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The Apollo Trio
(57)
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Los Angeles, CA -
Jazz Band
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73 Verified Bookings
Peter B. said “These guys were terrific, and I intend to have them back for another party!”
Back to Jazz Bands
Firefly Jazz Quartet
- San Diego, CA
- Jazz Band
- Travels up to 60 miles
- $750 and up
Overview
It is our mission to supply classy, hip, live music to all of San Diego County. We have fun, upbeat arrangements of swingin' hot tunes from the great American songbook era, 1920s - 1960s, and our band is comprised of professional and experienced musicians.
2 Reviews
Erwin M. •
October 6, 2023
They were absolutely wonderful at our art festival. You won't be disappointed!
Hired as:
Jazz Band
Jazz Band
Karen •
November 10, 2019
Firefly Jazz was one of the highlights of our wedding. Molly and the band played a rendition of of Billie Holiday's "Me Myself and I" for my wife and my first dance, and the performance was something we will never forget. Molly also announced our grand entrance and our guests are still talking about it. She was easy to communicate with and very accommodating, which was such a relief to find amidst our wedding planning stress :) Our wedding wouldn't have been complete without Firefly jazz playing at our cocktail hour!
Hired as:
Jazz Band
Jazz Band
Booking Info
Price Range: $750 and up
Gig Length: 60 - 240 minutes
Languages: English
Unions: AGMA
What to Expect
Hire the Firefly Jazz Quartet and light up your next party! Enhance the vibe with hip, classy, sentimental, fun, dance-able, nostalgic tunes from the great American songbook era. "My guests felt like they were in a fairyland and commented on Molly's performance for years to come." This is music that your friends, family, collegues, and their families will all enjoy. "This is the best band I've heard in years!" is what the wedding DJ exclaimed as we rapped up the cocktail hour. An excited bride-to-be rushed up to me after seeing us perform at a 40th birthday party saying "I want you to play at my wedding!"
Hiring the Firefly Jazz Quartet is a great alternative to the stereotypical "wedding singer" or top 40's band. We've got talented musicians who are advanced and practiced in their craft. We love making music together and we want to share our passion with you. We want to help you celebrate life's milestones with song, a sure way to touch the hearts of everyone in attendance.
About
We are the Firefly Jazz Quartet and it is our mission to supply classy, hip, live music to all of San Diego County. We have fun, upbeat arrangements of swinging hot tunes from the great American songbook era, 1920s - 1960s, and our band is comprised of professional and experienced musicians. We are a self-contained unit with a great sound system perfect for events from 5-500 people. No headaches, no problems, just great music!
The musicians in the Firefly Jazz Quartet have credentials, experience, talent, and professionalism. You will be hiring degreed professionals with many years of experience playing weddings, concerts, casuals, musical theatre, corporate events, church jobs, public events, and private parties. We will be on time and we will be pleasant, attentive, and easy to work with. We want your event to run flawlessly. We want your guests to have a memorable experience, to enjoy the vibe you have created by hiring a live band.
We have our own sound system, a BOSE L1, which sounds clear and lovely from anywhere in the room. We will make sure the volume is appropriate for the setting, so the music can be enjoyed without being overwhelming. We look good too! We can dress in all black, cocktail, formal, theme – it’s up to you. We want to fit in and compliment the look of your event. We have arrangements for over 100 great songs from the 1920’s through the 1960’s. Your guests, no matter what their age, will identify with these timeless classics performed well.
The Firefly Jazz Quartet is a new project, but its members have been playing all over America's Finest City. Past appearances include San Diego Wild Animal Park, LEGOLAND, San Diego Convention Center, San Diego State University, University of San Diego, Admiral Kid Club, The Art Institute, San Diego Museum of Art, San Diego Visual Arts Network, Sushi Visual and Performing Arts, Balboa Theatre, Old Globe Theatre, Birch North Park Theatre, San Diego Repertory Theatre, Cygnet Theatre, San Diego Opera, Mainly Mozart, Orchestra Nova, Sacra/Profana, Full Measure Carolers, San Diego Wedding Singers, Robert Mondavi Vineyard in Napa Valley, House of the Future art benefit parties, The Athenaeum Music and Arts Library, Kinsella Library, La Jolla Country Club, Rancho Santa Fe Country Club, Del Mar Country Club, Fairbanks Ranch Country Club, U.S. Grant Hotel, The Westgate Hotel, Catamaran Hotel, Ritz Hotel in Laguna, and The Lodge at Torrey Pines.
Molly Whittaker, vocals and quartet manager. Molly holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance degree from San Diego State University. She performs with the San Diego Opera, Lyric Opera San Diego, Full Measure Carolers, Sacra/Profana, and is a section leader at St. James-by-the-Sea Church in La Jolla. She teaches music and drama with Pacific Children’s Theatre and is the lead carpenter at Cygnet Theatre in Old Town.
Dave Pschaida, drums. Dave has twelve years of experience as a professional drummer, performing at such venues as Tommy V’s of Del Mar, The Prado, Turquoise Caf & Bar Europa, The Belly Up Tavern, Loews Coronado, Dizzy’s, Hotel Del Coronado, The Old Globe Theatre, and San Diego Repertory Theatre. He teaches band through Paul Effman Music in grades 3-8 throughout San Diego County.
Doug Walker, bass. Doug holds a Master of Music in Jazz Studies degree from San Diego State University. He is a bassist, composer, and instructor. He works as a freelance musician and performs with the Zapf Dingbats, Plow, and the Anthony Smith Quartet. Doug created the group, Frame of Reference, a quintet devoted to composing and performing original modern jazz music.
Ed Kornhauser, piano/keyboards. Ed holds a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies degree from San Diego State University. He works as a freelance musician, and can be seen Tuesday nights with his trio at the Turquoise Caf in Pacific Beach, as well as frequently backing local crooner David Patrone. He is the staff accompanist at Unity Way Church in Vista.
Additional Booking Notes
All we need is an electrical outlet. We can play indoors or outdoors, as long as adequate light and shelter from sun/rain are provided. The quartet takes a 15-minute break every hour for engagements 2 hours and longer. A non-refundable deposit of half down is due to secure the performers. The remaining balance is due on the date of the performance. Tips are graciously accepted.
Services Offered
Past Booked Events
| September 30, 2023 • 3:30pm - 4:15pm | Festival |
| September 21, 2019 • 6:00pm - 7:00pm | Wedding Reception |
| July 19, 2017 • 7:30pm - 10:30pm | Corporate Event |
Set List
Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive, Harold Arlen/Johnny Mercer, 1944
All Alone (Left Alone), Billie Holiday/Mal Waldron, 1959
All Of Me, Seymour Simons/Gerald Marks, 1931
All Of You, Cole Porter, 1954
All Or Nothing At All, Arthur Altman/Jack Lawrence, 1939
All The Things You Are, Jerome Kern/Oscar Hammerstein II, 1939
Alone Together, Arthur Schwartz/Howard Dietz, 1932
Alright, Okay, You Win, Mayme Watts, Sid Wyche, 1955
Always, Irving Berlin, 1925
Angel Eyes, Matt Dennis/Earl Brent, 1946
Autumn Leaves, Joseph Kosma/Johnny Mercer/Jacques Prevert, 1947
Bali Ha’I, Richard Rodgers/Oscar Hammerstein II, 1949
The Best Is Yet To Come, Cy Coleman/Carolyn Leigh, 1959
The Best Thing For You, Irving Berlin, 1950
The Best Things In Life Are Free, B.G. DeSylva/Lew Brown/Ray Henderson, 1927
Bewitched, Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart, 1941
Beyond The Sea, Charles Trenet/Albert Lasry/Jack Lawrence, 1945
Big Spender, Dorothy Fields/Cy Coleman, 1966
Black Coffee, Paul Francis Webster/Jonny Burke, 1948
A Blossom Fell, Howard Barnes/Harold Cornelius/Dominic John, 1954
Blue Skies, Irving Berlin, 1927
Body And Soul, Robert Sour/Frank Eyton/Johnny Green
Bye Bye Blackbird, Ray Henderson/Mori Dixon, 1926
Call Me Irresponsible, James Van Hensen/Sammy Cahn, 1962
C-Jam Blues, Duke Ellington, 1942
Come Rain Or Come Shine, Harold Arlen/Johnny Mercer, 1946
Could It Be You, Cole Porter, 1942
Cry Me A River, Arthur Hamilton, 1953
Day By Day, Sammy Cahn/Axel Stordahl/Paul Weston, 1945
Detour Ahead, Herb Ellis/John Frigo/Lou Carter, 1948
Don’t Get Around Much Anymore, Duke Ellington/Bob Russell, 1942
Dream A Little Dream Of Me, Wilbur Schwandt/Fabian Andree/Gus Kahn, 1930
Early Autumn, Ralph Burns/Woody Herman/Johnny Mercer, 1949
East Of The Sun (And West Of The Moon), Brooks Bowman, 1934
Everything I Have Is Yours, Burton Lane/Harold Adamson, 1933
Falling In Love Again (Can’t Help It), Frederick Hollander/Sammy Lerner, 1930
Fever, John Davenport/Eddie Cooley, 1956
Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words), Bart Howard, 1954
(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons, William Best, Deek Watson, 1945
A Good Man Is Hard To Find, Eddie Green
Heart And Soul, Hoagy Carmichael/Frank Loesser, 1938
Honeysuckle Rose, Thomas “Fats” Waller/Andy Razaf, 1929
How High The Moon, Morgan Lewis/Nancy Hamilton, 1940
I Could Have Danced All Night, Frederick Loewe/Alan Jay Lerner, 1956
I Got The Sun In The Morning, Irving Berlin, 1946
I Love Paris, Cole Porter, 1953
I’m A Fool To Want You, Jack Wolf/Joel Herron/Frank Sinatra, 1951
I’m Beginning To See The Light, Dan George/Johnny Hodges/Duke Ellington/Harry James, 1944
I’m Old Fashioned, Jerome Kern/Johnny Mercer, 1942
I Remember You, Victor Schertzinger/Johnny Mercer, 1942
It Only Happens When I Dance With You, Irving Berlin, 1947
It’s A Good Day, Peggy Lee/Dave Barbour, 1946
It’s Been A Long, Long Time, Jule Styne/Sammy Cahn, 1945
I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm, Irving Berlin, 1936
I’ve Never Been In Love Before, Frank Loesser, 1950
I Will Wait For You, Michel Legrand/Jacques Demy/Norman Gimbel, 1965
The Lady Is A Tramp, Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart, 1937
Love Me Or Leave Me, Walter Donaldson/Gus Kahn, 1928
Make Someone Happy, Jule Styne/Betty Comden/Adolph Green, 1960
Midnight Sun, Lionel Hampton/Jonny Burke/Johnny Mercer, 1947
My Blue Heaven, Walter Donaldson/George Whiting, 1927
My Melancholy Baby, Ernie Burnett/George A. Norton
Nature Boy, Eden Ahbez, 1948
The Nearness Of You, Hoagy Carmichael/Ned Washington, 1937
Never Let Me Go, Jay Livingston/Ray Evans, 1956
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown), John Lennon/Paul McCartney, 1965
Nothing Like You, Bob Dorough
Old Devil Moon, Burton Lane/E.Y. Harburg, 1946
On The Sunny Side Of The Street, Jimmy McHugh/Dorothy Fields, 1930
The Party’s Over, Jule Styne/Betty Comden/Adolph Green, 1956
Peel Me A Grape, Dave Frishberg, 1962
Poor Butterfly, Raymond Hubbell/John L. Golden
Put On A Happy Face, Charles Strouse/Lee Adams, 1960
Quizs, Quizs, Quizs (Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps), Osvaldo Farres/Joe Davis, 1947
Ridin’ High, Cole Porter, 1936
Seems Like Old Times, John Jacob Loeb/Carmen Lombardo, 1946
Somebody Loves You, Peter DeRose/Charlie Tobias, 1932
The Song Is You, Jerome Kern/Oscar Hammerstein II, 1932
Speak Low, Kurt Weill/Ogden Nash, 1943
Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year, Frank Loesser, 1943
Strangers In The Night, Bert Kaempfert/Charles Singleton/Eddie Snyder, 1966
Talk To Me, Eddie Snyder/Rudy Valee/Stan Kahan, 1959
There’s No You, Tom Adair/Hal Hopper, 1944
This Can’t Be Love, Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart, 1938
Till There Was You, Meredith Willson, 1950
Time After Time, Jule Styne/Sammy Cahn, 1947
Too Close For Comfort, Jerry Bock/Larry Holofcener/George Weiss, 1956
The Touch Of Your Lips, Ray Noble, 1936
Unforgettable, Irving Gordon, 1951
The Very Thought Of You, Ray Noble, 1934
The Way You Look Tonight, Jerome Kern/Dorothy Fields, 1936
What A Diff’rence A Day Made, Maria Grever/Stanley Adams, 1934
What A Wonderful World, George David Weiss/Bob Thiele, 1967
When I Fall In Love, Victor Young/Edward Heyman, 1952
Willow Weep For Me, Ann Ronell
Wouldn’t It Be Loverly, Frederick Loewe, Alan Jay Lerner, 1956
You And The Night And The Music, Howard Dietz/Arthur Schwartz
You Better Go Now, Robert Graham/Bickley Reichner, 1936
You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To, Cole Porter, 1942
You Made Me Love You (I Didn’t Want To Do It), James V. Monaco/Joe McCarthy
Team
| Molly Whittaker | Vocals and Manager |
| Dave Pschaida | Drums |
| Ed Kornhauser | Piano or Keys |
| Doug Walker | Bass |
Influences & Inspiration
All the jazz greats!
Setup Requirements
Electrical outlet
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