Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life and should be a special day that you will always remember. Planning a wedding can be difficult because you aren’t sure what food to get, which venue to choose, or which music people will want to dance to.
Wedding jazz bands are always a good choice when it comes to wedding music because it can provide a nice rhythm and vibe for those who want to dance. It can also be slow and romantic when you want to have the bride and groom do their first dance together.
However, not all jazz music is the same. There are some subgenres of jazz that are better for weddings compared to others. One of the best things you can do is take classic romantic songs like those sung by Billie Holiday and ask the jazz band to play them.
There are many subgenres to choose from though. This guide will cover all the different ones to choose from and which one might be the best for your wedding.
Swing Music
Swing music first became big in the 1930s and 1940s. There were many celebrities and stars that came with this kind of music and it was the most played music in the USA for many years.
If you want to play swing music at your wedding, you can be sure there will be tons of dancing and everyone will have an amazing time. Swing music bands are usually pretty large with about 11 to 20 musicians so your venue will need to have a large area for musicians.
Swing music was also the subgenre that made Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. They first sang with early jazz bands that did swing music before eventually going into their own music and leading their own bands.
Swing music originally began it was created to make people have fun and to encourage them to sing and dance. This is why it’s one of the most commonly used genres in weddings because most people want their guests to have a great time including singing and dancing with them to make great memories.
Cool Jazz
This subgenre of jazz began in the 1940s and 1950s. The music is much more relaxed and softer compared to some of the other types of jazz. If you want your wedding to be more relaxed and for people to slow dance rather than jumping and having a large dance party, cool jazz might be the right subgenre for you.
Some people also like to do a mix of genres if they want people to be relaxed with cool jazz sometimes and to have a more bebop type of dancing during other times of the celebration.
Latin Jazz
This subgenre has many different rhythms and vibes to follow and is perfect for those who prefer music that is influenced and sounds like Afro-Cuban music and Afro-Brazilian music. This subgenre of jazz is very different compared to other kinds of jazz because it’s a type of music that is a huge melting pot.
It first began in the 20th century and began in New Orleans where there were many different cultures and immigrants all living in the same place.
This type of jazz music is recommended if you want classic jazz music mixed with Cuban and Brazilian beats. It can make for a really fun party because there are so many different influences and beats.
If you enjoy Latin music and you want your guests to enjoy that type of dancing, this is a perfect subgenre for you.
Jazz Fusion
This subgenre first began in the 1960s. It’s a totally different kind of jazz genre because the musicians use classical kinds of instruments as well as electric instruments. It also resembles rock music in many different ways.
You will also hear elements of soul and disco music as well as classical jazz. This subgenre can appeal to all your guests regardless of age because there are so many different elements and genres that exist together at the same time.
No matter what kind of vibe or music you want for your guests, this genre can do it. The band can also take requests so you can hear the songs and music that you most like.
Modern Jazz
Modern jazz is usually talking about jazz music that was created in the 21st century or afterward. It covers a variety of different subgenres from swing to bebop to modal. It usually has different elements from all these different styles so you can be sure you and your guests will get a good mix of everything.
There are many modern jazz musicians who make their own music and others who do more modern versions of jazz songs that already exist.
Early Jazz
This is the first jazz music that came around and it began in the 1910s in New Orleans. It became a combination of many different music genres including marching band music, ragtime, and the blues.
Louis Armstrong is probably the most well-known early jazz artist and he became one of the most important musicians of the 20th century.
If you want a classical and elegant vibe for your wedding, early jazz is probably the best choice for you. People can dance to this music as well so you will be able to have a lively party.
The Bottom Line
Jazz music is one of the best things to have at a wedding because it can make the reception very lively and encourage everyone to get out on the dance floor and move. You can also throw in a very slow song when you want a more romantic or classy vibe.
This guide showed that there are many different jazz subgenres that can be played at your wedding. Some jazz bands specialize in one kind of subgenre while others can do a variety, so make sure you ask before booking a band.
