The TSE Band offers above and beyond NYC Bands
$3,500 starting price
Upstate/Downstate New York along with other states
Service area
Al Santoro
OWNER
AWARD WINNER (1X)
Thanks to recommendations from couples on The Knot
Based in Albany, NY, The TSE Band is a talented musical group that can delight guests at your wedding. This band had made it their mission to help couples on their big day with a musical act that is tailored specifically to them. They invite you to get in touch to learn more about what is on offer.
Whatever your musical tastes, The TSE Band can create a dynamic, high-energy repertoire to get everyone on their feet. The group has eight members, all of whom have a wealth of experience in the entertainment industry. The number of people in the band also lends itself to versatility, with five vocalists, a sax, a trumpet, a bass, drums, and keys.
The TSE Band can perform everything from funk to rock, spanning music from all decades. They will be able to coordinate with your other vendors to ensure that everything works cohesively on the day. They will also bring along their own sound equipment so that everything sounds pitch perfect. Should you wish, the band can also provide MC services to keep your guests informed and entertained throughout the festivities.
What You'll Love About The TSE Band
The TSE Band is praised by couples for their top-class services and unforgettable performances. The talented musicians here can elevate your event and offer energy and the perfect ambiance to match your big day. Check out their reviews for an idea about the kind of experience you can look forward to with these entertainers.
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Prices & packages
Couples usually spend $4,000
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Details
Instruments
Guitar
Keyboard
Organ
Percussion
Piano
Saxophone
Trumpet
Vocals
Music Genres
Country
Dance
Disco
Hip-Hop
Jazz
Pop
R&B
Rock
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
Al Santoro
Owner
Al Santoro (Vocals, MC, Drums)
Al studied with Don Bush, Principal Percussionist with The Pittsburgh Symphony and later had the opportunity to study with singer Al Jarreau, one of his early heroes. Al has played and sung with many of the top players in the area, including Leo Russo, Sal Maida, John Menegon, Ian Macdonald and Rick Delaratta and also performed with Liberty DeVitto, Eddie Gomez and The Drifters.
Whether it’s from behind the drums or out in front of the band, Al's energy and unique vocal stylings help make The TS Ensemble one of the most sought after acts in Upstate New York.
Availability
Reviews
4.9
out of 5.036 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
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Amanda R
5.0
6/24/2025
We absolutely LOVED TSE Band!!! They played at our Wedding Cocktail Party and our guests kept saying how great the band is. They knew how to get the party going! They know literally any song you can think of and know how to get your guests pumped up. If you want to have an absolute blast at your wedding/event, TSE is your band! Al is so amazing to work with and makes sure that you are having the time of your life. I can't wait to watch them play all over the capital region!
5.0
4/03/2025
I’ve seen TSE Band perform many times — at weddings and events, as well as at nightclubs — and most recently at Turning Stone resort. They always bring the party! Great selection of music, spanning styles and eras, and always fun songs that make you wanna move… Frontman Al Santoro and the entire band is top-notch! Great musicians, singers and all-around entertainers. I highly recommend them for any event or venue where you want people to get down and have a fantastic time!
Any questions?
Amy T
5.0
10/03/2023
Al Santoro and TS Ensemble are amazing!!!! They played at my daughter and son-in-law's wedding at the Glen Sanders recently.
There are not enough words to describe how incredible this band is.
Al made everything very easy from start to finish with booking, choosing from their playlist, and organizing announcements. Communication was excellent and frequent.
Everyone raved about them the entire night and the energy they generated made for a party to remember!!
The playlist worked for young and not so young alike.
The band even included my grandson had him play the tambourine. :)
I wish I could give TS Ensemble 100 stars!!
Kristen S
5.0
3/18/2023
I Saw TSE band a couple weeks ago at The Turning Stone Casino in Oneida, NY. It was a snowy night but that didn’t affect the great time we had. The band was incredible and had the entire crowd engaged and dancing. Such a fun playlist as well. It seemed like a band that could bring a party to any audience!
-Kristen
Cameron W
5.0
9/07/2022
Our biggest feedback we had from our wedding was
"wow that band was incredible". The TSE really brought the dance floor alive and allowed for a wide array of music.
Timothy D
5.0
11/15/2021
These guys were incredible. They made it so unbelievably easy for my wife and I, and their professionalism made the wedding day a huge success. Seriously, our friends and family still talk about how good the band was at our wedding.
Neither my wife nor I are music experts. We gave Al a list of songs we liked, but he read the room the entire night and played the perfect song each time. They made the day so stress free and they were so incredibly talented. Each musician was awesome, and the lead singers had amazing voices.
I’d 10/10 hire them again for any future event.
Alison T
4.0
10/25/2021
The TSE band was amazing and full of energy all night long! They sound great and really know what they are doing. They took our requests to heart for our special dances including having my maid of honor step in to sing for our first dance. Then after dinner, everyone was on the dance floor the entire night!! My only complaint is that Al is a little hard to get a hold of before the big day. Everything worked out great, but it wasn't really until the week of the wedding that all the details were discussed which was a little more stressful than I would've liked. All in all, I still highly recommend them because that party was worth it!
Olivia H
5.0
10/16/2021
Having the TSE Band at our wedding was a no brainer! They kept the party going all night! Several guest commented on how cool it was to have a live band at a wedding reception and that the group did a fantastic job. If you're thinking about hiring a band - AL and the gang are definitely the ones to choose!
Jenna P
5.0
8/04/2021
We hired TSE for our July 1, 2021 wedding. I cannot speak highly enough about these guys! Al was informative, helpful, and available throughout the whole planning (and postponement, and re-planning) process. They really brought the party! They brought so much energy and got all our guests up and dancing. We got a ton of positive feedback from our guests about their performance. They played a variety of music from recent hits to oldies that everyone could jive with. I truly cannot recommend them enough.
Laura B
5.0
11/29/2020
My Fiance and I recently saw TS Ensemble a couple months ago at Frog Alley in Schenectady. WOW! They had amazing energy and knew how to get the crowd excited even with the new COVID-19 restaurant restrictions. My advice to future brides, HIRE THEM! We sure did for our wedding in 2021.
Peter S
5.0
1/22/2020
When it came to booking music for our wedding, we knew that a live band would make the night memorable and add SO much more to the party. As we started our search for bands in the area, T.S. Ensemble's reputation put them at the top of our list; short story is, we were not disappointed.
We engaged with Al Santoro as the representative from the band, and one thing that was immediately apparent from our discussions was that he and T.S. Ensemble had done so many weddings that they knew exactly what information was and wasn't important. In the planning weeks leading up to the wedding, he made sure to patiently walk through the detailed questionnaire and extensive song list, taking care to clarify names and pronunciations and relations (as they would be providing emcee services). He allayed many of our concerns about our first dance, the schedule we had planned with the venue, and even offered microphone equipment for our outside ceremony for a small fee. When it was time to submit the list of songs that we wanted for them to perform, they assured us that they would use them as inspiration for a fun set on our wedding night. The only small piece of feedback would be to move a lot of their onboarding and paperwork to a more electronic format, as navigating their extensive music list was a bit daunting and manual-intensive.
In the final days before showtime, Al contacted us to coordinate the day-of preparations. In the hustle and bustle of all of the small details coming together, Al knew to stay relevant and quick, so that we could get to the dozens of other things on our plate. The day of the wedding, he walked through the outdoor equipment with one of our guests who would be responsible for the ceremony music, which was a nice bonus. In addition, T.S. Ensemble allowed my wife and I to practice our first dance while they were prepping, which made us feel more like they were "there for us" on our day. Suffice it to say, the rest of the night went off spectacularly; they were jamming and we got dozens of compliments from guests about the live band and how great the song choice was.
I give this detailed accounting of our wedding experience in order to communicate that, when it came down to executing the music of our wedding night, Al Santoro and T.S. Ensemble knew just what to do. They elevated the party for our friends and family, and seem to be experts in the business of entertaining. The professionalism and knowledge they displayed when helping us plan is also something I want to call out for others who are thinking of hiring a live band for their event.
A glowing 5/5 stars from us!
Hannah D
5.0
11/17/2019
My husband and I had our post elopement reception early November. We wanted to forgo a lot of the formalities of a traditional wedding reception. Al understood our vision and created a customized experience for us and our guests. If you are looking to do things a little differently or create something that is personal to you - look no further than the TS Ensemble. They have a lengthy song list to choose your favorite songs. They did an excellent job of setting the stage for our party. Our guests are still complimenting us on how amazing the TS Ensemble was. Thank you so much Al and the TS Ensemble team!
John A
5.0
9/30/2019
Great band. Kept the party rocking. Extended 2 hours!
Dawn B
5.0
7/02/2019
I always dreamed of having the TSE Band play at my wedding (my dad was a member 30 years ago when he was still with us)... and my dream came true this past weekend. Al and the band learned "our song" especially for us and it was the perfect moment to start the best party ever. The band was NO DOUBT the highlight of our event and helped to create a fun, festive, and special day that no DJ would have ever been able to do. They engaged my crazy friends and family and everyone's first comment to me was "the band was AMAZING and so much fun".
Having a live band should be every bride and grooms #1 decision... and then calling the TSE Band should be the next one.
Thank you to Al, Tino and the whole ensemble for making our special day one we will cherish forever.
Eleanora A
5.0
2/01/2019
TS Ensemble was such a fun and energetic band! They really got and kept the party going during our wedding! They were a recommendation from our venue and we couldn't have been happier with them! We received countless compliments on how great the music was and how everyone just wanted to keep dancing all night! I stressed that concern with Al from the beginning that I wanted ALL the guests up on the dance floor and he delivered! He even got the 5 year old ring-bearer involved and he got a t-shirt that he is still so excited about! TS Ensemble knows how to party and we had the best time ever!
Margie A
5.0
10/01/2018
We recently saw TS Ensemble at a wedding in August 2018. Let me tell you - Unbelievable!! The entire place was jumping full of energy all night long.. They had the entire dance floor rocking through out the night. They also provided great ceremonial and cocktail services at the wedding. Believe me - don't look anywhere else. This band is the best I have seen at a wedding - upstate and downstate.
Allison W
5.0
10/08/2017
Professional. Highly recommended. They did everything we wanted. Beautiful voices. Wide selection of music. Made the event unforgettable.
Chris M
5.0
8/13/2017
TS Ensemble did a great job at my wife and I's wedding. Al, the band leader, promised that the band would bring energy to the party and he and the band delivered. Al was in communication during the months leading up to the wedding. The band has a great song list with a nice mixture of classic and modern options. While our first dance song was not on their song list, they learned and performed it on our wedding day. Our guests spent the majority of the night on the dance floor thanks to Al and the band. I'd recommend TS Ensemble to anyone looking to have an upbeat and lively wedding night. Al also emceed and did a great job.
Catherine F
5.0
8/08/2017
TS Ensemble was absolutely spectacular! They have a very extensive and wide variety song list to accommodate all ages. Al was great at communicating with me throughout the whole process and made sure our evening ran smoothly. We had the band perform soft Jazz music for our cocktail hour and then turned up the energy for the rest of the evening. They are very accommodating and got everyone out on the dance floor. Our guests could not stop raving about them! Thank you TS Ensemble for making our wedding a night to remember!
Andrea D
5.0
6/23/2017
TS Ensemble is an AMAZING band! We had them play at our wedding a few weeks ago, and the dance floor was packed. Al and the crew know how to get people up and moving, and their music is absolutely awesome. All of our guests are still talking about the band at our wedding, and what a great time they had. I would highly recommend TS Ensemble, and if you are looking for a band that is going to make your wedding one for the books, this is the band you go with!
Mia S
5.0
9/14/2016
I recently heard the band play at a cousin's wedding at The Waters Edge Lighthouse Restaurant. They were awesome, both my fiance and I loved them! Everyone was dancing all night long, regardless of age. I booked them for my upcoming wedding in October 2017 and cannot wait to have them play for us! They keep everyone entertained, great voices and instruments, and played a variety of songs too. I'm picking out super comfortable shoes for my wedding since I know that with this band I'll be on the dance floor for for most of it!
5.0
11/05/2015
TS Ensemble is simply the very best band!! They will adapt to anything that you can possibly wish for and their sound is unbelievable!! They had our guests rocking! We had lots of teenage and adult guests at our bar and bat mitzvah. TS Ensemble was loved by all! The compliments from teens and adults have not stopped. All of our guests had a blast because TS Ensemble is so great. We can't thank them enough for making our B'nai Mitzvah so fantastic!!
5.0
8/11/2015
Al and the crew are professional and on top of everything. The music was on point and everyone commented on how great the band was. All guests including the seniors danced the night away. This band is a great choice for any event. Thanks Guys for making my wedding everything she ever dreamed of. Katherina
antonino s
5.0
8/11/2015
GREAT TIME :-) .... Everyone had a great time. The dance floor was packed from start to end. This band made the party and my day.
Mia p
5.0
8/10/2015
i cannot express enough how ABSOLUTELY AWESOME THIS BAND IS!! They will no longer be my first choice. They will be my ONLY CHOICE. THE WHOLE WEDDING PEOPLE COULD NOT BELIEVE HOW GREAT THEY ARE!!! I'm still getting people saying how awesome and great they were. They can reach out to any crowd and have them all on the dance floor. I had them play at my wedding 26 years ago when they weren't nearly as many in the group. Here it is 26 yrs later and they played at my daughters wedding. OMG AMAZING. THE FUN WE ALL HAD!!! Believe me when I tell you. They will exceed you expectations !! They sure did for us. If you want a great wedding and your party on the dance floor- the TS ensemble is who you want. They come highly recommended by many venues we checked out. Awesome job!! Thank you Sooo much for making our daughters wedding day the talk of the town. Not only here but in Binghamton , rochester , syracuse New Jersey , Maryland and Boston. That's were all our guests were from They asked me for their number already !!
5.0
6/29/2015
TS Ensemble is well worth the money Al and Ts Ensemble rocked all night. Half the wedding was under age 30 and they just couldn't get enough.We ended up going into overtime due to the fact no one wanted the night to end and TS Ennsemble delivered ! We had 210 guest and 200 were on the dance floor for 7 hours even the seniors. All I have to say Thankyou Al and TS Ensemble what a memorable night...... you guys rock!!!!! cant wait to have another party!!!!!
5.0
6/27/2015
Thank you so much to the entire TS Ensemble Band, you sure did make Our wedding so memorable, your excellent dedication to listening and helping us make our music choices for Our Wedding was done so professionally, we will always be so thankful for the kindness you showed, the prompt return phone calls, and all answered emails. But most of all the way you performed and had our entire wedding guest on their feet at all times.
I would Highly recommend this group to any party that is looking for Great Value, Fabulous performance, and group involvement with guests, trust me you will not be disappointed....
Sherry
Kristina R
2.0
6/24/2015
Contrary to many others, I will have to give TS Ensemble a poor review. As a bride, I had many expectations and ideas in my mind that were not unrealistic such as our first song being played as the original version via Ipod vs. the band playing it, a particular father/daughter song, and certain songs to be played throughout the night. Unfortunately, with both my requests and my wedding planners verbal confirmation the day of, our first dance was sang by the band, the father/daughter song didn't happen so I had to change our song, and there was a strange song and dance at the end which entailed my husband and I slow dancing in a circle with all guests around us for 5 minutes...it was awkward and not something we wanted. I personally felt like Al was on his own agenda and didn't care what I wanted or what I was asking for. We paid over 3,000 dollars and I expected top of the line experiences, but didn't. Out of everything at my wedding I regret the music the most. Now I will say the music during the reception was great and people were having fun, but again, as a bride who paid a lot of money I wasn't pleased and my wedding planner was astounded as well. Not to mention when I e-mailed Al it would take weeks for a response!
Keely F
5.0
8/06/2013
TS Ensemble was amazing!! When Al says that they will rock it out at the wedding that is exactly what they do! All of our guests could not say enough about TS. They played music from so many different genres and keep people of all ages on the dance floor. They also learned our first dance song and did an amazing job with it. I would reccommend TS ensemble to anyone!!
5.0
7/08/2013
This is an early review and I'll update after my wedding but so far the planning process has been a breeze with Al from TS Ensemble. We have already asked him about learning some songs for us and he was more than happy to help us out! All I can say is that I am very excited to dance the night away with this band.
Megan D
5.0
6/27/2013
What a fantastic band!!!! We had so much fun with them. They knew how to play such a variety of music that it kept everyone of all ages happy. They know how to transition into the different events at including the introductions and speeches, dinner, cutting of the cake, garter and bouquet toss, and they know exactly when to do it. Flawlessly played every song and our first dance song was perfect! Cannot wait to go to another TSE show!!
Jessica F
5.0
8/21/2012
Al and the TS Ensemble rocked our reception! They played the perfect songs to keep the party going. They were flexible when our timeline was a bit off. They even learned 2 very special songs for us for the first dance and mother son dance. Everyone loved the band. TS Ensemble was one of the best choices we made for our wedding!
Anna U
4.0
7/29/2012
TS Ensemble was excellent at our wedding. They kept the party going until the end of the night. Everybody was on the dance floor having a great time. The band even learned and played our "First Dance" song and it was perfect!
Marisa W
5.0
6/24/2012
The TS ensemble did an amazing job preforming at my Canfield Casino wedding! Al was always easy to get in touch with, and worked with me to customize the music for the evening. I had never heard them preform live, and only had heard them via Youtube videos. They are good online, but MUCH better live! My guests (ages 5-90 yrs old) were dancing all night long. I couldn't complain to you about a single song they sang or put on the DJ when they took breaks, they were all really wonderful! They did everything I asked them to and more - they added personal touches and really made my wedding day that much more special. I would recommend them to anyone looking for a fabulous band AND an affordable price!
Elizabeth A
5.0
7/27/2011
So pleased with their talent and performance at the wedding! I received many compliments and the dance floor was always full! Al called me with every question that he had, to ensure that the night was perfect. Love them!
Jen P
5.0
5/10/2010
TS Ensemble has 8 members the brass instruments add a great energy to their sound and with male and female vocalists they can play just about anything. Al the leader does a great job as MC of the evening.;They book up quickly. An Al can be hard to reach. He always calls back but usually after 9pm.
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The TSE Band
Al Santoro
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Owner
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