Music Directory
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D.J.s
Beverly Bond
212-905-2344; djbeverlybond.bizOne of the biggest names in the business, this industry veteran has loads of experience spinning music for trendy events. She has toured with popular acts from Erykah Badu to the Roots, and her style tends toward hip-hop, soul, and current pop. Prices upon request.
Caramel Sound Music & Lights
212-691-9122; caramelnyc.comThe son of a Swiss nightclub designer, Pat "Caramel" Régné has D.J.-ed throughout the Hamptons and the New York club and benefit circuit. He has spun for Bill Clinton and the Manhattan postnuptial party for Prince Pavlos of Greece. He plays a range of world music. From $2,000.
The Compact Disc Jockeys
12–07 Jackson Ave., nr. 48th Ave., Long Island City; 800-235-0404; cdjmusic.comWith glowing references from wedding-planning pros Claudia Hanlin and Stephen Canard, this six-member D.J. collective has the talent to provide the music for any kind of affair. Their music collection ranges from Beenie Man to Diana Krall and everyone in between. The average price is about $1,350.
David Chang
212-501-8919; djdavidchang.comMaking time to get to know the couple before the wedding-and being able to read the crowd during the event-factor into Chang’s wild success. He spun for Robert Downey Jr.’s wedding where he shared the stage with Sting and Billy Joel; he’s also the D.J. for Tiffany & Co.’s events. Prices upon request.
Dina Regine
212-683-1270; drpgrooves@aol.com; djdinaregine.comOne of Manhattan’s first female club D.J.’s (and still one of the most in-demand on the entertainment scene), Regine opened Lot 61 and spun world music at a party for the Dalai Lama. At weddings, she starts with samba, jazz, or pop during cocktails, then moves to dance-classics and hip-hop-for the reception. From $3,500.
D.J. Cassidy DGI Management
212-905-2344; djcassidy.comBefore graduating from NYU in 2003, Cassidy had already spun at Flow and Lotus and worked gigs for Britney and Paris. His first love is hip-hop, but seventies and eighties soul, funk, and R&B are also a big part of the mix. He uses CDs as well as vinyl; his prices start at $25,000 (that’s not a typo).
D.J. Foosh, c/o Elegant Records
646-327-0202; foosh.comAlso known as Michael Momm, D.J. Foosh got his start at house parties and has moved up to fashion shows in New York, London, and Milan. His eclectic taste leans toward world music as well as funk and soul (like James Brown and Prince). Actress Gina Torres hired him for her wedding to Matrix co-star Laurence Fishburne. Gigs start at $2,800.
D.J. Shakey
201-679-9736; djshakey.comAs a collector and curator of records (9,000 vinyls and counting), D.J. Shakey (a.k.a. Julie Covello) easily entertains requests and plays all styles, from pop hits to underground club dance music-whatever will keep the playlist and the party ever-evolving. Not into the whole emceeing over songs thing? D.J. Shakey is fine with staying completely silent while spinning her tunes. From $1,500.
D.J. Small Change
917-412-1862; djsmallchange.comNot your mother’s D.J., James Dier (a.k.a. Small Change) has played practically every dance club in the city, but he also caters to betrothed "music heads" who will appreciate his collection of more than 30,000 albums. He’s handled a number of unique requests-from a rave wedding after-party to a Bollywood reception. From $2,000.
D.J. Johnny Stuart
212-255-7879; www.johnnystuart.comA regular D.J. for InStyle cover shoots (he’s spun for Anne Hathaway, Beyoncé, and Rihanna), Johnny "Danger" Stuart has been a sought-after wedding D.J. for decades. Destination weddings are no problem-he’s played as far away as Hawaii, Greece, and Jamaica. Local gigs start at $2,800.
D.J. Spline
917-715-8024; www.djspline.com From the underground electronic scene in Caracas to New York nightclubs like Pacha (which he designed in his day job as an architect), D.J. Spline plays anything from classic James Brown and old-school Michael Jackson to indie rock like Franz Ferdinand and a carefully screened selection of Top 40. His music often comes with a techno-infused Latin beat. Prices upon request.D.J. Tom Finn
331 West End Ave., nr. 75th St., Ste. 1A; 212-595-4499; djtomfinn.comFinn started off spinning for Steve Rubell in the Palladium era and continues to delight at the private parties of celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Oprah. (He’s also D.J.-ed at the weddings of Lionel Richie, John McEnroe, and others.) From $5,000.
Expressway Music
315 Madison Ave., nr. 42nd St., Ste. 1303; 212-953-9367; expresswaymusic.comFrom an unobtrusive custom D.J. to any style of live ¬music, company founder David Swirsky-who has more than fifteen years of experience in the field-will facilitate almost any request. Prices upon request.
Generation Events
212-505-7593; generationevents.comAs a regular resident of Manhattan’s hottest clubs (Marquee, 1Oak, G-Spa), Jason Fioto heads this special-events company that spins about 50 nuptials a year. Its imaginative party appeal has made them popular for weddings. From $2,500.
Jimmy Dee Music Productions Inc.
195CE. Post Rd., White Plains, N.Y.; 914-428-9231; jimmydee.comVeteran entertainer Jimmy Dee has helped plan more than 10,000 affairs to date. Beyond traditional party packages, he can also assist with D.J.’s, emcees, live music, lighting, video, and photography. If you want a live simulcast of the party, ask about the plasma video screen. A traditional D.J., photo, and video package begins at $5,800.
Mia Moretti
310-429-6604; whostedj@mac.com; thecoipond.comLos Angeles native Moretti trained with the famed D.J. AM, toured along side BFF Katy Perry, and has jammed with the likes of MGMT and Spoon. So for couples who want a rock-star D.J., Moretti is their girl. Prices upon request.
Scratch Events
434 Sixth Ave., at 10th St., second fl.; 212-529-1599; scratch-events.comFor the couple that cringes at the thought of dancing to "YMCA" or "Shout," Scratch Events will provide music to match their personalities. Founded as a school for D.J.’s in 2002, these experts have been providing club talent to events ever since. The full D.J. package includes set-up and equipment; prices start at $2,000.
Sound Solutions
203-866-7816; soundsolutionsdjs.comSince 1990, couples seeking a seasoned, straightforward music group for their events have come to Sound Solutions: Tom Sacco’s company can deliver a great traditional D.J. as well as a host of fun add-ons like karaoke-if that’s your thing-and live entertainers. Prices upon request.
A Touch of Class
201-997-0077; tocvideo.comThis multi-lingual husband-and-wife team of D.J.’s can emcee in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. They cart stacks of 1,500 CDs and a laptop with MP3s to each of the nearly 300 weddings they do a year, and they don’t disappoint. Gigs start at about $1,250, and go up to $2,500.
Twerking Hard DJs
917-575-5484; twerking.comJosh Sparber gets around. A mainstay at Mayor Bloomberg’s Gracie Mansion receptions, he has also played to Stockholm crowds and thrilled radio enthusiasts via the BBC in London. His upbeat music tastes embrace it all: funk, doo-wop, Northern soul, electro, booty, and hip-hop. From $1,000
Ultimate Sound D.J.'s
25–01B 88th St., at 25th Ave., East Elmhurst; 718-204-1938; ultimatesounddjs.comThe Ultimate Sound D.J.’s (who have performed for over 100,000 people since they opened in 1985) give over complete control of musical selection and timing. They’ll even create custom mix-album favors for guests, complete with cute packaging. Event prices start at $700, including lighting and party favors.
Vitaminrecords.com
Download tunes for your walk down the aisle from this hip L.A.-based string quartet. They play unique versions of everything from lounge music to major pop artists, offering a refreshing alternative to Wagner’s Bridal Chorus.
From the Winter 2008 New York Wedding Guide