Frequently Asked Questions The following information is provided to answer the most frequently asked questions. HISTORY: :  Since 1985, the Vincent James Band has been providing upscale entertainment for over one thousand wedding receptions, corporate events and elegant affairs in the Delaware Valley’s most exclusive private facilities and country clubs.  We are experienced in providing complete emcee services for your bridal party introductions, special dances, all other announcements, and amenities.  INSTRUMENTATION: VJB is a ten-piece ensemble. Our members play electric and acoustic guitar, keyboards, tenor, alto and soprano saxophones, flute and clarinet, trumpet, flugelhorn, viola, harmonica, bass-guitar, drums, congas and assorted percussion. We have a featured female vocalist and seven male lead vocalists, and we always perform with a professional sound engineer.  MUSIC: One of the Delaware Valley’s best at motivating a crowd to dance, we structure our repertoire to include a variety of songs that continue to receive the most positive response.  Categories of music include:  Big Band, Forties, Fifties, Sixties, Seventies, Motown, Classic Rock and Contemporary Music, all with an emphasis on dancing.  Ethnic and specialty music can be performed at your request. VJB does not play novelty songs such as The Electric Slide, Macarena, YMCA et al, however the CD can be played at your request. How many songs do we play in an evening? In addition to the cocktail hour music, we estimate an average of 40-50 songs played throughout the usual (4) hour affair.  CEREMONY MUSIC: We are able to provide a variety of instrumentation and classical accompaniment, such as classical guitar, flute, viola, keyboard, and trumpet / flugelhorn in any combination.  COCKTAIL MUSIC: Selection of cocktail music ranges from solo piano and/or classical guitar or a combination of guitar, piano, saxophone, trumpet jazz duo, trio or quartet. We can also provide a classical guitarist to perform in one area; e.g. outside on a patio, deck or terrace while a jazz pianist performs in another location such as the indoor bar area. DISC JOCKEY: A Disc Jockey can be added as a compliment to the band at a very reasonable cost. EQUIPMENT: Our equipment is state-of-the-art but compact and will typically arrive 1-2 hours prior to the arrival of your guests. SONGLIST: The songlist is made up of a variety of proven dance songs that appeal to many age groups.Although it is not all inclusive, it is what the band feels comfortable performing at this time without having to read music, and possibly break the momentum of the dancing. The list contains many more songs than could be played at one event. FIRST DANCE: We will make every effort to perform your first dance selection, provided (1) we feel it can be tastefully done in a live performance, (2) we are given at least eight weeks notice. If you prefer, our audio engineer can also play the original CD version.  BAND MEMBERS: VJB always performs with the same members. In the event of an unlikely emergency, we assume sole responsibility for a replacement from our access to an extensive network of the finest musicians in the area.  CONTINUOUS MUSIC: - Many bands perform with a certain number of musicians on stage, while the other band members alternate breaks at various intervals throughout the evening, which in the absence of the musicians on break, significantly limits their repertoire.  As a result, they perform only the songs they are able to with the available musicians on stage at any given time, instead of the songs best suited for the event.  The full band is rarely on stage together and overall they get much more break time.   We feel that in order to create the type of party our clients expect of us, we prefer to perform with the full band on stage until the main course is served which results in at least a 90 minute first set.  During this time background music is played through our sound system, which provides a comfortable volume for the guests to converse. A second break would only occur if the last set of the night would be longer than one hour and forty-five minutes.  If taken, this break would be 5-10 minutes, with dance and requested music provided by our sound engineer / DJ. The overwhelming majority of our clients choose this format which is included in our fee. The option to have live music during the entrée is also available.  Consult with the Band Leader for details. INSURANCE: VJB carries $1,000,000.00 of liability insurance.  A certificate can be provided to your facility, if required.  SHOWCASES: Because we know the best way to choose a band is to see them in person, we perform a live showcase at least once a month where prospective clients can attend without cost or obligation. PRICE: Rates are determined by the month, day of the week, time of day and location for which an event is scheduled.   For more information, please contact our office.