The Matt Young Group>> Chicago Wedding Band / Coporate Event Band

The Matt Young Group>>The Joynt with IGM Entertainment

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST

On May 25th we performed at The Joynt, located downtown in the Gold Coast on Dearborn. It was a fantastic night. Even at The Joynt, where the dance floor is about the size of a coat room, we had everyone up dancing and having a good time! We are going to be back at the Joynt in May, so please keep checking the blog and come out to see us. We would like to thank IGM Entertainment for giving us this opportunity to perform.

The Matt Young Group>>Loyola University

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 12:07:00 EST

We recently performed at Loyola University Downtown for a student ran 20's themed dance. It was a ton of fun!! Everyone was dressed in Zoot Suits and old time dresses, and danced away as we played Classic Jazz Standards from the Great American Songbook.

Click Here to see our extensive Jazz repertoire.

The Matt Young Group>>Shedd Aquarium Performance for Phytel

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 11:45:00 EST

On April 5th, we performed for our 1st time at Shedd Aquarium. We were so fortunate to have this experience, and want to thank Phytel, a company dedicated to helping physicians improve patient care, for booking our group for their event. For all your corporate entertainment needs contact The Matt Young Group!!

The Matt Young Group>>Recent Corporate Performances

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 12:05:00 EST

The Matt Young Group has extensive experience performing for corporate clients ranging from small intimate dinner reception to all-out fund raising gala with up to 500+ guests.� During the month of April, we have had several performances for corporate clients who hire us year after year.

We performed at the Robert H. Jurie Research Center for the Schwietzer Fellows at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.� This is our 3rd consecutive year playing this event which is a small cocktail reception before the main presentation of the graduating fellows. �

We also performed twice for one of our favorite clients this month - Amada America, a machine tool manufacture, with a display room in Schaumburg.� We typically play for thier guests during cocktails and dinner with a small jazz ensemble.� We thank then for their continued business!!

To see a list of our corporate clients Click Here.

The Matt Young Group>> Dance Floor Killers!!

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 11:31:00 EST

After you've hired a dance band which of course claimed to keep the dance floor packed, there are a couple of things to keep in mind that will help them keep their promise.� Here are some sure fire ways to kill the party out on the dance floor.

1. Micro-managing planners.� No offense, but micro-managing planners can really kill the vibe.� They are paid to be the one's handling the stress, but 9 times out of 10, it is stress that they insistently create.� When the dance sets start, make sure that you have most of the formalities out of the way.

2. Pictures in the middle of the dance floor.� I have yet to figure this out.� I cannot tell you how many times we're in our first set and people are starting to fill up the dance floor when someone comes up to the band stand and informs me that there will be a group photo in the middle of the dance floor in 5 minutes.� Well, 5 minutes after that, the dance floor is empty. �

3. Multiple room receptions.� Having your reception in multiple rooms may seem like a great idea, but once everybody spreads out it is not likely you will see everyone in one place again.� I have seen clients set up sweets tables, bars, and sitting areas in other rooms.� The band is there to entertain your guests.� If they are in another room, you're not getting your money's worth!!

4. Being insistent with the band.� A good band leader knows how to get the guests out of their chairs, but be patient.� It might take a couple of songs.� Also, the dance floor will likely breathe, filling up and some points and then emptying for a few moments.� Coming up to the band during these moments and asking them to play something more "upbeat" will not do the trick.� Even if you select all the songs that your want the band to perform, this will happen.� Don't panic and think that your reception is going to be a failure.� Just relax and have a good time, and your guests will do the same!!

5. Having relatives of friends perform with the band.� I have performed at some weddings where high school friends were allowed to come and play with the band.� It is a spectacle at first and everyone wants to see, but allow this to continue, and the party will die.� Leave the music to the pro's.� If your family member or friend is a professional musician they will understand that we have a repertoire that we play together, and adding them to the mix at the last minute might be difficult.�

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The Matt Young Group>> Soul Band vs. Variety Band

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 11:57:00 EST

When selecting a dance band for your wedding or private function, it is important to think about the atmosphere that you would like to create. Most of my clients say they want music their guests can dance to after dinner. In this case there are many options, Swing, Motown, Disco, R&B, Reggae, Classic Rock, Alternative, Indie, Hip-Hop, etc. Many bands claim to play it all and these bands are referred to as Variety Bands.

Variety Bands, as their name suggests, play a wide variety of music usually in a very generic way. Their interpretation of some songs will sound great, but others might sound like Stevie Wonder trying to sing link Frank Sinatra. Try to imagine a vocalist who is really good at singing Stevie Wonder, and then imagine that same vocalist trying for Margaritaville!! Not a pretty picture. These bands are great if you want a wide variety of mediocre music. Hey, at least its not a DJ, right?

The Matt Young Group is a R&B Band. We play R&B music!! R&B is a genre that includes the following sub-genres: Motown, Soul, Funk, Pop. R&B Music will have your guests dancing all night long, I guarantee it. They might not hear their favorite AC/DC cover, but I promise that they will not miss it. Our repertoire includes the some of the biggest hits from the 60's through the 90's and features songs by artists like The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Jackson 5, The Isley Brothers, Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and many more!! Our song list contains nothing but the best dance classics that were ever written.

The best part is that our band was build around this style of music. The vocalists and musicians in the band are great R&B Musicians. We have all studied and played this style of music for years, and we are all good at it. I won't claim to sound good playing a Jimmy Buffet tune, although we might, but what I can claim is that we are one of the finest R&B Bands in Chicago!!

For great dance music at your event, look no further!!

Contact Information:
The Matt Young Group
312-912-8203
contact@themattyounggroup.com
Link to our Song List: www.themattyounggroup.com/songlists.html

The Matt Young Group>> YouTube Channel

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:40:00 EST

Watch all of our videos on The Official Matt Young Group YouTube Channel. There are a wide variety of Jazz and Dance Band Videos that help our clients get a feel for our band's Live Performance. Enjoy!!

Link - The Official Matt Young Group YouTube Channel

The Matt Young Group>> Demo Magazine CD Review

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 15:17:00 EST

The Matt Young Group / Diggin’ In

Independent, 2007. themattyounggroup.com

Columbia Connection: Matt Young (bandleader, bassist, and composer) graduated in 2007 with a B.A. in music (instrumental jazz). Sarah Ferguson (vocals) is a senior majoring in vocal performance. Rob Denty (tenor sax) is a member of the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, a jazz group in residence at Columbia.

The Sound: Jazz

The Word: Matt Young is a versatile bassist, gifted composer, and smart bandleader, but the most exciting moments on Diggin’ In belong saxophonist Rob Denty and vocalist Sarah Ferguson, whose voice supersedes anything instrumental on this album. On the few tracks in which she appears, her smooth and sultry voice swings and sways to its own rhythm. Natural talent in jazz is rare, and rarer still is somebody so young who possesses it.

—Brent Steven White (B.A. '08)

The Matt Young Group>> Sunday Evenings at Bistro Campagne

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:26:00 EST

Every Sunday night from 5:30 - 8:30 pm, Matt Young (upright bass) and Hal Tsuchicda (piano) perform Jazz Classics from the Great American Songbook. Come join us for some exceptional music and some amazing food at this cozy French style bistro. Looking forward to seeing you all soon!!

Bistro Campagne
Lincoln Square
4518 North Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60625
Reservations: 773-271-6100

The Matt Young Group>> Riverside Receptions - 02/28/09

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 12:28:00 EST

Last Saturday we performed with our 5-Piece Ensemble at Riverside Receptions for a wedding reception!! It was really a wonderful night. We had the dance floor packed by the end of the night, and we were asked to extend our performance for an additional 1/2 at the request of the client and guests. We had a great time and look forward to our next performance at Riverside Receptions in May! Stay tuned for feedback!