Here is a quick video; rehearsing swing tune Sing, Sing, Sing before starting a company party.
We had a lot of fun :-)
Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann
Elegant Music 626-797-1795
Beautiful - Successful - Weddings - Events
Here is a quick video; rehearsing swing tune Sing, Sing, Sing before starting a company party.
We had a lot of fun :-)
Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann
Elegant Music 626-797-1795
This creative bride and her mother planned a Beautiful Wedding!
In addition to my conducting the festivities as DJ and Master of Ceremonies, for this wedding Sheila and I performed Flute and Piano music for the wedding ceremony and cocktail hour. Then during dinner the Elegant Music Jazz Trio performed selections from the “Great American Song Book”. This was a full evening of entertainment.
See: A Full Evening of Entertainment
“Planning a wedding” and “coordinating a wedding” are related but these are two different activities. A Master of Ceremonies is an “executive”. Throughout the celebration he executes announcements and in conducting the festivities guides the event along a planned course. This is certainly the case with a grand entrance. Getting the grand entrance right helps to establish the Master of Ceremonies with that audience.
See: Your Master of Ceremonies. What does he do?
In planning this wedding it was decided:
If I were to have made the scheduled announcement for (the bridal party to please join the wedding couple on the dance floor) chances would be good that there would have been little compliance from the bridal party “a failed announcement”.
It is dangerous for a Master of Ceremonies to make an announcement and it not happen. In an ideal world, the MC makes an announcement and it happens and guests see it happen. The MC is then credible with that audience.
The fastest way to lose control of an audience is to make an announcement and it not happen. This is especially important at the beginning of a wedding reception during the grand entrance.
A failed announcement would make the MC and the wedding couple (who are exposed all alone on the dance floor) look bad.
The first dance song is playing and just about up to the instrumental section when the announcement (for the bridal party to join the bride and groom on the dance floor) was to be made…
I quickly went around to the tables and found each member of the bridal party and asked them to line up with their partner. (You can see this happening on the video.)
Thank goodness they were all in the room and no one was in the bathroom.
Once I had them lined up and in the ready position, I could make the announcement…
They indeed did join the wedding couple on the dance floor. It was easy to then invite all guests to join them… which they did.
The first dance was completed and a spirited hora followed with nearly everyone in participation. A successful grand entrance, first dance and hora!
Whew! That was a close one :-)
Please see: The Working Relationship Between the Wedding Coordinator and Master of Ceremonies.
Also see: Time of The Season – Holiday Entertaining by Elegant Music
Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann
Elegant Music 323-270-3650
Elegant Music Summary of Service Video Sampler and Play List
Soft lights.
Beautiful Grand Piano.
Couples came to hold each other closely and dance.
Everyone enjoyed great food and great company.
In addition, this beautiful location provides a high level of service that inspires relaxed natural conduct. Ladies conduct themselves as ladies and gentlemen remember their manners and conduct themselves as gentlemen.
Regarding this high level of service please see: The Value of Interest
The Elegant Music Jazz Trio (Piano, String Bass, Drums) provided soft background music early in the evening including Ballads, Love Songs and Bossa Nova. Later we cut loose and played Swing Dance and Contemporary Music.
I really enjoy playing with this band; Jim Garafalo on String Bass and Gary Myers on Drums and Vocals. Very sensitive players who really know how to support me as a soloist. We started with a quiet version of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” by Roberta Flack. As the room filled up with more diners and dancers we brought up the energy.
The evening included:
Deja Vu, Issac Hays
18th Variation on a theme of Paganini by Rachmaninoff
In the Still of The Night, Cole Porter
Just My Imagination by the Temptations
Sway, Luis Demetrio
In the Mood, Glenn Miller
I Love You Like A Love Song, Selena Gomez
Get Lucky, Daft Punk
Suggested by my wife Sheila the trio even performed a “parlor song” originally published in 1901 “I Love You Truly” by C.J. Bond. You would recognize this song if you have ever watched the motion picture “It’s A Wonderful Life” with James Stewart and Donna Reed. So romantic!
The right music contributes to the atmosphere of any event; formal or casual. The best party is always the next party :-)
Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann
Elegant Music 626-797-1795
PS: Also see: Elegant Dinner Dance with the Elegant Music Jazz Trio
Hello:
My name is Eric Zimmermann. I am a DJ/Master of Ceremonies, Pianist Bandleader and Host of Wedding & Event Podcast.
There is a lot of music written for Piano. As a Pianist I can play just about anything. I have a lot of fun playing Solo Piano.
Where an acoustic piano is not available I have portable pianos.
See: Los Angeles Pianist Eric Zimmermann Solo Piano Partial Song List
Answer: Playing my piano and accompanying another soloist.
Elegant Music started with Sheila and I playing Flute and Piano Music together. That was several years ago and as a result we have a large repertoire of classical and popular contemporary music.
See: The Story of Elegant Music
The Cello is a versatile instrument having two personalities:
Played with a bow in its upper register it can play beautiful melodies.
Plucked in its lower register it is a lot like a Swing String Bass of a Jazz ensemble.
An iconic artistic reference of this duo is “The Piano Guys.”
As a pianist I have a lot of fun accompanying vocalists.
Each event is unique. Each performer is unique.
Performing the right song for the occasion creates a huge effect on guests.
There is something special about a live performance.
Vocalist Actress Georgina Reilly sings an eclectic mix of Show Tunes, Jazz Standards and Popular Contemporary music.
At the request of listeners, Sheila and I added Violin and Cello to the Flute and Piano and the Elegant Music Quartet was born. Though this quartet is a chamber music ensemble we play covers of popular contemporary music as well as variety of classical music. Adding these instruments has greatly expanded the music selections and styles of music Sheila and I perform.
To this ensemble already has a full sound. We can add additional instruments and soloists and it becomes an orchestra!
See: Excerpt from the Elegant Music 15th Anniversary Concert with Soprano Sisu Raiken
Also see: The Prayer performed by Soprano Sisu Raiken and Tenor Artur Hakobyan with the Elegant Music Quartet
I love Jazz… and playing Dance Music. Adding String Bass and Drums to Piano forms the core of any contemporary music group. This is called a Rhythm Section. With this group I can play Party Music, Dance Music and Jazz. I can play just about anything and have a lot of fun doing it! Depending on music requests adding instruments (Guitar, Sax, Female Vocalist, Trumpet) greatly expands music possibilities. See: Contemporary Music Song List
Of course, as a DJ I can play any recording and I certainly enjoy conducting the festivities and getting a crowd going on the dance floor. Certain music is best enjoyed by hearing the original recording. And on the same token there is something unique about a live music performance. DJ or Live Music? Each part of a celebration can have its own music. Which is preferred can depend on the event, location, audience and style of music requested. I really enjoy planning music for a special event and creating the perfect atmosphere. Please see: A Full Evening of Entertainment.
It is quite an adventure to talk about music; I look forward to speaking with you about music you like! One great song leads to another :-)
Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann
Elegant Music 323-270-3650
A celebration starts with music and music continues throughout the event with the occasional breaks for toasts and announcements.
Each part of your celebration can have its own music.
An itinerary sketch is an organizing tool that shows the progression of the event.
The itinerary will develop and change as planning becomes complete.
Please see: A Full Evening of Entertainment.
As a DJ/Master of Ceremonies I think it is important to include scripted announcements as part of the itinerary.
Also see: Your Master of Ceremonies; What Does He Do?
Collecting and organizing ideas is part of planning a successful event.
I look forward to speaking with you and working out an Itinerary Sketch.
Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann
Elegant Music 626-797-1795