Corporate events follow different rules from weddings or balls. They almost always combine a formal part — reception, speeches, awards — with a more relaxed evening programme. The music has to handle both, and above all the transition between them.
I am David Kleňha, a jazz singer and bandleader. Since 2015 we have played more than 320 events, including for ČEZ and ČESMAD Bohemia, and we perform regularly at the Prague hotels Augustine, Le Palais and Fairmont Golden Prague. Here is how to build such an evening.
How the evening runs: what to play when
The most common mistake is playing quietly through the speeches "so there isn't awkward silence". The speaker then cannot be heard and the music feels intrusive. The band should finish a minute early and stay silent until the formal part is over.
Choosing a line-up
Two things decide: how many guests are coming, and whether there will be dancing.
A standard evening is three 45-minute sets, four at most. The price includes our own PA and transport within Prague; outside Prague CZK 7/km for a duo or trio and CZK 14/km for a quartet or quintet, which travel in two vehicles. The full breakdown is in how much a jazz band costs for a corporate event.
When a trio is enough
Events of up to 80 guests where the music creates atmosphere for a reception and networking. A trio with vocals, piano and double bass has a full sound without raising volume. The players are David Kleňha (vocals), Jaroslav Bárta (piano) and Jan Greifoner (double bass).
When you need a quartet
As soon as there is dancing. Drums (Branko Križek) give the music the drive without which the floor stays empty. Details at jazzquartet.cz.
When a quintet makes sense
Large corporate parties, gala evenings, company anniversaries. The quintet adds a horn section — saxophone, clarinet, trumpet on request. It carries visual and sonic weight a trio cannot replace.
Christmas corporate party?
We have a festive repertoire ready — jazz arrangements of carols and Christmas standards. December dates fill from September, so it is worth getting in touch early. Prices stay the same as the rest of the year.
Check a dateWhy live music rather than a DJ
- Prestige. A live band lifts the event and represents the company to clients and staff alike.
- Flexibility. We respond to the mood of the room, to delays and to speeches overrunning by twenty minutes.
- Memory. Live music stays with guests longer than a playlist — and it is one of the few things at a corporate event people talk about afterwards.
- No backing tracks. Everything heard is created on the spot.
Logistics an organiser will appreciate
We bring our own active Bose PA for events of up to 80 to 100 guests, including microphones — we can lend one to a speaker. Above 100 guests we require a sound engineer from the organiser.
- Floor area: trio 3.5 × 3 m, quartet and quintet 4 × 3 m.
- Power: one 230 V / 16 A socket, draw up to 1.5 kW.
- Timing: arrival 60 minutes ahead, set-up and pack-down 30 minutes each.
- Quote: within 24 hours of the enquiry.
Full technical conditions are in what the band needs on site; choosing a line-up by guest count is covered in how many musicians per guests.
Repertoire and requested songs
We have over 100 songs — jazz and swing standards, bossa nova, latin, chanson and modern songs in jazz arrangements. Among them Fly Me to the Moon, Cheek to Cheek, The Girl from Ipanema, L-O-V-E and Sway. A specific song — for an award presentation or a company anniversary — we will learn to order, ideally three weeks ahead.
International guests
At corporate events in Prague hotels, international attendance is the norm. We work in Czech, English and German, and a repertoire of jazz standards carries across audiences regardless of language.
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
How much does a jazz band cost for a corporate party?
Duo from CZK 15,000, trio from CZK 20,000, quartet from CZK 27,000, quintet from CZK 33,000 for a standard evening in Prague of three 45-minute sets, including our own PA and transport within Prague. The final price depends on the date, programme length and type of event.
Do you play during the reception and networking?
Yes, as an unobtrusive backdrop. We keep the volume so guests can hold a normal conversation at the table without raising their voices.
How do you handle speeches and award presentations?
The band finishes a minute before the formal part begins and stays silent until it ends. We can lend a microphone to the speaker and pick the room back up afterwards.
What line-up do I need for dancing?
At least a quartet: vocals, piano, double bass and drums. Without drums the dance floor usually stays empty.
Do you have a Christmas repertoire for corporate parties?
Yes, jazz arrangements of carols and Christmas standards. December dates fill from September, so we recommend enquiring early.
Do you bring your own PA?
Yes, our own active Bose system for events of up to 80 to 100 guests. One 230 V / 16 A socket is enough; draw does not exceed 1.5 kW. For rooms over 100 people we require the organiser's sound engineer.