For many couples, the wedding soundtrack is crucial in setting the ambiance and tone for their special night. For those seeking an atmosphere of sophisticated elegance, joy, and timeless romance, a live wedding jazz band is often the best choice, allowing guests to interact with musicians and experience the artistry behind the instrumentation. Although the term “jazz band” encompasses a diverse range of ensemble types — from big band jazz to soft swing — more often than not, a wedding jazz band utilizes the same core instrumentation in their offerings, using their skills as musicians to create the perfect atmosphere for both newlyweds and their guests to enjoy.
Whether you opt for a small, intimate jazz trio or a larger jazz ensemble, wedding jazz musicians offer a great deal of experience, professionalism, and artistry in delivering the best possible experience. Here, we will explore some of the most common instruments in wedding jazz bands and their role in curating your ideal wedding soundtrack. Understanding the typical instruments in wedding jazz bands early in your wedding planning will help you appreciate their distinctive sound and consider how their musical talent can enhance your special night.
Defining the “Wedding Jazz Band”
The term “wedding jazz band” can encompass a variety of ensemble types. Ranging from small trios to big bands or vocal ensembles. Depending on your ideal wedding vibe and music preferences, different ensemble sizes can be more impactful to your experience than others. A few different types of wedding jazz bands may include:
Jazz Trios: Typically consisting of a piano or keyboard, double bass, and drum set, jazz trios offer a lighter, more foundational jazz experience — perfect for supplementing conversations during social interactions, such as cocktail hour or dinner.
Jazz Quartets: Often including a saxophone or guitar in the trio, jazz quartets expand the melodic capabilities of the foundational jazz experience, creating a richer texture of music.
Jazz Quintet: Frequently featuring an additional saxophone or trumpet into the mix allows for more dynamic arrangements and solo opportunities. Jazz quintets often give their audiences more to listen to, with captivating solos and exciting melodic lines.
Swing Bands: While a full big band may be too large for the traditional wedding environment, smaller swing band ensembles can replicate the ambiance of swing-era music and deliver upbeat and exciting music for guests to dance to. Swing bands typically include more horns, such as trumpets or trombones, or a lead vocalist to sing the lyrics of popular swing tunes.
Vocal Jazz: One of the most popular types of wedding jazz, vocal jazz ensembles feature a lead vocalist at center stage, supported by a jazz instrumental lineup. Jazz vocalists can be accompanied by any size ensemble — trio, quartet, quintet, or big band.
Regardless of the specific terminology of your wedding jazz band ensemble, the core focus of wedding jazz musicians is to enhance your celebration by elevating the atmosphere and ambiance, creating an experience that caters to the couple’s preferences while simultaneously exceeding their expectations.
Exploring Live Wedding Jazz Instrumentation Types
Without instruments, creating the optimal jazz experience can be tricky. Each instrument used in wedding jazz is integral in maintaining sound quality and curating the ideal ambiance and atmosphere for your wedding celebration. A few instruments to familiarize yourself with include:
Saxophones
Often the most recognizable instrument in jazz ensembles, the saxophone, in its various forms (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone), remains a cornerstone of many wedding jazz bands. Its versatility allows it to blend into the other instruments of the ensemble seamlessly, creating opportunities for saxophone solos or main melodies to emerge and then slowly blend back into the ensemble to make room for the next melodic line or soloist. The rich tone of the saxophone is often warm and expressive, adding a romantic touch to ballads or serenading guests during dinner hour.
A skilled saxophonist can build the energy and excitement of the room, interacting with guests through creative melodies and improvisational rhythms during well-known tunes. The adaptability of saxophones allows musicians to stay innovative and flexible in their approach to reading the room — fulfilling all requests, from the smooth sounds of bossa nova to the upbeat rhythms of swing and blues-infused jazz.
Double Bass or Electric Bass
Whether in its acoustic form as an upright double bass or an electric bass, this instrument provides the essential harmonic foundation and rhythmic pulse for any wedding jazz band. As jazz's deeper, more rhythmic element, the bass provides the root notes and essential chord tones, providing the music’s framework for other instruments to fill in. The bass plays a crucial role in establishing the groove and tempo of the music, propelling the music forward with a singing feel.
Bassists play an essential role in wedding jazz by creating opportunities for melodic counterpoints and rhythmic interplay, engaging in a “conversation” between the other instruments in the ensemble.
Drum Kit
As the rhythmic backbone of any ensemble, the drum kit provides jazz music's essential pulse and feel. Drum kits typically comprise a bass or kick drum, snare, hi-hat, crash cymbal, and 3-4 toms. In jazz, drum kits normally set the tempo, with subtle fills in between melodic lines.
Drummers are an integral part of jazz instrumentation. They lead the ensemble through the music and provide cues for musical transitions.
Piano or Keyboards
The keyboard, usually a piano or digital piano, is a versatile instrument that provides harmonic richness, rhythmic support, and melody to a wedding jazz band. Piano music's rich harmonies color the music, adding texture to the ensemble. Operating both as a solo and countermelodic instrument, keyboards play an integral role in maintaining the overall rhythmic drive of the music.
Keyboardists exhibit a high level of talent and skill, delivering intricate improvisations and showcasing their technical skill and musical creativity. As an integral part of jazz, keyboardists are often highly versatile, adapting to any form or style of jazz that may come their way.
Vocals
Vocalists can bring a unique and engaging dimension to a wedding jazz band. Compared to physical instruments, vocalists have a lot more freedom, only limiting themselves to what they can do with their voices. Jazz vocalists bring the human element to jazz music, connecting with audiences through the warmth and emotion of their voices. A skilled jazz vocalist can interpret classic jazz standards to get guests excited about the music and evoke tones of romance, nostalgia, and happiness during your wedding celebration.
Other Jazz Instruments of Note
While often not super popular in wedding music, traditional jazz instrumentation — particularly for big band or swing-type music — may include high and low brass, such as trombones and trumpets. These brass instruments are often used for powerful melodic lines and solos, particularly in high-energy swing or Dixieland music.
RMF Entertainment — Montana’s Experts in Premium Wedding Jazz
Wedding jazz instrumentation can vary depending on your needs, wants, and personal style. Jazz experts, such as those from RMF Entertainment, offer a variety of options to make your special day memorable and personalized. Utilize our talented jazz trio to play guests as they arrive at your reception, or request a vocalist to get the party started after dinner.
Whatever you choose for your special day, RMF Entertainment will deliver the best experience possible. As the leading wedding entertainment company in Montana, RMF Entertainment offers a vast repertoire of musicians, from live wedding jazz bands to platinum DJs — all with years of experience at their fingertips. For more information or to book us for your wedding or event, email us at hello@rmfdjs.com or call (406) 531-2321 today!
