Jazz Trio

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. Book your wedding on an off day, like a Sunday. You'll save big! On Sundays live wedding bands generally discount their services by about 25% over what would normally be charged.

Keep in mind that travel distance DOES matter - especially given today's gas prices. If you offer to pay for travel expenses up front, you'll be more likely to get that fabulous band that you've been wanting, at a rate you can afford, to travel all the way to that amazing spot you've found!

Likewise, offer the band a meal during the negotiating process. A "bandwich" is fine - but a hot meal during a dinnertime event is appreciated. Again - might be just the ticket for scoring that band at a lower rate.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. Can you play "our song" for the first dance at a wedding.

The short answer is - of course we can. But before you go any further know these few simple rules about choosing a first dance song:

1. The best choice you can possibly make is something from the bands current repertoire. You'll be sure to be dancing to beautiful music if you can find something on their list.

2. Choose a song that is in keeping with the bands genre. Many brides seek out a song that really doesn't fit the style of the band their hiring. For instance - choosing "Stairway to Heaven" from a band that is known to play retro jazz (like The Martini Kings), may not be in your best interest. In the end you'll hate it and your guests will think that it's nothing short of weird.

3. Don't ask your band to learn more than 2 songs. A laundry list of "must have" songs for the band to learn will only result in heartbreak. Trust me on this.