The Jazz Essentials
Instrumental jazz band perfect for background music during drinks receptions and dinners.
Instrumental jazz music from the country’s finest musicians
The Jazz Essentials are an instrumental jazz band, performing classic jazz standards in a quiet, unobtrusive way – creating a wonderful musical backdrop to your wedding reception, private celebration or corporate event.
They are also the perfect line-up for dining music at restaurants, hotel lounges and cocktail bars.
Featuring graduates from top UK conservatoires, The Jazz Essentials have a huge repertoire of jazz, swing and Latin classics. You can expect to hear songs from the likes of Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, Louis Armstrong and more.
And with enough notice, the band is able to perform virtually any jazz standard you could think of – so get in touch with your ideas.
The Jazz Essentials have provided entertainment across the world – from The Eiffel Tower to The Science Museum – and with corporate clients including Lindt, AXA and Volkswagen you know you’re in safe hands.
Tailored live music packages from Mike Paul-Smith Music
You can book The Jazz Essentials as a standalone option, but they really come in to their own as part of one of Mike Paul-Smith Music’s whole-day music packages.
We can provide music for every part of your event – it might start with a lively set of background music from The Vintage Strollers for the drinks reception, move on to classic and subtle jazz over dinner from The Jazz Essentials, before one of our party bands takes to the stage.
The possibilities are endless so get in touch today with your ideas!
Trusted by:
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Everything went really well on New Year's Eve at Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, and The Jazz Essentials were perfect.
Lance Kierle
New Year's Eve Party at Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, Oxfordshire
Videos
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We were absolutely delighted with the band at our wedding. The jazz trio set the tone really nicely when everyone arrived.
David Gill
Wedding Reception
The Jazz Essentials: Set List
This is just a selection of the music that The Jazz Essentials can perform – with advance notice the band can perform just about any jazz standard.
‘S Wonderful
All of Me
All the Things you Are
At Last
Almost Like Being in Love
Autumn Leaves
Beyond the Sea
Blue Bossa
Body and Soul
Boplicity
But Not For Me
Cheek to Cheek
Come Fly With Me
Don’t Get Around Much Anymore
Easy to Love
Exactly Like You
Favela
Freddie the Freeloader
Fly Me to the Moon
A Foggy Day
Four
Have you Met Miss Jones
How High the Moon
I Could Write a Book
I Thought About You
I’ve Got the World on a String
If I Were a Bell
In a Mellow Tone
I’ve Got You Under my Skin
Just Friends
Just Squeeze Me
Kelly’s Blues
Killer Joe
The Lady is a Tramp
Let’s Fall in Love
Like Someone In Love
Lullaby of Birdland
My Baby Just Cares For Me
My Romance
Night and Day
Night Train
Old Devil Moon
On Green Dolphin Street
On The Sunny Side of the Street
Peri’s Scope
Sandu
Satin Doll
Skylark
Stella by Starlight
Stompin’ at the Savoy
Take the ‘A’ Train
The Tender Trap
These Foolish Things
They Can’t Take That Away From Me
You Do Something to Me
Tuxedo Junction
The Way You Look Tonight
When I Fall In Love
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From beginning to end Mike made the process simple and fun and delivered exactly what we envisaged - a relaxed jazz band accompanying our outside afternoon reception.
Jacqui & Greg
Wedding Reception, London
The Jazz Essentials: Line Ups
The Jazz Essentials is available in a range of line-ups to suit different events.
Duo (standard)
Tenor saxophone, guitar
Trio
Tenor saxophone, guitar, bass
Quartet
Tenor saxophone, guitar, bass, drums
Quintet
Tenor saxophone, guitar, bass, drums, trumpet
The Jazz Essentials are an instrumental line-up – if you’re looking for a vocal-led band, check out our sister band The Jazz Hours.
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The Jazz Essentials played at my 60th birthday party in July this year and they were excellent entertainment. The quality of the playing and the choice of music was top class.
Carol Paterson
Birthday Party, Oxfordshire
