By Guest Blogger: Theo Bleckmann
As Preston’s partner I have had the great fortune of seeing a lot of his work in person and to be a guest at many of them.
Even after 5 years, I am still overwhelmed and in awe every time I see his work.
Being a singer and composer I have a particular sensitivity to the music portion and after gabbing about it to Preston for years, he kindly allowed me to share these thoughts with you.
I cannot think of anything more joyful than dancing together. There is something beautifully disarming and bonding in moving with each other, especially when you are strangers.
Music and dance are such essential elements to a good party.
To quote Nietzsche: “Without music, life would be a mistake…I would only believe in a God who knew how to dance.”
Before I get going, I have to say that I always love to hear live music at an event.
It adds extra excitement, just like real flowers that vanish–live music is ‘of the moment’ and makes me appreciate that moment even more so.
DJs are great and can be really fun (DJ Reika blew the roof off a party I went to recently) but if I had my druthers, I’d always choose live music (if budget and space allow for it, of course).
A lot of the wedding bands I have heard are excellent: really great singing in close-to-original arrangements and even original keys and tempi. A lot of the repertoire is based on the client’s wish-list of hit songs from Motown to Lady Gaga. But here comes my personal conundrum: even at their most excellent, these covers make my heart sink ever so slightly.
This is not because they’re played by a wedding band (as I said, they can be truly excellent), but because it’s NOT the original track I have a heard a million times and one that is produced to the gills–filled with effects and manicured to perfection over months and months in the studio without the original voice.
How to get around it?
For one, it might not bother anyone but me, in which can you may skip the rest of my musings and go right to the dance floor.
I have seen people dance with great abandon to top 40s (including myself) and ultimately that’s the goal: dancing and enjoying the music together. Of course, the style of music has to fit the occasion and theme, as was the case at a recent event in which Preston created a 1940’s club: a jazz big band played the hits and everyone danced feverishly, including Fergie (yes, thee Fergie).
There is something beautifully disarming and bonding in moving with each other, especially when you are strangers.
At another great Preston event, a client hired “Tainted Love,” a San Francisco dance band that limited their repertoire to only ’80s dance hits and played them in their own arrangements. It worked fantastically well and everyone danced to songs we knew but hadn’t heard in a long while – so they were fresh, surprising and fun.
However, about 6 years ago I went to my best friend’s wedding and they hired a band called “The Ebony Hillbillies.” For some reason, only two musicians showed: the banjo and the fiddle. Whether it was financial or the rest of the band was not available, I don’t really know but I expected musical doldrums.
I have never seen a crowd leap to their feet more quickly. Everyone danced to this Bluegrass Rockabilly Country mash-up. Everyone! The same happened at Ivanka Trump’s wedding when the Klezmer band started to play the hora. And it occurred to me that there is a whole world of wedding (folk) dance music out there, specifically written for this very purpose: to celebrate, dance and sing along with wreckless abandon.
I have seen this happen over and over again–an African kora player, a Bouzouki band at a Greek wedding or a phenomenal Balkan Brass band called “Slavic Soul Party”–people just can’t help but dance.
To my delight, everyone moves without inhibitions or self-conscience -– perhaps because there hasn’t been a Beyoncé or Lady Gaga showing us how to do it “correctly”? Everyone’s dance is the right dance and that, to me, is pure bliss.
What tickles your dance shoes? What style of music do you think works best in events? DJs or live musicians? Classic R&B or contemporary hits?
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George Bernard Shaw once said: “You see things and say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’” That quote embodies how Preston Bailey approaches every event.
Gloria Brown
February 4, 2011
WOW Theo! This is a great post! I totally agree with you about a live band at weddings playing great vibes is the best. Of course, not every wedding has it in the budget for a band but if they could re-work the budget, most likely they could find the money for the band.
Theo, I hope to see more of your guest posts in the future. I’m so glad that Preston has you in his life. You seem to be a very sweet person!
Martina
February 4, 2011
Very cool. I’d definitely like to see more guest posts from you!
matthew wengerd
February 4, 2011
Now I know why you look so familiar, Preston!
I met you when I saw Theo sing with the John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble. It was at the IAJE in NYC (must have been 2006 or 07). I was there to hear my friend, Gary Versace – little did I know what I was in for. That band( and Theo)’s performance of “The Blessing” remains one of the most moving pieces I’ve ever heard, and one I listen to at least weekly.
Afterwards, I was talking with Theo and was introduced to you.
I’ve been headlong in the event industry for almost a year now and have spent the whole time wondering just why Preston seemed more familiar than the typical celebrity familiarity.
Thanks, both of you.
Of course, a jazz trio with the right vocalist usually hits the spot for me.
marcy blum
February 5, 2011
What an insightful and educational post, I’ve recommended that several of my colleagues read this because it gives another perspective on hiring entertainment. Thank you for this
Doyin
February 8, 2011
I love live music at events. It’s so different from listening to music from a DJ. Thanks for sharing the post Theo.
Valerie Romanoff
February 14, 2011
One of the wonderful things about providing live music for weddings is how happy the guests are to be celebrating the bride and groom and their families. Weddings are usually so very festive, and people are there to have a good time. With the right tools, it is easy for a good band to encourage dancing and partying. To Theo’s point, many “wedding bands” fall short of delivering popular music in an authentic and inspiring way. Many ensembles are better suited to perform one particular style of music that often addresses one ethnic group. It is a high-level skill and serious art-form to effectively and impressively perform a cross section of music of varying styles, that will captivate and inspire so many different people. Most “wedding bands” have a deserved reputation for extreme mediocity or worse. The good news is that there are a few music providers across the country that take it very seriously and approach the production of live music as a serious undertaking, where the result has as much musical integrity as any headline performance. On many occasions, The Starlight Orchestras have worked with Preston on some unbelievably fabulous events, where both the design elements as well as the entertainment were notches above what is usual and customary. With a bit of networking and research, extraordinary vendors can be found who can deliver the cross section of music that transforms events to spectacular levels. I agree with Theo when he says there is nothing like live music, especially when it is offered at the highest calibur!
Indian Bands
March 1, 2011
I couldn’t agree more about having a live band at a wedding – it definitely is the best way to create a proper party atmosphere. DJs can be absolutely fantastic, and the best ones can whip the guests up into a frenzy, but absolutely nothing compares to live music.
You mentioned some interesting musical styles there too – I think you are better off hiring a niche band that specialises in a particular style – that 80s band sounds great as does the hillbilly hoedown you mentioned! My personal favourite is an Indian Bollywood band – something really different but loads of fun and really upbeat – perfect for a celebration!