California, Nevada, Hawaii, Nationwide and International
Service area
About this vendor
Abe
MANAGER
Typically responds within 24h
AWARD WINNER (1X)
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
Garuda Blue is a premier jazz and party band based in Oakland, east of San Francisco, CA, known for bringing a fresh, high-energy vibe to weddings and events across the Bay Area and beyond. Composed of a tight-knit group of talented musicians, they deliver a unique blend of sophistication and fun that elevates every celebration.
Garuda Blue blends timeless jazz standards with modern hits, making them a standout choice for couples who want an unforgettable soundtrack to their special day. Inspired by jazz history, Garuda Blue’s repertoire spans a variety of styles, offering everything from slick original arrangements to vibrant party anthems. Their ability to switch effortlessly between genres ensures a dynamic and engaging experience for couples and their guests.
Garuda Blue provides a perfect musical experience tailored to each event, from intimate ceremonies to lively receptions. Their professionalism and energy captivate guests, ensuring the dance floor stays packed. Whether performing locally or traveling to destination weddings, Garuda Blue brings its signature party spirit to every occasion, making your celebration truly unforgettable.
Reach out to get a customized quote from this undefined.
Details
Instruments
Bass
Flute
Guitar
Keyboard
Percussion
Piano
Saxophone
Trumpet
Vocals
Music Genres
Classical
Jazz
Pop
R&B
Music Services
Live Music
MC Services
Recorded Music
Sound Equipment
Wedding Activities
Rehearsals & Parties
After Party
Wedding
After Party
Ceremony
Reception
Awards and Affiliations
Any questions?
Meet the team
Abe
Manager
Abe is the quintessential up and coming jazz musician in the Bay Area. Having been heavily involved in the local Bay Area jazz scene for years, he has collaborated with great local and national artists including the Thelonious Monk competition winner saxophonist Andrew Speight. He studied extensively under the tutelage of the legendary jazz pianist Peter Horvath. As both band leader and entrepreneur he arranges many of the band’s musical arrangements and manages the band.
Availability
Reviews
5.0
out of 5.0
14 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
Garuda Blue is highly praised by reviewers for their exceptional talents and professionalism as a wedding band. They offer a diverse repertoire of jazz and modern hits that cater to all age groups and keep the dance floor lively. Reviewers appreciate their prompt communication, ease to work with, and ability to create a memorable and fun atmosphere at wedding receptions. Their musicianship, versatility, and energy make them a standout choice for couples looking for top-tier live music and entertainment for their special day.
Top reviews
Newest first
Oldest first
Highest rated
Lowest rated
Sort by
Samuel S
Highlighted review.
5.0
12/21/2024
Garuda Blue was the absolute BEST band we could have asked for. These guys are professional jazz musicians that happen to do weddings and not the cookie cutter wedding bands that happen to do some jazz. Their communication leading up to the wedding was prompt, professional, and concise, which put us at ease throughout the entire planning process. On the day of, their performance was nothing short of exceptional - they played incredible jazz solos and during the dance party they got everyone dancing to top 40 hits. As top-tier jazz musicians with their own original arrangements, they truly elevated our wedding reception and made it a night to remember. We highly recommend Garuda Blue to any couple looking for the best in live music and entertainment for their special day.
Leah H
5.0
10/24/2023
Garuda Blue is made up of a group of very talented musicians, as a result their music is incredible! I am a wedding planner who has worked with Garuda Blue for over 4 years on many events together. We are always excited when we get to partner up on events, it's also a huge bonus to be able to enjoy their music too!
Not only do they have a great jazz repertoire, they also do many modern and party hits that are sure to get the dance floor going. This is a common question we get a lot - whether or not a jazz party band works for the dancing portion of the evening. For Garuda Blue it's a big hands down yes!
They can also help with ceremony and cocktail hour ambiance music by doing a smaller ensemble (like a duo or trio). Overall they are very communicative and easy to work with (so important with all the details and stress that comes with event planning). Everyone in this group is kind, hardworking, and passionate about what they do, which are important traits in this industry because it shows in the energy and music that is played.
Thank you, Garuda Blue, and hope to partner up on the next party again soon!
Any questions?
Ana L
5.0
5/16/2022
Absolutely amazing band! Hire these guys if you are searching for a band for your wedding or event. They are very easy to work with leading up to and throughout your event. These guys are extremely talented musicians that really know how to get a party started and everyone dancing the entire night! We received so many compliments from our guests on our band. They were a large part of the reason why our friends and family told us how much fun our reception was! Couldn't recommend Garuda Blue enough!
Jacob W
5.0
3/31/2022
Garuda Blue was absolutely unbelievable! They are beyond communicative, beyond professional, and beyond talented. As a semi-professional jazz musician myself, it was important to us to book a group that could play some jazz, and Garuda Blue delivered to the max (you'll be hard pressed to find a more talented and versatile group...). On top of this, the band had zero difficulty transitioning from jazz into dance-floor hits, and they had the crowd dancing all night.
Garuda Blue was fun for people of all ages, and they were worth every single penny. If you want a wedding band that'll do it all and make your day easy, look no further. Thanks so much to all of the guys for making our day so incredible!
Cody B
5.0
2/05/2022
Wow, Garuda Blue blew it out of the park at our wedding. This is no ordinary band; it is a musician's band. All the members of Garuda Blue are top notch jazz musicians and it shows in their playing. I never thought that a wedding band can be this good since I always assume that musicians of their caliber are too artsy and advanced to do weddings. Well, I was wrong! Garuda Blue is a HIDDEN GEM; you won't find anyone better out there. No need to look anywhere else, just book them already!
Ana M
5.0
8/30/2020
We first saw Garuda Blue play at my husband's company holiday party and I immediately knew I wanted them to play at our wedding! They really know how to get a party started - my husband said he couldn't believe they got a bunch of Silicon Valley techies on the dance floor! We most recently had Abe (pianist) and Patrick (vocals) perform at our Catholic wedding ceremony and it was absolutely beautiful! They are extremely talented and are very knowledgeable when it comes to Catholic ceremonies. We cannot wait to have them perform at our larger reception post-COVID! I have no doubt they are going to be a hit. If you are deciding between a DJ or band, go with a band and go with Garuda Blue!
Madeline W
5.0
7/23/2020
Garuda Blue was an amazing addition to our wedding! Not only were all band members incredibly talented musicians, but you could tell that they enjoyed playing as a band and making music together. Their original arrangements of pop hits and classic jazz standards made our reception so beautiful and fun. Our wedding wouldn't have been the same without their wonderful music!
Sarah B
5.0
1/03/2020
Hire them. Book them. NOW. Incredible talent, very reasonable cost, and worth every penny.
Amanda F
5.0
11/20/2019
Garuda Blue killed it! We're so glad we went with this band. They're a super talented group of young men that exceeded all of our expectations. From the very beginning their professionalism drew us to them and throughout the planning process Abe was hands on and accommodating to our requests. When we finally had them at our wedding they blew everyone away. They were super talented and their selections of jazz songs fit the mood perfectly. After the toasts they switched to more contemporary songs and had everyone up dancing for the rest of the night. We had nothing but compliments from our guests. Everyone kept talking about the band and how good they were! Thanks Garuda Blue for making it such a magical night.
Nathalie B
5.0
11/16/2019
We are very please to have Garuda Blue to performed in our wedding. The songs played very well, they were professional, easy to work with, everyone loved them, and definitely will invite them again for our important events as well as highly recommend for anyone’s wedding. You won’t be disappointed!
Will R
5.0
11/13/2019
The best jazz band around!!! And they just happen to do weddings so please book them! Seriously these guys play the real thing and not the cliché elevator or ambiance jazz with no substance. Their playing is beyond their age and boy can these guys take a solo! This band is the band for musicians and really anyone with a knack for good music. What a rare GEM of a band, there’s nothing like it out there. If you want something different, unique, and make your wedding stand out Garuda Blue is the obvious choice.
Response from Garuda Blue on 11/13/2019
Thanks for the kind words man! Pleasure performing for you!
Andrew C
5.0
11/10/2019
Garuda Blue rocks and totally worth the investment!! This band is out of the ordinary. If you care about actual good music stop looking and just book these guys. Won’t be disappointed. This band is not a typical wedding band. They lean hard on jazz and they can REALLY play. Jazz lovers, this is your band. They have their own super unique arrangements – apparently written by the band mates themselves… impressive. Professionally these guys are ultimate pros. Abe was so easy to work with since day 1 and everything went off without a glitch. Thanks Garuda Blue for being awesome!
Ash W
5.0
11/10/2019
Garuda Blue pianist Abe did an amazing job at the wedding we attended! Great selections and very talented. We’ve also seen the full band perform and they are REALLY good!
Dustin S
5.0
11/10/2019
Garuda Blue is the best! When we shopped around for wedding bands we knew we wanted something different, and we're so glad we hired these guys! Totally worth our investment.
During our research we found many "bands" but in reality they're actually just agencies that put together different musicians for your wedding. So you'll end up with a "build your own" band at your wedding.
What drew us to Garuda Blue was the fact that they're an actual band with their own sound and personality. These guys know each other way too well and it shows in their music. The level of musicianship in this band is through the roof, especially if you're a jazz fan like me. We went to one of their concerts and was totally blown away by how high the level of playing was. These guys got a great thing going and you won't be disappointed to have them at your wedding. We've since become fans and we'll be keeping up with them.
Also they're honestly the nicest bunch of guys and great to hang around with.
Totally book this band!
Use this secure form to reach out and share your wedding vision.
Garuda Blue
Abe
|
Manager
Typically responds within 24h
Messaging our verified vendors on The Knot is free, safe and secure.
Conveniently track vendor messages and planning details all in one place.
Our mobile apps make it easy to stay in touch with vendors while you're on‑the‑go.
For personalized pricing and package details, sending the vendor a message is the fastest way to get info.
By clicking 'Request Quote', you agree to The Knot creating an account for you, if you don't have one, and to our Terms of Use. See our Privacy Policy to learn what data we collect and how we use it.
