Hire a jazz trio in the changeable British Summer to put your guests in a relaxed mood, whatever's happening with the weather.  Jazz trios in London are really popular for a whole host of events, and Liquid Strings regularly supplies jazz bands of various sizes (but often trio) for private parties, corporate events and weddings.

Here's a photo of the brilliant jazz saxophone player Dee with her trio - live jazz from Liquid Strings in the wedding of Johnathon and Klaudia in Merchant Taylor's Hall - another superb wedding venue in London that really benefits from live string trio or jazz band (in this case, we provided both - and a London  wedding DJ).
Live jazz creates a relaxing but sometimes lively atmosphere and enhances an event - Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, Miles Davies, Cole Porter - all great tunes for summer and let's hope the weather lends a hand also....

String Quartet in The Mayfair Hotel

We've just had our second engagement in the stunning Mayfair Hotel - Rebecca created a surprise 60th Birthday party for her mum.  As well as playing Happy Birthday, we'd been told that she was a huge Cliff Richard fan, so jumped from everyone singing along to Happy Birthday onto Congratulations, which went down especially well with her in the surprise moment.

The current vogue is for pop covers on string quartet.  Quartets like the Vitamin Quartet in the States have meant that there are lots of string quartet versions of pop songs here online.  Many of these are unavailable to purchase as sheet music, but we have some brilliant arrangers - so nothing is beyond us.  Recent new versions of Toxic by Britney Spears and a Michael Jackson medley are going down a treat in weddings and corporate functions.  Our quartets love playing them as well - it's a break from classical music and they're as much to play as to listen to.

Hiring a wedding string quartet from us in London couldn't be easier - all the wedding string quartets for hire are simply booked and then leave the rest to us - or create your own playlist for the big day!

Wedding Fair Richmond Hill Hotel

We are really excited to be meeting new brides and grooms to be in Richmond tomorrow morning. I am going to be answering any questions about how to best use live music in your wedding, whilst Louise is going to be playing beautiful music on her harp.

Do come and say hello if you're local - it's going to be packed full of great exhibitors, and we're looking forward to a great day! There are loads and loads of musicians for hire for weddings in London and the surrounding region.

Our Gospel Singers are singing in High Wycombe today. It is an event organsied by Janssen-Cilag and Johnson and Johnson in aid of Positively UK for World Aids Day. 9 singers and a keyboard player will bring the venue alive with their superb singing.

We are delighted and honoured to be involved with this event, and hope that the auctions bring in much money for this incredibly important charity.

Visit London Awards and More

We have just provided a great string quartet for the Visit London Awards at Westfield Shopping Centre. The piece was by Marc 01, who is a tenori-on expert. For those not aware (I, for one was not), this is a Yamaha instrument that looks and sounds very futuristic. You get some idea from the photo here. We played a straight version of Beethoven's 5th through microphones at the very start of the evening. Half way through, the beats kicked in, and the tenori-ons appeared. It was great fun, and we enjoyed working for SML Events - who were a lovely bunch of people, and created a great event!

Other unusual events were a recent Faroe Islands fashion event in Digitaria, Soho - where I played some highly unsual music by Sunleif Rasmussen. It was great, and whoever says people in fashion are superficial can eat their words. I've played this kind of music before - and usually, audiences cannot handle it for longer than a couple of minutes. I was amazed that these guys actually watched, as if it was a concert. Humanity faith-restoring stuff indeed.

Wedding string quartets are still hard at work, with December bringing weddings in Marble Hill House, Richmond - and Great Fosters Hotel, Twickenham - to name but two.

And the string section for Liquid Strings is hard at work with more concerts for Ioannis's Doxa Deo Church. We are looking forward to this, and on the same night, Julian and his jazz trio are perfroming at Radisson Edwardian Hotel, Bloomsbury Street. And we haven't even started the Xmas rush yet (sorry I mentioned the X word....)

New artists for Liquid Strings inculde a fantastic cello and dancer act, (perfect corporate entertainment for Christmas parties), a wonderful Big Band for hire and an amazing new gospel choir, who really have to be seen to be believed - but are amazing singers. They are ideal for weddings, parties and big events. Have a listen on their page.

News and Tips for Events

Please feel free to add any comments/suggestions, or fire a question if you wish!

RECENT EVENTS

• Wedding Reception and Dinner in 'Home House' private members club.
• String Quartet to play for Sultanate of Oman in a Gala Dinner at Muscat, Oman.
• 60th Birthday Surprise Party string duo in Carvasso's Restaurant, Chiswick.
  

NEW ACTS

The best of our new acts are -

• Brazilian Samba Band (see above)
• Electric violin and keyboards/turntables duo with Cafe del Mar style music (see above)
• Hannah 30s style Swing Singer
  

MUSIC FOR EVENTS TIPS/IDEAS

Small is beautiful!

During the recession, we have been offering our clients budget-busting alternatives that still look and sound fantastic.

For example, if the event is not that large and you cannot afford to book a string quartet, why not book a string duo? The combination of violin and cello looks great, and most essentially, it sounds great as well. It can sound as good as a string trio, but is of course cheaper!

A solo musician doesn't have to be an expensive harpist (and if the harpist is not expensive, beware!). It can be a more economical cellist, jazz or classical guitarist.

An amplified function band can be exorbitant, but if you're looking for a cheaper alternative for live, amplified music for events, ask us about our jazz bands. Some of the combinations (ie trio with female singer) can be very reasonable and flexible in their fees.



With Best Wishes,
Brian

February

Recession means there is belt tightening from most - the demand has been for less musicians per event. So, duos and soloists are suddenly in demand. The imagination of people inquiring creates new possible duos. We were just about to provide a violin and cello duo for a surprise 60th Birthday Party, when the unexpected snow intruded on plans - and it was postponed until March.
March also brings a wedding in London - and the bride has asked for a solo flute for the wedding. We are happy to oblige, and Eva will be playing Mozart, Pachelbel and Delibes for the happy couple on their very special day. So there has been less demand for string quartets for weddings and events. Although we do have some advance bookings for July and December - organised people who know what music they want.
Not everyone does though, and that's why Brian is more than happy to try and offer advice and practical tips on what live music works for which kind of event. So call Liquid Strings today and get some expert advice on how to make an ordinary event beautiful with extraordinary live music.


"Music gives a soul to the universe,
wings to the mind,
flight to the imagination,
and life to everything."
~ Plato ~