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Creating the Mood You Want,

from an Elegant Trio to a Swinging Sextet


A monthly guide to help you and your friends preview the Magnolia Jazz Band


Here we are last week (in the photo above), at our regular "first Thursday in December" gig -- the annual Yale Alumni Holiday Party. Left to right: Gary Milliken, Steve Apple, and Andy Norblin. I'm taking the photo on my iPhone. (Right -- I need a real camera, with a flash. Any recommendations?)

Recognize the room? It's the famous "Alexandra's Room", on the 32nd floor of the Westin St Francis Hotel, in San Francisco. What a setting -- floor-to-ceiling windows cover every wall! Whenever I'm there I'm stunned by the fabulous panoramic views of San Francisco. See more photos on my BLOG.

Last Thursday was another festive night at one of San Francisco's busiest hotels. Sure, this December is a bit slower than in previous years. This glum observation is shared by most of the event professionals I know -- caterers, facilities, photographers, decorators, florists, and other entertainers.

However, many of them tell me that next month is looking better than usual. Understandable, since traditionally for most of us January rates can be lower and availability can be higher, so it appears to me that this year's "holiday season" might be spilling into early 2009 in a big way. Are you finding that, too?

Bottom line: I expect lots of holiday parties will fill January -- scaled down, perhaps, but still cheerful get-togethers to celebrate this special time of the year. In fact, starting at 1:30pm on December 31, we're booked for four different New Year's Eve celebrations, ending with a festive, elegant dinner party at the Toll House Hotel, in Los Gatos. Looking for a wonderful New Year's Eve? Join us, and enjoy a memorable dinner, accompanied by the trio playing your favorite popular standards and jazz classics. We've all been waiting for 2009, and this will be a great way to end the old year and begin a bright new one.

Ooops, full disclosure time. Actually, the trio at the Toll House will be three of my best associates, men I often work with, but I can't be there myself. I'll be at an engagement on the books since last September, leading the sextet at a private party in Palo Alto.

So how about you? Still have one more party to plan? Consider scheduling it for January. You'll have lots of options, and you'll avoid the end-of-the-year frenzy while you're dealing with other priorities right now.

Is a significant event coming up in your life? Throw a party and include us. Or do you have friends planning their wedding? Please recommend us and forward this note or our report "Selecting Your Wedding Music".

Today I'm talking with people planning parties for New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day. If you'll have a party on one of these days, or on any day in between, now's a good time to plan the details, including the music. Have a question? We'll have the answer.

Call us at 408-245-9120. You'll love what we do. We're easy to work with, so let our experience help your celebration. We play at private parties nearly every day, and you can preview us on New Year's Eve, in Los Gatos. Please visit MagnoliaJazz.com for details on this event and more, and I hope to see you soon.

What do you think about all this? I'd love your opinions and comments.


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