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#206, March 25, 2020
Hi 
,  
But First, Let Me Tell You a Little Story:

"Just make it perfect, OK?" 

I say this all the time.  You too?

It's been quite a while, but the last time a 
surgeon had to fix my "whatever", he didn't 
ask me to list what to do or how to do it.  

And thank goodness he didn't ask me 
to watch and give advice all along.  

If he did, I probably would have replied 
"You know what I want.  You're the pro, 
so let's leave all the details up to you.  
Just make this procedure perfect, OK?"

Sound familiar?

And the last time I flew on an airplane, 
the pilot didn't ask me how to do his job.  

But if he did, I would have replied "Just 
get me from here to there.  Make it quick 
and painless, keep me totally safe and 
as comfortable as you can."  

In other words, "You know what I want.  
You're the pro, so let's leave all the details 
up to you.  Just make this trip perfect, OK?"

Have you ever said something like this?

Every day, probably.

And in almost everything you do --  for 
yourself, your friends, and your clients.

So here's that story:

Recently we entertained about 300 guests 
at a benefit cocktail party at the Computer 
History Museum, in Mountain View.  

The host is one of my favorite event planners, 
and we've worked together many times.  

She tells me something like this: "Robbie, 
you've got just the cocktail party.  I'm focusing 
on the entire evening.  Promotion, registration, 
facility, volunteers, caterer, dinner, auction, 
and everything else."

"You know what I want.  You're the pro, 
so let's leave all the details up to you.  
Just make it a perfect cocktail party, OK?".

No problem, I say.  We do this all the time.  

And sure enough, the evening was a huge 
success.  Another triumph!

What songs we played, and how to pace 
them, was up to us.  

At most events like this, the host usually asks 
us to select the perfect cocktail party music.

Select the perfect music?  Put yourself in our 
shoes.  What would you do here?  

Suppose you're planning cocktail party music -- 
say, for a wedding, banquet, or private  soirĂ©e.  
  • How would you begin?  
  • What would you want to know?  
  • What questions would you ask?
Here's how WE usually proceed.  

First thing, I ask the host to tell me 
about the atmosphere she's hoping for.  

That way, our experience can guide us 
to the kinds of music that will create 
the mood she wants.

Our job is to help her guests enjoy being 
there.  So we select the music to help make 
whatever they're doing easier and more pleasant.  
  • Casual chatting among friends?  
  • Serious ballroom dancing?  
  • Formal business discussions?  
  • Wild and crazy "dancing your brains out"?  
Whatever they're doing, this usually means 
keeping  everyone in a happy mood.  Creating 
the right mood with familiar favorite tunes 
and a few nice surprises.

Naturally, the specific songs we choose always 
depends on who's in the crowd.  
  • Who are the guests?  
  • What songs will be familiar?  
  • What songs might be favorites?  
  • What songs might be pleasant surprises?
At the start, we'll glance at the group for a 
few minutes and guess about what songs will 
be sure-fire hits for dancing, or singing, or 
a soft background for conversations.

And throughout, we always talk with the guests, 
especially when they approach us to request 
their personal favorite songs.  

Big clues there!

Frequently guests like to chat with us about 
their own experiences playing music.  Or their 
son who is learning to play guitar and loves  
the Beatles' music.  

Another big clue!

In fact, a bride and groom-to-be who reserved 
us  for their wedding next month came by last 
March's  party to preview us again, and they 
requested a  few of THEIR favorite songs.  

Another big clue -- now we know what we'll 
surely  include at their wedding reception!

So here's that valuable tip I promised:  
Whenever it's YOUR turn to be the host or hostess, 
decide what mood you want, tell your musicians, 
and let their professional experience guide them.

Next time you catch us at a party or a wedding, 
you'll see this in action!
  
And now that we're talking about 
planning wedding and party music...

Easter Sunday and Mother's Day are just ahead, 
and you might be involved with planning an 
exciting celebration.

And if you or a friend are engaged to get 
married, you might also be involved with 
planning the wedding.

Perhaps both. 

So the next time you or a friend  are looking  for 
upbeat, elegant music,  played the way you want, 
think of us.

Where can you can preview us?  Here: 

Sunday, March 29, 12:00-3:00pm  (Sorry, canceled)
Wedding Fair (only for couples already registered at Saratoga Springs)
Saratoga Springs, 22801 Big Basin Way, Saratoga


Reply or call 408-245-9120.  Let's chat soon.

Robbie

Robbie Schlosser | Magnolia Jazz Band
"Elegant, Upbeat Music for Weddings and Parties"  
 
P.S.  See our  Yelp reviewsphotos of us in action on  Instagram
.


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