The Smokin' Section

My husband found the Smokin' Section and, after visiting a preview performance they held, we were convinced they were the band for us. We weren't wrong! They were fantastic - the dance floor was filled literally all night because they structured their set so there were no breaks. Someone would take a break during a song and then play while the others rested, so there were no CDs to be had, it was fantastic. They performed some of the renditions the best we've heard ('Ordinary People' was just wonderful). They also learned some songs for us and did a great job with those as well - one of them was even better than the original! Their range was also excellent, from Frankie Valli to Lady Gaga (the boys were less enamored with Gaga, but that wasn't to do with the band!), and the list of songs to choose from makes you wish your wedding could last a couple of days. They were very accommodating in terms of members of our family playing and singing with the band (we have some drummers, and the bride and bridesmaids rocked Mustang Sally if I do say so myself!), and they were also great about keeping in touch during the planning. We had them for the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception, and very glad that we did. I would highly recommend them - you're bound to have some great memories.

The Smokin' Section made our wedding rock. My husband and I were very picky about our band. We wanted someone who could do rock, pop, R&B, and soul really well and The Smokin' Section delivered. The entire wedding was out on the dance floor the whole time! Over a year later we're still getting questions about them. For a Jersey crowd their renditions of Bruce, Sinatra and Bon Jovi made the night.

Working with The Smokin' Section was a breeze from beginning to end. Mike Kaplan and I had a number of telephone conversations to review the details. He's extremely flexible, personable and reasonable. We hired The Smokin' Section for our 10/10/10 wedding at Land's End in Sayville, NY, so Long Island brides shouldn't count them out just because they're traveling from New Jersey! They're happy to travel to eastern LI! We chose them because they play a wide range of American and Latin music. They provided music for our ceremony, cocktail hour and reception (and played everything from swing to cha cha cha, merengue, salsa, r&b, rock & roll, disco, contemporary dance music, and more). They learned our first dance song as well as the Spanish-language mother-son song it took us months to find (Aqui Estoy Yo by Pimpinela). Music was CONTINUOUS throughout the reception, they were dynamic and knew what to play and when to play it...the dance floor was PACKED throughout the reception...and they got everyone out there...from 9 months old to 90 years old!...We got SO MANY compliments...relatives that had performed in bands commented on the band's professionalism and talent...our photographer loved them, too, and has even since recommended them to brides! We HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend The Smokin' Section.

I highly recommend using the Smokin' Section for your wedding or event. They are fantastic to work with from beginning to end. We are so happy we hired them for our wedding. We have been to about 20 weddings over the past 5 years and Smokin' Section is by far the best band we have heard.

Our guests never stopped dancing! The Smokin' Section is the best!!

Where to start... Mike and the Smokin' Section were nothing short of amazing. From answering hundreds of questions to coordinating special requests- they stopped at nothing to ensure our dream wedding became a reality. Months later our friends are still talking about how wonderful our band was and I am thrilled to recommend the Smokin Section to anyone!

What a super job the Smokin' Section did when they entertained guests at our wedding. Starting off with a specially learned version of "Thank You." They went above and beyond our expectations and the guests are still talking about it. We highly recommend them.

From attending a free music preview to our actual wedding day my husband and I were thrilled with The Smokin Section. They were on time and professional- two things you worry most about as a bride. They played all our requests and got our guests dancing all night long! They also played SUCH a variety of music as we had requested... and sounded great singing anything from authentic Italian songs to Beyonce to Bruce Springsteen. I highly recommend them!

The Smokin' Section played at our wedding, in June at the Grand Summit Hotel in Summit, NJ. The Smokin' Section exceeded our expectations in every way possible, from their professionalism and assistance during the wedding planning process, to their AMAZING performance the day of our wedding. Many of our guests are still complementing the band, even now, 6 months after our wedding! We highly recommend the Smokin' Section'.

We recently have the Smokin’ Section play at our wedding. To say that they were amazing is an understatement. From the beginning, Mike listened to everything we asked for and requested. Our guest were up on the floor the entire night!! Some of the guest even waited until the entire night was over to get the card to call them for an upcoming wedding / even. This band is highly recommended! Greg and Kelly would like to personally thank The Smokin' Section for making our day a memorable one!

I would definitely recommend the Smokin'Section. The band provided excellent entertainment at our wedding. We were so pleased that the music they played was what we had requested. Everyone danced all night and so many guests commented on how great the band was.

We hired this band based on their extensive and well designed website, repetoire, and size. They did not disappoint at all. We had a 11 piece version of the band which included the latin percussionist and a latin singer and boy did they sound good! The horn section adds so much to the live band feel. We auditioned many bands and the Smokin Section delivered more than most could have! We have received so many compliments and know people who used some of the best in NY like Hank Lane and the Smokin Section blew them away. Highly recommended.

Our wedding was so much fun thanks to the Smokin' Section. They are professional and extremely talented. Once we checked them out at a showcase 2 years before our big day, we didn't need to look any further. They have something to offer for all ages and will add a classy touch to your event. Very impressive and well worth it!!

too many good reasons to list but I'll start with excellent, friendly communication, willingness to work within a budget, and devotion to keeping the day special. We knew we wanted a band all the way (no offense DJ's, but most of you stink) and after sitting in on one of their rehearsals, with my husband who is a musician himself, we were left speechless. A highly talented group of professionals that left our guests begging for more. My husband and I wish there was another reason to hire them!

I have had the privilege of attending several weddings with Smokin' Section as the band; most recently our own wedding. They are amazing and so easy to work with. Mike Kaplan, the band's manager was most accommodating throughout our planning process and the band did not disappoint the day of our wedding. Our friends and family were on the dance floor the entire night and everyone had a great time. I highly recommend this band and look forward to hearing them play again some time soon.

We used the Smokin' Section for our wedding in October. My husband had enjoyed seeing them play at a friend's wedding, and that couple enthusiastically recommended them to us. We were very happy! They played a nice mix of music, and really kept people dancing throughout the evening. No one left early!

The Smokin' Section played at our September wedding and they were amazing! Completely professional--not cheesy at all. Everyone at the wedding commented on how great the band was--they did everything that we asked perfectly (we had some special requests). Really great band--highly recommended!

This band is the only band worth hiring for your wedding. All of our guests, no matter how old, were up and dancing the ENTIRE evening. Of course I had a great time (it was my wedding), but our guests were sad for the music to end and could not stop talking about The Smokin' Section during the after party. Too bad the band couldn't fit in the hotel bar with us!!!

My husband and I highly recommend the Smokin Section. To this day we still get compliments on the reception music. At our request the band learned and did a dead-on rendition of our wedding song (Ray LaMontagne). Also, knowing that we love Sam Cooke, we were surprised during dinner by a medley of Sam Cooke songs on the piano - one of my favorite parts of the wedding. The band is a 9 peice group with an impressive horn section. They have three vocalists so can do a great job with really any genre of music (Bruce, 80's, oldies, etc). And they were very patient with us when we delivered our rather extensive DO NOT play list! I often find myself trying to think up reasons to have another big party to we have an excuse to hire the band again - they were just amazing! It is definitely more expensive to hire a band than a dj, but in our opinion, it was worth every penny!

The Smokin' Section played at our November 2009 wedding at the Florentine Gardens. They were awesome to work with from beginning to end. They made our request for a DJ/band combo work in perfectly and seamlessly with all the events we had planned for our cocktail hour and reception. They worked with us to personalize a two-song arrangement for our first dance. And Mike even did the best he could at the eleventh hour to listen to a specific rendition of our parent-dance song. All of our guests raved about the Smokin' Section at our wedding, and now even a year later, we continue to get compliments. Music was one of the most important elements to us when we were planning our wedding, and the Smokin' Section really came through and made our wedding the most beautiful day of our lives. We would give them more than 5 stars if we could. They were seriously the best!

We used Smokin Section for our May 2009 wedding. Customer Service was great, and the private showcases they offer really helped us decide that they were the band for us. When choosing a band, make sure you see them play live, don't go by dvd handouts or website footage. On the day of our wedding, the band really performed well. They learned a few songs for us for the dances, and really rocked the place with the last two songs of the night (that we had pre-selected). If you are looking for a great band, definitely consider Smokin Section!

They were perfect! They played a great variety of music - rock & roll, disco, jazz, swing, current. They offer an extensive song list & were willing to learn new songs for us. Also, they offer live music during dinner. We went to their studio to hear them & basically hired them on the spot. I couldn't sit still in the studio, so I knew the dance floor at the wedding would be packed, and it was. Very pleasant to work with during the planning process, very accomodating. Can't say enough good things about the Smokin' Section. Would highly recommend. As we're running into friends & family after the wedding everyone continues to rave about the band. They definately helped us have a fantastic wedding

Absolute perfection - over a year later, people are still talking about them. They know an incredible range of music and were willing to learn more songs for us. Great to work with - we're musical people and had some crazy direction for our band - they more than took it in stride - they really enjoyed it! We want to throw another party just so we can hire them again.

They have a great sound and kept everyone dancing the whole night.

Variety of music. Had 4 requests that they had never played before and they did an awesome job. Nice people. Extremely talented. As a musician myself I heard them 4 years ago and never forgot them so I wanted them at my own wedding.;They may be a little more pricey then other bands but they are worth it! Nine piece band--they are not your ordinary wedding band. Everyone loved them.