Who should I hire for my firm function?

[Blumie]

I have been charged with arranging entertainment for a firm function in Miami in early April. What better way to get warmed up for JazzFest?

I don't have a huge budget, but might be able to stretch it to $25k, which opens up a lot of possibilities. The audience will be 200 law firm partners and their spouses (400 total) ranging in age from mid-30s to mid-60s. (In other words, I need someone with broad appeal.)

Here are my options so far:

Terrance Simien
New Orleans Klezmer Allstars
Ribirth
New Orleans Jazz Vipers
Buckwheat (although he might break my budget)

What do people think? Any others I should consider? In answering, please remember that I need someone with broad appeal. (Unfortunately, that ruled out Cowboy Mouth and Morning 40 Federation for me!)

[Rossvegas]

Blumie, you might be surprised what 25-30K can buy you in terms of NOLA talent right now!

Given the demographic, I would definitely add these to your list:

Kermit / Rebirth
Ingrid Lucia
C.J. Chenier (much better alternative than Buckwheat IMHO!)
Rockin Dopsie Jr. (They'll eat him up!)
Deacon John

That should get you started!

[jhjpotter]

Henry Butler, John Boutte, PBS, Dirty Dozen

just some intitial ideas i had

[grisgris]

Sunpie Barnes
New Orleans Underdawgs
Hot 8 Brass Band

[ibjamn]

You could probably get a Neville Brothers reunion for 25K. How much "energy" do you want at your party? If there is to be dancing, I think Ingrid would be a little mellow.
Ross had some good suggestions. You could prolly get Kermit, Rebirth AND Rockin Dopsie for your money.

[jhjpotter]

You could probably get a Neville Brothers reunion for 25K. How much "energy" do you want at your party? If there is to be dancing, I think Ingrid would be a little mellow.
Ross had some good suggestions. You could prolly get Kermit, Rebirth AND Rockin Dopsie for your money.
Can i Come? :D

[Rossvegas]

Jenn, the Nevs aren't even taking those huge-paying casino gigs anymore...I really doubt that 25K is gonna cut it in this case. Also, I figured that they might open up with someone like Ingrid and then put on some Kermit/Rebirth and then top it up with a little Dopsie...that sounds like fun!

[ozzie]

Jenn, the Nevs aren't even taking those huge-paying casino gigs anymore...I really doubt that 25K is gonna cut it in this case. Also, I figured that they might open up with someone like Ingrid and then put on some Kermit/Rebirth and then top it up with a little Dopsie...that sounds like fun!

Sounds like a plan!

[Rossvegas]

Hey, for a couple of grand, I'm pretty sure you could hire a raucous pack of threadheads to heat the joint up a little...

[ozzie]

That much?

[grisgris]

Hey, for a couple of grand, I'm pretty sure you could hire a raucous pack of threadheads to heat the joint up a little...

Just give us free Abita beer & we are there, as long as it don't interfere with JazzFest.

[Rossvegas]

(Shhh...it's a negotiating tactic. By the time we're done, we'll have settled for a bowl of jambalaya and a handful of beer coupons, but Blumie doesn't need to know that.)

[swag]

Given the demographic, the only band in your original post I'd suggest is the Vipers. I'd stay away from most zydeco and funk-style brass bands as not having a sound accessible to the unfamiliar (stereotypical) law firm type.

Rockin Dopsie is an exception, he does a lot of crowd pleasing rock covers. Kermit's not a bad suggestion either. Deacon John, Marcia Ball, Tab Benoit. Charmaine Neville. Would Irma fit the budget. maybe?

[PaulC]

I woke this morning and once again my firm was functioning just fine,.. and for free....

[Blitzzzzz]

Given the demographic, the only band in your original post I'd suggest is the Vipers. I'd stay away from most zydeco and funk-style brass bands as not having a sound accessible to the unfamiliar (stereotypical) law firm type.

Rockin Dopsie is an exception, he does a lot of crowd pleasing rock covers. Kermit's not a bad suggestion either. Deacon John, Marcia Ball, Tab Benoit. Charmaine Neville. Would Irma fit the budget. maybe?

I think the Vipers opening for Marcia would be just about perfect. The old folks and the swing dancers would love the Vipers and they would loosen up the room, then Miss Marcia could rock the joint, but tastefully so. You should be able to do that, and still have cash for the deli trays and the Threadheads!
P.S. Hey Blumie, welcome to the new board. I still have my wristband!:cool:

[Corona]

Papa Grows Funk would be a great headliner for later in the evening...some funk/jazz would be perfect for a group like that. They aren't crazy expensive- a couple thousand I think. John Boutte would be beautiful for traditional Nola music. Kermit is always a blast with his Louis style stuff....the Vipers are cool The Kelzmers are cool but a pretty hardcore sound. Marcia is great as is Joe Krown Organ Combo if you want so cool groovy funky jazz.

So in a nutshell I'd do this"
John Boutte OR Joe Krown Organ Combo
Kermit
Vipers
Papa Grows Funk

If you want a cool band that can do the good Nola funk AND some great zydeco...Gumbohead from St. Louis is a GREAT band for not too much money. They played the T-head patry last year and everyone loved them. We have contact info for PGF, Joe Krown, Kermit and Gumbohead if you need it okay?
I'm one of the Talent committee people for the Threadhead Patry.
Sounds fun!

[Amy Winette]

I have been charged with arranging entertainment for a firm function in Miami in early April. What better way to get warmed up for JazzFest?

I don't have a huge budget, but might be able to stretch it to $25k, which opens up a lot of possibilities. The audience will be 200 law firm partners and their spouses (400 total) ranging in age from mid-30s to mid-60s. (In other words, I need someone with broad appeal.)

Here are my options so far:

Terrance Simien
New Orleans Klezmer Allstars
Ribirth
New Orleans Jazz Vipers
Buckwheat (although he might break my budget)

What do people think? Any others I should consider? In answering, please remember that I need someone with broad appeal. (Unfortunately, that ruled out Cowboy Mouth and Morning 40 Federation for me!)

Hey, I'm a lawyer and I would vote for Cowboy Mouth! Okay, but I agree the partners probably wouldn't dig it. Lucky folks, we always get crummy cover bands. Based on the partners at my firm, I agree that Zydeco or Brass Band might be a bit much -- the more traditional (yet still fun!) suggestions others have made would probably be better.

[Carolina Beadhead]

I have been charged with arranging entertainment for a firm function in Miami in early April. What better way to get warmed up for JazzFest?

I don't have a huge budget, but might be able to stretch it to $25k, which opens up a lot of possibilities. The audience will be 200 law firm partners and their spouses (400 total) ranging in age from mid-30s to mid-60s. (In other words, I need someone with broad appeal.)

Here are my options so far:

Terrance Simien
New Orleans Klezmer Allstars
Ribirth
New Orleans Jazz Vipers
Buckwheat (although he might break my budget)

What do people think? Any others I should consider? In answering, please remember that I need someone with broad appeal. (Unfortunately, that ruled out Cowboy Mouth and Morning 40 Federation for me!)

I'll put in a vote (or 2) for Terrance. He has been the Zydeco/LA music introduction for MANY a virgin soul, including me... and the main reason I discovered Jazz Fest.

[mightyradgumbo]

So in a nutshell I'd do this"
John Boutte OR Joe Krown Organ Combo
Kermit
Vipers
Papa Grows Funk

If you want a cool band that can do the good Nola funk AND some great zydeco...Gumbohead from St. Louis is a GREAT band for not too much money. They played the T-head patry last year and everyone loved them. We have contact info for PGF, Joe Krown, Kermit and Gumbohead if you need it okay?
I'm one of the Talent committee people for the Threadhead Patry.
Sounds fun!

I like your lineup, Corona. The thing about most corporate functions I have been to is that the non-patry people tend to go home earlier. So you prolly want to cater your lineup to a good smooth sound during cocktails and then after dinner when the dancing commences start out jazzy but fast then increase the funk. I wish we had you arranging the entertainment for my company.

[indywaiter]

You should really consider New Leviathon Oriential Foxtrot Orchestra. They are a Jazz Fest Staple (30+yrs and counting). We absolutely love them and check them out every year at the fest. I think it would be a big hit at your event. A unique act to say the least.

[Tpat]

I've talked with a variety of booking agents about booking their bands for private gigs and have booked several. Private party gig fees are very much related to the artist's touring schedule. If they are already in your area and your party falls on a day that the band would be sitting around in a motel room waiting for their next gig, the fee might be surprisingly low. If they have to go out of their way to play your gig and possibly lose other gigs in and around their hometown or good paying gigs elsewhere because they accepted your out-of-town gig then the price goes up. If you call the booking agent for say, the Iguanas, Bonerama, Mofro they will likely quote you a $7500 to $10,000 fee for a private gig . . . if they're not already in your area. I booked the Iguanas some years ago for a private party in San Antonio and they were relatively cheap because they were playing Austin the next day. Your cost might also involve furnishing the PA system as most bands do not travel with a PA system; so include at least $1500 in your budget as the cost of the PA. A lot of bands have riders to their contracts specifying the PA system that they require at their gigs. The best (and cheapest) way to do this is to make of list of who you'd like and then try to find out who on your list is in your area around the time of your party.

[Zydemo]

Hot 8, Kermit, or some good ole local Zydeco - Keith Frank (he does waltzes) something for everyone!

[Blumie]

I'll put in a vote (or 2) for Terrance. He has been the Zydeco/LA music introduction for MANY a virgin soul, including me... and the main reason I discovered Jazz Fest.Thanks for your input everyone. Terrance has always been near and dear to me, too. I spoke with some of my partners and they definitely were inclined to go less conservative rather than more so. So I chatted with Terrance today, who was incredibly excited that I had thought of him, and he's just got to check with Cynthia to confirm that the date works. I'll report back.

[Corona]

oh that's so cool Blumie!!! His bass player is a friend of mine..Will. Those guys are one of the MOST professional Louisiana bands I have ever seen. They make me happy just watching them play no matter how many times I have seen them. Hope they can do it!! :)

[gumbohead1]

Hey Corona:
Thanks for including us in your list. We appreciate the endorsement!

At the risk of tooting our own horn, we could certainly supply a broad range of tuneage (I'm not sure it gets much broader than us -- zydeco, funk, jazz, blues, brass band, boogie-woogie, swamp rock and traditional Mardi Gras music) and we would probably be the low-cost option. Just get us there, supply backline, feed and drink us, and let us make a little spending cash, and you've got the perfect taste of NOLA. We love Miami in April!

Tim
gumbohead@mac.com