Frequently Asked Questions

After many years we have heard quite a few questions that sound similar. Following are the answers and possibly a few suggestions. Once again the band can play in any configuration from one to ten pieces.

Who is the band for?

• For people who want something different than a "wedding rock band" or a DJ.
• For people who know the difference between quality live music and recorded music. Every band has a specialty and we hope ours is a perfect fit for your event.
• For people who enjoy hot and cool swing dance music, classic rock and roll and horn bands like Motown and Chicago blues.

Who is Dan Bradley?

• A lifelong musician, bar room pianist, accompanist, pianist and entertainer. He received the degrees of Bachelor of Music in music composition and Masters of Music Education from the Manhattan School of Music.
• The organizer and arranger of the band since 1992. Big band music has always been a love of Dan's since he first heard Buddy Rich perform and listened to the music of Goodman, Miller and Ellington.

Can you play for the ceremony and or the cocktail hour?

• As a classically and bar-room trained pianist I am adept at many styles of music. I have frequently played background music during cocktails. The keyboard also has a very convincing pipe organ sound.
• The band members have many diverse talents and can play in duos, trios and quartets for different functions; for example as a jazz duet of guitar and sax, a brass trio, a quintet with woodwinds.

What are the band's influences?

• SWING Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Sinatra, Big Bad Voodoo Daddies,Brian Setzler, Harry Connick
• JAZZ Coltrane, Brubeck, Charley Parker, Roland Kirk, Sonny Rollins, Tito Puente,
• POPULAR CLASSIC ROCK MUSIC  Bob Marley, Beatles, Motown, Etta James, Ella, George Benson, Van Morrison, 50's, 60's, 70's rock, etc.

Is the band a good value?

• Available from one to ten musicians the band can adapt to any budget.
• Good shoppers find great prices; great shoppers find good values. The musicianship and professional experience of our band is invaluable.
• Our price varies because of distance traveled from our home port of Port Jervis, NY.

Does the band fit in our location?

• We have played in tents, Bed and Breakfasts, and in many locations that might amaze you.
• A good size to consider is about 16' by 12' or maximum 16' by 16'. Or try putting out 8 chairs and consider a drum set and a keyboard for a straight line.

Is the band loud?

• Many DJ's and rock bands are loud. One band said, their musical energy comes from their volume; our energy comes from our talent. We do not amplify instruments like trumpets, saxes and drums unless we are playing in front of more than 500 people. We play like the original big bands did except for the guitar, bass, keyboard and vocalist use the best amplifiers.
• About our new L1 sound system; thanks to the scientists at BOSE who developed the L1 sound system. The idea is to evenly distribute the sound through the room with no loud spots in front and soft sounds in the back. Clear sound dispersion. We have played for many picky groups who did not complain about our volumes.
• Check out our photos and people are actually able to speak in front of the band! One sound engineer remarked it was the first event he attended where people could actually talk when the band was playing.

Can we hear you perform?

• If we are having a convenient pubic concert we would love to invite you to our shows.
• We respect the privacy of our hosts and we cannot invite potential clients to hear our band at private parties.
• Our Photo Gallery page has videos so you can hear and see our band in the privacy of your home.
• All of our song samples on the Song List page are performed live (no fancy recording studios for us) so you again can hear our band perform select songs.

Does the band take breaks?

• Yes and no. Depending on the length of the band's engagement or performance; if the band is only playing one or two hours the band may play straight through. Usually we are engaged for a 4 hour performance so after about 40 minutes the band may stop for food, drink or necessities. These breaks ideally can be timed for speeches or special events.
• If a speech or event is not happening during the break the band will provide recorded music of your favorite CD's or MP3's.

  Where have you performed?

• Amusement parks, Backyard parties and bar-b-ques, Benefits, Best Western Hotels, Big Bear Ski Resort at Masthope Mountain, PA, Church basements, conventions,  The Castle on the Hudson, Cliff Park Inn and Golf Course, Colgate University Reunion, Crystal Springs, N.J.,  Dance competitions, Dixieland Funerals, The Eagles Nest, Eddy Farm Golf Resort, NY, Firehouse Dances, The Gardens at Caitlin Creek, Slate Hill, NY, Glenn Foerd Mansion, PA, The Grand Marriott, Harvest Moon Ballroom Dances, Hemlock Farms, PA., Hilton Hotels, Hunter Mountain Resort, Hyatt Hotels, Knight's of Columbus Halls, KOA campgrounds, Kuhl's Highland House, Middletown, NY, Lehigh University, Loew's Hotel in Philadelphia, Madison Hotel in Morrestown, NJ., Malls, marathons, Mauch Chunk Cultural Center, Jim Thorpe, PA, Memorial Events, A Middle School Dance, Mount Haven Resort, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, political fund raising events, radio shows, Riverview Inn, Matamoras, PA, Rockaway Beach, NY, The Settler's Inn in Hawley, PA., Skytop Restaurant, NY, street corner concerts in Middletown, NY, Television shows, The Thayer Hotel at West Point Military Academy, New York,   The Saturday Club, Wayne, PA, VFW Halls, the Women's Club of Ridgewood, NJ, the Women's club of Scarsdale, NY, Woodlock Springs, and quite a few more places I cannot remember.
  

Related resources

• Videos and photos are on the "photo gallery" page.
• Our Song list is on the Song List page where you can also hear samples of our songs.