Hiring a jazz band for a wedding is one of the most personal decisions in the entire planning process. The music isn't just atmosphere — it's the soundtrack to moments that will be remembered for a lifetime. The right band understands that weight and carries it with both professionalism and genuine care.
The Gallants are an award-winning jazz band available for weddings in New York and Los Angeles. They perform across the full arc of a wedding day — ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, and reception — bringing a live music presence that elevates every stage of the event. The repertoire spans Sinatra-era classics, crooner standards, modern pop and R&B reimagined with a jazz twist, and iconic hits arranged to suit the mood of each moment. The result is a wedding soundtrack that feels timeless, sophisticated, and entirely your own.
Ceremony
The ceremony is where the day begins in earnest. Music during the processional, the signing, and the recessional needs to be chosen with care — pieces that hold emotional weight without overwhelming the moment. The Gallants work with couples in advance to select and arrange the right music for each stage of the ceremony, whether that's a jazz arrangement of a contemporary song, a reimagined classic, or something from the traditional repertoire given a new voice.
Cocktail hour
The cocktail hour is where guests exhale, conversations begin, and the celebration finds its footing. A 3 or 4-piece configuration works beautifully here — warm, ambient, and conversational in volume. The repertoire draws from jazz standards and upbeat classics, creating a relaxed but elevated atmosphere as guests move between drinks and introductions.
Wedding reception
The reception is where the band comes fully into its own. A 5 or 6-piece delivers the full range — vocals, sax, guitar, keys, upright bass, and drums — capable of carrying a room from elegant dinner music through to the kind of dancing that empties the floor only when the last song ends. The set builds across the evening, reading the room and responding to the energy of the guests rather than running a fixed programme regardless of the moment.
First dance and special requests
The first dance is a centrepiece of the reception and The Gallants treat it as such. If you have a specific song in mind, the band will arrange it to suit the live jazz format — preserving the emotional core of the piece while giving it something that a recording simply cannot replicate. Special requests for other significant moments — a parent dance, a surprise performance, a particular song for a particular guest — are welcomed and handled with care.
Working with wedding planners and coordinators
Most weddings at this level are managed by a planner or coordinator, and The Gallants are experienced working within that structure. Technical riders, stage plots, and run-of-show integration are handled professionally and in advance. The band coordinates directly with the planner so that the couple can focus on their day rather than logistics. Setup, soundcheck, and changeover times are confirmed well ahead of the event and met without exception.
Venues in New York and Los Angeles
The Gallants have performed at weddings across New York City and Los Angeles — from Manhattan hotel ballrooms and Brooklyn loft spaces to Malibu outdoor ceremonies and Downtown LA rooftop receptions. They are experienced with the acoustic variety that different venue types present and adapt their setup and performance accordingly. If your venue has noise restrictions, curfews, or specific load-in requirements, share them early and they will be factored into the plan.
Booking a jazz band for your wedding
If you're planning a wedding in New York or Los Angeles and want live jazz that genuinely fits the day, get in touch with your date, venue, and a brief outline of what you have in mind. The Gallants will come back to you quickly with availability and a quote, and take it from there at whatever pace works best for you.
