A corporate event differs from other events in that somebody is accountable for it internally. If the music does not land, nobody says "shame" — somebody asks why this band was chosen. So it pays to ask in advance about things that otherwise emerge on the night.
I am David Kleňha, a jazz singer and bandleader. Over eleven years we have played more than 320 events, including for ČEZ and ČESMAD Bohemia, and we play regularly at the Prague hotels Augustine, Le Palais and Fairmont Golden Prague. These are the questions I would want answered if I were the organiser.
1. How many minutes of music are included?
The single most important question for comparing quotes. An "evening" can mean two hours or four. We play three 45-minute sets as standard, four at most. Without this figure, prices are not comparable.
2. Is a PA included, and for how many guests?
A band without equipment means you have to hire it. We bring our own active Bose system for events of up to 80 to 100 guests. Above 100 guests you need a sound engineer — better to know that in August than on the day.
3. How is transport calculated?
Either a flat fee or per kilometre. With us, transport within Prague is included; outside Prague it is CZK 6/km for a duo or trio and CZK 12/km for a quartet or quintet, which have to travel in two vehicles. Ask how many vehicles the band sends — with larger line-ups it doubles the transport cost, and it is better to know beforehand than from the invoice.
4. Live, or with backing tracks?
Many bands use backing tracks so a smaller line-up sounds fuller. That is not wrong in itself, but at a formal event it tends to show. We play without backing tracks — everything is created on the spot.
5. Who exactly will turn up?
Ask for names, not just a line-up. Our trio is David Kleňha (vocals), Jaroslav Bárta (piano) and Jan Greifoner (double bass); the quartet adds Branko Križek (drums). A band that will not name its players may be assembling the line-up from whoever is free.
A quote with no numbers
If a quote contains no set count, no PA capacity and no transport calculation, it is not a quote — it is a price tag. Ask for those three figures in writing, even if only by email.
Request a quote6. What line-ups are available and what can change?
A good band will suggest a smaller line-up when that is the right call. We play from duo to quintet, and for an event of 60 guests I will recommend a trio even though a quintet would cost more. Detail in how many musicians per guests.
7. Will there be dancing?
The decisive question for band size. Without drums the floor will not fill — the minimum for dancing is a quartet. If the music is purely a backdrop to a reception, a trio is a better choice than a quartet. See background jazz vs dance music.
8. How do you handle speeches and awards?
A corporate evening almost always has a formal part. Ask whether the band can stop on a signal, whether it will lend a microphone to a speaker, and whether it can pick the room back up afterwards. That is experience, not equipment.
9. What are the technical requirements?
You need three numbers: floor area (trio 3.5 × 3 m), power (one 230 V / 16 A socket, draw up to 1.5 kW) and set-up time (arrival 60 minutes ahead, set-up and pack-down 30 minutes each). Full list in what the band needs on site.
10. Can we request a song?
At corporate events this comes up more often than you would think — a company anthem, a favourite song of the person being honoured, a piece for an award presentation. We have over 100 songs in the repertoire and will learn a specific one to order.
11. What corporate references do you have?
Wedding references tell you nothing about a corporate event. Ask for named companies and event sizes. We have played for ČEZ and ČESMAD Bohemia, and perform regularly at Hotel Augustine, Le Palais Art Hotel, Fairmont Golden Prague and Jazz Club Reduta.
12. How fast will I get a quote?
Response speed predicts what communication before the event will look like. We send quotes within 24 hours. We work in Czech, English and German.
What to get in writing
About the author
David Kleňha is a jazz singer and bandleader based in Prague, performing across the Czech Republic. He leads line-ups from duo to quintet — jazzduo.cz, jazztrio.cz, jazzquartet.cz and jazzquintet.cz — and has played more than 320 events since 2015: corporate evenings, receptions, gallery openings, hotel and restaurant nights, weddings and festivals. More on his personal site davidklenha.cz.
Frequently asked questions
What should I ask a band first?
How many minutes of music are included and whether a PA system is part of the price. Without those two figures, quotes from different bands are not comparable.
How do I know the band really plays live?
Ask directly whether they use backing tracks and request video from a live event rather than a studio recording. We play without backing tracks — everything is created on the spot.
How many musicians do I need for dancing?
At least a quartet: vocals, piano, double bass and drums. Without drums the dance floor usually stays empty.
What should the written confirmation include?
Date and time of the performance, number and length of sets, the exact line-up, the price including transport, who provides the PA, and an on-site contact.
Can you handle speeches and award presentations?
Yes. The band stops on an agreed signal and picks the room back up after the formal part. We can lend a microphone to the speaker.