Kujawa

Madison, WI

$200 and up

Travels up to 90 miles

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Overview

JAKE KUJAWA brings a bright, bold, and timeless vibe to any event with a stylish mix of Sinatra, Bublé, Elton John, and classic big-band favorites. With polished vocals, high-quality backing tracks, and a charismatic stage presence, KUJAWA creates an elegant, engaging atmosphere perfect for weddings, cocktail hours, corporate events, private parties, and upscale gatherings.

Each performance is tailored to the event, with custom setlists, professional attire, and a refined lounge-style delivery that keeps the energy classy and memorable. Optional add-ons such as special song requests, MC services, and themed looks are also available to help make your event truly one of a kind.


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Booking information

Price range: $200 and up

Languages: English, Spanish

Gig length: 60 - 120 minutes

What to expect

When you book KUJAWA, the goal is simple: create a smooth, classy atmosphere that fits the moment without overpowering the room (unless you want that!). The style leans heavily into timeless crooner music — Sinatra, Bublé, big-band standards, and a few familiar classics that most people recognize within the first few notes.

The performance is built around polished vocals and professional backing tracks that recreate the feel of a full band. The sound is clean, balanced, and set at a level that works for the room. Whether that means relaxed background music during a cocktail hour or something a little more lively and showstopping once the energy picks up, I can be adaptable.

Visually, the vibe is classic lounge style. Professional attire, a clean setup, and a stage presence that feels comfortable and confident without being over-the-top. Think Vegas lounge meets modern event entertainment.

If guests are watching the performance, they’ll see a mix of familiar standards, swing-era favorites, and a few modern crooner-style songs that keep things fresh while still fitting the overall feel. Some songs invite people to sing along, some are meant to set the mood, and others are simply there to add a little charm and personality to the room.

From a client’s perspective, the goal is reliability and simplicity. When you book KUJAWA, you can expect:

• Professional vocals with high-quality backing tracks
• A tasteful lounge-style performance suited for social settings
• Customizable setlists to match the tone of your event
• Professional attire appropriate for weddings, corporate events, and formal gatherings
• A compact sound system suitable for small-to-medium venues
• Clear communication leading up to the event

Events that work especially well for this style include cocktail hours, wedding receptions, corporate gatherings, private parties, holiday events, and upscale lounge settings.

Music can stay subtle and atmospheric during conversations or shift slightly more upbeat if the room calls for it. The goal is always to read the space and make sure the music enhances the experience rather than competing with it.

Special song requests can often be accommodated with advance notice, especially for weddings or milestone events where a particular song matters. MC services or themed looks can also be discussed depending on the needs of the event.

At the end of the day, the focus is simple: timeless songs, intentional performance, and music that helps make the event feel memorable without making things complicated.

About

Music has always been around for me. As a kid I was constantly drawn to it — listening to it, messing around with instruments, or trying to figure out how songs were put together. That eventually led me into concert band in middle school and high school, where I really started to understand music in a deeper way.

Band became a big part of my life during those years. I started on trumpet and worked my way through the program, spending a lot of time rehearsing, performing, and just being around other people who loved music too. Over time I naturally took on more leadership roles on the field, which eventually led to becoming drum major. That experience taught me a lot about presence, timing, and how music can bring a group of people together.

Along the way I picked up a few other instruments. Piano helped me understand the structure of songs. Guitar and drums came from playing casually and learning by ear. These days I’m even learning to play the saxophone, partly because it fits the style of music I enjoy and partly because it’s fun to keep expanding.

The style of music that always stuck with me was the classic crooner sound. I’ve always liked artists like Frank Sinatra and Michael Bublé — that whole Vegas lounge era with big bands, smooth vocals, and songs that feel timeless. There’s something about that style that just feels effortless and cool. It doesn’t try too hard, and it never really goes out of style.

Over the years I’ve had plenty of chances to perform at local gatherings, parties, community events, and holiday celebrations. Good settings where people are together, enjoying themselves, and music adds something to the atmosphere are where I have thrived. That’s always been the part I enjoy most. Not necessarily being the center of attention, but helping create moments that people remember and moments that matter.

These days, I still spend a lot of time around music, whether that’s learning new songs, working on different instruments, or performing when the opportunity arises. For me it’s always been less about chasing the spotlight and more about the experience itself. There's a euphoric feeling that takes over when performing live, singing your heart out, and bringing people together. That's the kind of magic only music can create.

At the end of the day, I just enjoy good songs, good musicianship, and the kind of music that never really gets old.

Additional booking notes

The performance setup is designed to be simple, flexible, and easy to accommodate in most venues. KUJAWA performs with professional backing tracks that recreate the sound of a full band, paired with live vocals. This allows for a full, polished sound while keeping the footprint small and the setup efficient.

Sound System
A compact professional PA system is typically provided for small to medium-sized events (cocktail hours, private parties, lounges, small corporate events, etc.). This setup is designed to deliver clear vocals and balanced music without being overpowering for conversational settings.

For larger venues, outdoor events, or events with more than approximately 100 guests, additional sound reinforcement may be recommended. In those cases, KUJAWA can coordinate with the venue’s sound system, DJ, or production team if one is already in place.

Space Requirements
The performance setup is minimal and can fit comfortably in most spaces.
Typical footprint:
Approximately 6 ft x 6 ft performance area
Access to one standard electrical outlet within 10–15 feet
This allows the performance to work well in lounges, reception areas, small stages, patios, and event spaces.

Setup & Sound Check
Typical setup time: 20–30 minutes
Quick sound check is performed before guests arrive whenever possible
Early access to the venue is appreciated but not always required

Lighting
No special lighting is required. Most performances rely on the venue’s existing lighting.
If the venue has stage lighting or accent lighting available, it can enhance the lounge-style atmosphere, but it is not necessary for the performance.

Performance Length
Typical booking formats include:
1 x 60-minute set
2 x 45-minute sets
1 x 90-minute continuous set
Up to 2 hours with a short break
Longer performances can be discussed depending on the event.

Music Style & Volume
The performance style works especially well in environments where music should enhance the atmosphere without dominating the space.

Volume levels are adjustable depending on the setting:
Lower volume for cocktail hours and dinner service
Moderate volume for receptions and social gatherings

Song Requests
Special song requests are often possible with advance notice, particularly for weddings, anniversaries, or milestone events. Requests should ideally be submitted 2–3 weeks before the event to allow time for preparation.

Travel
Local travel is typically included within a reasonable distance. Events outside the local area may require a small travel fee, depending on distance.

Outdoor Events
Outdoor performances are possible provided there is:
Access to power
A covered or shaded performance area to protect equipment from sun, wind, or weather

General Requirements
Standard electrical outlet
Stable, level performance area
Reasonable shelter for outdoor events if the weather is a factor

The goal is to keep the setup professional but low-maintenance so the focus can stay on creating a smooth, enjoyable musical experience for the event.

Set list

The set list blends classic crooner standards, swing-era favorites, and a few modern songs that naturally fit the same smooth, lounge-style feel. The goal is to keep things familiar, timeless, and easy to enjoy while mixing in a few surprises people don’t always expect in this style. Songs are typically arranged to move naturally with the flow of an event — starting relaxed and conversational during cocktail hour and gradually picking up a little energy as the room warms up.

Here’s a sample of songs commonly included:

Fly Me to the Moon — Frank Sinatra
Haven’t Met You Yet — Michael Bublé
Your Song — Elton John
Beyond the Sea — Bobby Darin
Everything — Michael Bublé
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You — Frankie Valli
Moondance — Van Morrison
Sway — Dean Martin
Feeling Good — Michael Bublé
L-O-V-E — Nat King Cole
Rocket Man — Elton John
Mack the Knife — Bobby Darin
Home — Michael Bublé
Stand By Me — Ben E. King
The Way You Look Tonight — Frank Sinatra
Brown Eyed Girl — Van Morrison
Ain’t That a Kick in the Head — Dean Martin
New York, New York — Frank Sinatra
My Way — Frank Sinatra

A few newer songs that translate well into a lounge or crooner-style arrangement may also appear in the set depending on the crowd:

All of Me — John Legend
Perfect — Ed Sheeran
As It Was — Harry Styles (lounge-style arrangement)
Stay With Me — Sam Smith
Watermelon Sugar — Harry Styles
Easy on Me — Adele
Fly Love — Jaimie Foxx

Setlists are always flexible and can be adjusted based on the audience and the type of event. Some songs lean more toward background atmosphere, while others tend to get people singing along. Special song requests are often possible with advance notice, especially for weddings and milestone celebrations.

Influences and inspiration

My biggest musical influences come from the classic crooner and big-band era. Frank Sinatra has always been a huge inspiration — not just the songs themselves, but the way he delivered them. There was a confidence and ease to his performances that made the music feel natural and timeless. Dean Martin and the Rat Pack era in general also left a big impression on me, especially that relaxed Vegas lounge energy where the performance feels polished but never stiff.

More recently, artists like Michael Bublé helped bring that style back into the modern spotlight. I’ve always appreciated how he blends classic swing standards with contemporary songs while keeping that same smooth vocal style and big-band feel.

Beyond the crooner world, I’ve also been influenced by the broader tradition of jazz and big-band music — the kind of arrangements you’d hear from orchestras led by people like Count Basie or Duke Ellington. That era of music had a certain swagger and sophistication that still holds up today.

At the same time, growing up playing in concert band exposed me to a wide range of musical styles and composers, which helped shape my understanding of musicianship and performance. Being around that environment with consistent rehearsing, performing, and eventually leading as drum major definitely influenced how I approach music and performing today.

Overall, the common thread between most of my influences is timeless songs, strong musicianship, and performances that create an atmosphere people can enjoy.

Setup requirements

Microphone

PA System

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