Dominic Halpin’s Senor Blue video now on line

Click here to see the video

Your Day, Your Music, Your Memories – Wedding Entertainment

How many times have we been to wedding and there in the corner of the room is the DJ, his little domain filled with black and silver cases, cd’s mini discs, computers, all piled high around him , mission control armed and ready,  ready to unleash his barrage of  disco mania  at people he’s never met and will probably never meet again.

Introducing iWedding
Ipods have come along way since 2001, most people have at least one lying around or know someone with one. More and more are becoming the standard choice for parties and now we see them at weddings.
It makes total sense, collect all your favorite songs , create the playlists to suite , “Over Dinner”, Background Mellow”, 1970’s Disco, Dance floor Fillers, etc, etc, etc….

What this means is thats you dont have to worry about how the DJ might be feeling that day, will he play the right songs, will he mind playing past twelve, will he dress appropriately,  Ipods are you friends and the last few wedding Ive attended Ive seen a fantastic live band and then an Ipod during the breaks and afterwards, it makes sense to spend money on the band as thats what you want to make that special impression and create the perfect evening.

Ipod take a bullet to save a life.
When was the last time a DJ took a bullet for you, never and thats exactly what this Ipod did in Iraq , saving the soldier, another reason to go with Ipod.

For more Wedding Entertainment ideas visit www.dominichalpin.com

William Ellis has undoubtedly reached and surpassed all respective peaks of jazz music photographic reportage. His CV and accomplishments include the inaugural exhibition at the American Jazz Museum in Kansas City; an outreach programme of exhibitions about Jazz appreciation organised by the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC as well as several international exhibitions and inclusion in many private collections. Ellis is widely travelled in Africa, Europe and the Americas as a jazz photographer. The breadth and depth of his jazz photographs and their subjects are widely regarded as a significant archive of the international jazz scene across these continents.
Iconic images of Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, B.B.KIng, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Stan Tracey and Martin Taylor are just a few of the major figures in jazz portrayed in Ellis’s body of work.
Fine art prints and other media are available for purchase on the web site. william-ellis.com

Sir Cliff Richard is no easy act to follow but thats exactly what Dominic & the Boys did with their version of “A Taste of Honey” to celebrate Dora Bryan’s achievements at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London. A Variety of performances from Dora’s celebrity friends including a cabaret set from Brian Conley, Robin Cousins, Bobby Crush, Anita Harris,Zoe Tyler and many more made for a memorable evening.

Fourteen cool tunes recorded in true two track stereo. (one for each ear)
Finger snappin’, toe tappin’, make it a double and chill with this great must have CD, perfect for that dinner party for one, or that elevator ride that just keeps stopping on every floor.
So get your copy today.
Recording available from
www.domnichalpin.com & iTunes.

May 21st-22nd Breda Jazz Festival – Netherlands.

Also two cruises this year, one in November, one in December, see website for details.

Check out the best

North West Function Band

around

So you have decided to find the perfect entertainment for your corporate event or wedding but don’t know where to start? Here are a few ideas of what your entertainment options are.

Who are your audience?
The first step to choosing the right function band for you is to look at who will be in your audience. I know, this sounds obvious, but unfortunately more often than you think, wedding bands or function bands will be chosen by what the event organiser likes rather than what is actually appropriate! So, what will be the age range of your audience? Will you have guests who are keen dancers? Is your event a meet and greet occasion where you guests will want to spend their time networking and talking? Really think about what atmosphere you want to create with the entertainment and what function you have in mind for it.

Swing Band vs Disco Band
Two of the most common styles of corporate entertainment bands or wedding entertainment you will come across are Disco Bands ( or soul motown funk bands) and Swing Bands. Both have their place, strengths and weaknesses. A Disco Band or Soul Motown show is generally more apropriate for a younger audience and is generally a great option for a corporate event where you are looking for a “high power” show to get people motivated. One of the charms about a great Swing Band is that the music can appeal across ages and, in the right hands, can lead your audience from a gentle start to an outrageously fun end. With either choice, it is important for the band to have it’s own identity and flair, and an ability to create something far more exciting than just five or seven people playing at the same time!

One band suits all?
Another option is to go for the “All in one” function band that can cover a bit of everything – jazz as the guests arrive, swing music during the first part of the evening and then a disco / motown show at the end. There are some very good bands around that can do just this and they can be a fantastic way to offer something for everyone. Be careful though to check out these bands thoroughly before comitting to them for your event. A good function band should always have an opportunity for you to see them play live before you book. Often at someone elses event. There is no better way to really check out a band and see if they will be right for you. Make sure your band can do a bit of everything but be convincing at it all!

How do I find them?
A google search is often the best starting point to find the right band for you. Of course a personal recommendation is always worth exploring. There are also several very good wedding and event agents who can help guide you through the selection process and provide you with video and audio to help you make the right decision. Always ask to see the group live first before committing, either at a public show or at someone elses event.

Bookings and Contracts
A reputable corporate entertainment agent or wedding entertainment agent should have a standard contract prepared for you to sign upon making a booking. Whether you use an agent or not, a contract is essential so you and the function band know what to expect. Pay and pay process, performance times and the bands requirements – these are all details that need to be writen down to avoid issues.

Final Thoughts
Regardless of what you choose for corporate entertainment, please be patient and check out a bunch of acts before you commit. The right funciton band or corporate show can make a massive difference to your event.

Looking for the right function band for your upcoming corporate event? Choosing the right function band can be a confusing process with the sea of options available. Also, finding an act or artist that you have the confidence in to do a great job is equally difficult. Here are a few thoughts on choosing and booking corporate entertainment that I hope you will find useful.

What are my options?

Disco bands, swing bands, straight down the middle function bands, pop bands… the list seems endless and there is a never ending supply of options available. Popular choices include jazz bands or instrumental jazz groups, pianists or harpists for cocktail parties. Swing Bands, disco bands, function bands, funk/pop bands and big bands work great for larger events like an annual ball or company dinner. The challenge with larger events is finding something that will work with the audience you will be inviting to the event. A younger audience may respond better to a function band that plays a good selection of pop / current tunes. Where as a swing band is likely to appeal to a wider age range, particularly one that plays a cross section of music. An example of this would be Dominic Halpin and the Honey B’s – www.dominichalpin.com. Although largely thought of as a swing band, they also play a great selection of rock and roll and party tunes to get the audience up dancing. They also interact well with a mixed audience to connect with them.

Where do I start looking

A 5 minute google search will turn up hundreds of options for corporate entertainment or function bands. Personally I think getting the right entertainment that matches the theme / atmosphere of your event is so crucial that there really is no substitute for seeing a band live first before committing to book. This is the best way to really measure them up and see if they will work not only musically, but will look right for your event and are easy to work with and accommodating. A good band will generally have some public shows where you can see them – you never know, they may even offer free tickets for you and a friend to come see them and have a chat in the break!

Should I use an agent?

Even better than wading through the myriad of options presented by a google search is to get the help of an entertainment agency. A good agency can offer a personal consultation to help you work through your options and find the best solution for your event. Although there are a number of “supermarket” agencies out there that offer hundreds of acts of every style, It is my experience that a small boutique agency can generally offer not only better service, but more consistent quality acts.

But I want something really memorable!

Of course you want people to remember your event and be talking about it for months to come. A good agency can recommend some really different options for your corporate event. You may consider a dance troupe, a burlesque show, an orchestra (yes there are a few available and no better way to make a great impression!), or even a full big band with a singer. Once again, it is always preferable to see the performer live before booking to ensure you really do know what you are getting. At the least, a good performer / artist / group should have a video sampler to show you what they do.

Contracts and booking

Once you have found the ultimate group or artist for your corporate event, you need to get an agreement in writing with them to secure their services. Once again, a good agency can make this process very easy. Make sure you have a cancellation option. Often you will have a right to cancel without penalty up to a certain time before the event. Also, be sure the contract lays out exactly what the fee includes, i.e. number of sets and duration, can they play recorded music between sets, travel, production, lighting and of course VAT if applicable. It is common to secure the booking with a deposit of 20% to 50% of the total fee with the balance paid before the show. Don’t be afraid to question any clauses in the contract that you are not happy with.

Final Thoughts…

The right entertainment can really make the difference to a corporate event and be a great discussion point for weeks or months to come. Don’t be afraid to be bold and make a statement with your entertainment and get the help of a great agent to guide you through the booking process. Good luck!

North West Function Band

Dominic Halpin and the Honey B’s Swing Band : www.dominichalpin.com Perfect Wedding Entertainment

One of the most recognisable features of the great crooner Frank Sinatra is his hat – and a variety of them worn over the years.  Frank’s hat and the attitude with which he wore it has become an icon of the 50′s and 60′s and a symbol of cool sophistication and confidence.  Believe that? Well millions do and this is easy to see from the number of people imitating his look 50 years later!
So what exactly was Frank’s Hat?   He did wear a variety but to me the most popular, or most recognisable of Frank’s hats was the one he is pictured with on the cover of the 1957 album “Come fly With Me”.  Frank’s grey trilby (size 7 1/8) featured a wide silk band and was always worn with an attitude.  Frank was by no means the first guy to wear a hat! So what is the history of men in hats?

History of the Trilby

Right through the first half of the 20th century, hats were an important part of every man’s wardrobe in the USA.  Of course felt hats had been around for sometime but the fashion of wearing a hat really peaked through these years. The Fedora like that worn by Bing Crosby here, was a standard item of clothing for men, rich or poor where as the narrower brimmed trilby was a hat traditionally reserved for special occasions.

Traditionally these  hats were made from rabbit hair felt, but are now sometimes made from other materials, including tweed and wool. Both the trilby and the fedora have a deeply indented crown and a pinch at the front.

By the end of World War II, the trilby had become the most popular for wear with a suit or smart casual, and it continued to be commonly worn this way until hats stopped being everyday wear for men in about the 1960s. Ever since, the trilby has been a symbol of chic elegance and class.

Dominic Halpin and the Honey B’s are one of the contemporary swing bands that wear hats to capture that sophistication of the 50′s era. Wearing trilby and pork pie hats has become part of their onstage “uniform” and something they are recognised for.  Other artists from Justin Timberlake to Pete Doherty are also recognised for their usage of headwear.

Where can I get my perfect hat?

There are a bunch of traditional hatters around where you can get a selection of quality hats and the help to find just the right style.  The internet has been a revolution for anyone needing to find something out of the ordinary and in your quest to find the perfect hat it is indispensible.  In England one of the best places to start is the Whiteley Hats company who have helped me find hats for the swing band Dominic Halpin and the Honey B’s.  There are also a number of great stores in the USA like the Village Hat Shop in San Diego.

So there you go, a brief, hopefully interesting look into what Frank’s hat is about and responsible for.  Whatever your choice of hat I hope you wear it with pride!