Should we hire a jazz band or a DJ?
It doesn't have to be one or the other. They do different jobs, and they work well together.
Book both. Dream City Jazz plays the ceremony, cocktail hour and background music through dinner, and your DJ handles dancing. The DJ also has the microphone the band uses for toasts and announcements. If you've already booked a DJ, you can still add the jazz band.
Who does what
| Part of the night | Who covers it |
|---|---|
| Ceremony | Jazz band |
| Cocktail hour | Jazz band |
| Dinner | Jazz band, with background sets |
| Toasts and announcements | DJ's microphone (the band uses it too) |
| Dancing | DJ (the band doesn't play dance sets) |
Why both works
A jazz band fits the times when people are arriving, mingling and eating. Guests hear live musicians in the room while they talk. Then, when it's time to dance, the DJ keeps the dance floor going.
We partner with DJs. If you booked your DJ first, that's fine: the jazz band slots in before the dancing starts. Just let us know who your DJ is, since the band will use the DJ's microphone for toasts and announcements.
You don't have to book the band for every part of the day. Jazz for cocktail hour only is an option too. Cocktail hour jazz.
Planning tips
- Power. The band brings its own keyboard, amps and drums, and needs a power outlet near where it plays.
- Arrival. We arrive about 45 to 60 minutes before the music starts to set up.
- Song picks. Your jazz songs live in your BookLive client portal. The jazz band doesn't play dance sets, so save the dance floor requests for your DJ.
What couples say
★★★★★“They made our wedding something special that people won't forget.”
★★★★★“Great sound and amazing vibes, we got so many compliments on our cocktail hour music!”
★★★★★“So glad we found them. Very easy to work with, great communication. Showed up on time and played perfect music for our cocktail hour. It was a special touch that many guests commented on.”
Jazz band and DJ questions
Can the jazz band play dance music?
No. We play ceremony, cocktail hour and dinner music, not dance sets. A DJ is the best fit for dancing.
We already booked a DJ. Can we still add a jazz band?
Yes. We partner with DJs, and the band plays the ceremony, cocktail hour and dinner before the DJ takes over.
Who provides the microphone for toasts?
Your DJ. The band uses the DJ's microphone for toasts and announcements.