What live music should we hire for a Denver corporate event?
Most planners want two things at once: a room with some energy, and attendees who can still hear each other talk. Here is an honest look at four options, including when Extreme Strings is not the best pick.
Choose by what the room needs. For a night that is mostly quiet conversation, a jazz duo or trio is the easy choice. For a formal, classical look and sound, choose a string quartet. For songs your attendees know, with energy that can build and its own sound system, choose a solo electric violinist like Extreme Strings, and if you already have a DJ, the violin can play live on top of the DJ's set once the dancing starts.
Four options, side by side
The real question behind “who should we hire?” is usually volume. You want people to notice the music without having to lean in to hear the person next to them. Each of these can do that. They just suit different rooms.
| Option | Best when | Think twice when |
|---|---|---|
| Jazz duo or trio | The night is mostly conversation: networking, a client dinner, a wine reception. Standards sit easily under a room full of talk. | You want songs everyone recognizes, or a moment that makes people stop and watch. |
| String quartet | You want a formal, classical look and sound: a gala, a black-tie dinner, a Bridgerton-style theme. | The space is big or outdoors and has no sound support, or you want music with a beat. |
| Solo electric violinist (Extreme Strings) | You want pop, rock and classics your attendees know, a full-band sound from one compact setup, and energy that can build through the night with no AV to arrange. | You want a group of musicians on stage, a purely classical sound, or a whole night of jazz. |
| Violinist with your DJ | You already have a DJ and there will be dancing. The violin jams live on top of the DJ's set and jumps in for the big moments. | The program is all speeches and dinner, with no dancing planned. |
When Extreme Strings fits, and when it doesn't
Extreme Strings is Jared Judge on electric violin, usually solo, over full-band backing tracks. In his words, “it's typically just me.” He brings his own QSC sound system and controls it himself, so he can keep things soft while attendees arrive and network, then bring the energy up later in the night. That's the sweet spot: a reception that turns into a party, or a mixed crowd where you want the music to be part of the night.
It's not the best fit for everything. Jared plays a few jazz standards, like Take Five and Fly Me to the Moon, but if you want jazz all night, a dedicated jazz trio with piano, upright bass and drums is the better call. And if you're picturing the lush, all-acoustic sound of a string quartet, Jared will tell you so himself: for that style, “you would probably want, like, a quartet.” See Bridgerton-style violin in Denver for more on that choice.
Already have a DJ? Jared can play along live over whatever the DJ puts on. Here's how violin and a DJ work together.
Same founder, three Denver acts
Jared also founded two other acts, and both now book Denver with Colorado-based players. If one of them suits your event better, book that one.
- Dream City Jazz is a jazz trio of piano, upright bass and drums. It can also play as a duo, or add a horn or a vocalist. Dream City Jazz in Denver.
- Dream City Strings is a string quartet, trio or duo for a classical, elegant sound. Dream City Strings in Denver.
- Extreme Strings is solo electric violin for pop, rock and classics with a full-band sound, and the one to call if you want violin with your DJ.
Whichever you choose, ask for the same things: a set length that fits your schedule, a plan for sound, and someone who can hand your host a microphone for the thank-yous. For Extreme Strings, see sound for large rooms and how long a violinist can play.
What event hosts say
★★★★★“Our attendees absolutely adored his performance, and his ability to cross genres means he really can fit into any event seamlessly.”
★★★★★“He elevated the gathering and everyone enjoyed his music. I would highly recommend him for similar gatherings.”
★★★★★“He and our dj complimented each other so well and really took the event to the next level.”
Questions planners ask
Will live music make it hard for our attendees to talk?
It shouldn't. Jared brings his own sound system and controls the level himself, so he can play softly during networking and build the energy later.
Is a jazz band or a violinist better for networking?
If the night is almost all conversation, a jazz duo or trio is a natural choice. If you want songs people recognize and energy that builds, a solo electric violinist fits better.
Can a violinist play with our DJ?
Yes. Jared can play live on top of whatever your DJ plays, popping in for big moments and stepping back out.
Does Extreme Strings offer a string quartet or a jazz trio?
No. Extreme Strings is a solo electric violinist. The same founder runs Dream City Strings, a string quartet, trio or duo, and Dream City Jazz, a jazz trio, and both now book Denver.
Do we need to provide sound?
Not for Extreme Strings. Jared brings his own QSC system, or works with your audio engineer, and the price is the same either way.