Band - Ken James and Jewish and Catholic

Hi All!
Did anybody use Ken James band for their wedding? I can't get to see any bands b/c of my FH and my work hrs. I'm relying on CD's of their music.

Also - does anybody know how music for an interfaith ceremony music works? My FH tells me in a Jewish ceremony's they don't play "here comes the bride"?

What does the band play when he's walking down the isle and do band's just transition into "here comes the bride"?

Any help - appreciated!!!!

Thanks!!

Re: Band - Ken James and Jewish and Catholic

First, I just want to compliment your choice in avatar picture. ...I love astrology.

I am jewish, and your Fh, is right, I don't believe they play 'here comes the bride'...my fh is catholic, so we are having an interfaith marriage as well. I think I am going to ask my musicians to play, "kenny g's" wedding song. It's beautiful and less traditional.... My fh's mother is obsessed with tradition...and I am not lol, so this will be a subtle way to convince her, that we dont' share the same vision

Re: Band - Ken James and Jewish and Catholic

My rabbi told me specifically that where we are getting married that they don't allow "here comes the bride" because it was written by an anti-semite. We will play pachobel's canon.

Re: Band - Ken James and Jewish and Catholic

Also, as for Ken james I believe my FH's friends used them. I was at the wedding but I can't recall how they were. I will get back to you on this.

Re: Band - Ken James and Jewish and Catholic

Pachabel's Canon is very popular for Jewish weddings, as are other classical pieces. Here Comes the Bride was written by an anti-semite, so it isn't commonly used.

Re: Band - Ken James and Jewish and Catholic

I was at a wedding where Ken James played and they were great. The only negative about them is that the music was a bit too loud and interfered with conversation at the tables. But other than that they were great!

Re: Band - Ken James and Jewish and Catholic

"Here Comes the Bride" was written by Richard Wagner for his opera Lohengrin. He was an anti-semite and wrote a ferociously antisemitic book in 1850 called Jewishness in Music. His grandson supplied Hitler with the paper that he wrote Mein Kempf on and the Nazi's used his music and writings as propaganda during the years leading up to and during the Holocaust. I just thought I would shed a little light on the subject. (I'm a music teacher, music history is my specialty.)

Re: Band - Ken James and Jewish and Catholic

They played at my wedding (the one NYCMeg was talking about) and everyone loved them!!! I thought that they were awesome and stole the show. Ken was supposed to bring 10 pieces and brought 12. He made the party awesome. The energy on the dance floor was staggering and fun and his singers were wonderful. People did not stop dancing even when they were asked to be seated. I'm Jewish and the hora was unbelievable. I thought he is the biggest class act. He sent champagne to my inlaws when the weddng was over. Two couples booked with him as a result of seeing my wedding. They are loud and energetic, but that is the point. I didn't want people sitting at my table talking- i wanted them up on the floor. Meghan is right, but he did the job- got them up and on the floor. Two other people I know used them before us and absolutely loved them!!!!! I STILL get calls about them from people who were at the wedding and want to recommend them and cant remember the name.

Message edited 1/8/2004 10:16:59 PM.

Re: Band - Ken James and Jewish and Catholic

i actually had an appt w/ken james on tuesday night and the CD was great and i enjoyed the music, however, i actually just booked my band tonight- Peter Greco- AMAZING!!! he actually has a dvd where you don't just listen but you can see the band at a reception- incredible!!! as far as "here comes the bride" i, too wanted it and i am jewish and oceanside jewish center will not allow it for all the reasons mentioned by everyone else. my fiancee and i are going to have the introduction to forrest gump- it is absolutely beautiful!! there are a lot of things out there so don't freak out!!! good luck!!

Re: Band - Ken James and Jewish and Catholic

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Posted by prncssrachel

"Here Comes the Bride" was written by Richard Wagner for his opera Lohengrin. He was an anti-semite and wrote a ferociously antisemitic book in 1850 called Jewishness in Music. His grandson supplied Hitler with the paper that he wrote Mein Kempf on and the Nazi's used his music and writings as propaganda during the years leading up to and during the Holocaust.

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Re: Band - Ken James and Jewish and Catholic

WOW! I had no idea about the history of "here comes the bride" That's horrible!! Thanks for the info on that, and Ken James!

Re: Band - Ken James and Jewish and Catholic

It's funny that you ask about the music. I am trying to decide, also. The "typical" wedding music shouldn't be used by a Jewish couple as both songs were written by notorious anti-Semites so alot of Jews don't use them.

ETA-should have kept reading before I posted. LOL.

Message edited 1/9/2004 3:13:48 PM.

Re: Band - Ken James and Jewish and Catholic

Ken James is an excellent band. You will not be disappointed with them. We almost booked them until we found out they weren't available for our wedding.

I am jewish and at jewish weddings they do not play here comes the bride. I walked down to paccobel canon.

Re: Band - Ken James and Jewish and Catholic

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Posted by Smolokoff

The "typical" wedding music shouldn't be used by a Jewish couple as both songs were written by notorious anti-Semites so alot of Jews don't use them.

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Message edited 1/9/2004 4:43:54 PM.

Re: Band - Ken James and Jewish and Catholic

prncssrachel- Thanks for the whole background! I knew some of it, but not all of it!