Lapis Luna

• Brian Floody - drums
• Shawn Aileen Clark - vocals, bandleader
• Chris Byars - tenor/flute, arranger
• John Merrill - guitar
• Chris Pistorino - bass
• Tom Abbott - saxes, clarinet
• Dan Blankinship - trumpet
• Ehud Asherie - piano

The only jazz band in THE KNOT's highly acclaimed Best of Real Weddings 2008 AND 2009!

Lapis Luna brings you the captivating music of 1930s, 40s & 50s jazz with a classic glittering sound. Their specialty is playing timeless melodies the way they were meant to be heard: vibrant, fun, romantic & cool.

Led by jazz chanteuse Shawn Aileen Clark, Lapis Luna transports you and your guests to a long-gone era of genuine romance and spirited swing. The sparkling lounge trio with guitar, upright bass and vocals will truly delight. Add drums and sax for an ultra hip quartet or quintet. Our popular and swingin’ 6 piece little big band will keep your toes tapping. For a larger party, the splendid 9 piece Lapis Luna Orchestra is a sure thing. Your guests will never forget the night you threw a party and invited Lapis Luna!

There is only one Lapis Luna and they don’t perform the run-of-the-mill wedding-band mix. This dynamic band of elite NYC jazz musicians have set themselves apart with an authentic presentation of vintage jazz standards, enchanting ballads, and obscure swing era gems. Their style embraces all forms of American music from the first half of the 20th century including hot jazz, early blues, big band, bebop & retro cha-cha, bossa, and rumba – the tops for listening & dreamy for dancing! Performance attire completes the mood with a fabulously chic cocktail dress, dapper suits, one-of-a-kind instruments and a vintage microphone.

As New York City's premier jazz and swing band, the band has provided live music for all occasions, public and private, intimate and grand. Their style is an ideal match for a swinging gathering at a modern loft, an elaborate celebration for hundreds at a museum, a simple garden party, or cocktails at a cafe.

Lapis Luna has been highly rated by our brides and grooms for 2 years running – receiving the highest 3 star ‘above and beyond’ rating in The Knot Best of Real Weddings 2008 & 2009!! “The group is so talented, and we felt like they really made the entire reception. I cannot imagine having anyone else in their place!” “They did not take over the party in any way, but provided fantastic, danceable ‘40s style jazz. Wonderful!” Whether you are looking for dancing, background music, cozy lounge sounds, or a concert setting for your wedding, gala, or soirée....we have the experience, talent, and dedication to make your event unique & unforgettable.

A FULL LENGTH CD IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. Based in New York City, Lapis Luna will travel literally anywhere (seriously).

INSTRUMENTATION: female vocalist, guitar, tenor saxophone, clarinet, flute, trumpet, double bass, drums/percussion. Piano can be added. The Orchestra adds trombone, alto & baritone saxes.

• This is a brief list of our songs
• The Best Is Yet to Come - Frank Sinatra
• Tenderly - Ella and Louis
• Crazy He Calls Me - Billie Holiday
• Night And Day - Cole Porter
• They Say It''s Spring - Blossom Dearie
• Love Is Here To Stay - George & Ira Gershwin
• S''Wonderful - Gershwin & Ira Gerswhin
• My Baby Just Cares For Me - Nina Simone
• Blue Skies - Bing Crosby
• Yardbird Suite - Charlie Parker
• Oh, You Crazy Moon - Chet Baker
• East Of The Sun - Sarah Vaughan
• Girl From Ipenema, Corcovado, Meditation - Antonio Carlos Jobim
• It Might As Well Be Spring - Stan Getz - Astrud Gilberto
• Them There Eyes - June Christy
• Old Devil Moon - Jimmy Rushing
• ''Til There Was You - as performed by The Beatles
• Where Or When - Ella Fitzgerald
• Squeeze Me - Duke Ellington
• Samba de Duas Nota - Luiz Bonfa
• The More I See You - Rosemary Clooney
• Out Of Nowhere - Bing Crosby
• Moonglow - Benny Goodman
• Moonlight In Vermont - Anita O''Day
• Stairway to the Stars - Louis & Ella
• I Concentrate On You - Cole Porter
• So Nice (Summer Samba) - Astrud Gilberto
• That''s All - Peggy Lee
• I''m Beginning to See The Light - Duke Ellington
• All Thing Things You Are - Ella Fitzgerald
• I Will - The Beatles
• Social Call - Betty Carter
• I Wished on the Moon - Billie Holiday/Dorothy Parker
• Tristeza - Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66
• Don''t Be That Way - Benny Goodman
• Sleepin'' Bee - Nancy Wilson
• I Could Write a Book - Rogers & Hart
• We also do Christmas & holiday songs and well over one hundred more classic jazz, swing, & bossa nova tunes!

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

• The band leader, Shawn Clark, was wonderful to work with and very responsive to all of my questions and ideas. They exceeded our expectations in terms of their talent and professionalism. Our guests loved their music and it definitely played a role in creating the wedding day of our dreams. -- Nancy H, Wrentham, MA, 8/11/2007
• We hired Lapis Luna for our wedding. They did a superb job playing all of the songs and Shawns voice was amazing!! They were very accomodating to all of our requests, some of them being singing Besame Mucho in Spanish as well as learning and playing L-O-V-E in French. They were extremely pleasant to work with both before and during our wedding. We highly recommend Lapis Luna and hope to hire them again in the future for any other parties or celebrations we might have. They are the perfect fit for an elegant event. -- Allison M, Boston, MA, 9/30/2006
• We could not have asked for a more professional and polished group of musicians than Lapis Luna. They played for our wedding and transformed the event to one that was a truly high end affair. They are a class act, indeed! -- Alexis K, Madison, CT, 8/27/2006
• Lapis Luna was a pleasure to work with. Not only did we get many compliments on the music from our wedding guests, but Shawn was so responsible and professional that we knew we didn't have to worry about a thing. We could be confident that everything was going to go perfectly smoothly. -- Marion K, Princeton, NJ, 7/10/2005
• Lapis Luna is a great band, they are very talented and profesional. The also lend a great ambiance to your event. P.S. everybody danced -- Noah M, East Norwich, NY, 3/13/2005

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