PRIVATE EVENTS

GENERAL INFO

Are you a discerning party planner looking for a different, yet high-class approach to the music for your event? Are you looking for some real dancefloor excitement? I separate myself from the rest of the mobile DJ pack in that I have real club experience (i.e. I blend and beatmatch records well, not simply play an unconnected string of songs from CDs using cheesy digital fades like most mobile professionals) and better insight into not just the music that is right for your event, but how that music is put together. A sense of flow and dynamics informs all my DJ work. I pride myself on playing the right song at the right time, paying close attention to what came before it and what comes on after it. To the uninitiated, this may seem like a minor detail, but it makes all the difference on the dancefloor.

That said, I do not consider myself 'clubby.' Nor do any of my satisfied clients (check the testimonials). I know what's appropriate for the crowd I am playing for. Whether it is bossa nova for a cocktail party, classic rock for a corporate event, old school funk & disco for a wedding, or the latest hip-hop for a house party.

Convinced? Get in touch with me through my Contact page. If not, read on...

It takes talent and experience to DJ any event properly. I am sure if you are reading this, you've attended events where they've hired a professional DJ and thought, "I could do that with an iPod." Check out this ADJA-produced video of an iPod wedding reception and think again. With apologies to the newlyweds depicted, it is a bit painful to watch, but the ADJA makes a good point.

A little Q&A courtesy the Washington Post...
Recently David Malitz at the Washington Post wrote a Going Out Gurus blog entry about hip wedding DJs. He asked me a few additional questions that didn't make the article, so I thought I'd publish them here.

1.) How would you describe your specialty/normal set?
When I play the clubs, I focus on funk, latin, funky breaks, downtempo, disco and hip-hop. Its eclectic and deep but definitely cohesive and always aimed straight at the dancefloor.

For a wedding, I still bring my wide-reaching, eclectic approach but I mix in more classic tunes (and some current hits) that are going to get everyone on the dance floor. I think it is a very user-friendly sound; it is solidly funky and danceable but touches on all those classic genres that have broad appeal: soul and funk, Motown, 80s pop, classic hip-hop. And I am always refining my sound, coming up with new blends that keep it fresh. And working with my clients to make sure their favorites songs are included brings in other elements. So it is always different.

2.) What do you play when you want to give the parents (even grandparents) something they can dance to?
This relates directly to my eclectic approach; I am keenly aware that I've got a much broader audience at my wedding gigs so I try to include something for everyone. Parents are always down with 60s Motown, Otis Redding, Beatles, Stones, some disco. And I've been by-and-large very fortunate to work with very, very cool couples who've got very cool parents! They're often right out there on the floor with the young folks, getting down to Estelle and Daft Punk.
Grandparents always appreciate being able to dance as a couple. So I'll get into some slower tunes for them: Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Nina Simone, Astrud Gilberto and bossa nova in general, big bands like Les Brown, Duke Ellington, 50s ballads... Santo & Johnny's "Sleepwalk" is a personal couple dance favorite. And when they're ready to swing, some Louis Prima always fits the bill.

3.) Traditional and non-traditional first dance songs that you'd recommend?
There are so many wonderful songs to choose from that go far beyond the usual fare like Etta James' "At Last" by or Elvis' "I Can't Help Falling in Love With You." Those are undeniably great songs and are obviously classic for good reasons. But I feel the more personal the song is the better. I always advise couples to dance to something that really means something to them, even if it isn't something that everyone is going to know. Last October a couple chose "Into My Arms" by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds as their first dance, which was really gratifying for me since I've been a Nick Cave fan for a long time. A few years back, a couple chose "Here We Go" from the Punch-Drunk Love soundtrack by Jon Brion. That was very unique and very cool; they had really refined musical tastes and knew exactly what they wanted, which I definitely appreciated. Other notable songs include Paul McCartney's "Maybe I'm Amazed," Otis Redding's "These Arms of Mine," and The Zombies' "This Will Be Our Year." They've got real emotion and are touchingly beautiful.