a celebrity named entertainer could do to help you draw a crowd.

When selecting musical entertainment, the first things to consider are your vision and  goal. Is it to raise funds, thank patrons, raise awareness or all three? Also consider space, number of guest, the "feel" for the event and if some level of music would enhance that event.

Then consider the budgets. There's the food budget, decor (flowers) budget, room rental budget, and printing budget. Music is one of those items.

If you'd like to discuss musical styles and their influence on events, then give us a call. Perhaps we can be of help, or point you in the right direction or maybe just offer some friendly advice and suggestions. In any event, (Ok. That's a REALLY bad pun!) give us a call. We're happy to talk about your vision and what we can do to help.

From annual galas to benefit dinners, JMO understands relationships and how to play for parties. Our goal is to allow you as the event planner to focus on your mission. We are proud of our ties to so many wonderful non-profit organizations that return year after year to allow us to entertain at their most significant fundraising events.