Hire Garfield Jazz Combos

Hire a Combo – entertain friends, family, or co-workers with live music!

Bring the joy of live music to any special event while helping to support our program. These kids can SWING! A combo from the nationally renowned Garfield High School Jazz Ensemble provides artistic excellence and exceptional value: perfect for parties, receptions, and other functions.

All combos consist of current players from the Garfield Jazz Ensemble, a consistent winner at major regional and national high school jazz competitions. Garfield Jazz has been awarded top honors in every major high school jazz competition, including the Essentially Ellington National Jazz Band Competition and Festival at Lincoln Center in NYC, the most prestigious high school jazz competition in the United States.

  • A four-piece combo, summer 2021

    “I just attended a wonderful evening listening to students at a private retirement party and would like to support this group.”

  • “They really are a talented bunch and were perfect for the event.”

  • A combo plays at Chihuly Garden and Glass, 2020

    “They did an amazing job! They were a huge part of setting the atmosphere for the night, and the audience loved them.”

  • “They did an absolutely fantastic job and truly set the perfect mood for the evening. Many comments from our attendees on how well these amazing and aspiring musicians performed.”

  • A combo plays at Chihuly Garden and Glass, 2020

    “The band was excellent last night. The music was great and the teamwork throughout the evening watching our cues to lower the volume and stop/start during the toast was spot on!”

About Our Combos

  • Size: Garfield Jazz Combos can be arranged from trios up to septets.

  • Attire: Dress for the combo members can be all black formal or casual khakis with a nice shirt.

  • Combo Fees: Trio or quartet starting at $800 and $100 for each additional musician – up to $1100 for a septet.

If you would like the combo to make any announcements, you’ll need to provide a microphone.

Planning the Details

Space: We require a 10’x10′ space minimum. Specific information about the venue is helpful for planning and selecting instruments such as overall room or space description, depending on the size of the combo wanted.

Power: Musicians will supply their own extension cords

Payment: An electronic Letter of Agreement will be provided to you by the gig coordinator as an invoice. We accept payment by check or PayPal. Payment details are provided on the Letter of Agreement.

Hire a Combo today!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the fee? Base fee start at $800 for a trio/quartet, and $100 for each additional musician, for a maximum of $1100 for a septet for the first 2 hours. For performances above 2 hours, an additional fee will be calculated at 50% of the base fee per hour. (example: for 3 hours for a quartet - $800 + $400 = $1,200)

  • When/where can they perform? Our musicians are high school students who perform outside school hours: evenings and weekends. They can perform for up to 3 hours. They perform in the Seattle area.

  • How do I pay for the combo? Please mail a check to: Treasurer, Garfield Jazz Foundation, 140 Lakeside Ave Ste A #74, Seattle, WA 98122

  • Do you accept electronic payment? Yes, we can accept payment via PayPal: treasurer@garfieldjazz.org.

  • When is payment required? Please mail your check to our treasurer at least a few weeks before the performance.

  • Do I need to sign a contract? A letter of agreement summarizing the payment and performance time will be sent to you before the performance. You don’t need to sign it as we operate without formal contracts.

  • Can I give a check to one of the performers? No, the performers do not accept payments.

  • How much space does the combo need? Combos require a 10’x10ʹ space minimum.

  • What do the musicians wear? You can request either “black formal” or “khaki casual.”

  • What are the combo’s power requirements? Musicians will need access to a power outlet or extension cord with at least two outlets.

  • What equipment should I provide? Rhythm players require chairs. The musicians bring their own instruments and other equipment.

  • What’s needed to perform outside? A tent or covered area and a solid flat surface is needed to protect musicians and their instruments from sunlight, weather and ground moisture

  • Is any special lighting needed? If the performance is in a dark venue, musicians will require lighting to read their music.

  • Is amplification needed? If the performance is in a large venue like a hotel ballroom, additional amplification (microphones and PA system) may be needed.

  • Will the musicians accept tips? Tips are not required but are appreciated.

  • Do I need to provide food for the musicians? Also not required but appreciated, especially for dinner-time performances. Water is also appreciated.

  • What if the event runs late? If you need musicians to stay past the agreed performance time, please ask them if they are able to stay and then compensate them individually ($50 per hour per musician) for the additional time.

Sample Set List: 1 hour

  • Nostalgia in Times Square

  • Have You Met Miss Jones?

  • I Remember Clifford

  • Out of Nowhere

  • Black Orpheus

  • Take the “A” Train

  • Solar

  • Sophisticated Lady

  • Triste

  • Lullaby of Birdland

  • Stompin’ at the Savoy

  • In a Mellow Tone

Sample Set List: 2 hours

  • All of Me

  • Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby

  • Au Privave

  • Beautiful Love

  • Con Alma

  • Cotton Tail

  • Don’t Get Around Much Anymore

  • Groovin’ High

  • How High the Moon

  • In a Mellow Tone

  • Oleo

  • Quiet Night of Quiet Stars

  • Solar

  • Someday My Prince Will Come

  • Take the “A” Train

  • There is No Greater Love

  • There Will Never Be Another You

  • Up Jumped Spring

  • Donna Lee