Last night I went to go see Bodyheat and was not impressed at all!!!!! I thought they could not play any BigBand or Swing music. I saw The Original Phase Four band a couple of weeks ago. They were good but wanted $8,500 for reception and cocktail. Any suggestions out there!!!!!
The Franklin Wayne bands are much cheaper and very good. Take a look at www.franklinwaynemusic.com to see a profile on all of the bands. They have showcases weekly so call the office to find out when/where.
Also try www.skylineorchestras.com - slightly cheaper than FranklinWayne but also good.
I booked the original Faze 4 and they charged me $9000 just for the reception. Can you PLEASE tell me who quoted you $8500 and was that for a Saturday night in 2002??? I hoped I didn't get ripped off!! Thanks!
We booked the Times Square Orchestra for our Saturday afternoon wedding reception. I think we got a nice deal, but after much negotiating. It'll be about $4000.
www.timessquaremusic.com
We booked them and think they are a hidden secret. All the Frank Wayne bands are good - it was a toss up with them and Timpiece but Daybreak's Night catered more to our family style, but the lady singer has such a sensational voice.
We are paying $5000 for the 9 piece band.
My girlfriend is getting married on, Saturday, Nov. 10th...charging her $9,600. She told me that they were not flexible.....When I went to their showcase, they quoted me $8,250 for reception and two piece (piano & sax)at cocktail. I told them straight off the bat that they were crazy and they needed to work with me. They actually went down to $7,500......but I told them I wanted to see Play by Play (another band of Faze4). I was quoted by the Black Singer (I can't remember his name). If I decide to go with Faze4....I am gonna ask them to go lower.....the most I want to spend is $7,000. Did you see Play by Play????
I am getting married on a Friday but was told that it doesn't matter what day it is...they are always booked!!!!!!
Girl....I don't care if I portray myself as a poor slob......gotta find ways to save money$$$$$$$$$
Play By Play was my cousin's wedding band in 1999. They were about $4,000 back then. They were phenomenal, and kept the dance floor jumping all night.
When I was planning my wedding in 2000, I tried to book them, but their prices had gone up to about $6,900 for 10 pieces on a Sunday.
I think that is WAY TOO MUCH for a wedding band. (But, it's totally up to you, of course - it's your BIG day!)
However, there are definitely more reasonably priced bands that are just as good. I agree w/SonicStef - check out Franklin Wayne & Skyline. Also, The Mystic and Sorethumb are great local bands that would probably be really reasonable.
Good luck.
Thanks for the info. You are right they are always booked but they are definitely cheaper on a Friday night or Sunday than on a Saturday night. Thanks for the info - I know their Saturday night prices are outrageous - I am not rich just a big sucker!
We used Hear & Soul and they were phenomenal. They kep the dance floor packed and everyone was impressed they sounded like the original singers. Give them a call.
I went to see Faze 4 and for a Saturday night in July they quoted me $9000. We loved them and were going to book them on the spot but the manager snubed us and said maybe you should come back to hear some of our lower priced bands. We ended up booking Renegade. $6,800. Faze 4 was great and you'll love them if you booked them. They told us Faze 4 on a Friday night is $6,800. So I guess I got the same quotes as you. For people looking for a great lower price band Code Bleu is great.
They are a Hank Lane band.The price is right, and they sound great!If you want more info let me know.
Continued success to all..
I ask every band before seeing them what they charge. That helped me not fall in love with a band that cost over $5K. I just could not spend more then that on music. I booked East Coast for $4300, including a three piece jazz ensamble for cocktail hour. www.eastcoastband.com
They were very nice when I spoke to them on the phone and in person. They have MP3 and video samples on their site.
Don't feel pressure to spend more than you can. You will find a great band.
Good Luck!!!
Stay away from Hank Lane Orchestra.
I think they are about $4000 for a sunday afternoon for 7 pieces...they play bars as well so you can scheck them out there. They have a website, but I forget what it is ( maybe www.fullhouse.com ?) You get the better deal if you book the band directly rather than going through an agency. Unfortunately my hall is way too expensive and we opted to save and decided to go with a dj
I went to their website and checked out their song list. They seem pretty versatile. How may pieces is the band? Did you get to see them live??
I also saw them at a wedding last year. They were really good. I also went by the video, in person meeting and recommendations from this site. I think it is 7 pieces, drum, keyboard, singer, guitar, saxaphone, bass guitar, singer (?). I might have missed something. Call them directly, not through a band showcase place. Tom Zano 631-673-3641. By calling direct you save a lot of money because the booking agent is not involved. Good Luck. Let me know if you need more information.
We booked The Mystic. They are great! My future sister-in-law had them for their February wedding and they were amazing. There price was $4300.00 for an 8 piece band including horn section, male and female singer. You really need to see them in person though, their tape does not do them justice. Good Luck
I went to go see Timepiece and Baby Grand. My fiance and I thought Baby Grand was great but the girl singer was alittle weak. Has anybody used Baby Grand?? Another thing I like about Baby Grand...their price----$5,250!!!!!Also tonight, I am going to see Play by Play. I have seen about six bands....when will I be satisfied????
we used them ;-)
We'te looking for a band who specializes in the above- we want more old fashioned music...no disco, 80s or modern...any suggestions?
