It was bar far the nicest day of the year, sunny and around 75 degrees. We starting playing the cocktail reception out on the lawn. There is a little gazebo where they had us play, which was a really nice backdrop for the music. We kept things upbeat and fun while people talked, took photos of the stunning views and played croquet. When it was time for dinner we moved inside the main hall, which is a huge barn-like structure that is at once rustic and elegant. We played on the stage while everyone enjoyed their meal.

This was my first time playing at Lord Hill Farms and I hope to be back there again soon. The venue is stunning! It’s only 35 minutes outside of Seattle, but it’s in the middle of Snohomish County farm country. They have a 180 degree view of the valley below them and huge grounds with ample room for celebration, and even croquet! While we were there we saw both parachuters and bald eagles in the sky!

I hope to have some pictures of the event to post soon.

Feb. 21st, 3-4pm

We’ll be playing at the Experience Music Project in the gorgeous Sky Church. If you haven’t been there before, this is one of the most stunning venues in the Seattle area. You can even book it for your wedding if you are looking for a place that will blow your guests away!

We’ll play from 3-4pm and it’s free and all-ages. In honor of Black History Month we’ll be paying tribute to some of the great African-American composers in jazz history.

If you make it out, be sure to stop and say hello after the show!

In addition to meeting all the most amazing wedding professionals in the area, you’ll be able to bid on some amazing auction items throughout the night, and 100% of the proceeds benefit The Making Memories Foundation, a wonderful organization that grants breast cancer patients’ wishes.

Here is a very cool preview of the auction catalog:

And here is a spiffy video preview of the event, complete with music from the JPQ!

We’ll be playing live from 6:30-8:00pm, so stop by and say hi! We’re also auctioning off a free hour of music for someone’s wedding reception…it could be yours!

Here’s the details:

What: Get Hitched, Give Hope
Where: Four Seasons, Seattle
When: Thursday, October 28th, 6:00pm sharp!
Why: To grant wishes to stage 4 breast cancer patients for whom the cure can’t come soon enough.
Tickets: Purchase tickets here

Hope to see you there!

Lisa & David and a traditional but not stuffy Jewish wedding ceremony, which gave us an opportunity to play our arrangements of “Hevenu Shalom Aleichem” and “Etz Chaim”, always a treat. And once the reception was in full swing and we busted out a rousing version of “Hava Nagila” the dance floor was packed and jubilant!

We also had the honor of being joined by our dear friend Isabella DuGraf. Bella is a vocalist extraordinaire who has been studying at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston and has flown back to Seattle for the summer to join us for a few weddings. Everytime I get to play with her she gets better and better, and she fits in with the band beautifully.

Lisa was the center of attention in her gorgeous gown and huge smile all night long! However, her father’s toast was hilarious and he almost wouldn’t give up the microphone! Once he did, he hit the dance floor with reckless abandon! So nice to see a family truly enjoying the moment. We are privileged to spend these precious moments with people like Lisa, Dave and their family and friends.

Monday David sent me this nice note: “We both enjoyed you and the band very much on our big day. It couldn’t have been better.”

It was a picture-perfect night to be on the water, with clear skies, warm temperatures and a nice cool breeze once we got sailing. The ceremony itself was planned for the moment the sun set, with beautiful views of Mt. Rainier to one side and downtown Seattle to the other. I can’t remember a more magical setting for a wedding!

We had a wonderful time playing for Pam & Jon and their family and friends. We also took advantage of the beautiful setting to truly remind us what a spectacular part of the country we live in!

Yesterday I got a lovely email from Pam, who remarked, “You were fantastic at our wedding! Your quartet was perfect, just like the weather.” Now that’s what I like to hear!

View from the bandstand - not too shabby!

We had the pleasure of playing at Sarah & Gabe’s wedding in Port Gamble this past weekend. I’ve driven through Port Gamble many times on my way to Port Townsend and always loved this cute little waterfront town on the Hood Canal, but this is the first time I ever stopped there. I’m so glad I did! It’s a quaint town that has a very relaxed feel to it. And gorgeous views from just about anywhere!

Sarah & Gabe were married in the Hood Canal Vista Pavilion, which definitely lives up to its name! Josh and I played the ceremony and then Evan and Adam joined us for the reception and dinner. This was a fairly intimate wedding and all of their family and friends were very good to us. A couple guests even asked for CD’s, which is always a good sign!

Josh, Evan & Adam hard at work

We are fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the world and I love to find new and undiscovered places to play and enjoy the scenery. Thanks to Sarah & Gabe for the excuse to finally stop in Port Gamble…I’ll definitely be back! If you’re looking for a gorgeous waterfront option for your wedding, definitely check them out!

I met with the happy couple a few weeks before the big day to discuss the music, and it was clear that Mark was the jazz fan. He had all sorts of questions about the music, the instrumentation, my business and how I can make a living as a musician. It was great to talk to them, and in the end they basically said “just do what you do”, which I always love to hear! They had seen us perform in the clubs and knew what we were about!

Thanks to Lynda Burgan of Blue Moon Memories Photography for the beautiful photo above!

Meghan asked us to come up with our own version of “I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas as her processional song, which I thought was an inspired and groovy choice! We did our very best and had a great time doing it. I love it when couples pick songs that have special meaning for them!

The whole evening felt like a really fun party for the couple and their friends and family, which is how it should be!