“The UpBeat Band was immensly professional, responsive, and a fantastic value. I felt fully confident handing them the m/c duties. They were very willing to learn a few special songs and went out of thier way to make sure the event went smoothly. We had several guests comment on their quality and enthusiasm. I would recommend them to anyone!”
Josh and Rachel, Allerton Chicago Wedding Celebration
UpBeat was proud to provide the Michael Cascio Jazz Trio for this HeresChicago special event. This was THE planner event for the summer of 2009, and featured Chicago’s newest and most innovative meeting and event ideas. This VIP event was for event and meeting planners and DMC’s to showcase the Best of Chicago aboard the newly renovated Anita Dee II cruise ship each level had a different theme filled with music, specialty drinks, food, prize giveaways and goodie bags for everyone!
With my years of experience and insight, I’ve decided to write an article outlining a method for choosing and refining custom music for the components of your wedding reception party. Music is a major part of your reception, and plays a key role in creating the atmosphere of your wedding…
Your wedding should be a joyous occasion–and planning your wedding should not be stressful. We help organize the process and make it easy. An accurate and organized time line is important. We provide a detailed check list for our clients, where every possible traditional or contemporary option for music and hosting choices is covered, including: wedding party introductions–music and hosting production, first dances, traditions (we have tasteful, fun music for these), toasts, specialty dances, when to cut the cake, an explanation of hosting style and choice of wording for bridal introduction, and much more…
Our five piece group, The UpBeat Band, is always committed to customized wedding planning, and last weekend at the Chicago Cultural Center we performed a very specific play list created by the bride and groom which focused on the swing classics, including standards by Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennet, and Ella Fitzgerald, as well as R&B/Soul classics, especially Marvin Gaye and The Temptations. This was a very elegant party, and the finale was “Dance To the Music” by Sly and the Family Stone.
Cheers!
–Michael Cascio
UpBeat Music Production’s pianist Gregg Opelka performs a charity event at the Nathalie Salmon House Chicago! The event was organized by the Chicago local chapter of PCMA, which is the Professional Convention Management Assn. Jen Arndt from Talking Point, Rhonda Chesney from Four Seasons, and all the pros with PCMA organized a wonderful event for the senoir citizens at the Nathalie House – it was like a holiday party with smiles everywhere, and included a raffle – pianist Gregg took many requests, mostly the swing era classics… let the good times roll!
You guys absolutly ROCKED!Everyone who I have talked the first thing out of their mouths was how good the band was!!
Please feel free to use us as references on your website or how ever you see fit. Thanks again so much!! Please dont forget to let us know when and where you guys are playing.”
Dan and Katherine Zigmunt
bride and groom Michael Cascio Orchestra at Belvedere Chateau, Palos Hills, IL
is the band leader and music director of UpBeat. As a leader, Michael has assembled a dream team of Chicago's finest and most versatile professionals. Michael has led and performed many hundreds of dates in the past decade, and as Maria Barberi, Event Manager for RE/MAX wrote:
"You are my guarantee for fabulous entertainment! Everyone we spoke to LOVES your band and had a great time dancing. It is always a pleasure to work with you!"
