How to Choose Wedding Reception Music

While you may be the biggest music fan on the planet, when it comes to picking music for your wedding reception it's often difficult to make a decision! Many of our brides struggle with narrowing down exactly what type of music they for their special day. JMO provides wedding band music, for a wide variety of occasions, but maybe we're not the band for you! To help you make this important decision, we've created the following set of guidelines. We hope it helps!

NARROW BY GENRE: If you like a certain style of music (rock band, jazz band, blues band), then it's a good idea to search for that style of entertainment. Trust that your family and friends will like the type of music that you like - while keeping in mind age range and different backgrounds of your guests. Most good bands are experts in a certain type of style, but can occasionally throw in a special request to make grandma happy or switch to an iPod on a break to keep the kids dancing. 

FINDING THE RIGHT BAND: You have an idea of what type of music you want to hear - but how do you find THE band? When it comes to booking a band, check out websites designed for live entertainment. One of the most popular sites is Gigmasters. A similar site is Gigsalad. Both of the websites have put the relevant information of groups on their sites so that you can determine the crucial details for your booking. Other wedding websites list vendors, but they don't focus exclusively on live entertainment. Regardless of where you find them, you should be able to view video clips and hear audio of any band's performance either through the band's website or YouTube.

WHAT TO EXPECT - AT THE PARTY: Most wedding bands offer a variety of music; some bands have a pre-determined set list while others can "read the dance floor." It's up to you how much you want to control the playlist through conversations (or emails) with the band before the wedding or how much you want to leave it up to them. This is a personal choice: good bands are comfortable "driving" a party, but remember that they work for you! If you have special requests, it's a good idea to let the band know ahead of time so they can prepare sheet music and have proper instrumentation. 

MAKE AN OFFER: Inquire about the price of the band but remember you can make an offer based on your budget. There are no firm and fast prices out there, and a good band will negotiate with you based on your needs. See if there are additional details you may need to provide for the band (staging, electricity, a dressing room also known as a green room). If your offer is accepted, the band should provide a detailed contract and may ask you to put down a deposit. If you and the artist accept the terms of the contract and pay a deposit, then you are contractually obligated to go forward. If the artist declines, then there is no further obligation and your deposit is yours to keep. Be careful. Once the contract is signed and the deposit is received by the band, it's like saying "I Do!" 

FINAL DETAILS: You want to be sure the band has all the contact information for your wedding planner on the day of the event. It is often necessary to have someone coordinating the music between ceremony and reception, so if you have two different sets of musicians make sure they're communicating with each other and the wedding planner so everything goes smoothly. If you don't have a wedding planner, our advice is to appoint one. It could be someone in the bridal party or a relative, but it should be someone with a level head who can keep a perspective while you enjoy the day. There is nothing like the magic in the air when the right act and a well produced event come together.

Above all, remember to have fun! It's your special day, and you should be able to enjoy the reception along with your family and friends while having the wedding you always dreamed of. 

And of course, if you think JMO can help - give us a call.

JMO: The Premier Party Band in the New Orleans Music Scene.

When it comes to being the premier New Orleans party band, JMO has been at the top for decades. Why? Because of the variety of music we provde. From New Orleans jazz, swing dance music in the style of Frank Sinatra, Harry Connick Jr, Michael Buble´ to corporate events looking for a New Orleans party rock sound, JMO has answered the call time and time again. 

The band is a nine-piece band based in New Orleans featuring a powerful horn section with vocals that keep your feet tapping and fingers snapping. The perfect combination of raw energy, polish, and sheer entertainment value makes this group ideal for your next coprorate event.

Whether performing at the Audubon Golf Clubhouse, the Audubon Tea Room, or Jackson Square, JMO is perfect for wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, engagement parties and Mardi Gras parties.

Weddings may be intimate or grandiose, romantic or rockin', indoors or outdoors, but whatever the occasion JMO plays for your magical evening. 

Contact JMO for the premier party band in the New Orleans Music scene.

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.

Mardi Gras Season Is Under Way

The Krewes are making plans and we're arranging music for what is shaping up to be the best Mardi Gras season thus far. In the seven years since Katrina, mardi gras (and the music of mardi gras) has made a slow and steady comeback. For the first time since the storm, we will be fielding a 20 piece orchestra on the Saturday night before Mardi Gras. The theme is set in the early part of the 20th centruy and that calls for big band dance music. It will be a great night. Featured musicians will include Leo Ursini, Denny Leroux, Charles Darius all under the baton of Robert Maxwell. If you'd like to check out the sounds of Mardi Gras, click here for our "At The Mardi Gras Ball CD"