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Way Station Music
- Los Angeles, CA
- Jazz Band
- Travels up to 120 miles
- $600 and up
Overview
For over ten years, we've been a go-to booking agency for special events, and bars and restaurants all over LA. Our weekly music program at The Varnish has been named dropped everywhere from LA Weekly, to Nat Geo Traveler. Timeout says we're "well-groomed". Punchdrink says we "lend warmth to the room". Thrillist calls us "exceptional" and says we're "one of the best live jazz clubs in Los Angeles".
Whether you're looking for quiet and subtle, or raucous and fun, we've had you covered. Our colorful family of musicians features experts in Swing, Cool Jazz, old-time Rock & Roll, Gypsy, and even Exotica and Tiki.
11 Reviews
My one issue was Gage took what seemed like a very long break 40-60 minutes between sets of overall playing time of 2.5 hours. Not sure how long but became very noticeable to me the host.
Jazz Guitarist
On time and good tunes
Jazz Guitarist
Our recent experience with Way Station Music at our annual Christmas party, attended by over 100 guests, was nothing short of spectacular. From the initial contact to the final note played, their professionalism and talent left an indelible impression on us and our guests.
Marc, the point of contact, was a beacon of professionalism with his exceptional communication skills. He provided a comprehensive checklist that not only facilitated our planning process but also introduced us to brilliant ideas we hadn't considered.
The band's punctuality and efficiency were evident as they arrived early, setting up the stage in a manner that ensured everything ran smoothly. Their setup process was seamless, and their willingness to coordinate with our schedule showcased their adaptability and professionalism.
As for the performance, Way Station Music was simply phenomenal. Their upbeat, jazzy style captivated everyone in the room. The quality of the music, from the harmonious vocals to the skilled instrumentals, was exceptional. The band’s energy was infectious, and they had a remarkable ability to connect with the audience, making the night truly memorable. We received numerous compliments from our guests, praising the band's performance and the lively atmosphere they created.
Furthermore, their professionalism shone once again when it was time to transition to the next band. They broke down their setup quietly and efficiently, ensuring a flawless and impressive transition. This level of thoughtfulness and respect for both the venue and the following act was highly appreciated.
We are absolutely delighted with our decision to hire Way Station Music and are already looking forward to having them at our future events. Their combination of musical excellence and professional conduct is a rare find, and we wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone seeking a band that will not only meet but exceed expectations.
Thank you, Way Station Music, for making our Christmas party an extraordinary and unforgettable experience! Your talent and professionalism were the highlights of the evening.
The 3 musicians that played at our event were outstanding! Everyone enjoyed the jazz/ragtime feel and the players were polite and professional.
1940s Era Entertainment, Jazz Guitarist, Jazz Singer, Pianist
Great band, with great covers - very professional. Really nice musicians, as well. Will definitely book them again.
Jazz Guitarist, Jazz Singer, Jazz Band
This is the second time I’ve hired them and it’s just a wonderful experience. Absolutely top notch music! I highly recommend them!
Jazz Band
Response from Way Station Music:
Ronson,
We really enjoy playing your parties. Your home is a warm, relaxed environment and you surround yourself and your family with positive-minded people. We'd love to work with you again. Let us know!
MG
Thank you for your presence at our event. The music was amazing and Christi was wonderful! We will definitely be reaching out for future events.
What an amazing experience. We were looking for a jazz quartet for a birthday party, and not only did they craft the quartet for just the right types of instruments for our space (in our case a Gypsy jazz group with an amazing singer), but they also played wonderfully. They were the highlight of the party!
Jazz Guitarist, Jazz Singer, Jazz Band
They are wonderful, set such a great mood for the party
Jazz Band
Working with Marc and The Varnish House Band was, above all, a seamless experience. From the moment we booked them for our Customer Cocktail event in Anaheim, until the day of our event, the whole process went without a hitch. On the day of our cocktail, the band was punctual and dressed professionally; they were also very respectful and polite. During the event, the band played jazzy melodies and set the mood perfectly for our event. Thank you for helping us host a successful event for our customers! We’d recommend The Varnish House Band to any companies or teams looking for a great band in Anaheim and Southern California.
Jazz Band
We had the best service and the guests absolutely loved the band! I highly recommend them!
Jazz Singer, Pianist, Jazz Band
Booking Info
Price Range: $600 and up
Gig Length: 50 - 200 minutes
Languages: English
What to Expect
We will be punctual
We will be dressed snappily, and with personality
We will be easy to work with
We will be friendly (and a perhaps a little bit wry)
We will be sporting quality instruments and our gear will be in good condition
You will be impressed with our selection of songs
You will be able to select a combo that suits your taste and needs
About
When our parent bar, The Varnish, opened over a decade ago, our musical ethos was been to blend into and augment the vibe of the speakeasy -- to soundtrack your trip back in time to the 30's while you sipped your vintage craft cocktail.
Over the next few years, as the vibe of The Varnish evolved from "speakeasy-specific" to just "generally excellent", our repertoire expanded to include songs from later eras -- cool jazz, rockabilly, gypsy, hokum, contemporary singer-songwriter, to name a few. Our goal has been to fill the room with music that we find interesting; to make the sound fit the atmosphere without having to force it. Vibe is paramount; if your thoughts on the music are anything other than, "wow, these people can *play*", or "what is this song? i love this!" we're not doing it right. And we've been at it long enough by now to know the difference. We do it right.
As the music expanded, so did our league of musicians. We feature a broad and talented collection of pianists, drummers, guitarists, vocalists, saxophonists, violinists, woodwind players, mandolins -- we've even got a couple Grammy winners in our ranks.
No matter which combo you decide to go with, you'll know that you're getting players who feel personally connected to the music we're playing, and that we're playing that much better and deeper as a consequence.
Services Offered
Past Booked Events
October 19, 2024 • 5:00pm - 8:00pm | Cocktail Party |
December 12, 2023 • 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Wedding Reception |
December 09, 2023 • 7:00pm - 9:00pm | Christmas Party |
December 01, 2023 • 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Christmas Party |
September 11, 2023 • 6:30pm - 9:00pm | Corporate Event |
September 05, 2023 • 7:30pm - 10:30pm | Birthday Party |
May 06, 2023 • 1:30pm - 3:30pm | Nonprofit Event |
March 24, 2023 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Birthday Party |
December 15, 2022 • 6:00pm - 8:30pm | Dinner Party |
December 16, 2021 • 7:00pm - 8:30pm | Corporate Event |
December 11, 2021 • 7:00pm - 9:00pm | Christmas Party |
September 25, 2021 • 5:00pm - 8:30pm | Fundraiser |
December 14, 2019 • 7:00pm - 9:00pm | Christmas Party |
October 24, 2019 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Corporate Event |
October 18, 2019 • 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Cocktail Party |
Influences & Inspiration
Fiona Apple, Chet Baker, Andrew Bird, Jon Brion, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Etta James, JD McPherson, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk, Pink Martini, Django Reinhardt, Brian Setzer, The Squirrel Nut Zippers, CW Stoneking, Brian Wilson