Corporate events · Galas · Holiday parties
Corporate event band & gala jazz band for the San Francisco Bay Area
3-, 6-, and 13-horn jazz bands for corporate parties, galas, benefits, and holiday parties, with one experienced contractor handling the musicians, the PA, and the sound.
At a glance
- Jazz bands for corporate parties, galas, benefits, and holiday parties anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Area.
- Three sizes, each with a full rhythm section: 3-horn, 6-horn, or a 13-horn big band.
- Traditional to modern jazz, for listening or dancing.
- One contact: Niel contracts the musicians, leads the band, and can bring a full PA system and run sound.
- Hear the band first: the Local Edition Jazz Orchestra plays every Tuesday, 8–11 PM, at Local Edition in downtown San Francisco.
For corporate & nonprofit planners
A jazz band for corporate events, handled end to end
Niel's bands perform, and he produces and contracts the musicians, for corporate parties, galas, holiday parties, festivals, and public events across the Bay Area.
As an event music contractor he builds the right lineup for the brief, whether that's a horn section for hire to join your production or a 3-, 6-, or 13-horn band, and he runs the band on the day.
What planners get
- Three band sizes: 3-horn, 6-horn, or 13-horn, each with a full rhythm section
- The music: traditional to modern jazz, for concerts and dancing
- PA & sound: Niel can bring a full PA system and run sound himself
- One contact: lineup, contracting, and the band on the day
Ensemble sizes
Three band sizes, each with a rhythm section
3
3-horn band
Three horns plus a rhythm section: a polished jazz sound for receptions, dinners, and smaller rooms.
6
6-horn band
Six horns plus a rhythm section: big-band color and drive on a mid-size footprint, for listening or dancing.
13
13-horn big band
Thirteen horns plus a rhythm section: a full big band for galas, holiday parties, and concerts.
How much does a corporate event band cost in the Bay Area?
It depends on band size (3, 6, or 13 horns plus rhythm section), the length of the performance, the location, and whether you need Niel to bring the PA and run sound. Send the date, venue, and headcount for a quote.
Which band size is right for our event?
A 3-horn band suits receptions, dinners, and smaller rooms. A 6-horn band brings big-band color on a mid-size footprint. The 13-horn big band is built for galas, holiday parties, and concerts where you want a full big-band sound for dancing.
Do you provide the sound system and microphones for speeches?
Niel can bring a full PA system and run sound himself. Tell us about speeches, awards, or announcements in your program so the setup covers them, or Niel can coordinate with your venue's AV team.
Can the band play quietly during dinner and then for dancing?
Yes. The bands play traditional to modern jazz for both concerts and dancing, so the music can sit under conversation early in the evening and build for the dance floor later.
Are you insured, and can you provide a certificate of insurance?
Yes. Niel carries liability insurance. If your venue requires a certificate of insurance or other vendor paperwork, mention it in your inquiry so it is ready before the event.
How far ahead should we book a holiday party or gala band?
As early as you can. December weekdays and weekends fill first, so send your date as soon as it is set to check availability.
Where do you play?
Across the entire San Francisco Bay Area: San Francisco, the East Bay, the Peninsula, the South Bay, and the North Bay including Marin, Napa, and Sonoma counties.
Why Niel
Headline-level players, one point of contact
The Local Edition Jazz Orchestra has backed Kurt Elling, Billy Valentine, and saxophonist Tom Scott, and its members have performed with Seal, Gladys Knight, The Temptations, Santana, Herbie Hancock, and the San Francisco Symphony. Niel himself is a first-call trumpet player whose credits include Dave Brubeck, Frankie Valli, Arturo Sandoval, and Jon Faddis.
Because he is also a live sound engineer who mixes regularly at San Francisco jazz clubs, he speaks the same language as your AV and production team, and he can bring a full PA system and run sound himself.
Hear the band
Big-band energy for your event
The Local Edition Jazz Orchestra swinging hard on Benny Carter's “The Swizzle,” the kind of high-energy set that works for galas and holiday parties.
The Swizzle
Benny Carter's “The Swizzle,” arranged by Greg Johnson, recorded live at Local Edition in San Francisco on January 20, 2026. Niel plays trumpet and was the audio engineer.
Service area
Corporate events across the Bay Area
Based in San Francisco, Niel's bands play corporate events, galas, and holiday parties across the entire Bay Area: San Francisco, the North Bay (Marin, Napa, and Sonoma counties), the East Bay, the Peninsula, and the South Bay.
- San Francisco
- Marin County
- Napa & Sonoma
- East Bay
- Peninsula
- South Bay & San Jose
Planning a gala or holiday party?
Send the date, venue, headcount, and the kind of energy you want. Niel will put together the right band.
Request a proposal