Post # 1

Member
247 posts
Helper bee
Hello bee-
We hired a jazz trio (instrumentals only) to play during our ceremony. They sent us a song list of about 50 songs, but said they will play whatever we desire. I haven’t heard many of the songs they listed.
Do you know any great jazz-y songs that would be good for a ceremony (processional, etc)? I am so lost!
Thanks!
Post # 3

Member
2534 posts
Sugar bee
Have you sat down and listend to the songs they provided?
Like, look them up on YouTube and see which ones you like/don’t like.
Make a playlist and listen to them, and check off the ones you like. You’ll probably narrow it down significantly.
It will be hard for us to give suggestions without knowing what’s on your list or not – 50 songs is a LOT.
Post # 4

Member
247 posts
Helper bee
@CakeyP: I didnt yet because they pretty much said “the sky is the limit”. The 50 songs is just a suggestion. They said they’d learn anything we asked. I was just wondering if any came to top-of-mind for anyone 🙂
Post # 5

Member
2534 posts
Sugar bee
@Bridebee13: Ah, what a tempting thing to say! “The sky’s the limit!”
I’d give the songs a listen first – you never know what you might find!
Since we haven’t found any music yet (yikes!) we have to sit down and listen through the list of 100 song suggestions our DJ gave us 😛
I think our processional will be Kevin Kern’s “In my Life,” but it’s a piano piece.
My jazz tops are pieces like Take Five and Watermelon Man… unless you’re doing some very funky processing in, those won’t work. 😛
Post # 6

Member
247 posts
Helper bee
@CakeyP: Thanks so much! Yes, maybe I will listen to the songs and narrow down the processional songs and create a poll. Its too hard with infinite choices!!
Post # 7

Member
7652 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
@Bridebee13: Darling Husband and I had our first dance to What a Difference a Day Made by Jamie Cullum (although I think it is an older Jazz song). Maybe worth checking out. I would take PP’s idea of listening to what they have and narrowing them down as well OR you could go to a music store and they usually have books there with sample cds so you can listen to what it sounds like.
Post # 8

Member
216 posts
Helper bee
What A Difference A Day Made (Dinah Washington/Sarah Vaughan), They Can’t Take That Away From Me (Ella Fitzgerald/Frank Sinatra), Embraceable You (Sarah Vaughan/Etta James), ‘Deed I Do (Lee Wiley/Diana Krall), You Go To My Head (Billie Holiday Frank Sinatra), Our Love Is Here To Stay (Dinah Washington/Ella Fitzgerlad), Cheek To Cheek (Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong/Sarah Vaughan), ‘S Wonderful (Sarah Vaughan/Ella Fitzgerald), When I Fall in Love (Miles Davis), My One and Only Love (Joe Henderson). Lots and lots of great jazz standards/ballads that are wonderful for both ceremony and reception!
Post # 9

Member
216 posts
Helper bee
Additionally, if they say that they will do anything, that generally means they would be willing to arrange any song that you and your Fiance love in a way that works for the group’s instrumentation. Let them know about any songs you love regardless of genre, and they will let you know if they can arrange it for the setting!
Post # 10

Member
247 posts
Helper bee
@Jazzylove: thanks so much this is so helpful!
Post # 11

Member
3258 posts
Sugar bee
What sonsg do you need – processional and what else? What kind of feel do you want for each one?
Might I also suggest finding a Jazz message board and asking for suggestions there?
@Bridebee13:
Post # 12

Member
2076 posts
Buzzing bee
- Wedding: June 2014 - British Columbia
What instruments are your jazz trio playing?
I’m having Fiance include some Django Reinhardt for jazz pieces — it would sort of help with providing a “vintage vibe” too. (Guitar gypsy jazz)
Look up the song Minor Swing on YouTube
If one of the trio members play piano, I suggest looking any Oscar Peterson’s songs or any of George Gershwin’s.
Other slow jazz-ish songs,
At Last by Etta James
For entrance music, I think “Some Day My Prince Will Come” is also a nice jazz instrumental number.
Post # 13

Member
2115 posts
Buzzing bee
@Bridebee13: I’m assuming you like jazz as you wanted a jazz trio. What songs do you already know and like? That’s where I’d start.
Post # 14

Member
5979 posts
Bee Keeper
@Bridebee13: Honestly, I just told my professional musician this, “you’re the professional and have done this more often than me. I trust you to choose the music you think will set the best tone. For refrence, I really like fun, mellow music such as Jason Mraz.” (We had a beach wedding).
Totally eliminated the stress of having to choose songs! Maybe it’s my background as an HR person and a manager, but I just don’t see why I would make so many small decisions for my vendors. They are professionals, they can do their jobs.
Post # 15

Member
1635 posts
Bumble bee
I walked down to Grover Washington’s Mr. Magic.
Post # 16

Member
2076 posts
Buzzing bee
- Wedding: June 2014 - British Columbia
@Bridebee13:
Jazzed up Bridal March: http://youtu.be/axaDGOWiB8M
Here’s a cute mash of the classic two wedding songs:
Let’s Swing the Wedding March
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YK0wYclFIU