The Flippojazz Ensemble-Instrumental Pieces
The Flippojazz Ensemble - Vocal Tunes
God Only Know What I'd Be Without You- Flippojazz Trio
Chelsea Morning - Joni Mitchell- Flippojazz Trio
Solo Jazz Pianist Medley
The Flippojazz Quartet
The Quartet Featuring Dan on Flute
The Trio with a Happy Bassist
Another Trio Playing a Wisconsin Wedding
Dave Singing at the Piano
Dave Adding Melodica to the Piano (harmonic sound)
The Flippojazz Ensemble can perform as a quartet, trio or duo with or without vocals. They've performed throughout the Chicago area for more than 25 years at weddings, ceremonies, receptions, dinners, graduations, corporate events, b’nai mitzvahs, and holiday parties. The band's jazz arrangements include standards and contemporary pieces from 60's to the present.
Leader, Dave Flippo crafts his playlist after discussing the preferences of the client. He holds a Doctorate & Master degree from the Univ. of Michigan & Eastman School. Dave also performs as a solo pianist, with or without vocals. More verified reviews at <a href="https://www.gigsalad.com/external/redirect/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ2lnc2FsYWQuY29tL2RhdmVfZmxpcHBvX3NvbG9fcGlhbm9fdm9jYWxpc3Rfc2tva2ll">https://www.gigsalad.com/dave_flippo_solo_piano_vocalist_skokie</a>
7 reviews
Sarah N.
November 25, 2025I reached out to Dave with the Flippojazz Ensemble about playing at my wedding and I was blown away with how great they were to work with, especially since my we had some specific requests! Dave was professional and delivered everything I could have asked for, and went above and beyond our expectations.
My husband and I love swing dancing and we wanted our guests to enjoy swing dancing on the dance floor during the evening (we opened the dance floor with a short swing lesson). We were looking for a jazz band that could accommodate for this type of wedding, and Dave with the Flippojazz Ensemble absolutely exceeded my expectations to bring a top tier performance through the whole evening. They played for over 5 hours, from cocktail hour through dinner through the entire dance floor!
My husband and I had sent over a list of modern songs that we would love if the band could adapt in a jazzy, swing dance style. I expected then to learn one or two, but to my surprise and excitement, nearly every song we requested/suggested they played for us on the dance floor. My husband and I had the best time dancing to our favorite songs, and our friends who aren't as familiar with jazz loved dancing to hearing their favorite songs adapted in a jazzy style.
The highlight of the evening for me was the first dance with my dad and my husband. The song "Forever Young" by Rod Stewart is a nostalgic song for my dad and I, and I originally thought that I would need to play a recording of the song since it isn't a jazz song. But Dave told me that he and the band could learn the song no problem, and even helped adapt the song to be slightly shorter to better fit the evening timeline. It was absolutely amazing and my dad and I were both in tears to be able to dance to our favorite song live.
I truly could not recommend this band enough. If you are considering booking them for an event and would like to hear more about my experience working with them, feel free to email me at sarahalmostnotnagel@gmail.com and I am happy to provide a more detailed referral. There's also more details on their website at www.flippomusic.com/privateevents.
Hired as: Jazz Band
Jane C.
October 18, 2023LOVED having Dave and his trio perform for our wedding. We had seen them play in the community previously, and they were so much fun that we decided to hire them for our big day. They are SO talented and everyone appreciated the wide variety of music they performed. Kids to grandparents were pleased (a tough task!) You will not be disappointed. A musical treat for any occasion. A+
Hired as: Wedding Band
Kelly A.
October 10, 2023Dave was wonderful to work with for our wedding - he was very reliable, had great communication and most importantly, beautiful music! Would recommend to family & friends!
Hired as: Wedding Band
Joseph M.
October 7, 2023I work at River Grove Public Library and we had hired the Flippojazz Ensemble for our Summer Reading program as our big finale. They did Jazz for the Generation's, and it was one of highest attended events, in recent history. All of our patrons loved their performance, and highly appreciated their covers of old classic songs. We would happily have them play for us again.
Hired as: Jazz Band
Cheryl K.
October 6, 2023Our family has hired Dave and his ensemble for two lifecycle events. He is a great listener to the client's needs and desires and adapts accordingly. Dave hires top notch musicians to accompany him. He modifies the volume to the size of the venue and the crowd. He creates fabulous playlists. He learned a particular song that was particularly meaningful to our family. The ensemble is prompt and professional. The combo has a fabulous, jazzy, rich and complex vibe. We highly recommend Dave Flippo.
Hired as: Jazz Band, Wedding Band
The Flippojazz Ensemble
Thanks Cheryl, It's been great helping to add music and energy to you special events. Dave
Price range: $500-$3,500
Languages: English
Gig length: 60 - 350 minutes
All my players are professionals, so they know how to act respectfully and appropriately. They are also all friendly and easy going and open to interacting with any guest that approach them during the breaks. We are sensitive to the appropriate volume for different parts of the evening… cocktail music may be brighter and more energetic and dinner music may be quieter, so people and conversation we had we had with the clients. The music will flow and give the listeners lots of variety of styles, grooves and tempos.
Dave Flippo, a native of Pittsburgh, PA, moved to Chicago in 1987 after completing a Masters and Doctorate in Music Composition/Piano at the Eastman School of Music and the University of Michigan.
From that time on, he has worked as both a teacher, solo pianist, and small ensemble leader. He has performed for numerous private events as both soloist and group leader for weddings, ceremonies, cocktail hours, concerts, graduations, and holiday parties and also performed with After Hours, a 7 seven-piece wedding band, for fifteen years.
Dave has also led his own artistic group “Jazz from Planet Flippo” (formerly Flippomusic) which features his own compositions and arrangements. He’s recorded six CD’s and received numerous positive reviews and awards with that group. Many of his arrangements of contemporary artists such as Lennon / McCartney, Joni Mitchel, David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, Radiohead, Amy Winehouse, KT Turnstall, Steely Dan, Sly Stone and others are mixed into his performances at private functions. This gives the audience some fun, exciting sounds that are still familiar. He is also an adjunct professor at Triton College and College of Lake County and teaches piano, jazz piano and composition in his home studio and nearby student homes.
Dave has built up a diverse repertoire and is comfortable in any style: jazz standards, contemporary, show tunes, classic rock/pop, classical and even Bollywood. He is an easy going and attentive person that is eager to craft his musical performance to fit the vision and preferences of his clients. He offers the option to add vocals to his solo piano performances and to his small ensembles. He can also add melodica (a harmonica-like instrument) to his performance, if desired.
We will generally provide the PA system which includes a mixer with effects, cords and high quality microphonescables and stands. There generally isn't much to ask of most venues except having enough space to set up and having electricity. If a piano is provided, the venue or client will be responsible for having it acceptably tuned, otherwise I will provide an electric piano and stand (plus a vocal mike if I an singing). If there are other instrumentalists, they will provide their own instruments and stands.
SET LIST:
Here are a few examples from each category, with numerous other pieces available for each.
JAZZ STANDARDS – Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Victor Young, Dave Brubeck, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern…
(Someone to Watch Over Me, Summertime, Take Five, Chicago, Fly Me to the Moon)
We also off our own jazz arrangements of many contemporary artists from the 60's to the present:
CLASSIC ROCK/POP-60’s/70’s: The Beatles, David Bowie, Johnny Cash, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Steely Dan, Joni Mitchell...
( Here, There and Everywhere, Chelsea Morning, Too High, I’ll be There ...)
CONTEMPORARY: Amy Winehouse, Radiohead, Soundgarden, Sara Bareilles, Maroon Five, Flaming Lips.
(She Used to be Mine, Karma Police, Black Hole Sun, Rehab, Do You Realize...)
LATIN: Jobim, Bonfi, Antonio and Ferreira, Legrand
(Wave, Watch What Happens, Recada Bossa Nova, Triste, Girl From Impanema)
HOLIDAY- Both Secular and Sacred Christmas songs, Hannukah Songs.
The band is extremely flexible and can provide a performance of mainly jazz standards, even one featuring a particular decade. We're influenced by artists such as Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Weather Report, Keith Jarrett. Our performances in area clubs and institutions feature a wide collection of arrangements of contemporary artists such as Stevie Wonder, Lenon/McCartney, David Bowie, Amy Winehouse, Jimi Hendrix, Soundgarden, Joni Mitchell, Radiohead and more. We can also put together a set which features a particular decade... 60's, 70's etc.
• Basically Enough space for the instruments and speaker and electricity. It depends if it is solo piano or a trio or quartet. The dimensions will be discussed once that is decided.
Jazz Band