Fil Lorenz Orchestra

The SF Bay Area's #1 rated jazz group! With recent notable public performances at San Francisco's Fillmore Jazz Festival, San Jose Jazz Festival, SF Lindy Exchange, San Francisco Symphony Opening Night Gala, and SF North Beach Festival, why hire anyone else? Go with the best!

Saxophonist/bandleader Fil Lorenz has performed with the top names in the business, from the Big Bands of Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey, to 60s icons Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, Soul and Motown legends Gladys Knight and Mary Wilson (of the Supremes), Bobby Caldwell, modern day soul/R&B star, Seal...and many, many others.

He brings a vast array of musical experiences to the table and his band is always stocked with the area's A-list players, all of whom have equally extensive performing credentials.

Featured vocalist, Ms. Hale Baskin is endowed with a clear, beautiful voice, a sure sense of swing, and a seemingly innate sense of the nuances of Jazz phrasing. She moves effortlessly from channeling the songbirds of the Glenn Miller and Count Basie Orchestras to classic Ella Fitzgerald-inspired Jazz favorites.

Dig the sounds of Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Bobby Darin? Let us call on our good friend Mr. Danny Grewen! For the past five years Grewen has been playing the part of "Ol' Blue Eyes" in the TRP production of "The Rat Pack is Back!". As an interpreter of the Great American Songbook, Grewen is second-to-none.

Options - What you need, we can do. Small instrumental combo for cocktail hour? Solo piano? Full Las Vegas show band? 1 singer, 2 singers, no singer? No problem. Let's discuss your "vision"!

We work closely with each client to help find the right "fit". From solo piano or an intimate duo all the way up to a swingin' 18-piece BIG BAND we have something for any venue/stage size, budget, or personal taste.

Want to kick the party into high gear? We can do that too. The songs of Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Stevie Wonder, Tower Of Power, Al Green and other Soul and Motown hit makers are in our private reserve playlist. Looking for something in particular? Just ask!





Feedback from past clients:

Fil Lorenz orchestra played as a trio on a beautiful Sunday afternoon for our winery's "Music on the Terrace" series. We saw about 1800 people that day and the feedback from guests and staff alike was fantastic. The trio set a an easy yet energetic tone to the day. The big hit was their antique Hammond Organ which set the "60's Soul Jazz and Boogaloo Band" style. Fil recommended this style for our guests and it proved to be the right call. Will definitely have them back for our series next year! ~Stephanie Domaine Chandon, Napa Valley -Stephanie W, Yountville, CA

I work for a retail company whom was fortunate enough to work with the Fil Lorenz Orchestra for a client driven event. Fil and the members of the orchestra were incredibly accommodating, professional, personable and incredibly talented! Employees and clients alike were extremely complimentary and very entertained! We could all agree we didn't want the festivities to end, and we can attribute a large part of the event's success to the Fil Lorenz Orchestra. We would be more than delighted to work with them again! -Chloe S, Walnut Creek, CA

Fil, Promised 5 star service and delivered. They where on time, on point with musical selections for our diverse group and extraordinary in their performance. I would certainly welcome the opportunity to hear and hire them again. Hale Baskin is not only very talented and HOT, but as sweet person as you will ever meet. Thanks for making my Wife's birthday party a success. All the Best! Tom -Thomas E, Homewood, CA

Vocalist Hale Baskin was magnificent! She has a wonderful voice. The crowd loved her and the Fil Lorenz Orchestra. Incredibly professional, punctual and pleasant! -Amanda F, Stockton, CA

Not many couples can say that they had an absolutely perfect wedding day and that they would change nothing... Hale Baskin and the Fil Lorenz Orchestra played a great role that day in setting the ambiance and giving the reception the exact feel that we were going for. -Alvin M, San Francisco, CA

The band looked and sounded fantastic. Well worth the money spent for the larger big band. Very accommodating, and the band members were not only super nice guys, they were true professionals. Just like I wanted, they played some jazz, some blues, and then later on threw in some soul tunes that kept everyone dancing. Highly recommended. -Frank L, San Francisco, CA

The Fil Lorenz orchestra was phenomenal. We did not want a typical "wedding band," and the band was anything but typical. They were first class all the way through - from the perfect trio cocktail music, to the swinging standards, to the funky dance set at the end. My wife Bea and I would strongly recommend them to anyone who is looking for a professional, accommodating, and most of all, talented, group of musicians for their wedding or any other classy affair. -Clyde W, Tahoe City, CA

Great experience. Working with Fil was easy and tailoring a play list for our event was cake. -Ben N, San Francisco, CA

They hauled a real organ up the mountain, because a keyboard simulation won't do for them. It has to be the real thing, and that's just the way they played. Great performance by vocalist Hale Baskin and band! -Ludger S, Woodside, CA

• OF THE HUGE NUMBER OF TUNES IN OUR REPERTOIRE, THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME OF THE MOST REQUESTED:
• A-Tisket A-Tasket - Swing/Classic Big Band
• Moonlight Serenade - Swing/Classic Big Band
• Take The “A” Train - Swing/Classic Big Band
• All Of Me - Swing/Classic Big Band
• In The Mood - Swing/Classic Big Band
• Tuxedo Junction - Swing/Classic Big Band
• Fly Me To The Moon - Jazz Standards and Ballads
• At Last - Jazz Standards and Ballads
• Georgia On My Mind - Jazz Standards and Ballads
• Girl From Ipanema - Jazz Standards and Ballads
• On The Sunny Side Of The Street - Jazz Standards and Ballads
• Satin Doll - Jazz Standards and Ballads
• Bye Bye Blackbird - Jazz Standards and Ballads
• The Lady Is A Tramp - Jazz Standards and Ballads
• Route 66 - Blues
• Let The Good Times Roll - Blues
• I’d Rather Drink Muddy Water - Blues
• St. Louis Blues - Blues
• The Thrill Is Gone - Blues
• Kansas City - Blues
• Alright, Okay, You Win - Blues
• One Mint Julep - Blues
• Dancing In The Streets - Motown/Soul/Funk
• Heatwave - Motown/Soul/Funk
• Love And Happiness - Motown/Soul/Funk
• Let’s Stay Together - Motown/Soul/Funk
• I Wish - Motown/Soul/Funk
• Rescue Me - Motown/Soul/Funk
• I Feel Good - Motown/Soul/Funk
• Mustang Sally - Motown/Soul/Funk
• Respect - Motown/Soul/Funk
• Chain Of Fools - Motown/Soul/Funk
• My Girl - Motown/Soul/Funk
• Signed, Sealed, Delivered - Motown/Soul/Funk
• 99 Pounds - Motown/Soul/Funk
• In The Midnight Hour - Motown/Soul/Funk
• Rock Steady - Motown/Soul/Funk
• Knock On Wood - Motown/Soul/Funk
• Proud Mary - Motown/Soul/Funk
• Superstition - Motown/Soul/Funk

Anniversaries, Bachelor Parties, Bachelorette Parties, Banquets, Birthday Parties, Children's Birthday Parties, Celebrations, Christenings, Christmas Parties, Church Services, Clubs, Community Events, Conventions, Corporate Functions, Dinner Dances, Festivals, Fund Raisers, Funerals, Graduation Parties, Grand Openings, Picnic, Private Parties, Proms, Restaurants, Reunions, Sweet 16 Parties, Weddings, Wedding Ceremonies, Wedding Cocktail Hours, Wedding Receptions...and more.

• Fil and his band were fantastic. They were very professional to deal with, had a great song list, and were amazingly tight musically. They accomodated us very well when we asked them to play some mood music during dinner. We chose the right group for our wedding reception. Very satisfied with our choice. -- Jon K, St Helena, CA, 5/17/2012
• I worked with Fil to put together a 4 piece band for my 50th birthday party. The theme was 1961 and I wanted a band that could play the standards. From the beginning Fil did a great job of providing information and suggestions. He was also very responsive to my questions and requests leading up to the event. The party was a great success and the band was a major contributor to that success. Jonathan Poretz as the lead singer was fantastic. I didn't think it was going to be much of a dancing crowd but by midway through the evening the dance floor was full. Thanks again for making my birthday a memorable one! -- Chip H, San Francisco, CA, 12/10/2011
• Wow and wow again. The Fil Lorenz Orchestras delivered beyond our wildest hopes and dreams. They played for the celebration of our daughter's marriage, and while they didn't steal the show (after all, this is our daughter we're talking about), they came close. Whether dancing or just toe-tapping, our friends & family were spellbound by the band's extraordinary talent, great music selection and all-around performance. We kept pinching ourselves, so powerful was the spell spun by these incredible pros. As music and dance buffs, we all agreed: the Fil Lorenz Orchestra was absolutely amazing. Run, don't walk to book this band. We ourselves can't wait to bring them back! -- Kathleen Y, Hollister, CA, 10/4/2011
• Fantastic! 5 stars for sure! Fil was a pleasure to work with and selected a wonderful trio (sax, string bass & guitar) for our corporate cocktail reception at The Claremont. They were prompt, pleasant, extremely talented and obviously were into their music - compliments from our guests throughout the evening. I will definately be working with Fil again and would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone having a special event! Mary Koenig, Bishop Ranch, San Ramon, CA -- Mary K, Berkeley, CA, 10/28/2011
• The Fil Lorenz Orchestra played at our corporate holiday party this year and everyone absolutely loved them! They played some great selections during dinner as background music and moved to more lively songs afterwards. They were great with accommodating all of our speeches and timing their breaks around our schedule. It was an absolutely memorable evening in part to their presence! -- Melanie J, San Jose, CA, 12/9/2011
• Fil was amazing. Our DJ wasn't the greatest, and Fil's band more than picked up the slack. Guests kept commenting on the band and asking for their contact info--and my bride and I had a similar reaction. They were amazing. Musicians that attended the party even gave their compliments. Fil always answered his phone, went out of his way to accommodate my requests. One of the members of his band, a trombone player and singer, cancelled at the last moment. What did Fil do? He replaced the trumpet player and then hired an additional person to be the singer out of his own pocket. I think this more than explains the type of guy he is. -- James L, San Francisco, CA, 10/15/2011
• Thank you so much for playing at our recent Swingin' Soiree at our 2011 HBW Leaders Summit in Napa. Our company's leaders thoroughly enjoyed listening and dancing to your music! You were such a pleasure to work with, from booking to finalizing a contract to the actual day of, your professionalism was top notch! I hope to get the opportunity to hear you again or hire you for another event. -- Samantha B, Yountville, CA, 7/15/2011
• Fil and his ensemble were on time, sharply dressed, and extremely accommodating. Most of all, they put in a top-notch performance that kept our guests thoroughly entertained. I would gladly work with this group again. Thanks, Jeff -- Jeff P, San Francisco, CA, 4/30/2011
• I would absolutely recommend The Fil Lorenz Orchestra to any bride who wants her wedding night to be memorable! Fil was so professional and easy to work with. He put me at ease time and time again. Getting married can be stressful, and anytime I had questions or concerns he was always available. The time spent to make sure my wedding was perfect was appreciated and unexpected. Thank you so much to Fil and his orchestra of stellar musicians! A real professional and an amazing band. Thanks again! -- Sarah M, Pleasant Hill, CA, 11/6/2010
• Fil Lorenz is a fantastic bandleader, multi-instrumentalist, MC, composer and arranger and is a consummate professional across the board. He made a special arrangement for our first dance, an unusual circumstance since he has a catalog of music ranging across the past 100 years. His band is extremely flexible, so you can customize the experience. From a warm guitar trio to a full-on big band, Fil can put together great ensemble(s) for your event. When the party needs a funky change, the bassist sheds his upright and grabs the electric as the band moves fluidly into high octane grooves from Stevie Wonder and other Motown masters. Highest recommendation. -- David A, Oakland, CA, 11/27/2010
• Fil's band was excellent! He was super easy to work with before and during our event. I would recommend the Fil Lorenz Orchestra anytime! -- Becky K, San Mateo, CA, 10/22/2010
• Highly Recommended. -- Carl G, San Francisco, CA, 12/3/2010
• Fil and his team were great. They traveled well! Everyone complimented us on their professionalism and sound. They were a 6 piece orchestra for the dancing and 3 pieces for our dinner and cocktail hours. They did a great job on our song, "Gilbraltar" by Sinatra. They also accomodated my fiancee's maid of honor who sung a song she brought with her. Everyone got up and moved, regardless of their level of dance expertise. Fil was great in coordinating everything and professional in all of our discussion. Couldn't recommend them more! -- Kelly S, Napa, CA, 5/14/2011
• They were awesome. They worked with us to make the event great. I would defiantly recommend them to anyone having an event they made a big difference in our event. -- Jerrylyn L, San Jose, CA, 11/11/2011

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