the Sunset
jazz band
What kind of events do you play? Our primary focus is cocktail hours however we are also available for weddings, corporate meetings, private parties, meet & greets, etc.
How many people are in your band and what’s the instrumentation? Our basic format is as a 3 piece band, usually guitar, bass and drums. We are able to add a singer, saxophone, trumpet or other instruments. You can have any size band that you want.
Where can I sample your music? We’ve included several YouTube videos on this site showcasing the kind of the music we play.
Are all the band members professionals? Yes. We are all experienced at playing live, and we have all graduated from some of the top conservatories in the country.
What types of music do you play? We are first and foremost a jazz band that plays standards from the 30’s through today’s modern sounds. Everything from Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald to Count Basie, Miles Davis and Duke Ellington. Our song selection also includes Latin and groove sounds.
Do you take requests? Absolutely! If there is a song that you’d like to hear us play, we will play it for you. We just ask for a reasonable notice (so that we can learn the music if we don’t already know it).
My little brother is a great guitarist. Can he sit in with the band? This can be a great treat for your family and friends, and we’re happy to talk to you about it. We need to know ahead of time though, to make sure everyone is prepared and sounds their best, and we have the necessary equipment.
Can we meet you before the event? Sure! We’d love to meet with you at your convenience, so we can get to know one another. We sound our best when we are able to meet your expectations. Your e-mail or call will always be returned promptly and last minute schedule changes can certainly be accommodated.
Do you have references we can speak to? We would be happy to put you in touch with some our past clients.
Our cocktail hour is going to be longer than an hour. How long can you play? Many of our clients’ cocktail hours are actually cocktail hour-and-a-halfs, and there is never a charge for this. If you discover that due to unforeseen circumstances, you need us to play longer than expected, we will play overtime for a small charge.
How many breaks do you take and now long are they? For an event lasting up to 1-1/2 hours, we don’t take any breaks. If we are to play longer, we typically play 45-55 minutes per hour.
What happens when you take a break? If you want, we can provide continuous recorded music during any breaks we take. If you’d like us to play songs from your iPod, that’s fine too, we’ll put it through our speakers.
How do you dress? We always wear suits and ties and look professional and polished. If you prefer us to wear tuxedos or formal attire, or dress more casually, we’re happy to do that too.
How much time do you need for set-up? It usually takes us under 45 minutes to set up. We will be set up and ready to play at least 20 minutes before your first guest arrives. We work seamlessly with all the other professionals who are working for you. You never have to worry about conflicts. We’ll be ready to play for you and your guests no matter what happens.
Can you provide a PA System? We do not use a PA system but if you need to use a separate PA system for the ceremony, we are happy to bring it if necessary, for a small fee.
Do we need to provide any equipment? No, we will bring all the equipment we need. We just need electricity within a reasonable distance of where we will be playing.
How loud are you? We are not a loud band. Since events we play are a time for guests to socialize and mingle, we never play so loud that conversation becomes difficult. If you want us to play louder or quieter, just ask us and we will be happy to accommodate.
Do we need to feed you? For a cocktail hour this is not necessary, but if we will be playing for longer than three hours, then yes, please! But there’s no need to give us the same meal as your guests. We do need access to water or soft drinks though.
Will you travel? We love to travel and play new places. If we have to drive more than 50 miles from Los Angeles Proper there will be a small travel fee.