Answers to frequently asked questions
Black Market Jazz Orchestra
The size of BMJO is normally a 6 piece smallest. This is the foundation of the band consisting of drums, bass, keyboards, sax and a male and female vocalist. These musicians are always a part of any size of band you choose. This is the size of the band we use at the Top of the Mark Hopkins Hotel.
From there we add a guitar player to become a 7 piece. The next size up is a 9 piece when we add a trumpet and trombone. This is the most common size we perform as. We generally do 2 other sizes. When the look and sound of a big band is preferred, we perform as 12 pieces by adding 3 more horn players, a trumpet and 2 more saxes giving us a total of 6 horn players. Of course if you would like a true big band we do the real deal and perform as 20 pieces. This configuration is authentic big band in sound and style. The group then is 5 saxes, 4 trombones, 4 trumpets, 4 rhythm, 2 vocalists (male and female) and we add a conductor. That makes us 20 pieces. For large corporate shows we can add strings and back up singers. We have performed as a 30 piece orchestra and customized the music for shows we designed. Chrysler and Hilton Hotels had us write shows for them in this largest configuration. No matter wat size of band you choose, we play the same music. We have written charts for the band to perform so in every size of the band the songs would be performed the same. The sound will get bigger as you add members.
We will learn one song for your event. Unless the song is not within the scope of the bands ability to perform the song. We would be happy to learn more but there would
be a fee for the time it would take for us to write the chart and learn it.
We always make announcements.
We wear all black suits. Tuxedo if requested. We can provide white dinner jackets for an
additional charge and coordinate colored ties to match your events colors.
Stage sizes:
12' deep by 16' wide (6, 7 and 9 piece)
16' deep by 24' wide (12 piece)
24' deep by 30' wide (20 piece)
We always provide a PA adequate to cover a room of about 250 people. Lights would
be an additional charge and works for the same size of room.
Power needs: Generally 2 dedicated clean 20 amp circuits. Nothing else can be plugged into the outlets that the band uses. Especially lights. If you need the bands lights 2 additional dedicated circuits are best. When needing slightly larger sound and lights to
cover a room of up to 500 people 4 clean dedicated 20 amp circuits will still work, but the band may need to bring additional equipment.
We provide a wireless microphone.
We play CD's or an iPod during breaks. You can give us CD's to play.
The band does need to eat. Box lunches are not acceptable.
4 hours is the usual length of the bands performance.
We can provide solo piano, duo, trio or a quartet for cocktails. Generally this is a trio and consists of keyboards, bass and sax. For a quartet we add drums. There is an additional
charge for this if it is outside the 4 hours contracted for the band. We also use these configurations for a Wedding Ceremony.
We perform all over the United States. There is an additional fee for traveling and expenses such as airfare, hotel rooms, meals and backline must be paid for by the purchaser. Backline is guitar and bass amps, keyboards and amp, and drums. A sound system will also need to be provided which would include microphones for the singers
etc. We have an equipment list and tech rider that can be provided that is specific and
detailed if requested.
If there is a question or concern that has not been addressed here. Please feel free to email or call.