We're live music experts & party starters, infusing every event with energy and full dance floors. We're here to make your wedding the greatest party of your life! The Blue Wave are a premium, customizable 3 to 14 piece band specializing in high-energy music–at a sensible price. Our talented and professional musicians have performed regularly with touring and recording artists including Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Sting, Santana and Earth, Wind & Fire, as well as working and touring with numerous Broadway shows. Visit our website for upcoming showcase dates where you can see the band perform LIVE before booking. You can also tailor the dream band to suit your style and budget.
The Blue Wave Band was fantastic- the 7-piece ensemble got everyone out on the dance floor and kept them there! While they get very busy over the wedding season, they always responded to my communications, met our song/style requests, and also allowed me to step in and play my saxophone with them for one song, which made me feel like a rockstar. Probably the best money I spent on any vendor.
AMAZING! If you are looking for a band for your wedding/event, these are the people! Marc was so helpful along the way and the group that came out to play for both the ceremony (live guitar) and reception (4 piece band including vocal) were phenomenal and incredibly sweet! Guests raved about them and I am so happy to have had them help make our big day so special! I really can’t say enough about Blue Wave Band and I would without a doubt go with them again if given an opportunity!
To summarize: While the musicians were generally great, Blue Wave Band did mess up nearly everything we asked them to do at our wedding. If you have any specific requests or visions for your wedding music, we strongly suggest finding another band (especially for the cost).
When looking for a wedding band, BWB seemed awesome, and the reviews online were nearly perfect. They have a relatively high-tech website and our point of contact, David, was more-or-less responsive (at least compared to most vendors). We were spending a lot of money on them (more than any other vendor) but we were ok with that because the music was really important to us, and they are a "premium" band.
- For the ceremony: the string quartet that BWB provided played all three songs incorrectly; BWB provided a mic stand with a boom arm extension, which is obstructive for a wedding ceremony because it sticks out far forward (it interrupted our ‘I Do’s’); BWB put the mic stand in front of the altar and not on the altar, so our officiant had to move it up to the altar herself live, and it ended up being off-centered as a result.
- For cocktail hour: we walked out to join 30 min after cocktail hour began and didn’t see any of the horns that we requested.
- For the reception: we gave them clear instructions that they were to begin playing immediately after the speeches ended, but when the speeches ended at 8:55PM, the band was nowhere to be found, and they didn't start playing until 9:10PM; the band on several occasions awkwardly paused in between songs because they didn’t know what songs they were supposed to play, despite the fact that I had given them a list of songs weeks in advance, and I asked David for a set list a few weeks leading up to the wedding but he refused to provide one, saying “I don’t really have a full list since we’ll have a lot of singers with us (awesome!)”; the band leader harassed our DJ that she had played two of the band songs, but upon clarification, the band leader was wrong.
- For the videography from BWB: the videographer failed to capture one of the three dances.
When I initially brought these issues up with David, I asked for our full tip amount back at the very least (we had already given the tip to the band in advance). He apologized for my unmet expectations and offered 40% back, and he said that some things were out of their control, claiming that the venue did not provide adequate dinner meals (why they were 15 minutes late to the stage) and that covid had caused some last-minute substitutions (why they had multiple pauses). I responded saying I did not think that was fair. After back and forth, David revealed that the string arranger had in fact "missed the finer details" and that the videographer missed a dance because he “had a lot going on”, and that they were both sorry, but gave no other explanations for the other issues. He then agreed to refund the full tip amount (nothing more) and again apologized for my feelings. After we received this, I then made it very clear to David that I didn’t think that this was enough given their reputation and cost, and stated that if I were in his position, I would have offered a more significant refund given how much stress BWB caused us during our wedding and also the days after on our honeymoon. I told David that I was going to post this review online in 7 days unless they offered at least a 50% refund and to also please let me know if anything is not accurate. He did not respond.
The Blue Wave Band truly made our wedding day. We had said from the beginning the thing we were both most excited for was the band, and they did not disappoint. From start to finish, Marc and the crew were amazing to work with. They were extremely accommodating and focused on making their structure and style work for you. We had the best freakin time and so did all of our guests—from great grand children to getting my great grandma out on the dance floor. They loved it. We could not have imagined having more fun—wish we could go back and do it all again with the Blue Wave Band!
The Blue Wave Band was exactly what we were hoping for when we booked live music for our outdoor wedding at Skamania Lodge. We were looking for a live jazzy/bluesy feel for the night, and they hit it out of the park, with drums, sax, bass, and keyboard. They allowed us to swap in additional instrumentation as we got closer to the wedding, and offered MC service + mics for the ceremony itself. We had 2 calls with them beforehand, and were also able to provide custom ceremony entrance and exit music. They were a blast during the reception, and everyone was talking about how great the music was throughout (and well after) the event. It was worth the splurge to have Blue Wave Band join us, and honestly, it wasn't even as costly as I thought live music might be. If you're looking for live music, I highly recommend their group.
Blue Wave did an absolutely outstanding job at our wedding! My family, friends, and I absolutely love dancing and live music, and these guys are GOOD! Every artist was so talented and friendly, and the songs were perfect selections for our group, ranging from jazz during cocktails to funk, rock n roll, and pop hits. My only regret is that we couldn't have kept dancing for many more hours!! The emcee did a fantastic job of introducing people and guiding the reception events, and was flexible to impromptu changes in the timeline.
The planning process was incredibly smooth and thorough; Marc was very responsive, organized and detailed and took to heart all of my requests and preferences.
Overall, couldn't be happier with our choice to book Blue Wave Band!! If you want to guarantee a packed dance floor with your favorite tunes, I recommend booking them too!
We hired blue wave for our big day and I couldn’t have more than amazing things to say about them. We went with the 8 piece band and they truly blew all of our expectations out of the water. They flowed perfectly from song to song covering all of the hits including the Jewish Hora for our chair celebration. Every inch of the dance floor was full the entire reception! 6 weeks later and we are still getting compliments about how amazing the band was and how much fun they brought to the party. Don’t hesitate, hire them!
Blue Wave played both our ceremony and reception and they were outstanding. Marc helped us coordinate everything up front and they played every song we requested. We got so many compliments on the band. They were professional and created a rockin’ dance party. Highly recommend!
The Blue Wave Band was absolutely fantastic! They are gifted, talented, professional musicians that know how to make an event an awesome experience for the guests. The band's performance created an atmosphere that truly made our New Year's Eve Wedding Reception a huge success. The dance floor was full from the beginning to the very end and everyone had a blast (an amazing band is the ONLY thing that keeps the dance floor packed all night long). The comment we heard over and over from our guests was "That band is so amazing!" The variety of music they performed was impressive. We started the evening with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres while the band played instrumental background music as guests mingled and visited and then later the band got the party rockin' for the rest of the night with great dance music. I feel it is important to mention how much I value and appreciate the level of professionalism I experienced throughout the entire process. From the very first contact to book the band, prompt replies to all communications prior to the event, punctuality on the day of, appropriate dress and appearance of the band members, as well as their fun personalities and obvious enthusiasm and love of what they do, all made the whole experience stress-free, positive, and memorable. I give my highest recommendation for the Blue Wave Band to perform for anyone wanting to have first-class, live music performed at their event.
We couldn't recommend Blue Wave more highly - they made our wedding reception a total dancefest. We attended three showcases and saw a number of band members rotate through different songs - definitely recommend this to get voices to suit the musical style you want. The showcases were good but a bit low energy - but they absolutely blew us away the day-of. Huge range of songs and they kept people going all night. Thanks so much!
BlueWave assembled an amazing group of musicians for our outdoor fall wedding in Hood River. The vocalists were superb - Horn, keyboard, guitar, & drummer all outstanding... They were well beyond a typical wedding cover band and truly a group of outstanding musicians. (Per our initial requests, we even got some jam sessions & solos throughout the evening - which did not disappoint!)
BlueWave performed flawlessly throughout our dinner, (never too loud but always just right), and then took it to another level during the dance reception afterward. The playlist was spot-on, pacing exactly right, and execution at the highest level. The band members also showed up looking great as well! Prior to the event, we really enjoyed working with Marc as well, who patiently answered all our questions - promptly & thoroughly. We certainly “Won’t stop believin” anytime soon...
Thanks again,
G&T
Fantastic band and band members. Easy to communicate and get answers prior to the wedding and the soft music for the cocktail hour was perfect and the full 7 piece band was perfect for dancing. Loved ALL the music!!!
I sang in college and high school so have a fairly high standard for music. That being said, the band was absolutely tremendous. Everyone at our wedding was very impressed with how talented and fun the live band was (6 piece band). The band members were all incredibly nice and congratulatory on the day of the wedding, and the band manager David was so helpful, organized, professional, and patient in the organization leading up to the wedding. They were one of the many highlights from a perfect day - I would not have changed a thing.
Excellent choice! Highly recommended.
Blue Wave Band absolutely made our wedding reception!! And we had it in the most unbelievable spot, gorgeous view, day of weather, great food, etc. .
Blue Wave is truly exceptional at bringing the life to the party!! We hired them for our wedding (92 guests size) and a 7 piece band, after seeing them play at a friend's wedding in Portland the summer before (10 or 12 pc band). The band did not disappoint! If you have any doubts attend one of their monthly open houses. Good luck not feeling the good music vibes :)
Blue Wave Band elevated our reception from nice to exceptional. Our guests continue to say how much fun they had dancing, thanks to the amazing talent of this band. We sent a list of our favorite songs and they played exactly the style we love. They were professional, fun, and kind, and turned the evening into such a party! From young children, to my parent's friends, no one needed to be asked to dance- people couldn't help themselves! (This is just what we wanted!) Thank you so much to David for coordinating this for us and to the entire band- you are so talented and you helped made our evening so special!
Blue Wave Band performed at a corporate holiday event for Amazon for a group of about 250. They were phenomenal to work with, extremely friendly, and one of the most talented live bands I've seen. If you are looking for a band for your wedding or party, I cannot recommend them enough!
Trent was super fast responding to emails which made us feel well taken care of, and we were able to go to a showcase to see the caliber of musicians. The band portal page was easy to use, and having a pre-wedding phone call to nail down all of the details was great.
The band was awesome! They were so talented, and the dance floor was packed for the entire reception. We especially liked that they paid close attention to our song preferences. They basically played everything on our list. The band really went above and beyond. They lent us a guitar for a friend to play during our ceremony, they asked if they could play through a scheduled break to keep the dance party going, and they played an extra song after 10pm when our guests chanted for "one more song"!
We've been recommending them to everyone we know!
From the moment I sent an inquiry, to the moment the band loaded out, it was a top-notch experience. I appreciated how organized and communicative the band was in the months leading up to our conference party. The songs they played were high energy and perfectly executed. They kept us all dancing for the entire party and they sounded fabulous! I wish I could package them up and take them to every conference! As a professional musician myself, my standards are high. The Blue Wave Band exceeded my expectations for excellence in every way.
We hired the Blue Wave Band for a fundraising event and they were phenomenal. We were hesitant at first as they were outside our budget as a non-profit, but they were worth every dime. The pre-communication and the band itself was terrific. We went with a 4-piece band and couldn't have asked for a better experience. Jimmy's voice and energy is amazing! We booked them that night for next year!
If you are reading this review and contemplating whether or not to have a band at your wedding and if it's worth the cost, take my word for it and BOOK THEM. My (now) husband and I were wavering and almost went with a DJ due to the cost of a live band. Luckily we took a moment to revisit our vision and how WE wanted to be represented on our big day. We bit the bullet and booked the Blue Wave Band. Other than marrying my husband, this was the best decision we made when it came to our wedding (hands down). Our guests didn't sit the entire night. A song would end and everyone would turn to get a drink, grab a piece of cake or sit down and the next song would come on and you couldn't not stay and dance. Moreover, I talked with the band manager a few times leading up to the wedding. I told him what my first dance song was and to play music people loved to dance to. That was it. By far the easier planning/prep when it came to my wedding. After our wedding, every person we talked to, first and foremost, commented on the band (before the food, venue, my dress, the weather, etc.). If you can afford them, book them. If you can't, cut corners somewhere else and book them.
The best of the best! If you are looking for a great band for your wedding, this is it. We have worked with Blue Wave Band for multiple weddings as the coordinator and are always impressed. They can get anyone out on the dance floor - parents, grandparents, everyone - and will keep the festivities going. They are professional, well organized and great to work with!
Trent was so wonderful to work with- he let me choose who I wanted to be the lead singer, and he put together a perfectly complimentary band that everyone was just raving about! We all had so much fun, and I would absolutely recommend Blue Wave!
They were an eclectic mix- and people just loved them. They played good songs, and they're not the typical country club rotation bands that you always hear at events in Portland. People kept coming up to us, and complimenting the band and their song choices. Trent went above and beyond to make sure they knew the songs I wanted for the special moments, and they hit it out of the park through the night.
An incredible experience from the day we selected them to the night they performed at our daughter's wedding in Mt Hood, Oregon. Very professional, extremely organized from the contract to the very unique band planning page - nothing was left to chance. We received plenty of advice and were given lots of flexibility (the groom's friend played for all 3 first dances using the band's sound equipment). The MC kept the night flowing and the music kept our guests dancing until the last note. If we lived on the west coast, we wouldn't hesitate to use them again. There isn't a music genre that they cannot play and they can provide up to 12 musicians if needed. Their talent is only surpassed by their ability to take care of the whole process - we never had any questions, because everything was presented from the beginning - timeline, contact info, schedule of songs...if it pertained to a wedding, they had it covered. I did all the research, so you don't have to - book Blue Wave Band and enjoy your wedding without a worry! We only wish we could have extended the night another hour - not enough time to enjoy them - everyone wanted to dance longer. We received so many compliments about our choice of music from our guests. What a huge success!
The band was phenomenal. Their pre-wedding prep was minimal (I was in charge of all band stuff for my wedding, so I was the only person working with them) but sufficient, their forms for making the music and night perfect were handy and easy to fill out, their day-of needs were really easy and quick, and then their energy throughout the night was really perfect, and made our event that much better. I really don't have anything but glowingly positive things to say about the band, from booking to prep to performance, it was far less stress and far more reward than I was expecting.
We paid this band close to $4,000 to play at our event. Instead of sending ANY of the people displayed in the pictures you see both here on gigsalad and their personal website, they sent 4 surly, middle-aged, un-groomed men, and a woman who started the night setting up in a random corner of the room without checking with anyone, and then got upset when we asked them to set up on the STAGE provided in the middle of the room. Once they started playing (late) their levels were WAY too loud, their set-list obscure, and their harmonies off and jarring. They had lulls between each song that further drove people from the dance floor, and chose to play a slow song 3 songs in with no momentum to carry them through. After less than an hour of playing, they had chased everyone - not just from the dance floor - but from the event entirely.
Never have we ended our annual gala so early.
While we sadly cleaned up tables we had spent more time setting up than being used, we were treated to the band members joking and laughing about how quick they had killed the night.
The event was for a non-profit school. We feel completely swindled. Two days ago we reached out to them to make this right, but have yet to hear back. Hopefully they realize this money could be better used for kid's scholarships at our non-profit than paying for their sub-par, unprofessional "performance".
Blue Wave Band played our wedding reception and were absolutely terrific. They are a talented group of musicians that were able to read the room and keep the room dancing all night long. People were cheering for an encore when the venue shut the wedding down. We requested a mix of funk, jazz, folk, swing and some pop...and they nailed it all. Beyond being great musicians, they were easy to work with, professional, timely and communicative. Highly recommended!!
Price Range: $1980 - $8700
Gig Length: 120 - 500 minutes
Languages: English
The Blue Wave Band are trained proffessional musicians with a wealth of knowledge and experience under their belts. They offer a fully customizable performance in all aspects, from band size, to performance length, to music style and more. We are capable of performing smooth jazz one night, then 80s glam rock the next, to a Great Gatsby style 1920's Big-Band the next!
Please speak to us about your specific requirements.
High Energy Live Music to Pack Your Dance Floor!
We're live music experts, wedding enthusiasts, and party starters, infusing every event with energy and full dance floors. We're here to make your wedding the greatest party of your life!
The Blue Wave are a premium, customizable 3-14 piece band specializing in high-energy music for festivals, weddings, corporate events and private functions–at a sensible price. Our talented and professional musicians have performed regularly with touring and recording artists including Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Prince, Sting, Fruit Bats, Phillip Phillips, Santana and Earth, Wind & Fire, as well as working and touring with numerous Broadway shows.
Visit our website for upcoming showcase dates where you can see the band perform LIVE before booking–showcases also make for a great date night or fun evening out with friends! This is an ideal opportunity for you to see the quality of music we provide, and make decisions about the music for your big day based on personal experience.
You can also tailor the dream band to suit your style and budget. Anything from a 3-piece band up to a 14-piece band with full horn section, percussion and backing vocalists. Any style from jazz, pop, funk, Motown to big band - or even the 80s... The Blue Wave Band are dedicated to excellent service throughout your planning process. You’ll benefit from a designated producer to help with planning and promptly answer any questions you may have along the way. We also provide you with your very own band planning page, making the experience a breeze!
Our pricing ranges from $1,900 to $8,000, but every quote is customized to your event needs so don't hesitate to reach out!
Where we play: Mostly in Seattle, Portland, Eugene and Vancouver, but we travel around the world.
Speak to us about any lighting, staging or sound questions you might have. We are professionals who have a great deal of experience in all these areas so we will be able to help.
Example Song List (a small selection)
JAZZ/SWING Songs - Good for early in the night…
I've Got You (Under My Skin) - Frank Sinatra
Moondance - Michael Buble
It Had To Be You - C.Porter / Frank Sinatra
Come Fly With Me - Frank Sinatra
Zoot Suit Riot - Cherry Poppin' Daddies
Cheek to Cheek - Fred Astaire
In the Mood - Glen Miller Band
L-O-V-E - Nat King-Cole
New York, New York - Frank Sinatra
CONTEMPORARY-ISH Songs - We're always updating this list! Good for college/festival crowds…
Only Girl in the World - Rihanna
Empire State Of Mind - Jay-Z/Alicia Keys
Dynamite - Taio Cruz
Firework - Katy Perry
Rolling in the Deep - Adele
If I Ain't Got You - Alicia Keys
Cosmic Girl - Jamiroquai
Marry You - Bruno Mars
Moves Like Jagger - Maroon 5
Steal My Kisses - Ben Harper
Daft Punk - One More Time
Pumped Up Kicks - Foster The People
John Mayer - Waiting on the World
Ray LaMontagne - You Are the Best Thing
I Need a Dollar - Aloe Blacc
Lonely Boy - Black Keys
Crazy In Love - Beyonce
CLASSIC OLD-SCHOOL DANCE FLOOR - Good for a broad age range crowd…
Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
All Night Long - Lionel Richie
Long Train Running - Doobee Brothers
Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
Superstition - Stevie Wonder
I feel Good - James Brown
Wake Me Up Before You Go Go - Wham!
Valerie - A.Winehouse / (link hidden)nson
1999 - Prince
ABC - The Jackson 5
Love Shack - The B-52's
Jump - Van Halen
CLUB HITS - Great for late on a Saturday Night!
Umbrella - Rihanna
Toxic - Britney Spears
Your Love is My Drug - Ke$ha
Hey Mr. DJ - Madonna
Til The World Ends - Britney Spears
Live Your Life - Rihanna
No Diggedy - Black Street
Sexyback - Justin Timberlake
Harder, Better, Faster - Daft Punk
SOUL/MO-TOWN/FUNK Songs - Great for filling the dance floor…
Whats Goin' On - Marvin Gaye
R-E-S-P-E-C-T - Aretha Franklin
At Last - Etta James
My Girl - Temptations
Shake Your Tailfeather - Ray Charles
Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
I Want You Back - Jackson 5
Signed Sealed Delivered - Stevie Wonder
Mustang Sally - Commitments
Son Of A Preacher Man - Aretha Franklin
Higher Ground - Stevie Wonder
Lets Get It On - Marvin Gaye
Sex Machine - James Brown
CLASSIC ROCK Songs - Sometimes, it's just time to rock out…
Don't Stop Believing - Journey
Sweet Home Alabama - Lynard Skynard
Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry
Hotel California - The Eagles
Twist n' Shout - The Eagles
Shake Your Tailfeather - Ray Charles
Can't Buy Me Love - The Beatles
Cherry Cherry - Neil Diamond
American Pie - Don MacClain
Play That Funk Music - Wild Cherry
Dumb Things - Paul Kelly
What I Like About You - The Romantics
Land Downunder - Men at Work
SPECIALIZED TUNES - Only played on special request…!!
Devil Went Down to Georgia - bluegrass standard
Czardas - Gyspsy folk/jazz standard
Various Traditional Jewish Folk daces (Horahs).
Various Italian Folk Songs/Dances (Tarantellas/Waltz/Foxtrots).
Over 100 Traditional Irish Jigs/Reels.
Orange Blossom Special etc - bluegrass tunes
Hundreds of classical String Quartet standards.
Hundreds of Jazz Standards.
• Generally just access to Power, but indivdual needs will be discussed
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