Sweet soul music for your body, mind & heart, made with love, by West Grand Blvd. Feel the classic grooves of Stevie, Aretha, Otis, Bill W, The Temps, & other greats energized through a live 7-8 piece ensemble. Established in the Bay Area in 2003, West Grand Blvd is now centralized in Oakland, California and features a rotating cast of funky & soulful local musicians.
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Price Range: $1000-$4000
Gig Length: 30 - 300 minutes
Languages: English
Sweet soul music for your body, mind & heart, made with love, by West Grand Blvd. Feel the classic grooves of Stevie, Aretha, Otis, Bill W, The Temps, & other greats energized through a live 7-piece ensemble. Established in the Bay Area in 2003, West Grand Blvd is now centralized in Oakland, California and features a rotating cast of funky & soulful local musicians.
About WGB
“Hiring West Grand Boulevard was the best decision I made for my wedding, aside from picking my groom. They were the life the of the party. All the guests raved about how good the band was. They kept everyone on the dance floor till the last song. My husband remarked that it was almost like Chuck Berry and Albert King played our wedding. But it wasn’t Chuck Berry, it was West Grand Boulevard.” – Jessica F (Wedding Client)
“I have to say I think the band from last nights wedding was one of the best bands & MC’s I’ve ever seen at a wedding!!! If you are thinking of a live band for your wedding and haven’t already booked one you MUST check out West Grand Boulevard There had to have been at least 75 people there after the reception was over still dancing! They know how to keep people entertained and having a great time!” – Jennifer Bagwell (Jennifer Bagwell Photography)
“First and foremost I want to simply say – thank you. Your performance was stellar.
In my mind, choosing the right “band” for something as significant as a Wedding Reception…goes far beyond the “how can I entertain my guests” type of thought process. To me, it’s more about “who is best suited to weave the right kind of emotional thread that compliments the moment and musically ties together one of life’s special milestones.” By that measure…we are quite confident that the memories associated with 5/5/12 will remain solid and intact for many many years to come.” – Michael S (Wedding Client)
Are you looking for an alternative to your typical cover band? West Grand Boulevard realizes that not everyone appreciates cheesy costumes and a set list that resembles something from a 1980s prom or a karaoke bar on a cruise ship. They have created a more classy, elegant option for those special events that require something a little bit more exclusive.
West Grand Boulevard specializes in classic Motown, R&B, and Soul hits. Formed in early 2003, the band has performed for thousands of people at countless weddings, private parties, events, festivals, fundraisers, and clubs. Performing the popular music of influential artists like Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, James Brown, Michael Jackson and more, West Grand Boulevard is a great way to get a crowd of any age or size up onto the dance floor.
The members of West Grand Boulevard are professional musicians, and treat their clients with care. West Grand Boulevard makes sure that every event they are a part of runs as smoothly as possible. Starting with a quick and courteous load-in and set up, followed by flexibility and cooperation throughout the event, and finishing up with an efficient tear down and clean up, West Grand Boulevard is much more than your average wedding band.
If you are looking for a high quality, talented, versatile and easy to work with musical ensemble, look no further. West Grand Boulevard is just what you need to make your special event a memorable occasion!
WGB requires a covered, level playing area of no less than 14’ wide by 8’ deep - WGB will not be in direct sunlight, on soft grass/lawn, dirt, or uneven pavement/concrete. A raised stage of 16-20’ wide by 8-10’ deep with an adjacent dance floor is ideal. Client must provide access to electrical outlets within 10’ of performance area. Generators must be a minimum of 25’ away from stage. Two dedicated 15 or 20 amp circuits are ideal, one is OK (approximate power use is (phone number hidden)0 Watts).
Song List
West Grand Boulevard plays a wide variety of classic music spanning the genres of Soul, R&B, Motown, Blues, Classic Rock and Roll, Funk, Disco, and more. Below is a master list of the songs currently in rotation, plus a list of first dance songs that we have performed at past weddings. Requests for additions (or omissions) from this list are always welcome.
Songs in BOLD are our favorites/most commonly performed.
MOTOWN SONGS:
Ain’t too Proud to Beg- The Temptations
Can’t Help Myself – The Four Tops
Get Ready – The Temptations
Higher Ground – Stevie Wonder
How Sweet it Is (To Be Loved By You) – Marvin Gaye
I Heard it Through the Grapevine – Marvin Gaye
I Second that Emotion – Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
I Wish – Stevie Wonder
Just My Imagination – The Temptations
Let’s Get it On – Marvin Gaye
My Girl – The Temptations
Ooo Baby Baby – Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
Signed, Sealed, Delivered – Stevie Wonder
Superstition – Stevie Wonder
What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye
You Can’t Hurry Love – Diana Ross & The Supremes
You’ve Really Got A Hold on Me – Smokey Robinson
STAX SONGS
(phone number hidden) (Soulsville, U.S.A.) – Wilson Pickett
Born Under a Bad Sign – Albert King
Green Onions – Booker T & The MGs
Hard to Handle – Otis Redding
Knock on Wood – Eddie Floyd
Midnight Hour – Wilson Pickett
Respect – Otis Redding/Aretha Franklin
Sittin’ On the Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding
Soul Man – Sam & Dave
These Arms of Mine – Otis Redding
OTHER R&B/SOUL SONGS
Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone – Bill Withers
At Last – Etta James
Baby I Love You – Aretha Franklin
Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You – Frankie Valli
Chain of Fools – Aretha Franklin
Crazy Love – Van Morrison
Feelin’ Alright – Joe Cocker
Land of 1000 Dances – Wilson Pickett
Lean on Me – Bill Withers
Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
Mustang Sally – Wilson Pickett
Proud Mary – Ike & Tina Turner
Shout – Isley Brothers
Take Me To The River – Al Green
Use Me – Bill Withers
When A Man Loves A Woman – Percy Sledge
(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher – Jackie Wilson
DISCO/FUNK
Boogie Shoes – KC & The Sunshine Band
Cissy Strut – The Meters
Chameleon – Herbie Hancock
Everyday People – Sly & The Family Stone
I Got You (I Feel Good) – James Brown
I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor/Cake
Lovely Day – Bill Withers
Thank You (Falletin Me Be Mice Elf) – Sly & the Family Stone
The Chicken – Jaco Pastorius
EARLY ROCK & ROLL/R&B
Bring it on Home to Me – Sam Cooke
Cupid – Sam Cooke
I Got A Woman – Ray Charles/John Mayer Trio
Johnny B. Goode – Chuck Berry
Sleepwalk – Santo and Johnny
Unchain My Heart – Ray Charles/Joe Cocker
You Send Me – Sam Cooke
What a Wonderful World – Louie Armstrong
MORE MODERN R&B
“Forget” You – Cee Lo Green
Get Lucky – Daft Punk
Gimme One Reason – Tracy Chapman
Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson
Valerie – Amy Winehouse
You Are the Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne
CLASSIC ROCK & MISC. SONGS (PLAYED ONLY WHEN APPROPRIATE)
Hava Nagila – Traditional
Loves Me Like a Rock – Paul Simon
Moondance – Van Morrison
Old Time Rock and Roll – Bob Seeger
Satisfaction – The Rolling Stones/Otis Redding
Summertime – Louis Armstrong/Ella Fitzgerald
FIRST DANCE WEDDING SONG SUGGESTIONS:
Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You – Diana Ross & The Supremes
Come Away With Me – Norah Jones
Crazy Love – Van Morrison
Dream a Little Dream of Me – Mamas & The Papas
I Found You – Alabama Shakes
I Only Have Eyes For You – The Flamingos
La Vie En Rose – Louis Armstrong
Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
Lovely Day – Bill Withers
Mama He’s Crazy – The Judds
Nothing Can Change This Love – Sam Cooke
Right Down The Line – Gerry Rafferty
Something So Right – Paul Simon
Sweet Pea – Amos Lee
That’s How Strong My Love Is – Otis Redding
The Beauty of Who You Are – Marc Broussard
These Arms of Mine – Otis Redding
Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
You Are the Best Thing – Ray LaMontagne
You Send Me – Sam Cooke
When You Need Me – Bruce Springsteen
DINNER JAZZ SUGGESTIONS/STANDARDS:
Cissy Strut
Back at the Chicken Shack
Cantaloupe Island
Chameleon
Fly Me to the Moon
Girl From Ipanema
Green Onions
Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
Night Train
Pass the Peas
Sleepwalk
Summertime
ACOUSTIC CEREMONY SUGGESTIONS:
All You Need is Love – The Beatles
Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You – Elvis Presley
Oh Darling – The Beatles
Somewhere Over The Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwoʻole version
Stand By Me – Ben E. King
You Are My Sunshine – Traditional
West Grand Boulevard is a 7-8 piece band. We require a full sound system which may be provided by Venue/Client or by WGB (additional fee). WGB does not provide lighting or staging.
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