Special song requests?
Of course, always, at no extra charge!
Custom break-song mixes?
Absolutely.
MC service?
Naturally, at no extra charge!
“You are the consummate professional! Your energy, heart, and talent helped us realize a joyful celebration!”
GLOSSER/WODLINGER WEDDING, THE GOLF CLUB AT NEWCASTLE
Forget DJs - Michael Benson Band Keeps Your Dance Floor Packed All Night Long!
We’re known for delivering a high-energy experience that’s anything but ordinary. Trust us when we say our dance parties are legendary!
Live Music Tailored for Every Moment of Your Wedding Day
The Michael Benson Band offers personalized live music selections for every moment of your wedding day: the ceremony, the cocktail/social hour, the dinner hour, the emcee announcements and toasts, and, of course, the dancing.
Wedding Ceremony
Your wedding day begins at the ceremony with live music by one of our soloists – acoustic guitar or piano/keyboard. A vocalist can also be added. Pre-ceremony music for gathering begins 30 minutes prior followed by the processional, bridal entry and recessional pieces. The music here is completely customized by your requests!
Cocktail Hour
After the ceremony, guests can enjoy a social hour with cocktails and appetizers. We offer various background music configurations to suit your style:
- Soloist: Pianist or guitarist, with or without vocals
- Duo: Pianist with vocals and sax, or guitarist with sax
- Trio: Guitarist, bass and sax, or pianist, guitar and sax
- Optional: Pre-recorded playlist
Dinner Hour
For dinner, our full band or a smaller ensemble creates an intimate supper club atmosphere with elegant background music from the Sinatra Big Band Era. We play softly to enhance conversation, reminiscent of a classy New York jazz club setting.
MC Service
Other bands charge extra for an MC but we include it at no charge – so that’s a savings for you. We handle all announcements throughout your event with grace and professionalism. As partners with event planners and venue staff, we ensure that every announcement is made seamlessly and effectively, contributing to the smooth flow of your celebration.
Dance Party
When it’s time to hit the dance floor, our 6-piece ensemble, sounding like 10, delivers a high-energy performance that combines the vibrant punch of a horn band with the dynamic edge of a rock band. We know how to get the party started and keep it going, ensuring your guests stay on their feet and the dance floor is packed all night long.
Discover the Sound of Michael Benson Band
Real-Time Crowd Reading
We create our setlists on the fly, reading and reacting to the crowd's vibe in real-time. This ensures that your dance floor is always packed and the energy never wanes!
Versatile Repertoire
From classy Sinatra-era dinner sets to modern pop and rap hits, our wide-ranging repertoire covers every genre. We’re also happy to take song requests and learn specific tracks before the big day.
An All-Live Performance
Everything we play is 100% live giving us total flexibility with the flow. We aren’t tied to any pre-recorded tracks, which constrain us if songs need to be shortened, extended, or looped.
Unmatched Work Ethic
We outwork other wedding bands and DJs with longer sets and fewer breaks. Our dedicated musicians are here to make your night unforgettable, keeping the party going until you’re ready to call it a night.
Michael Benson Band
Choose the Perfect Size Wedding Band for Your Celebration
Whether you need a trio for a mellow cocktail hour or our full six-piece band that sounds like ten to ignite an unforgettable dance party, Michael Benson Band has you covered. Explore our live wedding band options to find the perfect fit for your celebration:
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We were so happy we decided to hire The Michael Benson Band for our wedding. Michael was so easy to work with leading up to the event and they were... read more very accommodating. They set the tone for the ceremony and brought so much energy to the reception. All of my guests had a blast.
9/19/2023If you want a quiet, sit-down reception where no one gets up to dance, this might not be the band for you. But if you want the best reception... read more ever, then keep on reading. The music during dinner is just perfect. Great background that allows everyone to talk and mingle. The special dances are next which were perfect, speeches and then the roof came off for the next two hours. As father of the Bride, I had people come up to me all night asking "Who are these Guys?" Another was saying that he had never been to a reception where 90% of the guests were dancing all night. Non stop fun, fun, fun. The vocals are great and the musicianship is outstanding. Five Stars!
9/08/2023Everything about Michael and his band is professional and absolutely first-rate. They are all top-of-the-game musicians who can play in every genre. Michael is a fantastic vocalist, and... read more a pitch-perfect emcee to boot. From my guests I've heard nothing but praise for him and his band, who have entertained at my two daughters' weddings. Michael also makes the logistical details easy. He does a lot of the work for you. There are many, many good reasons that reviews of the band are filled with superlatives. If I had another daughter who was getting married, my first call would be to Michael, to save the date.
10/30/2022 -
I first heard the Michael Benson Band at a friends wedding and it was hands down the best wedding band I had ever heard. Michael Benson was the second vendor... read more we booked (after our venue) and was easiest wedding vendor we worked with. He was highly responsive throughout the entire wedding process and on the day of our wedding, Michael MC'd the event seamlessly and was very nimble to work with (according to our wedding planner). Additionally, the band killed it. Our guests absolutely loved the music and we heard from numerous folks that it was the best wedding band they've ever heard.
9/11/20193rd family wedding with the Michael Benson Band. Simply the best! Michael knows his audience and will keep the dance floor crowded. Can play a wide variety... read more of music per your request. Talented musicians who have been with him for a long time. Very easy to deal with!
9/20/2018Don't even know where to start. We hired the Michael Benson band for my son's wedding and never looked back. To begin with he was crazy fast responsive as well... read more as professional, kind and fun. He and his crew arrived prepared to party and guide this event and they did not disappoint. The number one phrase we heard all night from the guests was, "who are these people and where did you find them? They're amazing!" I was proud of my research and of course took all the credit ;)
You want classical? Michael Benson. You want big band? Michael Benson. You want country? Michael Benson. Top 40? Michale Benson...you get the idea. My husband thought he'd stump him and requested Gypsy Kings...Michael just winked and pulled out the horns. Top it off with one of the band members came out in the dance floor with his sax and danced and played in the middle of the crowd. Simply amazing. If you have to cut down on your flowers, decor, catering to hire them, DO IT! They are work every single cent. Thank you so much for an unforgettable night!
10/24/2017 -
Similar to another yelp review, I booked Michael Benson Band before we had a venue (18 mos before wedding). It's absolutely necessary since he books up so quickly. Very easy... read more to work with and prompt responses. We set up a time to see him perform at someone elses wedding and this was helpful to see him in action. Instead of iPod for ceremony music, I had him play the piano and then used his 5 piece band for the outdoor wedding reception. Best decision ever. The dance floor was full the entire night and my father-in-law (who NEVER dances) was out there grooving to Mackelmore and The 4 Seasons (the band can play ANYTHING and there was one song I wanted and he humbly said i dont know it, but i will learn it). I gave him genres of music I preferred, but he was insistent on the bride not giving him a playlist. I was hesitant at first, but very glad I trusted him because he has the gift of feeling out the room and knowing what the mood needs to be. Great MC for toasts, very professional and showed up in suits. Friendly and happy to be at my wedding. Friends and family still talk about how amazing and fun our wedding was and I attribute this to him. My pocket book took a HUGE hit, but he was worth every penny. Our wedding was outside of Seattle near Marysville and we had to pay additional fee for their travel "outside" of Seattle.
I recommend him to every bride and groom I meet. You just can't beat a band at a wedding.
8/31/2016Let me start by saying that we booked the Michael Benson Band before we had an even found a venue - our entire wedding was planned around their availability (worth... read more it) and they book FAST - like, a year out, so get moving! It's hard to describe exactly what the Michael Benson Band brings to your wedding. Along with being totally professional, there is just a je ne said quois about them - they know how to bring the party! They are worth every single penny that you will spend on them - their versatility and enthusiasm is enough to create a truly one-of-a-kind wedding experience. For those who worry about not having all the songs that a DJ would have at their disposal, their repertoire is absolutely phenomenal. If by chance there is a song you really want that they don't play, you can request to have it played during the set breaks so you can be sure it will come on. For me, the music was a huge part of the wedding experience because I really just wanted everyone to dance and have a good time and with the MBB it was everything I could have hoped for. Our dance floor was packed from the first to last dance - people didn't want it to end! There's a reason they have been consistently voted the best wedding band in Seattle and I recommend them 1000% to everybody who can make it work for their budget.
8/19/2015We had heard from our daughter that she sincerely desired to have Seattle's- Michael Benson Band perform for her wedding, and we were not disappointed. This was perhaps the... read more best band we have ever heard. Our wedding guests from all over the country complimented us on the outstanding band and dance on our patio above the Columbia River in Vancouver, Washington. Michael and all of his band members were extremely gracious to everyone at our party. Many guests proclaimed it the "best wedding and celebration that they had ever attended". Another guest was excited that his daughter was having Michael Benson Band perform at her future wedding.
The versatility and quality of the music was so extraordinary and excellent. We couldn't believe the inexhaustible energy and seamless movement from one musical genre to the next. The band members were sophisticated and yet, had warm, friendly personalities. One of our guests remarked that he had never seen the dance floor so full of all ages of people. You name it, and the band can perform it! They hardly took a break.
Our daughter's wedding ceremony was the best that most guests had ever attended thanks to Michael's introduction and wedding skills.
We are so happy that Michael and his band agreed to commute to Vancouver, WA from Seattle and it was really worth every penny to provide hotel rooms for the band.
Truly worth five stars! Thank you Michael Benson Band
9/04/2014 -
Simply the best!!!! You can instantly tell why they have won Seattle's best for so many years. Michael Benson and his team were professional, considerate, and fun throughout the whole... read more process. Best of all, our guests danced the WHOLE night!! Everyone was so impressed with the band--many commented that it was the best wedding band they'd ever seen! They play such an incredible variety of music--every song they did was awesome and had us singing and dancing. HIGHLY recommended if you want your wedding to be the best party ever!!!!!
8/31/2014One of the best things that helps make a wedding so much more fun and memorable is party after the reception. The music and dancing is the one thing that... read more elevates the celebration and brings out the fun in everyone.
We had the Michael Benson Band for our wedding and these guys delivered. They are true professionals, have an amazing song list, sounded amazing, but more importantly brought the party to the next level! Yes, these guys are a little more expensive than others - but you pay for what you get. If you want to get these guys (especially for a wedding in the summer) - you'll need to book at least a year out. Make your wedding one everyone will talk about for years - and hire these guys!
2/23/2014We were the videographers at a classy wedding at the Arctic Club in Downtown Seattle this past summer! Months before the actual wedding, the bride was all smiles as... read more she talked about how she had booked the Michael Benson Band even before she booked her venue! She was so excited to have them play at her wedding!
When we got to the Artic Club, we introduced ourselves to Michael and his crew. Totally a nice dude, super professional and even before he started playing, we knew he had it together! All his sound equipment and instruments were set up and ready to go! No sweat! You could tell the band was super experienced and this was going to be fun and a piece of cake!
Michael was also the MC for the party and every announcement he made was classy and clear. His voice made for a nice atmosphere. Everyone at the wedding reception was relaxed and having a good time.
The music started over dinner. Elegant, sophisticated jazz music, just perfect for all the guests to enjoy their meal with and chat with each other over.
OK... now the party gets STARTED!! Whoo-hoo!!!! Who would have thought that this same band that plays sophisticated jazz could also play music from Journey, Michael Jackson, Outkast, Usher, and Maroon 5?! Oh man, the crowd was waving their hands in the air, jumping around, and the floor was packed all night long! Honestly, this band had people rockin' out all night long! I never saw an empty dance floor. Young, old-- everyone was up there!
Even though we as videographers were hard at work filming, I had a great time too! I found myself dancing behind the camera and mouthing all the words! The energy was real!
Michael and the Band were all having a great time too. They were sweating and working real hard, and only took a couple of short breaks, but you could tell this is what they love doing!
Anyway, no wonder why the Michael Benson Band has won so many consecutive awards and is booked so far out in advance! Super professional, super talented, and your guests will talk about the music long after your wedding is over. Consider hiring them over a DJ for live entertainment!
PS- Michael even raps! It's legit! lol!
Michele
Pixel Seattle Wedding Cinematography
www.pixelseattle.com
9/12/2012 -
When we got married in 2010, we knew we wanted a live band. After listening to the sound clips on their website, we were loving the fact that they... read more performed EVERYTHING from slow, romantic ballads to current rap songs... hilarious! The diversity of their songs is the best. Michael was a complete professional and made it so fun to work with him and the band. He told me that guests always remember the music at a wedding - and it's so true. Our friends still talk about it & the dance floor was packed the ENTIRE night! I could not possibly recommend this band any more!
1/12/2012
Frequently Asked Questions About MB Band at Your Wedding
Of course! You’ll find them on our Vimeo channel page: https://vimeo.com/user13840074 Also on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWl34NWa7MpkE-riqTRglmvcMQXMmJ4Qb
The easiest way to choose your songs is to visit our website’s song list page under the “Music” tab, download the PDF, and print it. Mark your favorites, exclude any you don’t want, or add general music preferences. Email the completed list back to us at least 2 weeks before your event, and we’ll use it to tailor our performance to your tastes.
Yes, we gladly accept special song requests. If there are specific songs or genres you want to be included, just let us know 60 days in advance.
Yes, it’s a natural part of our service, at no extra charge, and keeps the event flowing and organized. This can include introductions of the wedding party, grand entrance for the couple, toasts, notices for dinner service, family photos, cake cutting, first dances, bouquet toss, send-offs, transportation notices, and last dance notice. Our microphone is also available for those who will make welcome statements, toasts, and speeches.
Generally, no. Our experience has found hooking up other audio devices to be technically problematic due to incompatible connections or device lockouts. Awkward dead moments have been the result, stopping our seamless flow. To get around this, you can share your mp4 tracks with us 30 days in advance so we can load them onto our devices.
Not usually. Most of our planning and communication can take place very conveniently by telephone, conference calls, and email. However, if you do wish to meet ahead of time, I am happy to do so at a mutually agreed upon location.
We normally take 1 break in three hours, 2 breaks in four hours, and 3 breaks in five hours. However, we are very flexible on this. Breaks are not based on the clock, but more on the needs, momentum and energy level of the party.
Generally, 15 minutes. Sometimes longer during the dinner hour, and sometimes shorter just prior to the last set of the evening. Whenever we break, we provide pre-recorded music on our sound system that is consistent with the mood of the moment.
Yes, an mp4 audio player is connected to our sound system.
We do occasionally allow guests or friends of the family to join us for a performance, but this is arranged on a case-by-case basis. We ensure that any guest performances fit well with the overall event and are coordinated smoothly.
Dates fill up fast! We recommend booking our band at least 6 to 12 months in advance to ensure availability and allow ample time for planning. To guarantee our availability, call or email first before booking your venue and locking in your date. Put several dates on hold with us.
Yes, this is fairly common when we book so far in advance. If we have another same-day performance, time changes may be restricted.
Yes, we travel to locations outside of Seattle. During the planning portion of the process, we will discuss travel arrangements and any associated fees.
We don’t provide stage or room lighting but can perform with the venue’s ambient lighting. We do use our own music stand lights. For specialized lighting, I recommend either Brian Waltz with GREENLIGHT EVENT DESIGN, at 206-973-7427 or 206-920-2004 or CRIMSON HAZE EVENT LIGHTING at 425-954-5451.
Food and beverage provisions for us are the norm. Our work time is usually 7-9 hours including load in, setup, tear down and travel. Therefore, our clients usually include us in their meal count – either plated or buffet.
There is a non-refundable deposit of 50% due at the time you sign the contract. The final payment is due one week prior to the event. Payments are by check, Zelle or Venmo.
Make Your Special Day Unforgettable with a Live Band Experience. Contact Seattle’s Top Wedding Band Today
Ready to make your special day unforgettable? Contact Seattle’s top wedding band – The Michael Benson Band, to ensure your event has the perfect soundtrack. Let’s make magic happen together