Another Way Friends Help Friends

Here we are last Sunday, taking a break from creating a romantic background for the wedding fair at Palo Alto’s Crowne Plaza Cabana. This was an outstanding afternoon — you could meet over two dozen top wedding professionals, plus hear a panel discussion about “Do-It-Yourself” weddings. Meanwhile, back in the lobby, we were fascinated by Screenbooth — the new digital guestbook that recorded every guest’s photos and videos. Check them out — it’s a “fun way to create lasting memories at once-in-a-lifetime events”. The band, left to right, is Gary Milliken, Andy Norblin, and me. Thanks to Felisha Kinsella (co-owner Linda’s daughter), of Screenbooth, for posing us in this lively picture.

One look at the photo tells you we were having a great time. No surprise there. I believe that we should all be so fortunate as to spend our lives doing what we love. Still, no matter how enthusiastic we are, we all occasionally find ourselves saying “Same old, same old” more often than we like. I’ll bet that everyone who’s been in any line of work for a while will occasionally feel “down” — tired, overwhelmed, and frustrated. I’ve been there, and you’ve been there, too, I’m sure. I’m told this feeling is unavoidable, and it’s a temporary part of every job.

Well, whenever it hits you again, just bear down and work through it. Here’s one strategy I like to use. I tally up how remarkable my friends are. Really. I recommend you occasionally pause in your busy life and notice the same thing about the people around you. When you realize that these people are friends and admire you, too, your feelings are bound to improve.

Well, enough amateur psychology. Let me tell you a quick story. Since the early 1990s, I’ve been a very active member of the Silicon Valley chapter of NACE (National Association of Catering Executives). It’s a networking group of top local caterers and their associates. Last month I participated in one of their Leadership Conferences, where “movers & shakers” on the boards of directors from all the chapters nationwide met to exchange ideas and receive training to be better leaders. We were an amazing group of people — clever, energetic, resourceful, generous, and dedicated to our profession — and now that I’m back from that heady excitement, I realize that most of my friends here fit that description, too.

As my grandfather used to say, “People are more interesting than anybody.” Maybe it’s the kind of people who live around Silicon Valley, but once I took the time to pay attention, I found that nearly all my friends have unique hobbies, attitudes, and accomplishments. This makes for great conversations, successful collaborations, and rich relationships, and I’m always glad each time we meet.

Sure, I know a few dull people, too, but even they say or do something interesting from time to time. However, they’re the exception, and every day I’m appreciating my talented friends more and more. As Martha Stewart would say, “That’s a good thing.”

After working in the “hospitality” business for over 34 years now, I count hundreds of fascinating people among my friends — family, musicians, hospitality and event professionals, and clients. In a future blog I’ll describe a few. In the meantime, think about who you’d mention in your own list.

While you’re thinking about your friends, please catch us at a few public events coming up. On Sunday, March 15, we’ll create an upbeat, romantic atmosphere in the “Wedding Fair” at the Toll House Hotel, in Los Gatos. On Friday, April 3, we’ll be entertaining in Mountain View during cocktails at a reception and art auction to benefit the Alzheimers Association. You’ll find details on MagnoliaJazz.com.

By the way, will you be celebrating a significant event soon? Throw a party and include us. Friends planning a wedding? Please recommend us. Today I’m talking with people planning parties for St Patrick’s Day and Easter Sunday. If you’ll have a soiree on one of these days, or on any day in between, now’s a good time to plan 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. Please visit MagnoliaJazz.com for details, and I hope to see you soon.

What do you think about all this? I’d love your opinions and comments.

What Makes Traditional Jazz Perfect for Weddings and Parties?

Here we are last Wednesday, creating an elegant background for a very upscale reception at the San Jose Museum of Art. This event was an exclusive private viewing of “The Prints of Andy Warhol”, and it demonstrated how art inspires a unique event setting. It was a truly spectacular evening, and we were honored to be one of 16 top event professionals involved. The band, left to right, is Dale Mills, me, Gary Milliken, and Andy Norblin. Thanks to Chung Li, an outstanding wedding photographer, for the striking picture.

Whenever we play at posh events like this, I’m always reminded of the humbler origins of jazz music. Traditional jazz isn’t a simple list of old-time tunes or a virtuoso performance you’ll hear in a concert hall. These days a hundred different styles call themselves jazz, but the original tradition of jazz music is “playing pretty for the people”.

That’s how the original New Orleans pioneers described their music. Later on others called it “functional music” or “social lubrication”. It was woven into the fabric of life, and always perfect for weddings and parties — nearly any get-together.

Of course I wasn’t in New Orleans around 1895, but I’m told the men who created the first music called jazz simply added a new rhythmic “twist” to everyone’s popular music of the day — ragtime tunes, gospel hymns, parade marches, old blues songs, vaudeville show tunes, and old folk songs. Talk about your “fusion” music!

What emerged was tremendously exciting. People never heard music like this before, and they went crazy over it in every social setting you can imagine — in backyard parties, at picnics in the park, aboard riverboat cruises, at memorial gatherings and funerals, and in neighborhood taverns, restaurants, and dance halls. A generation later its growing popularity found acceptance in more elite circles, and it helped fuel the young broadcasting and recording industries. At first it was just another musical fad, but it had “legs”, as they say these days, and ultimately led to all of today’s jazz styles.

To me, the important feature was that everyone could recognize and enjoy their favorite tunes in this new and exciting setting.

Long ago, I found this music to be a sure-fire hit for helping weddings and parties come to life. So today when you catch me playing “traditional jazz” for people, you’ll hear me pepping up tunes they love — the popular standards and old favorites. Whether our music serves dancing, or creates a pleasant background, or a little of both, it always helps people enjoy whatever they’re doing, and I’m pleased to call it jazz in the original tradition.

See what I mean when you catch us at a few public events coming up. On February 28, we’re entertaining in Dublin, CA, at the grand re-opening of the Shannon Community Center, and on March 1 we’re creating an upbeat, romantic atmosphere at the “Wedding Fair and Open House” at the Crowne Plaza Cabana Hotel, in Palo Alto. You’ll find details on MagnoliaJazz.com.

By the way, will you be celebrating a significant event soon? Throw a party and include us. Friends planning a wedding? Please recommend us. Today I’m talking with people planning parties for St Patrick’s Day and Easter Sunday. If you’ll have a soiree on one of these days, or on any day in between, now’s a good time to plan 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. Please visit MagnoliaJazz.com for details, and I hope to see you soon.

What do you think about all this? I’d love your opinions and comments.

Two Outstanding Wedding Shows this Sunday

Here we are last March, just about to create an elegant background for dining and dancing at a wonderful party in Hollister. Actually, this event celebrated a birthday, but it could easily have been a company banquet or a wedding reception. Left to right, Steve Apple, me, Gary Milliken, and Andy Norblin. Thanks to Kim Staskus for the great picture.

Speaking of weddings, Valentine’s Day is approaching. Are you (or will you be) planning a wedding? Or helping friends plan theirs? You’re in luck! The South Bay hosts two extraordinary events this Sunday. Be sure to attend one. Better yet, arrange with a friend to catch both!

"The Bridal Extravaganza" and “The Wedding University” will offer two complimentary approaches to solving one of life’s big challenges — planning your wedding.

“The Bridal Extravaganza”, at the San Jose Fairmont, is Silicon Valley’s premier wedding showcase. Since the 1980s, it consistently reigns over a host of newer shows produced by local hotels, wineries, restaurants, and country clubs. Featuring a broad selection of over a hundred of the area’s top wedding professionals, it’s always well-organized, well-promoted, and well-attended. Brides- and grooms-to-be strolling through this elegant “trade show” can literally plan their entire wedding in one day, meeting and speaking with coordinators, caterers, photographers, entertainers, decorators, florists — everyone they’d otherwise have to spend weeks hunting for. They’ll even find casual “fashion shows” of wedding gowns and formalwear.

The show is produced by Sharon Sacks, a respected authority on wedding shows and past president of Bridal Show Producers International. You’ll find a list of participants and complete information for registering at bestbridalshow.com.

Also aiming at brides- and grooms-to-be, and inspired by the intensive educational seminars produced by many professional associations, “The Wedding University” offers “An Afternoon of Elegance and Education”. Attendees will experience a comprehensive program of informative presentations, panel discussions, demonstrations, displays, and informal fashion shows. Attendees will learn from the best — outstanding local professionals who will offer “How To” training, as well as their advice, insights, and tips for planning everything from decor, food, invitations, and flowers to photography & videography and music & entertainment.

New this year, “The Wedding University” is hosted by The Four Seasons, in East Palo Alto, and is coordinated by Jubilee Lau (Jubilee Lau Events) and Jean Marks (Jean Marks Weddings). You’ll find a seminar schedule, a list of participants, and complete registration information here. The show is extremely well publicized and will be well-attended.

Each show will begin at 11am this Sunday, February 8, and I’ll be participating in “The Bridal Extravaganza”. It’s a shame we can’t be in both places at once, but you should choose one, have a friend attend the other, and pool all your information afterward.

On February 14, we’ll be creating a romantic mood for Valentine’s Day dinner at the Toll House, in Los Gatos, and on March 1st we’re entertaining in the “Wedding Fair and Open House” at the Crowne Plaza Cabana, in Palo Alto. You’ll find details on MagnoliaJazz.com.

By the way, will you be celebrating a significant event soon? Throw a party and include us. Friends planning a party? Please recommend us. Today I’m talking with people planning soirees for Valentine’s Day and St Patrick’s 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. 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. Please visit MagnoliaJazz.com for details, and I hope to see you soon.

What do you think about all this? I’d love your opinions and comments.

How Music Customizes Weddings and Parties

Here we are last Wednesday, creating a casual background for the grand opening at Xceed Federal Credit Union, in San Jose. Left to right, Gary Milliken, me, and Andy Norblin. Thanks to Tom Vo (Accolade Photography) for the fine picture.

It was a wonderful evening. Our music was important for setting the congenial mood while not distracting from the business at hand, which featured several “welcoming” speeches, the Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony, and mingling with the guests. Our goal here was to provide upbeat, pleasant, recognizable music that did not intrude. Want your next event to be like this?

This open house is a world away from wedding ceremonies and receptions, anniversaries, and birthday parties, where the music is very important for highlighting unique features and making them special. Here people create opportunities to personalize these celebrations with their favorite music, especially songs with significant meanings for the occasion. Want your next event to be like this?

We’re versatile musicians and we always try very hard to customize our music. During my career I’ve seen hundreds of ways for music to add a personal touch and make every event even more memorable. I hope the following examples give you some good ideas for personalizing YOUR next event.

Here’s one popular request. At some of the most touching wedding ceremonies, personal friends sang special songs, ranging from “Ave Maria” to “Unforgettable” to “Our Love is Here to Stay”. In ceremonies, and during the receptions, everyone expects old favorites like “Pachelbel’s Canon in D”, “As Time Goes By”, “My Funny Valentine”, “Embraceable You”, “The Way You Look Tonight”, “Sentimental Journey”, and “Stardust”. Frequently people want newer favorites, too, like “Can’t Help Falling In Love”, “Happy Together”, “You Light Up My Life”, “L-O-V-E”, “Moon River”, “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life”, and “I Will”.

Brides and grooms who met in particular cities have asked us to include “New York, New York”, “Chicago”, “I Left My Heart in San Francisco”, “Georgia On My Mind”, “April in Paris”, “A Foggy Day in London Town”, “Way Down Yonder in New Orleans”, “Hawaiian Wedding Song”, and more.

Two years ago we entertained at a little boy’s one-year birthday party. Many of the guests grew up outside the United States, his parents grew up in India, and they asked us to play a few of their favorite “Bollywood” mega-hits. This doesn’t happen often so we needed a little practice, but needless to say, they loved us! Would you recognize “Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas”, “Chookar Mere Manko”, “Papa Kehten Hain”, “Kaho Na Pyar”, “Main Koi Aisa Geet Gaon”, and “Bheegey Hon Tere”?

Birthday guests of honor have been serenaded with “Bill”, “Nancy With the Laughing Face”, “Laura”, “Emily”, “Sweet Lorraine”, “Waltz for Debbie”, “Mona Lisa”, and more.

Whenever a wedding day coincided with a parent’s or grandparent’s anniversary or birthday, everyone sang “Happy Birthday” or applauded the couple waltzing to the “Anniversary Song”.

Themes are always popular. Once at a wedding planned on a Cinderella theme, our dinner music featured old Disney songs including “When You Wish Upon a Star”, “Heigh-Ho”, “Someday My Prince Will Come”, “Bippidy-Bobbidy-Boo”, and the first dance was “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes”.

Finally, I remember a wedding ceremony where we accompanied the bride and the groom singing “All The Things You Are” to each other. It was lovely — really choked me up. Know the song? Written in 1939, music by Jerome Kern, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein.

You are the promised kiss of springtime
That makes the lonely winter seem long.
You are the breathless hush of evening
That trembles on the brink of a lovely song.
You are the angel glow that lights a star,
The dearest things I know are what you are.
Some day my happy arms will hold you,
And some day I'll know that moment divine,
When all the things you are, are mine!

Back to reality. On February 8, I’ll be entertaining brides-to-be in the “Bridal Extravaganza” at the San Jose Fairmont; on February 14 in a romantic Valentine's Day dinner at the Toll House, in Los Gatos; and on March 1st in the “Wedding Fair and Open House” at the Crowne Plaza Cabana, in Palo Alto. Details on MagnoliaJazz.com.

By the way, will you be celebrating a significant event soon? Throw a party and include us. Friends planning a party? Please recommend us. Today I’m talking with people planning soirees for Valentine’s Day and St Patrick’s 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. 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, and I hope to see you soon.

What do you think about all this? I’d love your opinions and comments.

Jazz, Blogs & Social Networks: “Just an Online Call Away”

Here we are last September, creating a soft mood at a benefit cocktail party for The Service League of San Mateo. We’re in the sitting room at Ralston Hall, a lovely old mansion in Belmont. Left to right, Gary Milliken, me, and Andy Norblin. Thanks to Scott (Scott Buschman Photography) for the picture.

I recently announced three of my New Year’s resolutions -- based on “something old”, “something blue”, and “something borrowed”. Here is the last, “something new”.

Look around, you’re reading my BLOG right now. This is about as new as it gets these days! Do you write one, too? My BLOG is like my own newspaper “opinion” column I create on my computer whenever I want and broadcast worldwide in an instant, to praise outstanding colleagues, promote my band, and offer random comments.

This year I resolve to get better acquainted with blogs and social networks -- Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, MySpace, Flickr -- to name a few. These are the cutting edge of how to keep in touch with our friends, colleagues, and clients.

These evolving technologies certainly aren’t for everyone, but you ignore them at your peril. They don’t replace good old face-to-face conversations or telephone calls, but they do add a new practical dimension to our communication. Today you can broadcast and receive text, pictures, videos, music, speech -- even entire multi-media presentations -- nearly everywhere in the world. And the near future promises much more, on our desktop computers, on the cellphones in our pockets, and on our TVs at home.

So for my fourth new year’s resolution, I will learn to exchange more kinds of information, more easily, to help me stay in even better touch with people and do an even better job of taking care of business more effectively. Life isn’t all about “fun and games”, I know, but they make our day-to-day lots more interesting.

In the meantime, I hope you’re enjoying a wonderful New Year. So far, I’m enjoying mine. I’m marketing more, and on February 8, I’ll be entertaining brides-to-be in the Bridal Extravaganza at the San Jose Fairmont. Details on my website.

By the way, will you be celebrating a significant event soon? Throw a party and include us. Today I'm talking with people planning parties for Valentine's Day and St Patrick’s 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. 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. Please visit MagnoliaJazz.com for details, and I hope to see you soon.

Please leave me a comment. What do you think about all this? I'd love your opinions and comments.

How I Help Plan the Music for a Party

Here we are last October, creating a lively mood at a benefit cocktail party for Ballet San Jose. We’re in the lounge at the elegant Corinthian Event Center, in San Jose. Left to right, Dale Mills, me, and Andy Norblin. Thanks to Chris Johnson for the photo.

Last week I announced two of my New Year’s resolutions -- “something old” and “something blue”. Here is “something borrowed”. Fourth resolution tomorrow.

I help people plan memorable parties. At least the musical aspects of wedding receptions for brides-to-be, open houses for business owners, and birthday & anniversary banquets for everyone. I’m a musician, not a professional planner, but in the past 34 years I’ve learned a thing or two about how music sets the right mood for every event.

When someone asks for planning help, I always say “What kind of atmosphere do you want? What do would you like your party to look like? sound like? What aromas would you like? How would you like your guests to feel?” And depending on what they reply, I suggest ways that the band can help create what they want.

I borrowed this practical approach to planning from my friend Allan Jaffe, who was the original founder, business manager, and musicians’ agent for Preservation Hall, in New Orleans. Jaffe loved and admired the musicians he worked with. Most of them were born between 1890-1910 -- Louis Armstrong’s generation. They loved their city and its traditions, made a living and raised their families there, and their music livened up every social occasion you can imagine.

Jaffe used to tell me these men worked hard and could do anything. Once I heard him tell the band’s trumpeter, “Percy, let’s play ‘Just A Little While to Stay Here’, and set the tempo like you’re at the end of a long parade and you’ve got to be back in five minutes.”

Hearing him use such a practical description stuck with me, so today I still speak to a bride’s senses -- her imagination’s vision, sound, smell, taste, and touch -- to help her plan the music for her wedding reception. Wouldn't such down-to-earth questions help you, too?

This practical approach has always been effective, and more would be better. So this year I resolve to continue using it, only moreso. I’ll make our conversations last just a few minutes longer and ask one more leading question than I would have asked last year.

In my next post I’ll describe another resolution: based on “something new”. In the meantime, I hope you’re enjoying a wonderful New Year. So far, I’m enjoying mine. I’m marketing more, and on February 8, I’ll be entertaining brides-to-be in the Bridal Extravaganza at the San Jose Fairmont. Details on my website.

By the way, will you be celebrating a significant event soon? Throw a party and include us. Today I'm talking with people planning parties for Valentine's Day and St Patrick’s 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. 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. Please visit MagnoliaJazz.com for details, and I hope to see you soon.

Please leave me a comment. What do you think about all this? I'd love your opinions and comments.

A New Year’s Resolution for the Blues

Happy 2009. Here we are last Wednesday, creating a festive “Roaring 20’s” atmosphere for a swinging New Year’s Eve party in Palo Alto. Lots of dancing and requests for “the good old, good ones”, as Louis used to call them. Left to right, Gary Milliken, Steve Apple, Brian Richardson, Bruce Jolly, me, and Andy Norblin. Thanks for the wonderful photo, Adrienne. I’m glad someone brought a real camera.

Last week I announced my four New Year’s resolutions, based on “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”. I’ve already described the first one, “something old”, and today I’ll describe my “something blue” resolution.

OK, look who’s crying the blues these days. Not Walmart, McDonald’s, and those of us who revamped and refocused our marketing. It’s everyone else, especially the mainstream media. Newspapers & magazines have lost subscriptions, TV & radio have lost markets, and all have lost advertising, big time, to their online competitors. So now watch as all of them desperately embrace the internet. For example, all new TVs will soon be able to download movie and program videos, as well as photos, “discussion boards”, and email.

Internet news services, independent newsletters, and bloggers are killing newspapers and magazines. Last week I heard a newspaperman suggest that people who value good journalism should find a way to pay for it, rather than get it all free, online. And I agree, on principle. It’s a free market, after all.

The benefits of “good” journalism, whatever you think that means, most likely come from a trained professional, wise and skilled enough to perform well and make a living at it.

Hmmmm. This explanation sounds similar to something I might tell a client. You too? I’ll bet. Well, this will be a good subject for another day.

These days, you’ll hear and read plenty -- especially from professional journalists -- decrying the general acceptance of self-publishing bloggers, who can spread wisdom just as easily as misinformation or poorly-written, one-sided stories based on narrow opinions and a few twisted facts.

I’m awed by our ever-changing world, and I want to stay up-to-date on everything newsworthy. So for my second resolution I will subscribe to one more newspaper and one more magazine, read deeply and listen widely, online and offline, and then give myself a “news-free week” every few months, just to clear the dust.

Maybe this is like giving CPR to a dinosaur, but I want to look around, see what stories and opinions I like and what I dislike, and if they’re well-thought-out and well-written, I’ll support them. Putting my money where my mouth is. Although I think “free online” can be good, even when ads have to cover the production expenses, we risk missing an important story or viewpoint that may be unable to gain a journalist’s attention in our fad-driven world.

Hey, my notices can’t always be about weddings and parties.

In my next post I’ll describe another resolution: “something borrowed”. In the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy a wonderful New Year. I resolve to enjoy mine. I’m marketing more, and on February 8, I’ll be entertaining brides-to-be in the Bridal Extravaganza at the San Jose Fairmont. Details on my website.

By the way, will you be celebrating a significant event soon? Throw a party and include us. Today I'm talking with people planning parties for Valentine's Day and Easter. 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. 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. Please visit MagnoliaJazz.com for details, and I hope to see you soon.

Please leave me a comment. What do you think about all this? I'd love your opinions and comments.