May 26, 2008
Looking to jazz up your next party? Or do you have friends planning their wedding? Please recommend us. They can preview us right now at MagnoliaJazz.com.
But first, a question. “How many songs do you know?” I know hundreds, easily. You, too? When I asked a dozen friends, this quickly became a much more interesting question: “What makes a song memorable?” Well, it’s complicated, I’m sure, but we agreed it must be a combination of the melody, harmony, and lyrics, as well as what songs you already know.
On a larger level, there’s something universal about remembering songs. Everyone does it, and whoever you ask will have some particular style they remember best. How about you? For many Americans living today, one favorite style emerged in the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. Think of the big dance bands, Hollywood movies, and Broadway musicals. Think of “It Had to be You” (1924), “Stardust” (1929), “Georgia on my Mind” (1930), “Embraceable You” (1930), “As Time Goes By” (1931), “I’ve Got the World on a String” (1933), “Blue Moon” (1934), “My Funny Valentine” (1937), “Over the Rainbow” (1939), “White Christmas” (1942), and hundreds more.
Year after year now, contemporary artists revive many of these old standards with a freshness that appeals to today’s listeners. Still, there’s a timeless quality in the best of these songs, which is why they’re called “Standards”. And every year one or two new songs outlive the “fad” stage, and join the ranks of these universally popular gems. Think of “Unforgettable” (1951), “Satin Doll” (1958), “Moon River” (1961), “Girl from Ipanema” (1964), “Yesterday” (1965), and “Spanish Eyes” (1965) to name just a few.
We specialize in bringing these lovely old standards to today’s parties. We’ve found they’ll create the right mood for any special event, whether it’s a formal business banquet, a sophisticated, romantic reception, or a lively, casual soiree. Guests relax with familiar music. They can chat comfortably or dance the night away.
Is a significant event coming up in your life? Throw a party, hire a band, and sing your favorite song. It’ll probably be one of these “Standards”.
Today I'm talking with people planning parties for July 4th and Labor Day. If you'll have a party on one of these days, or on any day in between, now's a good time to plan the details, including the music. June is prime time for private celebrations — weddings, anniversaries, and graduations — and you can preview us in Cupertino on the 4th of July. Click here for details.
In the meantime, call us at 408-245-9120. You'll love what we do. We're veteran party-goers, easy to work with, and we know what it'll take to make your party a success. We've entertained people since 1975, so let our experience help your next celebration.
Reviving The Timeless Standards
Balancing Work and Relaxation
April 29, 2008
Where do you work these days? Half my friends have changed their jobs at least once
in the last 5 years. A few hundred years ago, most people spent their lives carrying on
exactly the same work their families did for generations. Now who of us makes a living
the way our parents did? Grandparents?
Today we’re flexible and adaptable. We can travel anywhere in the world and network
with cell phones and text messages wherever we go. We can find wireless internet nearly
everywhere, and our opportunities for work and play are growing every day.
Though we live in the heart of this whirlwind, we can barely glimpse what’s at stake with
each change. I think the more things change around us, the more essential balancing work
and play becomes for living well.
Americans believe hard work pays off, and for years I’ve said “The harder I work, the
harder I must relax.” Recently I began saying, “Less time with the mouse, more time
with the spouse”, so my wife and I just left town for a refreshing break in the routine.
What an eye-opener! Driving across the country, checking out the local sights and
listening to local talk radio, we rediscovered what a diverse and innovative area we
call home. People in most of the regions we visited seem to live closer to their roots
— both geographical and cultural. It seems to me that here in the Bay Area we are more
ready to overpromise, overwork, and tolerate a broader range of acceptable ideas.
All of us strive to preserve cherished notions and improve outmoded ones. And it’s not
just about the popular “conservative” or “liberal” ideas. In our changing world, we
continually rebalance our attitudes about work and play. Whatever we consider most
important always merits most of our attention, and, lest we paint ourselves into a corner,
we often need to get out for some fresh air.
Don’t get me wrong -- I love my job, and I'm definitely not about to quit. But even in the
busiest times I always need to be relaxed, fresh, and ready to do my best. For years I’ve
worked as many days as possible, and today I believe more than ever that working hard
means you’re earning your time off.
We’re so lucky that Silicon Valley is blessed with so many opportunities to work and to
play. How are you doing? Is a milestone event coming up in your life? Pause a few moments
to consider your good fortune and celebrate. Maybe have a party and hire a band.
I'm talking with people planning parties for Mother's Day, Memorial Day, and 4th of July.
If you'll have a party on one of these days, or on any day in between, now's a good time to
plan the details, including the music. You can preview us soon at Mother's Day brunch on
Sun, May 11, or an exciting awards party on Tues, May 13. Click here for details.
Call us at 408-245-9120. You'll love what we do. We're veteran party-goers, easy to work
with, and we know what it'll take to make your party a success. We've entertained people
since 1975, so let our experience help your next celebration.
San Francisco Giants opening day & 50th anniversary
April 16, 2008
We've entertained for the SF Giants at AT&T Park twice in the last 2 weeks. First, on April 7,
at a special party to celebrate the season's Opening Day, and yesterday to help commemorate
the very first game the Giants played in San Francisco, on April 15, 1958. They beat the
Dodgers 8-0. Here's a photo (click to enlarge) from a fan -- thanks Ilene. Left to right:
Steve Hanson, me, Andy Norblin, and Gary Milliken.
traditional jazz for dancing, weddings, parties, even funerals
April 3, 2008
Do you have friends planning a wedding or a party? Please recommend us.
They can preview us at the SF Giants season opener on Mon, April 7, or a benefit
cocktail party on Fri, April 11. Click here for details.
But first, a story. A friend recently asked me to play for an event she said
might be "kind of a downer". Turns out, it was a memorial service, and not
gloomy at all. Sadness brought everyone together, but they met with music
to say "life goes on". It reminded me of the first jazz tradition, "playing music
to serve the people".
Thirty years ago, I became friends with a few of the original musicians who
played at Preservation Hall, in New Orleans. From the start, that city boasted
a huge calendar of social celebrations, and these old-timers spent a lifetime
providing uplifting music for all sorts of occasions. Whether at a fish-fry, a
banquet, a neighborhood dance hall, or a funeral, their music always set the
right mood and made it "an event".
That was the purpose of their art. It's what they taught me in the 1970s, and
it's how I make a living today. Now I'm talking with people planning parties
for Mother's Day, Memorial Day, and 4th of July. If you're having a party on
one of these days, or on any day in between, now's a good time to plan the
details, including the music.
Call us. You'll love what we do. We're veteran party-goers, easy to work with,
and we know what it'll take to make your party a success. We've entertained
people since 1975, so let our experience help your next celebration.
networking with Facebook, LinkedIn, & Plaxo
March 6, 2008
wedding showcase, on Thurs, March 13. Click here for details.
But first, I'm always seeking tools for working better, and I found some
you might like, too. Look at some of the new internet networking programs:
Facebook, LinkedIn, and Plaxo.
They keep us in touch and help us discover new opportunities. Other social
programs seem best suited for online dating or giggly pre-teen gossip, but
these three seem ideal for "taking care of business". Each new link expands
our circle of contacts, so more of us can work together.
Give one a try. It won't replace a face-to-face conversation, letter, phone call,
fax, or email. But it will add to how you share information, ask questions,
and get answers. It'll help by letting you contact "friends of your friends".
Each of us contacts lots of people all the time. Online networking could be a
great way to be more efficient and effective.
Today I'm talking with people planning parties for Easter, St Patrick's Day, and
Mother's Day. If you're having a party on one of these days, or on any day in
between, now's a good time to plan the details, including the music.
Call us. We're veteran party-goers, easy to work with, and we know what it'll
take to make your party perfect. We've entertained since 1975, so let our
experience help your next celebration.
"To be a good talker, be a better listener".
Hi. Have you ever played in a jazz band? It's a terrific way to make a living,
and you learn several valuable "rules for life".
One is "Success Requires Careful Listening". Just like in any conversation you
might have, the musicians I work with carry on a little "give-and-take" magic.
When we play any familiar song, we all know the melody and harmony, and
together we just help it along. Whatever one of us "says" depends on what
we hear the others saying. Same with you?
"To be a good talker, be a better listener". This might be true for you; definitely
for us. Watch for it next time you catch us in action.
Maybe it'll be at a party on Valentine's Day, Mardi Gras, Easter Sunday, or St.
Patrick's Day. If you're having a party on one of these days, or on any day in
between, now's a good time to plan the details, including the music.
We're veteran party-goers, easy to work with, and we know what it takes to
make your party perfect. We've entertained people nearly every day since 1975,
so for your next party, let our experience help you.
Preview us at one of our public events. Find Sat, Feb 2, 5:30-8:30pm Thur, Feb 14, 6-8pm
details for these and more on our website.
elegant benefit dinner
Ralston Hall, Belmont
romantic Valentine's Day dinner
Embassy Suites, Milpitas
New Year's Resolution: Maximize Efficiency
Happy New Year. Making any good resolutions? Here's mine, and you might
like it, too: Whatever you do, vow to be more efficient. Maximize the time
you devote to whatever you do best. Focus on the most effective and satisfying
80% of all you have -- personal and business activities -- and "weed out" the
rest. Seems to me life's too short for keeping time-wasters, and the start of a
new year is a great time to "clean house". (Listen to that, I must be getting old.)
I hope you've enjoyed wonderful holiday parties. I'm working with some people
who skipped last year's holiday rush, to schedule their next event in January or
later in the spring.
They mention several advantages to this plan, including links with holidays like
Valentine's Day, Mardi Gras, and St. Patrick's Day, and it'll be easier on the
budget. If you like this strategy, too, now's a good time to start planning details,
including music.
We're veteran party-goers -- easy to work with, and we know what it takes to
make your party perfect. We've entertained people nearly every day since 1975.
So for your next party, let our experience help you.
Preview us at one of our public events. Find details for this and more on our website.
Sat, Feb 2, 5:30-8:30pm
Elegant benefit party
Ralston Hall, Belmont
