Questions and Answers

As a client, you determine the program. We are there to help make your event a success. Attributes such as a proper attire, complying with agreements, punctuality, discretion and an open-hearted manner go without saying for us. Furthermore, we convince you with our first-class music, without you having to worry. Just lean back and enjoy, you have earned it! We are, of course, always approachable and adapt gladly to your wishes, even during the performance.

You like what you have heard and seen from us? That is quite wonderful. Then you should now first contact Andreas Kunert (phone +49 (0)160 | 977 392 60), or by email to hello@pocketjazztrio.com (or by using the contact form). We will help you define your exact wishes and are also available with our wealth of experience on such events. Together we go through your event mentally and define the "role" of the band. Thereupon we will quickly prepare a non-binding offer with your details and clarify the availabilities of our musicians for your event date. Next, we and you will sign a musician contract together. 

We love jazz, blues, soul, swing and inspire the audience especially with those genres. But we are also stylistically confident in Latin, Bossa Nova, Tango, Funk, "world music" and merge these directions at times with each other in an exciting way, as you certainly do not expect. So let us surprise you!

We play on any kind of event you may think of.* Indoors or outdoors.

Some examples:

• wedding (also to the marriage ceremony)
• Firmenevent und Firmenfeier
• concert in a club
• birthday party (also surprise party)
• opening ceremony and roofing ceremony
• Christmas celebration (in our special Christmas program with the POCKET JAZZ TRIO & friends)
• Reception and gala
• dance ball (especially Lindy Hop)
• fair and street festival
• exhibition, convention, trade show and conference
• living room concert
• vernissage
• open day / open house
• anniversary
• film / television
• event / happening
• and a lot more

*with the exception of political events/rallies of the extreme right/left.

To be clear, we are not a disco band but our music, namely Swing, is indeed very danceable. Let this much be said, in the past, our audience could not resist but to tap their feet to the music because it swings so wonderfully. Especially Lindy Hop is a dance our audience loves to dance with us. In fact, we have played at a number of Swing dance parties of the Berlin Lindy Hop scene before. Andreas, the band leader, dances Lindy Hop himself passionately as well and, thus, knows what dancers need...

If you want to know what Lindy Hop is:

 

and where you can learn it in Berlin:

www.swingstep.com

At our performances, the audience always met us with a welcoming spirit and great openness to our music. This touched us very much every time and we returned this positive energy in all forms. Apart from that, you don't have to pay much attention. We are an organizationally very straightforward acoustic band with piano, upright bass and drums (when in trio). A (tuned) acoustic piano is of course optimal. However, very few event organizers have one, so we usually play on a first-class stage piano. If necessary, we use a bass amplifier, depending on the room. All we need is a multi-plug socket (or cable drum) near the stage and about 4-6 m² of space. For outdoor events it is important for us to be protected from the elements (e.g. wetness, sand). There should be a dry shelter nearby in case of weather changes. This way, if it rains, we can take refuge there until the rain is over and then move back with our instruments. Beyond that, you determine the general conditions.

We are an organizationally very uncomplicated, acoustic band with piano, double bass and drums (if in trio). In this line-up we need a maximum of one multi-plug (cable drum) near the stage, if at all a bass amplifier and an electric piano should be used. A (tuned) acoustic piano is of course optimal. However, very few event organizers have this, so we usually play on a first-class stage piano. A microphone, sometimes requested by customers for announcements, is not included by default (if booked without vocals). This would have to be organized by us in this case. We also do not have lighting, effects, elaborate sound equipment, nor a stage construction in any form.

Yes. Usually, we are a trio but we have an especially good network in the Jazz scene, too, and know some exceptionally talented musicians, who we also play with on a regular basis. This is the reason why the genre of Jazz is so lively... it makes it possible for different instrumentalists to play together, because the language of music is such a universal one! Of course, the sound you will get is a completely different (yet in no way better or worse) one.

In this extended line-up, we are the POCKET JAZZ TRIO & friends. Often, the client would like an additional singer or saxophone player. Just ask us about this. 

Wherever your event may be, we will come along. No destination is too far away for us, but the increased travelling and accommodation costs will, of course, be reflected in the price. In the past, we have played Europe-wide, mainly in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg, with a starting point of Berlin, where the German Jazz scene is the most active and the most international. This is the Jazz we carry into the wide world!

Throughout Germany (and in neighboring countries) we usually travel by car and train. If a band member is currently on a tour abroad, a flight may be an exception. For an event that is further away, we travel by train or flight and borrow the equipment locally.

This depends entirely on our travel logistics. If a larger journey with possible overnight stays has to be organized, a lead time of several weeks is necessary. Otherwise, it can also be at short notice to "last minute". We are flexible enough for that. In any case you should contact us. We will always find a solution together, even if it is tight!

In the other direction, there is no maximum lead time. You can gladly book the band for next year or the year after.

Of course, this always depends on a few factors: Playing time/duration of the event, venue, need for accommodation, number of desired band members, possibly effort for particularly large events (sound checks/sound equipment, special repertoire). These things should be discussed first (by phone or in another form). Only then does it make sense to quote a price. But we also stick to this price.

Once we have found out what you really need and what you don't, we will be happy to provide you with a quick and non-binding, but customized offer. Just get in touch with us.

In the price you get in our non-binding offer, everything is included, in your desired line-up (by default in a trio). This price is the final price, so it includes everything, e.g. travel, Set-up (60 min before the start of the event), our required equipment, longer breaks, repertoire requests (as long as they don't need extra rehearsal), possible accommodation. This is the easiest way for you, but we are also happy to explain how our price is composed.

In addition, we always offer you a price for a spontaneous prolongation by you per 60 min playing time. You may take advantage of this option during your event. Even multiple times, if you so wish.

We do happily take requests for tunes, if they fit the music style (or we are allowed to play this song in our own style) and the sheet music is available for them. More elaborate songs (like when, for example, the groom would like to perform a song of his choice for his dearest,) should be arranged some time in advance. However, we are good sight-readers and improvising musicians at the same time. So, you may be astonished how we can make a song wish come alive on the spot.

We do not want to make people be something they are not, or do something they do not feel comfortable with. It is our playing that should be captivating and intoxicating to the guests. We have, until now, been very successful with this attitude and, thanks to our good musicians, also effective in leaving a strong and lasting positive impression in our clients and the audience alike.

Please contact us about this. Sometimes it is possible to hear us perform live or in our rehearsal space in Berlin. If this is not the case due to organizational reasons, Andreas, the band leader and/or another band member will be happy to meet with you for a conversation, to talk over your wishes for your event.

We have a very good network at our disposal in the Berlin Jazz scene and know a number of outstanding musicians, who could play the performance and who we have played with before on different occasions. If we know in the run-up to the event that one of our regular musicians is not going to be available to perform on the day in question, we will be transparent about it. In very rare (unforeseen) cases (e.g. accident, flight cancellation etc.), it could happen that a booked band member drops out (like it could be the case with any of us). In such a situation, we will swiftly do everything in our power, to substitute this musician with an equally capable musician last-minute. In Jazz music, instrumentalists always have to be flexible, react to new musical situations on the fly and collaborate with different artists. This is what creates the magic of this genre in the first place and, as a matter of fact, this has been the reason for success for lots of famous Jazz records.

This is specific to events in Germany only and depends on the type of event. For your private party, you do not have to declare/pay anything.

More info here:

https://www.gema.de/musiknutzer/musik-lizenzieren/veranstaltungen/

Yes, our band is very well suited for a vegan or gluten-free lifestyle.