Please Go to My Current Blog

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Hi! Thanks for visiting. This blog is not current, and I may return here someday, but for now please go to my current blog: http://MagnoliaJazz.com/blog.


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A New Blog for Weddings and Parties

Do you read many blogs? Occasionally? Regularly? If not at all, please give it a try -- they often present lots of interesting food for thought.

I'm in the process of migrating this blog to the WordPress platform, and I anticipate a noticeable improvement. Up to now, I've created my blog on Blogger, and if I can get WordPress whipped into shape quickly, this will be my last post on Blogger and my first on WordPress.

What does this mean? First of all, nothing changes as far as you're concerned. My blog remains at the same address.

Why am I changing? Because using WordPress seems more attractive. I've been told many times that Blogger is like "training wheels" -- very easy to begin and use -- while WordPress offers more features and significant benefits. We shall see.

Maybe you and I are in the same boat here, working to market our services. I'm make a living as a musician, and I blog to help me manage my jazz band. For nearly two years my blog has commented on how I help people enjoy their weddings and parties. Lots of examples, lots of pictures. I receive a small number of posted comments, but a large number of phone calls and emails from colleagues and potential clients.

Like my colleagues, I'm far from a full-time professional blogger, and I'm always reading and talking, aiming to improve my skills at the best blogging practices.

If you're a blogger, too, please ask yourself: What are we all doing here? Simply this: laying the foundation for building relationships. Presenting ourselves as people with ideas and talents honed by experience. Offering our services based on who we are and the skills we bring our clients, rather than on a catalog of commodities they can pull off a shelf.

Not at all like Walter Cronkeit, who aimed at presenting the day's news as just the facts, "and that's the way it is", without his own personal viewpoint. Like it or not, we bloggers are lots more like commentators Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Maher, or David Letterman. We're like an opinionated movie critic or music critic, whose reviews are useful especially because they approach their work from a distinct perspective. It's because they have that particular "take" on things, and we know where they're coming from, that their opinions can be useful to us.

Similarly, our blogs are saying that it's our own personal "touch" in our work that makes what we bring our clients so special, valuable, and wonderful. So we create our blogs to reflect our own unique approach and style, and the more creative abilities we possess as bloggers, the better we can craft our presentations. So I'm hoping WordPress will expand my arsenal of blogging tools. Please tell me how I'm doing.

In the meantime, the Magnolia Jazz Band continues to keep busy. Nearly every day, we entertain at memorable celebrations ranging from large, elegant wedding receptions and banquets to small, casual garden parties and picnics, and I'm always on the lookout for more opportunities. Today I'm talking with people hosting parties for Labor Day and Halloween. If you'll have a soiree on one of these days, or on any day in between, now's a good time to arrange the details, including the music.

Have a question? We'll have the answer. Call us at 408-245-9120. We're easy to work with, so let our experience help your next celebration. Please visit MagnoliaJazz.com for our schedule, and catch us at a public event soon. We're playing on Wed, August 26, at a pre-holiday party showcase at the Crowne Plaza Cabana, Palo Alto, and I hope to see you there. (Call 650-628-0138 to RSVP).

Please take a moment to find me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter. Please visit our Facebook Page, register as a "fan", and you'll receive a quick email reminder before each of our public appearances.

Thanks for reading my blog. Please send me a comment (below), and I'll reply promptly.

Practicing for Weddings and Parties

Here we are two weeks ago, at the beautiful Jacuzzi Family Vineyards, in Sonoma. Starting with "It Had to be You" and ending with Pachelbel's "Canon in D", the wedding processional included bridesmaids, the ring bearer, and the flower girl, who paved the way for Kim and her Dad. Congratulations Kim and Chris — you starred in a lovely evening, and thanks for including us.

Thanks to Jere Visalli (Visalli Photography) for the beautiful photos. Visit his stunning website.

Like so many successful events, this wedding required lots of planning and coordinating, and we were delighted to work with Lisa Parker-Kim (Parker-Kim Events) and Melanie King (Jacuzzi Family Vineyards).

Every day we're reminded that success follows thorough preparation. For example, my friend Amy Frugoli (Twitterpated Weddings), an outstanding wedding coordinator, is one of the busiest networkers in Northern California. She seems to be everywhere, and she‘s just been selected to serve as the primary coordinator for the $100K San Francisco Dream Wedding Giveaway, to be announced tomorrow. What an honor!

Upon hearing the news, I reminded her that her good fortune is really no surprise — the more we practice, the luckier we get.

With Amy, it's never "Same old, same old." She always creates new touches for her events, and, like many of our colleagues, she's ready for anything, She's constantly exploring, observing, inventing, and rehearsing, all with an open mind.

For all of us, this is a great habit to cultivate. What's your favorite way to keep your mind fresh and agile?

The Magnolia Jazz Band continues to keep busy. Nearly every day, we entertain at memorable celebrations ranging from large, elegant wedding receptions and banquets to small, casual garden parties and picnics, and I'm always on the lookout for more opportunities. Today I'm talking with people hosting parties for Labor Day and Halloween. If you'll have a soiree on one of these days, or on any day in between, now's a good time to arrange the details, including the music.

Have a question? We'll have the answer. Call us at 408-245-9120. We're easy to work with, so let our experience help your next celebration. Please visit MagnoliaJazz.com for our schedule, and catch us at a public event soon. We're playing on Wed, August 26, at a pre-holiday party showcase at the Crowne Plaza Cabana, Palo Alto, and I hope to see you there. (Call 650-628-0138 to RSVP).

Please take a moment to find me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter. Please visit our Facebook Page, register as a "fan", and you'll receive a quick email reminder before each of our public appearances.

Thanks for reading my blog. Please send me a comment (below), and I'll reply promptly.

A NEW Outstanding Facility for Weddings and Parties

Here’s Andy Norblin, our guitarist, tuning up prior to yesterday’s opening night reception of the brand new “Mission City Ballroom”, at the Santa Clara Convention Center. At over 300,000 square feet, it’s easily the largest meeting facility in Silicon Valley. Fabulous room, over 750 RSVPs, and I believe everyone showed up.

Nearly every day, we entertain at memorable celebrations ranging from large, elegant wedding receptions and banquets to small, casual garden parties and picnics. Over the course of several months, we find ourselves in many of the Bay Area’s most outstanding facilities, and yesterday was no exception. The new “Mission City Ballroom” is gorgeous, with state-of-the-art technical capabilities, and is a welcome addition to Silicon Valley’s impressive list of venues for special events.

Do you attend events like these regularly or just occasionally? What are a few of your favorite locations?

Meanwhile, the band continues to jazz up events of all sizes, and I’m always on the lookout for more opportunities. Please catch us at a public event coming up. Visit MagnoliaJazz.com for our schedule, and I hope to see you soon.

Please take a moment to find me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter. Want to catch us in action? Please visit our Facebook Page, register as a "fan", and you’ll receive a quick email reminder before each of our public appearances.

Thanks for reading my blog. Please send me a comment (below), and I’ll reply promptly.

Walking the Talk for Weddings and Parties

Please catch us in action soon. Visit our Facebook Page, register as a "fan", and you’ll receive a quick email reminder before each of our public appearances.

Here we are last July 4th, jazzing up the pre-fireworks family picnic hosted by the City of Cupertino. We’ll be back again this Saturday evening. L–R: Dale Mills, Gary Milliken, Steve Apple, me, Bruce Jolly, and Andy Norblin. Thanks for the wonderful photo, Joy.

On to "Walking the Talk". Several months ago I accepted a challenge to write 25 interesting things about myself. The project taught me about what counts most in my life, and I recommend you try it, too.

I commented on the people who influence how I think about the world and what I like to do. Naturally, my parents appear early in the list, but I also mention many friends and colleagues throughout.

Here's where it gets interesting. We hear so much about the huge role of parents in molding a child’s character, but how about the role of our friends? And why should it matter to us? After all, we’re grown-ups, right?

I’m in the middle of Malcom Gladwell’s book, The Tipping Point, and he claims (at least regarding the rise and spread of social fads) that peer pressure beats parental pressure hands down. I agree. Lessons from our parents form only the first, though perhaps most enduring, window through which we view the world. Throughout our lives, we retain and build on that earliest viewpoint as we meet new people.

Nowadays, our friends continue to mold our perceptions, our decisions, and our character, and I’m sure we all can mention LOTS of examples to support this.

Now let’s change perspective. Think not about who influences you, but rather about who you influence. Like it or not, all the people who know us learn something from what they see us doing. So we need to "do what we say". What are we displaying — courtesy, thoughtfulness, curiosity, industry, loyalty, creativity? The list goes on.

I strive to be a thoughtful citizen of my community, and to treat people right. Day-to-day I manage the band so we entertain people, helping them enjoy their weddings and parties, and making these celebrations memorable.

This is how I make a living, trying to make everyone’s lives a little better, and I hope I’m setting a good example. Ask yourself: How do YOU model what you’d like your friends to do?

Meanwhile, the band continues to jazz up events of all sizes, and I’m always on the lookout for more opportunities. For instance, will you be celebrating a significant event soon? Throw a party and include us. Are friends talking about a wedding? Please recommend us. Today I’m talking with people hosting parties for the 4th of July and Labor Day. If you’ll have a soiree on one of these days, or on any day in between, now’s a good time to arrange the details, including the music.

Have a question? We’ll have the answer. Call us at 408-245-9120. You’ll love what we do. We’re easy to work with, so let our experience help your celebration.

In the meantime, please catch us at a few public events coming up. On Saturday, July 4th, we’ll be entertaining prior to the fireworks at the City of Cupertino’s holiday festivities. Please visit MagnoliaJazz.com for details, and I hope to see you soon.

Please take a moment to find me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter. Want to catch us in action? Please visit our Facebook Page, register as a "fan", and you’ll receive a quick email reminder before each of our public appearances.

Thanks for reading my blog. Please send me a comment (below), and I’ll reply promptly. For now, here’s a question for you: How do YOU model what you’d like your friends to do? By the way, you’ll find my entire list of 25 interesting things here.

Collaborating on a Fabulous Event

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You’re watching me violate a personal rule.

I seldom talk politics, except with my wife, who is forbidden from testifying against me in court. However, I'm impressed by the recent federal election campaign. So many citizens moved away from extreme positions and toward the center on so many issues.

And with all the positives and negatives we hear about these days, politicians are still talking about having us all work together to solve our mutual problems. Shun partisan conflict, they say. Let’s collaborate, debate all our viewpoints, compromise, and get the job done well.

Though it doesn’t always work out this way (You hear me, Sacramento?), I like this approach to resolving problems, whether they’re worldwide, personal, or somewhere in between. In fact, my personal bias assumes (hopes, actually) that we always gain more from cooperating more than we lose by competing less. Follow that?

In other words, I suspect that when a problem isn’t solved well, it’s because either we overlook significant perspectives or we fail to consider enough potential remedies. Or to twist an old adage, most of the time too FEW cooks spoil the broth.

Here’s my point: In my experience, we accomplish more by working together, and I think we all ought to collaborate more.

Collaborate (“col” + “labor”) literally means Work Together. I believe we are at our best when we work together for the common good. However we keep ourselves busy and useful, we benefit from involving more hands and more brains. Think positive -- we each benefit when we all benefit. You think so too?

Think of the most successful people you know personally. How few of them accomplish everything by themselves? How many of them consistently work with reliable friends and colleagues?

If you already collaborate much of the time, GREAT! It’ll be easy to add one more example to your resume. However if you seldom collaborate, start doing it on a simple job right now, and its success will make your next few projects increasingly easier.

Here’s how. Imagine the next project you’d like to tackle. Maybe a personal ambition or a job for a client. Then choose a friend or colleague whose skills would help you, and invite him to join in, hire him yourself, or recommend him to your client. Choosing partners well makes your work easier, more productive, and more enjoyable.

Here’s what brings this to mind. I’m excited about my part in a huge project, just announced yesterday. It’ll be fantastic -- coordinating with about 30 of my finest Bay Area colleagues who work in weddings and parties. We'll be giving some lucky couple a fabulous wedding celebration, to showcase some of our best professional talent. It’s a wonderful opportunity to generate attention to stimulate local businesses, and give back to the community that supports us. Our success will inspire similar projects in other industries and in other locales. Interested? See the details here.

Meanwhile, my life isn’t ALL big projects. The band has been jazzing up events of all sizes, and I’m always on the lookout for more opportunities. For instance, will you be celebrating a significant event soon? Throw a party and include us. Are friends talking about a wedding? Please recommend us. Today I’m talking with people hosting parties for Father’s Day and the 4th of July. If you’ll have a soiree on one of these days, or on any day in between, now’s a good time to arrange the details, including the music.

Have a question? We’ll have the answer. Call us at 408-245-9120. You’ll love what we do. We’re easy to work with, so let our experience help your celebration.

In the meantime, please catch us at one of these public events coming up. On Saturday, June 27, we’ll be setting the perfect elegant mood for “The Vintage Affaire” wine auction and dinner party at a fabulous estate in Atherton, and a week later -- on July 4th -- we’ll be entertaining prior to the fireworks at the City of Cupertino’s holiday festivities. Please visit MagnoliaJazz.com for details, and I hope to see you soon.

Please take a moment to find me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter. Want to catch us in action? Visit my Facebook Page, become a fan, and you’ll receive an update for each of our public appearances.

Thanks for reading my blog. Please send me a comment (below), and I’ll reply promptly. For now, here’s a question for you: How well do you collaborate with your colleagues?

Making Your Weddings and Parties Unique

“Hey, we ought to gather more friends, and continue talking about this. It’s a great topic for brainstorming!”

I thought this at least ten times at last Tuesday’s meeting of Silicon Valley NACE (National Association of Catering Executives). What an evening, socializing with some of my best colleagues! Networking groups like this create powerful opportunities to share ideas and explore new solutions to persistent problems, like how to make our work unique.

You might already be thinking like this, but here’s my favorite way: Make yourself unique. However you make a living, it’s always good to develop your own special talents and strengths, and then apply your distinctive personal style to everything you do. How to do this? For one excellent strategy, hang out with unique friends and colleagues. If you like to stay up-to-date, get yourself involved with a networking group like NACE or hundreds like it. You can easily find plenty of groups to cover any subject that interests you. For starters, take a look at MeetUp.com, as well as professional associations.

Talking about being unique, last Tuesday two of my favorite colleagues -- Amy Blach (AMB Designs) and Natti Pierce-Thomson (North American Theatre Technology) -- described how they always customize their services, to suit their clients’ wishes. This way, they’re able to present an outstanding value for any budget.

Both Amy and Natti are at the very top of their professions, offering to create many unique options for their clients’ events. They’re like a waiter in a fine restaurant, who first inquires about what his guest wants, and then describes several appropriate options from the menu, offering helpful recommendations and ways to customize each of them.

Amy specializes in creating spectacular, one-of-a-kind balloon decor (“painting the air with color”), as well as eye-catching party props and whimsical table-top displays. Her clients range from the energy-packed home games of the San Jose Sharks to smaller, more intimate personal dinner parties.

Natti specializes in creating stunning theatrical lighting for weddings and for private parties, as well as for professional theatrical productions throughout the Bay Area. She combines an artistic flair for imaginative design with a sure grasp of the latest lighting technology. You simply have to see it to believe what a vivid impact dramatic lighting has on an event.

Both Amy and Natti are unique. For each, their greatest assets are a complete “toolbox” of professional skills and a trained imagination honed by years of experience. Their services might be imitated but never duplicated. In contrast, many of their competitors are “commodities”, like identical loaves of plain bread -- sure, they get the job done, but it’s hardly special. Maybe it’ll be just another balloon arch or yellow spotlight that everyone forgets the next morning.

So here’s the big picture. Want to do unique work? Here’s how to claim your success. Whatever you do, be distinctive and stand out from the crowd. Keep your eyes open. Identify your own strongest personal interests, skills, and talents, and always work to make them even better. Then, based upon what you do best, create options, and apply them with imagination. You’ll become one-of-a-kind, and not just another commodity.

We’ve never been just another “going-rate” band. This year the band has been jazzing up many unique events, and I’m always on the lookout for more opportunities. For instance, will you be celebrating a significant event soon? Throw a party and include us. Are friends talking about a wedding? Please recommend us. Today I’m talking with people hosting parties for Memorial Day and Father’s Day. If you’ll have a soiree on one of these days, or on any day in between, now’s a good time to arrange the details, including the music.

Have a question? We’ll have the answer. Call us at 408-245-9120. You’ll love what we do. We’re easy to work with, so let our experience help your celebration.

In the meantime, please catch us at a public event coming up. On Saturday, June 27, we’ll be setting the perfect elegant mood for “The Vintage Affaire” wine auction and dinner party at a fabulous estate in Atherton. Please visit MagnoliaJazz.com for details, and I hope to see you there.

Please take a moment to find me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter. Want to catch us in action? Visit my Facebook Page, become a fan, and you’ll receive an update for each of our public appearances.

Thanks for reading my blog. Please send me a comment (below), and I’ll reply promptly. Here’s a question for you: How do you make your work unique?