Interactive DJs Dinner / Cocktail Songs

Like the Something Stupid song, almost always have someone comment on it when I played.

I use two other version of "Something Stupid" - The Mavericks and Trisha Yearwood or Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman - during dinner at receptions and get the "who's that" question a lot.

But both are really great sexy swaying romantic tracks.

I use two other version of "Something Stupid" - The Mavericks and Trisha Yearwood or Robbie Williams and Nicole Kidman - during dinner at receptions and get the "who's that" question a lot.

But both are really great sexy swaying romantic tracks.

I much prefer Instrumentals during Dinner/Cocktail Hour where the focus can be on the instruments and melody rather than the words. To me its a better blend than vocals. If its an elegant affair such as a Wedding, corporate party etc I like selections from Artists such as :
Andreas Vollenweider.............Harp Music
Dave Koz..................................Sax
Wynton Marsalis..........................Trumpet
Peter White............................Guitar
David Sanborn......................Sax
Warren Hill..............................Sax
Kim Waters............................Sax
Esteban................................Classical Guitar
Alex Bugnon............................Piano
Keith Jarrett............................Piano
Candy Dulfer..........................Sax
Rick Braun...............................Trumpet
Mindi Abair...............................Sax
Kofi.................................Piano
Waymon Tisdale....................Guitar
Jeff Kashiwa.........................Sax
Praful..................................Sax
Joyce Cooling...........................Guitar
Chick Corea...........................Piano


For Modern Jazz with a Hip Hop flair try the Hidden Beach Recordings
For Older Traditional Jazz there is also John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck. Scott Joplin, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, Count Basie etc

Dare to be different get rid of the la la songs and be elegant!

There is nothing like walking into a ballroom and hearing just elegant refined music at a Cocktail Hour. Think in terms of what clients use for Live Music at Dinner hours.....Harps, Trios, Pianists, Guitarists etc. Rarely do they use singing groups. Leave the vocals for dancing! Forget the same ole same ole. :triwink:

If anyone wants actual name pick songs by the above artists I will be more than willing to post.

I used to use instrumental jazz stuff during dinners at elegant events, but many times I would get guests coming up and asking to "pick up the pace" a little.

I never got complimented using instrumentals, but with what I've been using for the past few years, I've gotten many.

So it boils down to what works for you, what your clientele prefer and how you want your reputation to be viewed.

dunlopj said:

I used to use instrumental jazz stuff during dinners at elegant events, but many times I would get guests coming up and asking to "pick up the pace" a little.

I never got complimented using instrumentals, but with what I've been using for the past few years, I've gotten many.

So it boils down to what works for you, what your clientele prefer and how you want your reputation to be viewed.

Click to expand...

We are not talking old hum drum Jazz. This is an example of a few great "fast pace" Jazz


[video=youtube;76kd984x5bU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76kd984x5bU[/video]
[video=youtube;E3Xerqh0tjA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3Xerqh0tjA[/video]
[video=youtube;qHyA7OrxVtI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHyA7OrxVtI[/video]

ahoustondj said:

I much prefer Instrumentals during Dinner/Cocktail Hour where the focus can be on the instruments and melody rather than the words. To me its a better blend than vocals. If its an elegant affair such as a Wedding, corporate party etc I like selections from Artists such as :
Andreas Vollenweider.............Harp Music
Dave Koz..................................Sax
Wynton Marsalis..........................Trumpet
Peter White............................Guitar
David Sanborn......................Sax
Warren Hill..............................Sax
Kim Waters............................Sax
Esteban................................Classical Guitar
Alex Bugnon............................Piano
Keith Jarrett............................Piano
Candy Dulfer..........................Sax
Rick Braun...............................Trumpet
Mindi Abair...............................Sax
Kofi.................................Piano
Waymon Tisdale....................Guitar
Jeff Kashiwa.........................Sax
Praful..................................Sax
Joyce Cooling...........................Guitar
Chick Corea...........................Piano

Click to expand...

you are subconsciously putting your guests in the mood to sleep....zzzzzzzzz.....wha? sorry took a look at that playlist and nodded off again

mikemerlin said:

you are subconsciously putting your guests in the mood to sleep....zzzzzzzzz.....wha? sorry took a look at that playlist and nodded off again

Click to expand...

That is not a playlist my friend. Thats is a list of Artists from which one can choose songs to be played during Dinner/Cocktail hour. I see by your knowledge that you know a lot about Contemporary Jazz. :triwink:
Tell me how this would put you to sleep?
[video=youtube;nU4dBBHwnPY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nU4dBBHwnPY[/video]

Personal comment: I know nothing of jazz other than I hate it and if I heard at a wedding during dinner/cocktail I would wan't to shoot myself. I admit it. I don't get Jazz. It all sounds the same to me...like classy porno music.

Professional Comment: Jazz is polarizing. Either you love it or hate it which is why I won't use it at an event.

mikemerlin said:

Personal comment: I know nothing of jazz other than I hate it and if I heard at a wedding during dinner/cocktail I would wan't to shoot myself. I admit it. I don't get Jazz. It all sounds the same to me...like classy porno music.

Professional Comment: Jazz is polarizing. Either you love it or hate it which is why I won't use it at an event.

Click to expand...

Professional Rebuttal:
I got news for you dude, EVERY genre of music has its variations including Jazz. If you pick songs that are easy to recognize or has a beat that is real catchy, it is easy to get a crowd involved. I don't just play the same old same old or a playlist handed to me by a client. On the contrary, I discourage clients handing me playlists. A few requests are OK and maybe a few "do not play" songs.
A DJ should be open to all genres of music because its all about the client not about the DJ. I am at home with just about any genre, Classical to Country. I play the best of each genre.

These are just some --not all in a row but from time to time

Avenue Blue--Pick Up The Pieces
Viva De funk--Joe Sample
China Girl- David Bowie
Ain't no mountain High enough--D. Ross
Boogie Oogie--Taste of Honey
Rock your baby--George McCrae
(Depending on the age group loop the end a couple times)-Day is Done --Peter, Paul, & Mary
Begin the Beguine--Julio Iglesias
Plus all the wonderful ideas on this page!

I've recently started playing "Aretha" - Rumer at during cocktails and dinner. Canute, you'd like this one? Have you heard it? Also, dare to spice things up a little during dinner and cocktail hour by playing some Latin instrumental. I sometimes use music of Brazil, and have even migrated toward some Italian instrumentals, too.

At one wedding quite a few years ago the Groom's parent were Scottish and they had come dressed with kilts and stockings. Just so happended that I had some Bag Pipe Music in my Cocktail Hour play box. Dinner was just about over and I wanted to quickly transition into the B&G's program, so I played this Bag Pipe song which went over really well..."Play The Game" by Tommy Scott's Pipes & Bango Band. Pretty cool song...if you like Bag Pipes. Needlesstosay, I got everyones attention. After things got going, the Groom's father came over and said how much he appreciated playing the Scottish music.
Check out Green Hill Music for some great instrumental Cocktail and Dinner tunes.

ahoustondj said:

I much prefer Instrumentals during Dinner/Cocktail Hour where the focus can be on the instruments and melody rather than the words. To me its a better blend than vocals. If its an elegant affair such as a Wedding, corporate party etc I like selections from Artists such as :
Andreas Vollenweider.............Harp Music
Dave Koz..................................Sax
Wynton Marsalis..........................Trumpet
Peter White............................Guitar
David Sanborn......................Sax
Warren Hill..............................Sax
Kim Waters............................Sax
Esteban................................Classical Guitar
Alex Bugnon............................Piano
Keith Jarrett............................Piano
Candy Dulfer..........................Sax
Rick Braun...............................Trumpet
Mindi Abair...............................Sax
Kofi.................................Piano
Waymon Tisdale....................Guitar
Jeff Kashiwa.........................Sax
Praful..................................Sax
Joyce Cooling...........................Guitar
Chick Corea...........................Piano


For Modern Jazz with a Hip Hop flair try the Hidden Beach Recordings
For Older Traditional Jazz there is also John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck. Scott Joplin, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Duke Ellington, Count Basie etc

Dare to be different get rid of the la la songs and be elegant!

There is nothing like walking into a ballroom and hearing just elegant refined music at a Cocktail Hour. Think in terms of what clients use for Live Music at Dinner hours.....Harps, Trios, Pianists, Guitarists etc. Rarely do they use singing groups. Leave the vocals for dancing! Forget the same ole same ole. :triwink:

If anyone wants actual name pick songs by the above artists I will be more than willing to post.

Click to expand...

Houston I'm with you man, works great for corporate or weddings, plus this gives them some time to get happy at the bar and such,, one time a caterer told me to pick up the music a bit , during dinner/cocktails my reply was you do the food I'll do the music, and they got wild a little later,,

[video=youtube_share;jKmm4oP8e9I]http://youtu.be/jKmm4oP8e9I[/video]

I'll let you guys in on my wedding secret.......Zamfir's acid classics! Check out the video. ;-)

Best,

Paul

Outsatanding song list

Chuck The DJ said:

The Combined List Of Songs...

Paul Weller - Early Morning Rain
More Today Than Yesterday - Spiral Staircase
The Love Of A Woman - Lionel Richie & Enrique Eglesias
Upside Down (Curious George Soundtrack remix) - Jack Johnson
Stealin' Kisses - Ben Harper

Jason Mraz - I'm Yours
David Sanborn - Bang Bang
Bobby Caldwell - Come Rain Or Come Shine

Joe Satriani - Your My World
Nightmares on Wax - "Nights Interlude" (new age electronica)
Jerald Daymeon (jazz violinist)

Build Me Up Buttercup - The Foundations
Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye/Tami Terrell
We Can - Leann Rimes
Your Love Is Lifting Me Higher - Michael Mcdonald
Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond
Be My Baby - Ronettes
Signed, Sealed, Delivered - Stevie Wonder
Rise - Herb Alpert

Feels Good - Chuck Mangione
8th World Wonder - Kimberley Locke
Beautiful Soul - Jesse McCartney
Here With Me - MercyMe
Latin Quarter - Marc Antoine
Out of the Blue - Mindi Abair
Ain't That a Kick In the Head - Dean Martin
Michael Buble - Everything
To Be With You - Mr. Big
The Search Is Over - Survivor

Get Down On It - Wayman Tisdale
Sway - Pussycat Dolls
Forward Emotion - Pieces of a Dream
Groovin' High - Arturo Sandoval

All Nite Long - Lionel Richie
Tiny Dancer - Elton John
Saturday In The Park - Chicago
You Make Me Feel Like Dancin

All Nite Long - Lionel Richie
Tiny Dancer - Elton John
Saturday In The Park - Chicago
You Make Me Feel Like Dancin

Cecelia
Me and Julio
Kodachrome
Sweet Caroline
Forever in Blue Jeans
Bubble Toes

Come Undone - Duran Duran
People Gonna Talk - James Hunter
Hold You in My Arms - Ray LaMontagne

Wild Night - Van Morrison
Baby Got Back - Richard Cheese
Better Together - Jack Johnson

Maxi Priest - Wild World
Ne-Yo - Because Of You
Toto - Africa

Luther Vandross - Power of love
With Plenty of Money and You - Tony Bennett & Count Basie
Moondance - Van Morrison

Oyo Como Va (4:14)
All My Life (3:38)
Come Away With Me (3:06)
Sway (3:04)
Caught Up In The Rapture (3:56)
Don't Stop Believin' [1981] (4:03)
First Time (4:08)
Moondance (4:07)
Rhythm Is Gonna Get You (3:54)
David Archuleta - Crush (3:25)

Zoot Suit Riot (3:49)
Could I Have This Kiss Forever (Metro Mix) (3:53)
Alicia Keys - Prelude To A Kiss (1:58)
Peabo Bryson - Can You Stop The Rain (5:09)
Smooth Jazz Does The Divas - Greatest Love Of All (4:32)
Walking In Memphis (4:06)
Gregory Abbott - Shake You Down (3:56)
Jennifer Lopez - Let's Get Loud (3:57)
Ready For The World - Love You Down (4:22)
Enya - May It Be (3:26)
Black Velvet (4:38)
Buster Poindexter - Hot Hot Hot - Big Band (4:03)
You Can Do Magic (3:43)
Shania Twain - You're Still the One (3:30)
Regina Belle - Make It Like It Was (4:58)
Malo - Suavecito (Single Edit Version) (3:15)
Brad Paisley - She's Everything (4:17)
Sail Away (5:03)
I Could Fall In Love (4:28)
Usher - U Remind Me (4:25)
Ding-Dong Daddy Of The D-Car Line (3:25)
The Manhattans - Shining Star (4:30)
Daughtry - Home (4:09)

Click to expand...

You forgot just one that is really fun near the dinner--Sir Duke

CAPTJACKJFB said:

You forgot just one that is really fun near the dinner--Sir Duke

Click to expand...

ALSO, these fun songs go over quite well near the end of dinner when you begin to pick things up--Moonlight Feels Right; "I'd Really Love to See You Tonight" and this time of year "Cool Night" by Paul Davis

Cheers.

one of many resources we have thanks to subscription company
mainstay of buffet and meals that always work...from slow to lively...
swing 1
1 Dean Martin - "That's Amore"
2 Doris Day - "Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera)"
3 Tony Bennett - "(I Left My Heart) In San Francisco"
4 Louise Armstrong - "What A Wonderful World"
5 Vic Damone - "It Had To Be You"
6 Frank Sinatra - "My Way"
7 Nat King Cole - "Smile"
8 Bobby Vinton - "Blue Velvet"
9 Louise Armstrong - "We Have All The Time In The World"
10 Bobby Darin - "Mack The Knife"
11 Dean Martin - "I'm Sitting On Top Of The World"
12 Nat King Cole - "Let's Face The Music And Dance"
13 Frank Sinatra - "Stranger In The Night"
14 Perry Como - "Magic Moments"
15 B.J. Thomas - "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head"
16 Nancy Sinatra - "Sugar Town"
17 Frank Sinatra & Sammy Davis JR - "Me And My Shadow"
18 Frank Sinatra - "They All Laughed"
19 Al Martino - "Spanish Eyes"
20 Doris Day - "Move Over Darling"
21 Engelbert Humperdinck - "A Man Without Love"
22 Petula Clark - "Downtown"
23 Roger Miller - "King Of The Road"
24 Nat King Cole - "Let There Be Love"
25 Dean Martin - "Sway"
26 Andy Williams - "Can't Take My Eyes Of You"
27 Shirley Bassey - "Big Spender"
28 Chris Montez - "The More I See You"
29 Frank Sinatra - "You Make Me Feel So Young"
30 Andy Williams - "Can't Help Falling In Love"
31 Frank Sinatra - "The Lady Is A Tramp"
32 Bobby Darin - "La Mer (Beyond The Sea)"
33 Dean Martin - "Memories Are Made Of This"
34 Tony Bennett - "Have You Met Miss Jones?"
35 Sammy Davis JR - "Candy Man"
36 Louise Armstrong - "Ain't Misbehavin'"
37 Bert Kaempfert - "A Swingin' Safari"
38 Andy Williams - "Music To Watch Girls By"
39 Nancy Sinatra - "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'"
40 Perez 'Prez' Prado - "Guaglione"


swing 2

1 Nancy Sinatra - "BANG BANG"
2 Bing Crosby & Louis Armstrong - "GONE FISHIN'"
3 Engelbert Humperdinck - "RELEASE ME"
4 Andy Williams - "CAN'T GET USED TO LOSING YOU"
5 Dean Martin - "WHEN YOU'RE SMILING"
6 Matt Monro - "BORN FREE"
7 Dusty Springfield - "THE LOOK OF LOVE"
8 Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters - "DON'T FENCE ME IN"
9 Nancy & Frank Sinatra - "SOMETHIN' STUPID"
10 Nina Simone - "AIN'T GOT NO - I GOT LIFE"
11 Engelbert Humperdinck - "THE LAST WALTZ"
12 Nina Simone - "MY BABY JUST CARES FOR ME"
13 Frank Sinatra - "WITCHCRAFT"
14 Louis Prima & Keely Smith - "JUST A GIGOLO/I AIN’T GOT NOBODY (MEDLEY)"
15 Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong - "LET'S CALL THE WHOLE THING OFF"
16 Shirley Bassey - "KISS ME, HONEY HONEY, KISS ME"
17 Perry Como - "CATCH A FALLING STAR"
18 Dean Martin - "LITTLE OLE WINE DRINKER, ME"
19 Peggy Lee - "FEVER"
20 Dean Martin - "VOLARE"
21 Dean Martin - "AIN'T THAT A KICK IN THE HEAD"
22 Dean Martin & Helen O'Connell - "HOW D' YA LIKE YOUR EGGS IN THE MORNING?"
23 Frank Sinatra - "I'VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN"
24 Frank Sinatra - "COME FLY WITH ME"
25 Bobby Darin - "DON'T RAIN ON MY PARADE"
26 Nat 'King' Cole - "ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE"
27 Bing Crosby - "SWINGIN' ON A STAR"
28 Tony Bennett - "PUT ON A HAPPY FACE"
29 Frank Sinatra - "BAD, BAD LEROY BROWN"

standard evergreen classics that always seems to work..

maybe to old for your custom..but works in uk

just put on and let it run