Motor City Beat

Motor City Beat is a dynamic and versatile, rhythm & blues and Motown band featuring from four to ten musicians, depending on the event and customer requirements. The core group features, keyboard, guitar, bass and drums, with the keyboard player and guitarist, singing and doubling on sax and trumpet respectively. Our most common configuration features one lead vocalist, male or female, but we often perform with both male and female vocalists, as well as a one to three piece horn section.

Enhance any ambience with Louis Johnson Jazz. LJJ features pianist Louis Johnson, acclaimed bassist Don Mayberry and renowned drummer Jimmy Ryan, playing swinging standards, ballads, bossa nova, as well as our own jazz versions of R & B, pop and rock tunes, from the Beatles to Earth, Wind & Fire. Ideal for cocktails and dinner, we offer some vocals are also comfortable playing dance music. We are often joined by female vocalist and/or one or more horn players, as customers require.

Our fees range from $300 to $5,000, depending on personnel, hours, and equipment required for the event (we charge a modest premium for early set up and for travel of more than 100 miles from Detroit).

• I'll Be Around - The Spinners
• And I Love Her - The Beatles
• Everybody Everybody - Black Box featuring Martha Wash
• Just My Imagination - Temptations
• Just The Two Of Us - Grover Washington Jr with Bill Withers
• Chain Of Fools - Aretha Franklin
• Misty - Sarah Vaughan
• Who Can I Turn To - Temptations
• Moondance - Van Morrison
• Lady Marmalade - LaBelle
• Lullaby of Birdland - Ella Fitzgerald
• Dancing In The Street - Martha & The Vandellas
• One Note Samba - Eydie Gormé
• Gimme One Reason - Tracy Chapman
• At Last - Etta James
• Play That Funky Music - Wild Cherry
• You Are So Beautiful - Joe Cocker
• We Belong Together - Mariah Carey
• Got to Give it Up - Marvin Gaye
• What's Goin' On - Marvin Gaye
• Mustang Sally - Wilson Pickett
• Could It Be I'm Falling In Love - The Spinners
• Always & Forever - Heatwave
• Down Here Blues - ZZ Hill
• My Girl - The Temptations
• Tramp - Otis Redding
• Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers
• For the Love of You - Isley Brothers
• Gonna Take You Higher - Sly & The Family Stone
• Muddy Water - Shirtlifter
• Stand By Me - Benny King
• Let the Good Times Roll - B.B. King
• Groove Line - Heatwave
• You're Gonna Miss My Lovin' - Lou Rawls
• Boogie Oogie Oogie - A Taste of Honey
• Disco Inferno - The Tramps
• Rub You the Right Way - Johnny Gill
• Run Away - Dell Shanon
• Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison
• Some Kind of Wonderful - Grand Funk Railroad
• Lovin' Feeling - The Righteous Brothers
• Low Rider - War
• I Can See Clearly Now - Jimmy Cliff
• By the Time I Get to Phoenix - Iassac Hayes
• Twist & Shout - Chubby Checker
• Satisfaction - Rolling Stones
• Takin' It to the Streets - Doobie Brothers
• Johnny B. Good - Chuck Berry
• Get Down Tonight - K.C. & the Sunshine Band
• Stormy - Carlos Santana
• Come Together - The Beatles
• The World is a Ghetto - War
• The Look of Love - Burt Bacharach
• Europa - Santana
• The Way You Look Tonight - Eric Clapton
• Favela - Bloodwood
• Fantasy - Earth, Wind, & Fire
• Last Two Dollars - Johnnie Taylor

Anniversaries, Awards Nights, Bachelor Parties, Bachelorette Parties, Banquets, Bar Mitzvahs, Bat Mitzvahs, Birthday Parties, Casinos, Celebrations, Children's Birthday Parties, Christenings, Christmas Parties, Church Services, Clubs, Coffee Shops, Community Events, Conventions, Corporate Functions, Country Clubs, Cruise Ships, Dinner Dances, Festivals, Fraternity Functions, Fund Raisers, Funerals, Graduation Parties, Grand Openings, Hotels, Jingles, Movie Soundtracks, Picnic, Private Parties, Proms, Resorts, Restaurants, Reunions, Showers, Ski Lodges, Sorority Function, Studio Session, Temples, TV Soundtracks, Weddings

• This was the best live band experience we have ever had. Louis Johnson and company did an outstanding job with the entire event. I have recieved fantastic response from my 90 guests. The level of jazz and blues mix throughout the night was perfect for our holiday party. We feel lucky even having them in our home. You cannot get better live talent than this for your event. - Ben Roush -- Benjamin R, Novi, MI, 12/6/2008
• the band was perfect for our event. we received nothing but excellent comments about thier performance! Thanks again! -- Jennifer R, Warren, MI, 2/7/2009
• I booked Motor City Beat to play my wedding reception they were outstanding. They're professional, punctual, talented, and versatile. As a musician myself, I was a very demanding client, and the band met my expectations on all levels. They allowed me to hand pick the set list, and they even let my old band and I get up and play a couple of songs with them! Everyone at the wedding had great things to say. They were able to please guests of all ages with their diverse song choices (ages ranges from 20 to 60). And their versatility was essential, as they were able to play a cocktail jazz set during dinner and an upbeat dance set afterwards. Book them now! -- Nikhel S, Medina, OH, 8/2/2008
• Motor City Beat was awesome!! My dad's 70th birthday party turned out to be "the party of the year". Two weeks after the party, people are still talking about how they absolutely loved the band. I will definitely use them at my next function!! I'm pretty sure my party guests will also. To Louis Johnson and Motor City Beat, thanks for everything. You guys ROCK!!! -- Terri J, Farmington Hills, MI, 7/28/2007
• Motor City Beat brought out the passion and romance of our youth on our 25th wedding anniversary. Their performance ROCKED!! They brought their own special sparkle to the music we all love so much, from Motown to Jazz to R&B/Blues. Their professionalism was paramount, from their black tie attire, to their prompt arrival and discreet departure. Everyone raved about them. It made my wife very happy. They were friendly, accomodating, passionate about their music, and entertaining. A First Class Act, and highly recomended. -- Brian T, Ann Arbor, MI, 2/22/2007
• The band was excellent and very professional. They arrived on time and played the type of music that my guest liked and enjoyed. They stayed until the party was over. Some of my guest asked who were they and where did I get them from, I told them that I got them off the internet at gig master. If I were to give another party I would contact them. -- Jimmie W, Toledo, OH, 12/29/2006
• An excellent choice for "An Evening of Jazz at the Club", their song selection, musical abilities and talent, and presentation were highly professional and enjoyed. We look forward to having them return for another evening. JWW -- John W, Defiance, OH, 3/3/2007
• The band was terrific and very professional. They took our event to a whole new level. -- Melissa L, Farmington Hills, MI, 6/6/2008

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