At Last - A Return of the Big Band Sound
What do Etta James and Beyonce Knowles have in common? They both have taken the song "At Last" to soulful heights. James more than 60 years ago and Knowles more recently, with a rendition that seems to have heralded in a return of romantic music and the Big Band sound - just in time for wedding season.
Along with At Last, other songs from the jumpin' and jiving era of the 30's and 40's that have seen a renewed resurgence include such tunes as All of Me, Come Rain or Shine, Cheek to Cheek, Fly Me to the Moon, It Had to Be You, and What a Wonderful World.
While all of these songs and more from this era can easily be played by a DJ or an Ipod, sung by their original artists or by one of the modern day crooners that specialize in these old-styled tunes, including Harry Connick Jr. or Michael Bublé, another way to showcase this fabulous music is with an equally fabulous and authentic Big Band. A live music performance that showcases more musical range, more sophisticated sounds, and a more classical look than your average wedding band.
All of this return to sophistication brings with it the chance to engage in a wedding theme that follows the Big Band era as well.
For the bride of a Big Band wedding theme, old world charm can return with a slim fitting satin dress, full length opera gloves, bird cage hat or veil and a long string of pearls, while the groom and his attendants can come dressed in classic black tuxedos or gangster styled pin-striped suits.
Invitations designed to fit this theme can be created with images of classic orchestra pieces, or photos prematurely aged or printed with sepia tones of the bride and groom bedecked in formal attire.
Classic black, red, hot pink, grey and white are the colors of this era, and decorations to match this theme should be simple, elegant and rich looking with subdued lighting effects and centerpieces made from artfully arranged pearls and candles.
Despite the calamities that took place throughout the Big Band era, it was a time when feelings and emotions were reflected in the music of the day. If you or your intended are a fan of this emotion-filled music of the past, you can celebrate with the knowledge that the sounds of the Big Band are back and here to stay.
©2009 Weddingstar Inc.
