Depending on the nature of your event, you may not be looking for an act that’s going to take centre stage or dominate the attention of your attendees. For this reason, the most successful live music for most corporate events is often jazz. In this article we will explore the history of this musical art form, its evolution through the years and why The Talent is best-suited to jazz up your next event.

History of Jazz

Jazz is one of the truly great American inventions. The genre originated alongside the blues traditions of the African-American communities of New Orleans in the late 19^th century. While not specifically derived from the blues, Jazz was initially closely related to this genre. But whereas blues has always been defined by a certain type of chord progression, Jazz is much harder to define; its range is so broad, encompassing everything from ragtime and swing to modern fusion and new world music. Jazz is most definitely its own thing.

How Jazz Has Evolved Through the Years

Since its inception well over a century ago, various different styles of Jazz have evolved. Like with the blues, which evolved into rock and roll and its countless permutations, Jazz has also evolved into numerous and varied styles. In a similar manner to the evolution of blues, Jazz has also grown beyond the geographic and ethnic boundaries of its inception to be embraced and appropriated by people from all races, ethnicities and walks of live.

Jazz had its humble beginnings in the ragtime music of the late 19^th century, as championed by the piano prowess of Scott Joplin. Around the turn of the 20^th century, as ragtime continued to grow in popularity and morph into other musical forms, some of the most notable jazz legends were born, including Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Cole Porter.

In the early 20^th century Count Basie began his illustrious career, ushering in a rich and exuberant era of big-band swing, which was soon followed by the likes of Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman. By the 1940s, Jazz was all the rage in America and throughout Europe, boasting styles as varied as big-band swing and the bebop of Charlie Parker to the Gypsy Jazz of Django Rheinhardt.

Artists such as Thelonious Monk, Dave Brubeck, John Coltrane and Miles Davis pioneered the bridge between what we now think of as these more traditional forms of Jazz and its more modern styles, laying the groundwork for the genre’s contemporary interpretations and incarnations. From the reverent homage paid to its rich and vibrant history to the exploration of new forms within the genre, jazz continues to thrive today.

Jazz musicians continue to push sonic and cultural boundaries, creating ever new styles by continuously bridging cultural and ethnic divides, uniting the world through their artistic expression. In fact, one could even argue that Jazz, more than any other form of music, is a universally accepted and accessible genre of music that speaks to and is a reflection and expression of all cultures and ethnicities. So, what better music to bring together and unify your office than some honest to goodness jazz?

How We Can Jazz Things Up

With jazz, the possibilities for themes and dress are endless. Whether you want a more intimate or toned-down vibe or full-blown, lindy-hopping bash, our 3-12-piece band is just the ticket for a fun-filled night that’s fuelled by old school glamour and upmarket jazz. If you only have the budget for a small venue, you might opt for the lounge-like ambience of a 2 or 3-piece jazz ensemble. Whereas, if you’re going all out for the annual office Christmas party, you might want to hire a large dance hall with a sprung wooden dance floor, perfect for swing dancing; this would be the ideal job for our very own 12-piece big band.

For jazz band hire in London and throughout the UK, The Talent provide the perfect accompaniment to your special event. We offer a wide range of ensembles capable of playing an equally wide array of styles within the genre, from sultry torch songs with just a singer and a piano to jumping and jiving big-band swing that will have everyone dancing the Charleston (or at least trying to).

The post Jazzin’ Up Your Next Corporate Event first appeared on The Talent.

The Music of Swing

You might be thinking that the swing genre should be out-of-date by now if it peaked in the 1930s, but swing has evolved with the entertainment industry. You can find swing in modern genres such as traditional pop music, jump blues and bebop jazz. Modern swing includes swing house, electro swing and swing pop, and is associated with the revival of the lindy hop style.

Swing is a form of music that is made to get people up off their chairs and dancing, which is perfect for a party with a dancefloor in mind, so if you’re looking for music that will get your party roaring, you’re looking for swing.

You can find all of your favourite Christmas hits retold through the medium of swing. If you’re looking for the cutting-edge of swing, you should look specifically for electro swing. Electro swing combines the influences of vintage swing with modern genres such as house and hip-hop.

Swing Costume

If you’re looking for swing-style attire advice, you need look no further than Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of The Great Gatsby. The Great Gatsby is set in America’s roaring 20s, which is technically a little before the height of swing, but Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation uses a lot of swing-inspired music and will be recognised by many as an icon of swing in popular modern media.

You can make the aesthetic of the roaring 20s Christmassy by advising your guests to wear traditional holiday colours such as gold, red and green, whilst maintaining the flapper style worn by women and the sharp suits worn by men.

Invitations

Before you get the party started, you’ll want to make sure that everyone knows your party’s them and where and when it will take place. Rather than sending out a boring email, why not spend a little time getting people excited by some beautifully crafted invitations? If you are going with the Gatsby theme, then you can mimic its promotional material in your invitation designs – just change the colour scheme to red and green to add some Christmas spirit!

If you’re not using the Gatsby theme, you can use image editing software to decorate your own invitations with graphics of popular swing instruments surrounded by festive themes – think of saxophones with santa hats, or a piano draped in tinsel!

Decoration

Choosing the décor for your Christmas swing party is tantamount to the music if you want to get your guests in the dancing mood. For a roaring 20s’ theme, remember extravagance; think ostrich feather displays in the centre of your tables, and then bedeck them with pearl strings and spray them with perfume.

Detail is important for the perfect swing Christmas – don’t skimp out on the Christmas crackers or forget the effect that service plates can add to table décor. Balloon arches will also add to your extravagant party image. Swing is about instinct and impulse, so keep adding decorations until you feel satisfied.

Christmas is a fantastic opportunity to really bring your business, family or friends together. If you’re holding a party to remember, make it a little different and consider doing a swing-themed event. We have the perfect swing band hire in London for your event, so get in contact with us, if you have any further queries or want to request a quote.

The post How to Host a Swinging Christmas Party first appeared on The Talent.

October is the new November

Sure, Autumn’s only just begun – yes, there are still leaves on the trees – but step inside any shop and what do you see? Christmas décor galore! The point is, it’s never too early to start planning your company’s Christmas party. If you’re planning something with as many logistical moving parts as a corporate party, you’ll want to give yourself as much time as possible.

First things first, you’ll want to establish the date and time of the party. The best way of doing this is to send out provisional dates and times to all staff and let majority rule. Once you’ve got a date and time set for your party, you’ll next want to put together a guest list; knowing how many people are actually planning on attending will inform how big your budget will need to be.

Rallying the Christmas (Party) Elves

The next logical step is forming a Christmas party committee. This allows you to share the responsibility of tasks ahead as well as bounce ideas off each other. It’s important to pull in members from various departments so everyone in the company feels represented. Lastly, don’t be afraid to delegate responsibility, rather than trying to take everything on yourself.

Just as Santa would do with his workshop elves, you shouldn’t shy away from putting your little helpers to work. Just make sure that each person on the committee knows exactly what he or she is responsible for – the best way of doing this is to assign each task in writing through a shared document. Put one or two people in charge of food and beverages, another person in charge of entertainment, and so on; there’s also venue hire, decoration, transportation – these can all be assigned to individuals or groups. By assigning these various tasks to other people, you’re able to better manage and oversee the whole project.

How Big is Santa’s Budget?

Nailing down the party’s budget early on is crucial, as everything else will depend on this. Just like with the initial stages of planning, the sooner this can be done, the better. In allocating budget, your boss is going to want to know how many are planning on attending and what you’re planning on spending your budget on, so be ready have cost projection for every aspect of the party. An invaluable asset in putting this estimate together is talking with former Christmas party planners to find out how much was spent on previous Christmas parties. Don’t be haunted by the ghosts of Christmas parties past; be sure to take note of what’s worked in the past, and what hasn’t.

Once you’re ready to present this information to your boss, you should be able to get the maximum spend per person. Now that you have your overall budget, make sure your boss and everyone on your team are clear on exactly what costs will be incurred: food, drink, entertainment, transport, venue rental, decorations. Next, you’ll have to assign budgets for each of these aspects so that your elves can work their magic.

Unless your company already has an appropriate space, finding the right venue can be a daunting and time-consuming undertaking. The sooner you start looking, the more choices you’ll have. The size of the budget and guest list for your Christmas party will obviously dictate to a large degree the type of space you’re looking for. Also knowing your party’s theme and whether it will be a daytime or evening event will inform your choice of venue.

Deckin’ the Halls without Wreckin’ Laws

Just as important as having a dedicated and creative team in charge of decorations and set-up is delegating a crew who are responsible for break-down and cleaning up the venue after the party. Make sure everyone on your clean-up team knows in advance (and in writing) what their role is. Your hired venue might be able to help out with clean-up afterwards, but this is definitely something you need to have figured out early on in the planning stage.

Another very important thing to consider is whether or not you will arrange transportation to and from the event. It’s important to have a contingency plan for when Santa and the elves have imbibed a few too many Christmas spirits at the end of what will undoubtedly be a very successful party. Providing a shuttle or taxi service from the event could be a necessary spend to avoid any unnecessary accidents or mishaps. Make sure any relevant transport information is made readily available to everyone attending well in advance of the party.

Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree

Last, but most certainly not least, having the right live music can make or break a corporate Christmas Party (or any party, for that matter!). ‘Tis the Season to be rocking, swinging or swaying (or whatever you like to do to your favourite music). Regardless of what kind of band you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered. From our amazing repertoire of 500 plus songs to our flexible line-up, we’ve got the Talent for your event.   We’ll have all the elves in your workshop rockin’ around with Christmas glee.

If you’re looking for corporate band hire in London this holiday season, contact us today to find what The Talent can bring to your next Christmas Party.

The post 5 Tips for the Perfect Company Christmas Party first appeared on The Talent.

Road-tested Experience of Rock Star Legends

With 15 years of industry experience and over 1000 successful gigs in the last 5 years alone, we bring with us a multifaceted wealth of experience as seasoned musicians and performing entertainers. Many of our shows come from word of mouth, and we have no lack of positive testimonials – there’s good reason why we pride ourselves on being one of the busiest party bands in Europe. Performing regularly around the globe at many high-profile private and corporate functions, we have the kind of confidence and on-stage presence that can only come from years of experience. Some of our past corporate clients include O2, the BBC and Barclays.

Polished, Professional Quality without the Prima Donna Ego

Having performed with the likes of Robbie Williams, CeeLo Green and Tony Christie, each member of The Talent is a professional and seasoned musician and performer in his or her own right.  However, when you combine all of that talent together into one cohesive band, the results are stunning. As a band, we have performed with the likes of Labyrinth, Bonnie Tyler and Soul 2 Soul, in venues like Royal Albert Hall and Wembley Arena. With our own state-of-the-art PA and lighting systems, together with the raw energy we bring to our live performances, our sound and stage show is unparalleled. Our client testimonials speak for themselves; if you’re looking for a high-energy and high-quality band for your event, look no further than The Talent.

Vocally Versatile, Musical Chameleons

Perhaps the most crucial thing we bring to our corporate gigs (and what really sets us apart from the competition) is our ability to adapt to the needs and wishes of our clients. We offer a variety of different acts – from an acoustic duo to a 12-piece band – as well as various musical styles – from jazz and acoustic to rock and top-forty party music. You choose the line-up and the music that’s right for the needs of your venue and event. In addition to this dynamic flexibility, we also assure our clients that no two sets are ever the same; everything we play is based on audience reaction and feedback, unless it’s already been decided with the client beforehand. With an ever-growing repertoire of 500+ songs and five lead vocalists to choose from, we offer a band for every occasion.

Get your party started!

In addition to our trademark versatility, we are known for our high-energy, on-stage performances. Regardless of the type of band or music you choose for your event, you can rest assured that we will deliver a performance that is filled with style and verve. We have the right look, the right moves and, above all, the right sound for all types of popular music. In addition to this, we know how to work a crowd; we can make ourselves the life of a party or fade discreetly and gracefully into the background of a larger event, depending on the needs of our clients.

There are lots of cover and tribute bands out there, but few have the experience, professionalism, flexibility or showmanship that we consistently offer. With us, you know you’re going to be getting a professional, top-quality act that offers bespoke entertainment. We literally have The Talent for your corporate band hire.

The post What The Talent can bring to your Corporate Event first appeared on The Talent.

The post NYE in Abu Dhabi first appeared on The Talent.

Who doesn’t love hearing a Christmas song to get you in the festive spirit? Continuing the trend of our monthly new releases,
have listed December new releases and Christmas classics which have made it back into the charts.

River – Eminem ft. Ed Sheeran

The King of Rap and the harmonising Ed Sheeran have teamed up for this song that has instantly topped the charts. The combination of these two singing legends have undoubtedly created a brilliant tune that will be in the charts for months to come. You can’t help but sing along to this number one.

All I Want for Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey

When you think of Christmas songs, this is one of the first that will pop into your head. This Mariah Carey classic will be overplayed, but every time it comes on you love to sing along! This has the feels to instantly get you in the festive mood, and it will be played on every Christmas party playlist.

What a Christmas song this is! This is by far one of the most popular Christmas songs sung by the late George Michael. This has everything a Christmas song should, and it will undoubtedly be played on repeat throughout December. Being such a classic, it’s no wonder it has found its way back into the charts.

This song has the power to get everyone singing along to it no matter where you are. The famous beat and rhythm the song brings spreads joy no matter where you are you. This is a favourite amongst many Christmas songs, and it is another which is played at every Christmas party. Every December it makes its way back into the charts, and it’s a welcome addition to the charts!

One of the Christmas songs which has been remade and copied throughout the years, but none are as famous or loved as the 1984 original. Do They Know It’s Christmas is a song which pulls at your heartstrings with a positive beat, pleading for people to give to the less fortunate at Christmas time. A whole host of famous singers combined to create this wonderful hit, including Bono, Phil Collins, Boy George, George Michael, Sarah Dillon and Siobhan Fahey to name a few.

As a wedding band in London, we have the pleasure of making sure you’re on the dancefloor, with many of these songs playing! We love to perform at a variety of events, spreading joy throughout the room. If you would like to know more information about our band options, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us today, and we would be happy to help! We would also like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The post New Releases – The Best of December first appeared on The Talent.

Tip #1: Know Your Budget – and Stick To It

Having a budget is essential for any event planning, and you should always stick to it. It can be tempting to spend a bit more on this or on that, but sticking to your budget will allow you to have a bit extra in case of emergency.

Tip #2: What is Your Event?

Depending on the type of your event, you might choose to have a six-piece band or an acoustic duo. If you’re planning a corporate event, a more mellow and jazz band might be the right one for you. You might even decide to have an opening band and a closing act, ensuring that your audience is entertained.

Tip #3: Know Your Audience

Knowing your audience is a step towards choosing the right type of music. The age range of your audience and your event are what will help you to decide on the right band that you should hire. If your event has a younger clientele, then you might need a band experienced in edgier music. If your clientele is older, then you might require music for other decades to entertain your crowd. Keep the music personal to what your audience will prefer!

Tip #4: Consider Your Theme as Inspiration

Your event theme is great inspiration for your ideal band, but you shouldn’t restrict yourself to it. Having music alluding to the theme is always fun and engaging but your audience is likely to get bored. Both variations of music and songs that get the crowd dancing are ideal.

Tip #5: Work With a Professional Band

Above everything, hiring a professional band will make sure that your event goes smoothly. A band with experience in events, such as The Talent, will give you a wide range of music options. From a 500 song repertoire and experience in playing all over the world, The Talent provides you with the flexibility you’re looking for. Able of performing as an ultimate 12-piece show band or as a three-piece rock and pop band, you’re sure to find the solution that fits your event perfectly.

To arrange corporate band hire for your event, you can click here or get in touch with our team on +44 (0)1206 820212 or +44 (0)7950 729708 to know more about our services.

The post 5 Top Tips to Choose the Right Band for Your Event first appeared on The Talent.

As such, we’ll show you some examples of when we had to step out of our London shell and show the rest of the world what we care capable of.

The Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi

This had to be one of the best things that we achieved in 2016 and possibly even in 2017, but we’ll have to wait and see about that. We were asked by The Fridge, an event planning company based in Dubai, to be a part of their New Year’s Bash in the Emirates Palace, a luxury hotel just by the edge of the Persian Gulf.

One reason it was so special to be a part of such an amazing and beautiful event was because we will be joining an array of world-renowned artists that have played at these venues in previous years; Coldplay played there in 2009, Rihanna in 2010, Shakira in 2011, and now The Talent in 2016.

The Roundhouse, Camden Town

We have played at the Roundhouse quite a few times now; if you aren’t familiar with it, it’s located near the Chalk Farm tube station near Camden Town. The venue itself boasts creativity (with it also being a theatre as well as a concert venue), and now it was our time to be as creative as everyone else that has performed there.

Last November, we were asked to perform at the Roundhouse at the end of the month for a corporate event, but it wasn’t just for any business; it was for John Deere, the agricultural manufacturer. The night itself was to celebrate the John Deere UK and Ireland division for their 50^th birthday.

All we can say is that it was a massive success. Plus, it was a great way to show that we are more than capable of playing at professional corporate events, as well as fun events and weddings.

What Have We Got Planned for the Future?

Well, let’s just say that 2017 will be a big year for us. We have very recently been in Venice, where we performed at the absolutely stunning Palazzetto Pisani, a boutique resort that offers a four-star hotel service, as well as having a fantastic opportunity for a band or group to make themselves shine in the spotlight.

Thanks to our friends at Bands For Hire and Venice Events, we will be performing at this stunning venue, and that’s not all this year, so make sure to check out our social media, especially Facebook and Twitter, to get the latest news and updates on where we will be playing in the upcoming months.

We are so excited for the year to come, and we can’t wait to share it with all our fans around the world!. We love to play for an array of events, whether it is for a spectacular wedding day, or for a corporate business event, so if you are looking for a fantastic band for hire in London, then we are here to help.

If you want to know what we can provide for you, then please don’t hesitate to contact us today on 01206 820212 and we will be more than happy to help. We look forward to seeing you in 2017!

The post Spotlight on: The Talent’s Events first appeared on The Talent.

Choose a Cosy Venue

With a distinct nip in the air, choose a warm and inviting venue for your corporate event this autumn. Pick a venue with large, open windows in a scenic setting so you can view the colours of the season outside.

Your venue should be big enough to accommodate the number of guests and be equipped with all the facilities you will need for the occasion. Make sure it’s easy for all guests to reach with good transport links.

Consider a Theme

To get into the spirit of the season, why not choose a theme? A Halloween or harvest event is an obvious example, but simply adding elements of autumnal colour, such as rich reds, golds and oranges, to the room’s decor can give a subtle nod to this time of year. You can also choose dishes, drinks and canapes that reflect the bounty of this season’s produce.

Plan Ahead

You need to be well organised when planning a corporate event to ensure all aspects run smoothly. Get started as early as possible and let everyone know the date of the event as soon as you can. As well as organising the venue, you may need to consider other aspects such as catering, organising speakers, hiring equipment, and marketing the event.

Entertainment

Even if your corporate event has important business matters at the core of its agenda, it’s always a good idea to inject a bit of fun or entertainment into the occasion. This will make it memorable and encourage more people to attend. Outdoor activities are great for summer events, but during autumn, the weather can be unreliable. Instead, choose indoor entertainment, such as a live band, which is always universally appealing.

As an experienced band of talented musicians who have performed at many functions, The Talent can help bring your corporate event to life this autumn. Contact us to make a booking today.

The post How to Plan the Perfect Autumn Corporate Event first appeared on The Talent.

However, things going wrong when planning an event isn’t a rare occurrence – in fact, it happens more than you may think! Here are just some of the things to watch out for to avoid event planning failure!

Key People Drop Out

It doesn’t matter what the event is in aid of, there’s always going to be key people that you will want to attend. You may even plan your event completely with them in mind.

However, life happens and it may work out that your key person can no longer make it – or may even arrive a little later than planned. If this happens, it’s important not to lose your head and start cancelling plans.

If it is a corporate event, try and have someone else lined up should there be any last minute cancellations so that your event can carry on as planned. It may require a bit of ad-lib on their part, but if you give them enough warning that they might have to step in should your key guest have to drop out, it is generally just as successful.

If you feel like travel plans will be an issue for your guests arriving, make sure to give them enough time to arrive for their slot without needing to rush; ask them to confirm their travel plans with you in advance so that you can have a god idea of when they will be able to arrive and how long they expect the journey to take.

Technology Fails You

It’s every event planner’s worst nightmare; everything else up to the point of the event starting has gone smoothly up until you’re about to start and the microphone won’t work, or your projector won’t play ball.

Technology can be extremely temperamental, so it’s important to make sure that you have a run through with all your technology beforehand to ensure that everything seems to be working in order. This means testing every piece of equipment – including USB drives – that will be used during your event.

The Weatherman Was Wrong

Predicting the weather is often one of the most difficult aspects of event planning, so if you’re holding an outdoor event, it can often go one way or the other – you have perfect weather on the day, or the heavens open.

Rather than worrying about “what if it rains?” , plan an alternative solution that can easily be implemented at short notice. Church halls or having a marquee as a backup are two viable ideas, but it does really depend on the type of event you are holding and, more importantly, how many people you will be expecting.

Event planning doesn’t need to be difficult; every possibility needs to be covered and plans need to be in place should something go wrong unexpectedly. Luckily, The Talent are a reliable live band with years of experience in performing at events. We understand the importance of preparation and last minute run throughs, so if you’d like us to perform at your event, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.

The post Top Things to go Wrong When Planning an Event first appeared on The Talent.