Stax

Ensemble

The Stax Ensemble is East Coast Soul's most tenured and awarded group. Learn more how our flagship ensemble is re-writing the rulebook of event entertainment.

A performance experience like nothing else

East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble has set itself apart as a new, gold standard for event entertainment.

This ensemble is taking musicianship and showmanship to new heights.

East Coast Soul: Stax Ensemble – Live @ Bates College (Short Version)

Live at Bates College


East Coast Soul: The Stax Ensemble – Live @ The Liberty Hotel (Featuring Giang & Astha)

(Featuring Giang & Astha)


East Coast Soul: Stax Ensemble – Live @ Artists for Humanity Center (Featuring Daniel and Astha)


East Coast Soul: The Stax Ensemble – Live @ The Boston Public Library (Short Version)


Testimonials

Our clients say it better than we ever could. Check out our most recent testimonials below.

"East Coast Soul Stax was without a doubt the highlight of our wedding reception. Finding the right wedding band is challenging because so many have 5 stars on Google, the Knot, etc. We did a decent amount of research and ultimately chose Stax because of the reviews, style/genre, and videos from the website. The videos were helpful because they're from actual weddings not the studio so you get a better sense of vibe, dancing, etc. Coincidentally, I had a friend that also used Stax last year and raved about them. Once booked, the ECS team was responsive and helpful in tying up every loose end, but also flexible on deadlines. They send an extensive questionnaire to outline the itinerary, setlist, intros, cocktail hour, you name it! They played all our must plays and avoided the do not plays and the choreographed dancing was electric. So many people came up to us during and after saying how it felt like a concert. Can't say enough good things, I'll let the pictures speak for themselves"

"We had our wedding a week ago, and I can hands down say that the Stax ensemble was one of the most memorable parts of our wedding day! A number of friends and family came up to my husband and I and said that ECS/Stax was the BEST wedding band they have ever seen. Our guests even requested an encore :) They kept the energy high and the dance floor full the entire night. The 3 vocalists are extremely talented and will leave you impressed, and they can dance!!! From a professionalism standpoint, Sean and Art were extremely communicative and accommodating to our day-of changes. Their prep forms were simple, easy to fill out, and manage. Overall, I cannot recommend ECS enough."

Kate (Bride)

Thompson, CT
October 8, 2022
"10/5 stars! The Stax ensemble made our wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, and especially reception absolutely out of this world. Art and Sean made the planning/prep enjoyable and fun, and we have received endless compliments on just how FUN the band was! They were accommodating about our different musical requests and kept the dance floor packed the entire night. Hire them!!!!!"

Katelyn (Bride)

Whitefield, NH
September 24, 2022
"You won't find a better wedding band than East Coast Soul! We had the 7 piece Stax Ensemble for our 9/16/22 wedding, and they were absolutely incredible. Our dance floor was packed all night, and our guests absolutely LOVED them! They also learned our first dance song, which meant so much to us. Music was one of our biggest priorities of the day, and ECS far exceeded even our highest hopes! Anyone who books them is going to have an AMAZING time!"

Grace (Bride)

Haydenville, MA
September 16, 2022
"You cannot go wrong with ECS!! Our wedding venue recommended them to us because we knew we wanted a live band that does more than just your standard wedding hits. From the start they were responsive, organized, and easy to deal with. The Stax band far exceeded our expectations! Not only were they great musicians and singers, but they were amazing entertainers, which is not typical of other wedding bands I've seen. Their performance was truly electric, with choreographed dances and musical solos that brought the house down. I think every one of my guests came up to me to say they were the best band they'd ever seen. Book them!"

Katie (Bride)

New London, NH
August 28, 2022
"East Coast Soul's Stax band was incredible for our wedding! Their passion and enthusiasm was evident the whole night which truly made for a special event. Even before the night of the wedding, East Coast Soul was great to work with - very professional, thorough, and responsive. Cannot recommend hiring East Coast Soul enough."

David (Groom)

Rumford, RI
August 6, 2022
"East Coast Soul was one of the best decisions we made for our wedding! The band did a fantastic job listening to our requests and keeping guests dancing the entire time. They even let some members of the wedding party come up and sing a song with them which was an absolute blast. We were extremely happy we booked them and they even provided music during our cocktail hour as well as coordinating the music for our ceremony/ first dance. There is truly nothing like a live band and East Coast Soul will not disappoint, you need them for your next event!"

Catherine (Bride)

Boston, MA
July 9, 2022
"The Stax Ensemble absolutely crushed their performance at my wedding last weekend 6/25/2022. Everyone RAVED about their performance. The music was absolutely perfect and they brought an insane amount of energy. It was a super hot day and people weren't really into sweating anymore than they needed to, but this band got people off their feet and dancing!! I can't recommend them enough. Their communication throughout the process was great as well. "

Missy (Bride)

Waitsfield, VT
June 25, 2022
"The Stax ensemble from East Coast Soul performed at our wedding over Memorial Day Weekend and it was EXCELLENT. It truly made the evening a party. Everyone was dancing and we had such a great time. Aside from their incredible talent, everything was organized flawlessly and we didn't have to worry about a thing."

Diana (Bride)

Cambridge, MA
May 29, 2022
"We had the Stax ensemble for East Coast Soul and couldn't be happier with our decision. Our guests were RAVING about the quality of the band and so were we, everyone had such a good time. They aren't just great musicians, but they're great performers that are perfect for a crew that likes to get out on the dance floor. Also, working with Art and Sean was seamless. They have thought of every detail and are organized, responsive, and overall a pleasure to work with. Would 11/10 recommend!"

Derek (Groom)

Harwich Port, MA
May 28, 2022
"There are not enough words to describe how good East Coast Soul was at our wedding. UNBELIEVABLE. Everyone was on the dance floor all night long. I can't count how many people came up to me asking, "Where did you find this band?? They are the best band we've ever seen" Our wedding was truly incredible, in large part to the atmosphere East Coast Soul brought!! We are still reliving this night and the songs they played!!"

Sarah (Bride)

Tomkins Cove, NY
January 15, 2022
"ECS was literally incredible!!!! Everyone was asking about them and said they were the best wedding band ever. The energy was insane, they were dancing right along with us, battling sax and keyboard, belting out all the best songs. It was truly the best night of our lives and we will recommend everyone book them. We can’t thank you guys enough for making our wedding the best ever!!! Book ECS, you won’t be disappointed!!!!"

Amy (Bride)

Harwich Port, MA
October 16, 2021
"East Coast Soul made our already perfect wedding day THAT much more special. They were easy to work with and professional and kept our dance floor PACKED. Guest after guest has told us in the days since our wedding that ECS and STAX was the best band they had every seen at a wedding.. and I have to agree. I can't thank them enough for helping us make our wedding a fun event for everyone."

Lily (Bride)

Stockton Springs, ME
October 9, 2021
"My husband and I were married in Marblehead, Ma and hired East Coast Soul (The Stax Ensemble). The performance was outstanding and almost six months later our guests are still raving. They are a lot of the reason why our wedding felt so magical. Not only was the day-of experience great but also working with them behind the scenes. Their band operations are clearly a well oiled machine. As a bride that naturally had many things to worry about, it was nice to feel that I did not have to worry at all about the music after I booked."

Mary Elizabeth (Bride)

Marblehead, MA
October 2, 2021
"I cannot say enough about East Coast Soul!!!!! They are amazing. Book them, you need them! We saw them at a friends wedding two years ago and were wowed by them. They sound amazing, are incredible performers and know how to get all ages on the dance floor. We went with the 8 piece Stax ensemble and WOW! They also did our ceremony music and cocktail hour music. For our wedding, it was really important to us that we get everybody on the dance floor all night long and that was exactly what happened. Looking around the room all night, there was hardly anybody sitting down and people are still telling us how incredible our band was! From the first phone call you have with them, you get the feeling that not only are they incredibly talented, but very organized. We talked about our vision, kinds of music we liked etc. We got a questionnaire to fill out upon booking and 1 month out. It really makes you think about everything that you want (and don't want). The one month out basically creates a timeline and script. We talk about introductions, music, tone, instruments etc. We had a somewhat choreographed dance for our first dance and had an idea of where in the song we'd end. We chatted with the band before and they nailed it. Seriously, East Coast Soul was the best investment we made for our wedding day and made the entire celebration!! You want them, you need them."

Kelsey (Bride)

Shelburne, VT
September 18, 2021
"ESC Stax Ensemble was amazing. The entire team was extremely responsive, prepared and organized leading up to the wedding and were incredibly accommodating when we had to postpone our wedding for Covid in 2020. On the actual day-of they crushed it. They brought so much energy to the dance floor and we received so many compliments following. Would highly recommend ESC if you're looking to ensure guests are up and dancing and having a great time."

Mari (Bride)

Quincy, MA
September 17, 2021
"East Coast Soul ABSOLUTELY MADE OUR WEDDING!!! That was the best show/ concert/ wedding of our life. This band is incredible . Our guest are still texting us about you guys saying that was the best wedding band they have ever seen. And your three leads!!!!! You all were so electric and amazing with your energy, dance moves, instruments, and singing. Everything was so awesome and perfect and exceeded expectations Thank you for helping make it the best night of our lives❤️"

Meg (Bride)

Marblehead, MA
September 11, 2021
"East Coast Soul was awesome! We hired them for a 150 person wedding in Maine and they were great to work with from our initial inquiry through the wedding reception. The band was fantastic and made the wedding celebration so much fun. Would highly recommend!"

Nick (Bride)

Portland, ME
August 28, 2021
"East Coast Soul truly made our wedding. The universal compliment from our guests was the music. We are beyond grateful to the entire team for making the planning process so efficient and the day itself so special. There were family members I wholly anticipated to sit down the entire night on the dance floor, smiling, laughing, and making a party train. What talent and energy ECS brought! I would highly recommend them to anyone! (P.S. I later heard that the pianist was covering his keyboard with his jacket so that we could move forward with our outdoor ceremony despite a scattered shower. I would have thanked him that day, but I was oblivious to the fact that it had even rained. Seriously, thank you so much.)"

Talia (Bride)

Bristol, RI
August 8, 2021
"East Coast Soul CRUSHED it!! If you're looking for a wedding band in the Northeast, let me save you the research — stop looking now and book these guys! Our wedding guests were blown away by the show they put on (many surprised at how utterly talented and passionate the group was – some even stunned how we got such a concert-grade group to play at our party!) and the energy was electric. Not to mention, the long (18 month) lead up to our wedding was super smooth, all while riding through a pandemic of uncertain times — the band's management is super friendly, understanding, and accommodating, and the band was just amazingly talented and energetic. We were happy to get the group back on the road after months of not being able to play together and they delivered a party like we never could have imagined, including amazing renditions of special songs, amazing emceeing, and great communication and reliability from day 1 through to after the event. We hired them to play at our ceremony and the reception and they brought soul and good times to the entire day. East Coast Soul made our wedding day music-filled and soulful in a way we never could have imagined – we can't recommend enough that you make the call to have them do the same for you. You won't regret it!"

Evan (Groom)

Waitsfield, VT
August 7, 2021
"Holy cow this band rocks! We found East Coast Soul because they played at my sister's wedding and was a requirement of ours to schedule our wedding around their availability (both times) - and we are glad we did. To that point, they were super helpful and understanding when we needed to move our date at the beginning of the pandemic and they were very communicative to the lead up about our preferences, their needs at the venue, and everything else to pull off a mini-concert in the fields of Vermont seamlessly. Huge shoutout to Arthur and Sean for all their logistical work! The musicians in Stax are so incredibly talented and so energetic that they had everyone from the little kids to the grandmas up on their feet. Don't snooze on their rendition of "Pony"! Seriously though, for a lot of our guests (and us!) it was the first wedding that many of us had been to in over a year and they freaking brought the party! They danced their hearts out along with us and created so much energy in the room, we couldn't be more grateful to them - they make us want to have another wedding just so we can party with them again."

Sara (Bride)

Waitsfield, VT
July 3, 2021
"These guys are AMAZING!!! I cannot recommend them highly enough! EVERYONE at the wedding raved about “the band!!!” over and over and a few days after the wedding I'm still getting texts about how incredible the band was. Their singing and dancing and planning organization and ceremony music and cocktail hour music and dance night raucousness exceeded our expectations beyond anything we could have imagined! I was so impressed with their hora (Jewish Wedding) and how well they MCed the evening. They made our reception a HUGE success!!! It was fantastic!"

Molly (Bride)

Beverly, MA
June 20, 2021
"East Coast Soul - Stax was absolutely amazing! We hired them for our wedding and they put on the most unbelievable performance--you almost felt like you were at a concert. The music choices were fantastic, the dancing by Astha, Giang and Daniel were incredible and the musicians were just remarkable. When most people talk about our wedding it is about the band--"best band they had ever seen." No one wanted to stop dancing at the end of the night! Art, was so easy to work with and extremely responsive to all of our emails. He understood what type of music we were looking for and the type of atmosphere and he nailed it! Please hire this band for your wedding, or any party requiring a band ASAP you will not be disappointed! Thank you so much ECS - Stax for such an amazing night of dancing and fun!"

Lauren (Bride)

Jackson, NH
May 29, 2021
"I cannot recommend East Coast Soul enough. From the initial conversation with Art and Sean to the final event (just a few weeks ago), if you live in the New England area and you're not working with East Coast Soul, you're doing it wrong! The band was absolutely the highlight of our wedding. Not a single person was sitting during the dancing portion of the evening and we're still getting daily compliments on their incredible music!! Astha BROUGHT THE HOUSE DOWN! I want to relive her singing over and over again. Besides the incredible music day-of, Art was such a pleasure to work with pre-wedding day. We went through date changes, venue changes, dancing, no dancing and Art was with us every step of the planning process. He was extremely thoughtful and organized in his responses and we so appreciate his help and support throughout this planning process! I hope to be at another event with East Coast Soul soon!!"

Elena (Bride)

Bedford, NH
September 28, 2020
"Are you looking for a wedding band that will blow your guest away? Are you looking to have a huge non-stop dance party at your wedding with your friends and family running up to you and saying , "Can I be a groupie for this band?!?!". Then look no further, stop thinking about anything else and book East Coast Soul! We were originally introduced to ECS at a friends wedding, and to put it lightly, they were so amazing that I lost my voice the next morning from all the fun the crowd was having. When my fiance popped the question and we were planning the logistics of our wedding, we both knew that we wanted ECS at our wedding. We are so thankful they had an opening, and quickly booked them to be our band. Working with the managers of ESC, specifically Sean and Art, was wonderful, stress-free, and effortless. They are prompt, professional, kind, and down to earth. They are willing to work with you for anything in order to make your day shine. And then comes the wedding night--and oh goodness did the band deliver! I've never seen a band play with as much heart, soul, and gusto as ESC. They were able to play a diverse array of music to cater to all our guests, young or old(er). Everyone was dancing the night away, and the lead singers truly put on a performance show. They know how to gauge the crowd, which songs to play, and when to bust out the insane dance moves. Yes, this band comes equipped with dance moves too! We are so thankful to have had the opportunity of ESC performing at our wedding. They are truly electrifying and provided us with such fun memories that we will cherish for a lifetime. Book them TODAY!"

Anne (Bride)

New Haven, CT
November 2, 2019
"I cannot possibly recommend East Coast Soul highly enough. From the moment we booked them, everything was completely seamless. They were patient and thorough in answering all of our questions and made the planning process absolutely painless. Then came our wedding day. To say they blew us away would be a complete understatement. The energy and talent of this group is absolutely unreal. The way they can read the room to put together a set that keeps the dance floor on fire is incredible. I couldn't even keep count of how many guests told us they were the best band they'd ever seen. Some of our older relatives also let us know they thoroughly enjoyed just sitting and watching them perform - they felt like they were attending a concert. East Coast Soul was a huge part of what made our wedding so incredible - if you have the chance to work with them, do not hesitate. They are simply the best. "

Kellie (Bride)

Boston, MA
October 5, 2019
"My husband and I saw East Coast Soul at a wedding one week after we got engaged. We did not have a venue or date yet, but we knew we HAD to have East Coast Soul at our wedding. We immediately reached out to them and they worked with us each step of the way. They were not only helpful and responsive, but they took each of our crazy requests and made our ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception music absolutely perfect. I cannot say enough good things about this group. We had every single person up out of their seats on the dance floor the entire night. They aren't just there to provide music, they are there to perform and get the party going. You will not be disappointed at all if you choose this group!! "

Mary (Bride)

Buffalo, NY
October 4, 2019
"You do not need to search any further - you should hire East Coast Soul for your wedding! They are INCREDIBLE. We used the Stax ensemble and so many guests made a point of letting us know after the wedding how impressed they were by the sound and physical energy the band brought to the stage. The band played for several hours straight without breaks and kept the dance floor energy up - and we had a blast the entire time. Everyone from our little cousins to our grandparents were on the dance floor absolutely loving the music. And Sean was an excellent emcee the whole night which made the intros, cocktail music, and speeches run perfectly. Not to mention the band was very easy to work with and accommodated all of our requests - including having family members play with them and asking them to learn new songs for our dances. Guests haven't stopped asking for more information on this band for family / friends weddings because they are truly the best band you can hire for your wedding. Don't wait to reach out or they'll be booked for your big day!"

Lindsay (Bride)

West Dennis, MA
September 21, 2019
"I can't express my love for East Coast Soul more. They made our wedding exactly what we wanted it to be, which was an EPIC party. Not only are they incredible musicians, but outrageously impressive performers as well. We're still getting comments from guests about how incredible they were. Between the song selections, their ability to go with the flow and to fire up the crowd, they are a 12/10 and easily the best band I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing. I'm totally smitten by them and recommend them whole heartedly for your wedding."

Ciara (Bride)

Stowe, VT
September 7, 2019
"They ARE the Wedding !!! We saw them at a friends wedding and immediately knew we had to have them at ours . Especially the Stax Ensemble staring Giang Luc. He is electrifying !!! People were literally blown away by this band and we have already booked them for an office Xmas party . The team was organized in booking and capturing our style of music and very helpful with playlist for background music when the live band wasn’t playing . Literally the best wedding band ever."

Nicole (Bride)

Killingworth, CT
September 7, 2019
"So good!!! These guys are so f*king good. Honestly, they absolutely killed it - our guests are still talking about how great the band was. They are responsible and responsive in the planning phase, they are very talented musicians, and they know how to party."

Andrea (Bride)

Center Lovell, ME
August 25, 2019
"East Coast Soul is hands down the best wedding band out there. Their vibe, energy, professionalism and most of all, performance were outstanding! From the moment we chose to work with them, everything ran smoothly. It was a very straightforward process and they worked with us on everything from the ceremony through the reception. We had a string quartet at our ceremony and it really made all the difference. It was beautiful. We had a few of the band members play at the cocktail hour and the vibe was perfect. I can't say enough about the Stax Ensemble at the reception. From the moment they started playing through the end of the night, the dance floor was packed. Their song choices and performance were absolutely amazing and the night was everything we could have imagined and more. Months after the wedding we are still getting compliments on the band and have people telling us they were the best wedding band ever. Highly recommend this fabulous group. Thank you so much, ECS!!!"

Shelby (Bride)

Kennebunk, ME
August 17, 2019
"I literally cannot stop talking about how amazing this band was at our wedding. I have never danced so much at a wedding and I've never seen so many people both on the dance floor and moving tables to dance on the grass around it! I truly am not just saying that because it was my own wedding - this band was the talk of the entire next morning's brunch. We had the Stax ensemble with Dan and Astha singing and they are some of the most engaging performers I've ever seen. The whole band is so immensely talented and they did an excellent job with learning our first dance song, playing really appropriate (but good!) dinner music, and then turning it UP for the dance party. They also were so awesomely accommodating about traveling and making sure all details were accounted for. Thank you ECS!!!"

Cicely (Bride)

Stratton, VT
August 3, 2019
"East Coast Soul (the Stax ensemble) was the LIFE OF THE PARTY for our wedding!!! Their enthusiasm and talent were bar none. They made the entire process seamless and easy for booking and leading up to the wedding. I cannot thank them enough for making our wedding so incredibly fun and memorable. Truly one of the best investments for our wedding. Our family and friends had such an incredible time dancing and it was a night none of us will ever forget. Thank you so much for being part of our big day. "

Mariah (Bride)

Rye, NH
July 13, 2019
"I can't even begin to tell the internet how incredible this band was!! We had the Stax ensemble and they. SERIOUSLY. BROUGHT. IT. Everyone at the wedding kept talking about how beautiful the venue & decor was...until the band started playing. Then the band was all anyone could mention!!! For much of the night, I couldn't tell if we were at our wedding or a concert of the best, most danceable songs!! All the band members brought so much energy to the music - EVERYONE was on the dance floor, either fan-girling out to the musicians and singers, or breaking it DOWN with their bad selves!!! As far as communication is concerned, they are top notch. I'm a pretty detail-oriented person, and I was highly impressed with their communication throughout the wedding planning process and questions for what we wanted for sound. These guys are responsive, helpful, creative, and SO SO much fun. I HIGHLY recommend you book them...before someone else does!!!"

Lauren (Bride)

Dover, NH
November 10, 2018
"We had the most perfect night on Saturday night with East Coast Soul at our wedding!! We loved every minute of the music! The band had the most amazing energy the whole night and no one left the dance floor!! We were thrilled with everything they played and it truly made the night one that our guests and we will never forget! We had so many wonderful compliments and raving reviews from all of our guests! Our wedding night wouldn’t have been the same without east coast soul there!"

Kelly (Bride)

Fairlee, VT
September 8, 2018
"ECS MADE our wedding—all the guests had an absolute blast, and we were blown away by both the energy put forth by all the musicians as well as the musical quality. We got more compliments on the band than we could ever have imagined. Guests were even telling us that they "felt like the went to a concert" that night. I couldn't be happier with our decision to work with ECS. They were professional and communicative leading up to the wedding, and shined brilliantly during the day-of performance. We can't thank the band enough."

Jeff (Groom)

Groton, MA
August 18, 2018
"It would be hard to overstate and/or encapsulate in 3500 characters how good East Coast Soul is. Next to deciding to marry my spouse, this was the best decision I made in regards our wedding day. As you might expect, the whole process was easy, from the band initially getting in touch with us, to getting a sense of what we wanted/didn't want, to helping us with ceremony sound. They have a very easy-to-complete google survey for your preferences, timing, etc. Showed up to the venue well ahead of time, ready to go. All thumbs up on the organizational front. But let me talk about the band. Oh my god, the band. At some point during my mother/son dance, when I let my attention widen in scope, I thought to myself in the back of my mind, "Damn, these guys are GOOD." And then it just got better. And better. And better. The entire main set, I don't think there was one butt in a chair. Our family friends' younger daughter, who I've been told is shy and introverted, was dancing the entire night. An older relative who I didn't even think could safely walk up three flights of stairs danced the entire night. I think the guy dishing out Ben and Jerry's in the back corner was dancing the entire night. I have several friends that range from very-good-amateur to professional-level musicians who were standing transfixed in front of the stage like they were at a concert. During the final song I crowd surfed (!). My spouse crowd surfed (!!!!). The lead singer crowd surfed (!!!!!!!!!!). After the whole thing was over people were left looking at each other in that manner that people do when they need to confirm that what just happened, happened, and that they weren't having a hallucination. It was that good. It goes without saying that everyone was asking me for the band's name, telling me this was the best band they have ever seen at a wedding, etc. etc. etc., all the accolades you normally hear about in wedding reviews. But it was better than that. It was a religious experience. I find myself waking abruptly in the middle of the night because I was shouting The Isley Brothers in my sleep. I'm worried the dry cleaner won't be able to clean my suit because it got so sweaty. I'm still not sure if my uncle has gotten his voice back yet. Please, let me help you save some of your wedding planning time for flowers or photographers or linens or whatever else you need. Book this band. Right. Now."

Kurt (Groom)

Chittenden, VT
July 28, 2018
"The best wedding band! We were blown away by how great ECS was -- working with them to plan the music for our wedding was so easy and they were really accommodating with all of our special requests. We booked the Stax ensemble and opted for a 6-piece band, and they were fantastic. The mix of music was just what we wanted, and the performance by the vocalists really upped the energy level with our guests. We barely stopped dancing all night and our guests raved about the band. We had them help with the mic/sound for our outdoor ceremony as well, and that was also super easy and smooth. We would highly recommend booking ECS!"

Rachel (Bride)

Scarborough, ME
June 24, 2018
"You can trust East Coast Soul Throughout the whole process, from reaching out to them to packing up on the night of the wedding these guys were professional, fun, and willing to go the extra mile. First, get a band for your wedding. These guys bring so much energy, entertainment and talent it's absolutely worth it. Now that you've made that decision, you'll be safe with East Coast Soul. When we started reaching out we told them our date, what we music we were interested in etc. However, we didn't sign a contract right away. East Coast soul and Sean were very patient. Finally, they reached out and said, "We have someone else who would like to put a deposit down but we've already been talking with you guys." It was very kind and courteous. Obviously, that little bit of pressure got us to pull the trigger. I'm glad we did. 

Their whole demeanor and style is to be upfront, kind, and honest. They want the night to be as awesome and successful as you do. The night of the wedding, they did a great job reading the crowd, MC'ing the night, and providing extra equipment. Their skill and talent rise above their truly excellent music. They also have a keen sense of rhythm for the night and an awareness of how the party should be rolling. At one point they were supposed to play a slow song to allow for cutting the cake but Sean wisely spotted the look the bride was sending him and noticed the cake wasn’t ready. He wordlessly nodded and adapted the plan. None of the guests noticed, but it’s that kind of skill you need at a wedding. 
We had a ‘backyard style’ wedding and no wedding planner so the expertise they brought was very welcome. They showed up on time, followed the limited instructions we’d given and ran with the plan without being inflexible. 

Throwing a wedding, you’ve got to hire vendors you trust to do a good job and then stand back and let them kill it. That’s just what East Coast Soul did for us. Because we’d hired the best, we didn’t need to stress over the details, they had the whole thing covered. 
Their music was amazing, people were up and dancing the whole night. They read the crowd, learned all the songs we asked for, (and they sounded great on those songs (talking heads, and rolling stones), and even played an extra hour! 

Throwing a wedding can be stressful. Hire these guys, you won’t be sorry, your guests won’t be sorry, your wallet won’t be sorry, and you won’t have to stress over any entertainment."

Whitman (Groom)

Saunderstown, RI
June 16, 2018
"The BEST. If your considering ECS for your event or wedding, this should be the easiest decision you’ll make. I’ve attended 5 weddings (including my own) with ECS, and they bring 150% every time. Even people who are rhythmically challenged will dance up a storm, trust me. Total pleasure to deal work with Sean, Art and the whole crew from start to finish. Your guests will be complimenting you on the band for months to come. "

Sean (Groom)

Boston, MA
June 2, 2018
"ECS played at our wedding over Memorial Day and they truly made the entire event. We had the 'Stax Ensemble' and not only are they all exceptional musicians, but their energy and stage presence is extraordinary. They are so good at reading the crowd and basing their set list on how everyone is feeling. They were also so easy to work with including songs to play at the reception, ceremony and cocktail hour. This is the first and only band I've seen that had all of our guests, ranging all age groups, out on the floor dancing - including my 92 year old great aunt! We had so many of our guests tell us that ECS was the best wedding band they've ever seen, and we feel so fortunate to have used them!! Highly HIGHLY recommend!! "

Laura (Bride)

Arlington, VT
May 26, 2018
"We hired ECS after seeing them at my cousin's wedding in 2015, so we knew they were great. East Coast Soul was absolutely unbelievable at our wedding. Their energy is AWESOME and their dance moves make the performance. The entire night our dance floor was packed thanks to them! Our wedding coordinator said he's never seen that many people on the dance floor for that long! My husband (who has a good voice) sang Shout with the band and it was so nice that they made it happen. My mom requested a special song at the ceremony and the band learned all of the words and sang it beautiful. We had one singer and a pianist at the ceremony. "

Kelsie (Bride)

Boston, MA
December 30, 2017
"In planning our daughter's wedding we really wanted the music to stand out, and with East Coast Soul we got exactly what we wanted. I'm not exaggerating when I say that the dance floor was full the entire night, and those not dancing were standing to watch the band because they were such amazing entertainers! Our guests could not stop talking about this band! And band managers get bonus points for being so delightful to work with right from our first contact months before the wedding. ECS was one of the best decisions we made when planning the wedding. Highest possible recommendations""

Franca (Mother of the Bride)

Boston, MA
December 16, 2017
"Without a doubt THE BEST band we could have found for our wedding. Leading up to our wedding, Art & Sean were communicative, fun to work with, and full of helpful advice. We worked with their pianist for our ceremony, jazz duo during cocktail hour, and 10 piece ensemble for the reception. Their high-quality sound, killer dance moves and vocals, and unwavering energy kept the dance floor packed all night. Our friends & family are still in awe of their performance. Work with ECS and you will be very glad you did!"

Sarah (Bride)

Boston, MA
November 11, 2017
"East Coast Soul made our reception! My older brother booked them for his wedding 4 years ago, and as soon as my fiancé and I got engaged, I knew we HAD to book them. We had people coming up to us all night and for days afterwards talking about how amazing our band was. Everyone was on the dance floor from the moment they started playing - our venue had to crank up the air conditioning because the dance floor was so packed!! The mix they played was perfect and Art and Sean were so easy to work with. They let us know exactly what information we needed to get to them and when, which is incredibly helpful when you're planning a wedding with so many moving parts. They're far and away the best wedding band we've ever seen, and we're so thrilled that we were able to get them for our big day. Our goal with our wedding was to throw the best party of our lives, and East Coast Soul helped make that a reality!"

Emma (Bride)

Boston, MA
October 28, 2017
"Stop looking for any other wedding band and hire East Coast Soul! They are truly an amazing band. I had read all the awesome reviews prior to booking them but nothing could have prepared me for the level of energy they brought to the dance floor. At least 20 of my guests told me that this was the best wedding band that they had ever seen and multiple people asked me their name for future bookings. They had all my guests dancing the night away and their dance skills and vocals make you feel like you are at a concert. People were going nuts for them! In addition, they are consummate professionals and always readily available via email to answer questions quickly. They are so talented and provided AV services and music for our ceremony, cocktail hour, and wedding reception seamlessly transitioning from classical to jazz to Motown to top 40 hits. They are the best! "

Kinza (Bride)

Bretton Woods, NH
October 14, 2017
"Where to begin with this band! They took our entire wedding experience and just elevated it to the next level. It's been three weeks since the wedding and I still have people telling me just how amazing and fun the band was. Even working with Sean & Art to coordinate all the details of the day was a lot of fun! They are very relaxed but work hard to make sure that all the details of the day are perfect. We had asked the band if they knew any Tedeschi Trucks Band songs and they took the time to actually learn a few of the songs and perform them at the reception... unbelievable! Their music at the ceremony and cocktail hour was classy and fun and every step of the way was just perfect. Could not have asked for a better band or a more enjoyable live band experience. Their professionalism and preparedness made for one less thing that my husband and I had to think about on the wedding day. Would highly recommend them!! Make sure to book them - you will not regret it!!"

Kathy (Bride)

Mashpee, MA
October 7, 2017
"You can't really get much better than Stax/East Coast Soul. My wife and I had high expectations when we booked them, but were completely blown away after they performed our wedding. We had the 10 piece group and their keyboardist played the ceremony, in addition to a jazz trio for the cocktail hour. The sound they provided was top notch (no feedback shrills at any point, which I have experienced a lot in the past) and the energy was incredibly high. Sean and Art were both super professional and I was able to put a lot of trust in them to deliver a premium performance. I used to play music professionally and speaking from experience, you can't really get much better than this group. They were super fun and the singers had choreographed dancing throughout the nonstop reception. Thanks again for the awesome performance and the great memories ECS! "

Mark (Groom)

Philadelphia, PA
September 24, 2017
"Absolutely unbelievable! I first saw ECS in 2011 when they were performing in Boston. I knew then that I wanted them for my wedding someday! Over the next few years I actually used them for a couple of corporate events as I am an event planner by trade. Finally when I got engaged in 2015, they were literally my 3rd call after my family to say "It's time to finally perform for me!". I worked with Sean & Art leading up to the wedding on exactly what I wanted and they did more than deliver. They got every detail exactly as I wanted-include a music mix for my Father/Daugther dance. As a former wedding coordinator, I was very particular that I wanted our music to be the "key feature" of the event- after all, that's what people remember the most! Wedding day came and ECS killed it- they performed our first dance which was a country song- a bit out of their element but you'd never know it! (Dan & Shay, From the Ground Up). The kept the crowd on the floor the ENTIRE night- including my 85 year old aunt!! At the end of the night, my guests were literally yelling "encore, encore". When else do you see that at a WEDDING?! I honestly can't say enough good things about ECS. I can't think of anyone else that even compares to the level of entertainment they provide. I can 200% guarantee that if you book them you will love them just as much as I did- well a close second anyways ;) Thank you Sean, Art & Crew for making our night SO special! We love you guys! "

Jackie (Bride)

Mashpee, MA
September 17, 2017
"East Coast Soul was amazing! They were so organized during the planning process and always provided thorough and helpful information. On the wedding day, they were incredible! Our guests are still talking about how much fun they had and how amazing the band was. Our dance floor was jam packed all night long! They are so talented and have so much energy! I highly recommend them to anyone for a future event! "

Megan (Bride)

Buzzard's Bay, MA
September 3, 2017
"East Coast Soul played at our wedding in Salem in July - month later, our guests are still raving about how we had the best band ever! From the very first song, the dance floor was packed and it stayed that way until the end of the night. The singers were absolutely amazing and my friends are still talking about them - they got so into the music, dancing and giving a great performance that everyone else did too. They were great to work with and made the whole process go so smoothly. Hiring East Coast Soul was hands-down the best decision we made to turn our wedding into an unforgettable night for everyone! Thank you all!!"

Meghan (Bride)

Salem, MA
July 14, 2017
"There are no words to describe the “awesomeness” that is East Coast Soul! They are a hurricane of energy, talent and great music. They are more than a band, they are vibrant performers that are able to sense the tone of the room and play exactly what’s needed every moment of your wedding. By the end of the night, the members of ECS were our friends that were seamlessly part of our wedding! They brought everyone to the dance floor…I mean EVERYONE and played songs that were loved by all generations present. Throughout the course of the night I had multiple people tell me it was the best wedding band they had ever seen and were so happy to be part of the experience. ECS were great to work with throughout the entire process and they travelled all the way to Vermont for our wedding. They were super organized and helpful and even went so far as to learn a song that my father wrote for our dance together! I have never seen my dad so touched and overjoyed. If there is any debate in your mind between getting a DJ or getting a band, do yourself a favor…stop worrying, and hire these guys! They are worth it and will not disappoint. East Coast Soul is one of the reasons our wedding was a hit! They brought the love, energy and life to our party. "

Allyson (Bride)

Waitsfield, VT
July 2, 2017
"East Coast Soul is AMAZING!!!! They were one of the biggest parts in making our wedding day such a fun, wonderful celebration. So easy to work with throughout the whole process and communication was great. We are already brainstorming when we can host another function to be able to hire them again!! "

Lauryn (Bride)

Durham, CT
June 10, 2017
"I cannot say enough good things about East Coast Soul! They played at our wedding in Boston last April and they were absolutely fantastic. My husband is a musician and his only request for our wedding was to have an awesome band. After we watched their live performance videos on their website we were sold! They're not only incredible performers but they were so easy to communicate with before the wedding and great about going over every detail and making sure they played music that they knew we would love. On the day of our wedding they were organized and energetic and did such an amazing job! Everyone was up dancing all night and several of my friends commented the next day about how incredible the band was. Thank you for helping to make our wedding day so wonderful!"

Katie (Bride)

Boston, MA
April 8, 2017
"We had East Coast Soul perform at our wedding this past week. My husband, I, and all of our guests cannot say enough great things about the band. The experience was great starting with our initial conversations with Art and Sean from the band. Planning was so easy and stress-free even when planning from across the country. They were responsive to emails and calls throughout the entire planning process. They made sure to understand exactly the type of experience we wanted for the wedding. The day of the wedding started with an acoustic duo during cocktail hour. We already started getting rave reviews from our guests about how great their performance was. We were BLOWN AWAY by the reception performance. From the very first song our dance floor was packed. I have never been to a wedding where there was no one in their seats. Every age from 10 to 90 loved the music. The band kept us having fun and dancing throughout the entire night. I am still getting contacted from guests to find out the name of the band and to share their compliments. I would not hesitate to book East Coast Soul for a wedding reception. They are truly the whole package. I only hope that I can see them again at a friend/family's wedding in the future!"

Stephanie (Bride)

Derry
December 30, 2016
"I can't say enough about how incredible East Coast Soul was at our wedding. From the first conversation with Sean, I knew they would be awesome. Sean, Arthur and the whole band could not have been more flexible, amenable and just awesome to deal with from day one. And the music!! They were awesome! So much energy! Such an incredible set list! The dance floor was PACKED the entire night. Five stars is not enough for East Coast Soul. We really can't recommend them highly enough."

Yael (Bride)

New Marlborough, MA
November 5, 2016
"Best wedding band ever! Our guests were simultaneously stunned and thrilled. We couldn't believe the amazing dance party they threw. They also learned two songs for us and were a huge help with logistics including sound equipment for the ceremony. Every email we sent throughout the planning process was replied to within one day. We could not have asked for a better wedding band experience. Your guests will thank you for booking ECS! "

Meg (Bride)

Wellesley, MA
October 29, 2016
"“WOW! This is the best wedding band!!!!” That’s what I heard all night from our guests! This band has soul, spirited passion, tremendous talent, professional communication, and thoughtful kindness! ECS was exceptionally amazing! My fiancé and I got engaged in late May with a wedding set in October, so we thought it might be a stretch when we found ECS online and read the marvelous reviews to actually get them as our wedding band. I emailed with our inquiry and legit 15 minutes later Sean had texted me reaching out and we were booking them 24 hours later. It felt like fate! As a part time wedding photographer and caterer, I can attest that this sort of quality and professionalism is rare in the wedding industry. The acclaim and praise you read is 100% legit. The energy and dance moves of James Brown with heart of Gladys Knight; they are full out aerobic like Tina Turner & her back-up singers! We had a list of songs we liked (some early, some later additions) and the band thoughtfully played them. They learned a song requested by my mother in law for the groom/mother of groom song. My father was over the moon to hear some of his all-time favorite hits and all of our Boston Red Sox fans belted out “Sweet Caroline” with the band. Pretty incredible when you have band members upping the energy on the dance floor too! We absolutely loved it! There wasn’t one song that we didn’t love and the band was the pulse of our wedding. Even though each member of the band makes it look easy, musical talent and range like this is no easy thing. Truly impressive talent from each musician and I would not hesitate to recommend them. On top of all that, the band found an old ring that was lost during the wedding from a groomsman’s pocket and thoughtfully made sure it got put somewhere safely and responsively communicated all of it. We appreciated all the reviews when we came across ECS and if there is one inkling of doubt on where to spend your money on the event, rest assured you will no "

Deirdre (Bride)

Sicuate, MA
October 22, 2016
"I've never heard so many guests at a wedding exclaim, "this is the best wedding band I've ever heard!" I've never seen my husband or his father - both self-proclaimed non-dancers - having so much fun. East Coast Soul did an amazing job selecting songs that kept our dance floor full right until it was time for guests to head home. They accepted song requests in real-time, nailed a really distinct cover for our first dance, did the ceremony music beautifully and brought an amazing energy to the event. They were composed and well prepared with announcements during the evening and were also incredibly organized throughout the entire planning process - the most organized of any vendor I worked with, sending automated forms to gather song preferences (in which they have a diverse offering), proactively scheduling calls with me to review the information, and being INCREDIBLY flexible with a very difficult venue (island with limited transportation and resources). Don't underestimate how valuable it is to have a vendor that's proactive about planning with you, in addition to great talent! Like my guests remarked, I felt East Coast Soul was the best wedding band I've heard. Don't hesitate to book them! "

Sarah (Bride)

Cuttyhunk Island, MA
August 13, 2016
"East Coast Soul was AMAZING! We were told that they were "the best wedding band ever" by several guests & we have to agree. Not only were they incredibly organized in the weeks leading up to the event, but they were flawless on the big day. We had acoustic guitar for our ceremony music and the guitarist not only accommodated my very specific requests, but also executed them beautifully. The sound, provided by the band, was also perfect throughout the entire ceremony. Introductions & speeches went off without a hitch & the whole event had a great flow. After dinner the band started their full set & they blew everyone away! The music selection was fantastic & they had everyone out dancing - their energy was contagious! These guys are not only seriously talented musicians, but also great performers. We had the BEST time at our wedding & a big part of that was East Coast Soul! "

Sarah (Bride)

Rye, NH
July 24, 2016
"East Coast Soul provided such a wonderful evening! On the evening of the wedding, we were over the moon. Sneaking a listen of the jazz before we were introduced, we were blown away by their talent. While we were so caught in the moments throughout the evening, listening to ECS serenade us was breath taking. People asked all night where we found them and during brunch were stunned by the 'concert' we treated them to the night before. We were so stunned by their flexibility and pure talent throughout the night. I so wish we could have found a way to have them play longer- it was just PERFECT. We hope to attend another wedding with ECS because I cannot wait to be a guest at one of their events and have no responsibilities, but to enjoy the concert and dance floor."

Jourdan (Bride)

Portland, ME
July 16, 2016
"East Coast Soul was one of the BEST decisions we made for our wedding day. They had practically everyone on the dance floor including our so called “non-dancers” at the wedding. Their energy was unbelievable and we cannot recommend them highly enough. A special thank you to ECS who went out of their way to help us play a small video at our wedding as a way of remembering my husband's mom. "

Amanda (Bride)

Boston, MA
June 12, 2016
"The bottom line on these guys - they are awesome! Every guest commented on how much they loved the band we chose. My boss literally said "this has to be the top wedding band I've ever heard". They got everyone dancing, totally jammed out (dancing, having fun on stage), and played the whole night through. Honestly, if you want your guests to love the music pick these guys - they sound amazing. From a bride/groom perspective ECS is also incredibly easy to work with. They are accomodating, flexible, and responsive. My mom is a huge Van Morrison fan, and they were kind enough to learn a song for our first dance. It meant a lot to my mom and I'll be eternally grateful they did that. I am going to keep rambling about how great they are if I continue. To prove how sincere this review is let me just say this. I got married last night, and I have a bunch of stuff to do before we leave on my honeymoon. Before I did any of that I wanted to sit down and write this review, because I feel passionately that ECS is the most amazing band ever."

William (Groom)

Nahant, MA
June 4, 2016
"HIRE THIS BAND! I planned my wedding date around their availability, and boy was it worth it. From the beginning, the band's managers were very open to my thoughts and needs, and were very willing to negotiate. I got an 8-piece band featuring Giang, Dan, and Sophia, and they traveled up to Vermont for a very reasonable price. And what a show! I danced probably every single song with an enormous grin on my face. My guests were dancing right in front of the band like groupies at their favorite band's concert. I received compliments all night on how amazing they were. Not only are these top-notch musicians (we had many professional musicians at the wedding who will emphatically say the same), but they also are top-notch performers -- their enthusiasm really got the party started and the band danced and danced all night. Many of my guests (including me) were trying to think of future events they can plan where they can feature East Coast Soul. Truly -- they made my wedding amazing. My husband and I can't stop grinning when we think of great songs they played or how they introduced "This is How We Do It." So hire this band. You'll love them. In the words of Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson, "don't believe me just watch." "

Anna (Bride)

Bristol, VT
August 22, 2015
"If I could give a million stars, I would! East Coast Soul played at our wedding in summer of 2015 at OceanCliff in Newport, RI and despite the gorgeous setting, wonderful food, beautiful flowers, etc, all anyone can talk about was how great the band was. They kept everyone on the dance floor (including my 90 year old grandmother) and they didn't take a single break in our entire 4 hour reception! There was something for everyone- I don't think there was a genre or song they couldn't play and they had an expert instinct for what balance of songs would keep the party going. Typically at weddings, the younger crowd dances while everyone over 30 sits looking miserable. With ECS, almost everyone wanted to dance and those who didn't were having too much fun watching the show to be bored. They were extremely professional and made the process of selecting songs and hiring them incredibly easy. They were clearly invested in making sure they delivered the experience we wanted, rather than what they thought we should do. They were flexible with our requests and were so much fun it felt like they were just more friends at our wedding. The venue literally had to kick us out because even my grandmother and great uncle were still dancing at 1130pm. They had such a full, authentic sound with so much energy that you could have believed that they were playing an arena show. They were also excellent MCs and made the announcements about first dances and cake etc very special. We can't recommend them enough. They are worth every penny- if you have to cut money in your budget somewhere else to hire them, do so- everyone will be too busy having a good time to notice any cuts you made to other aspects of the wedding!"

Emma (Bride)

Newport, RI
August 17, 2015
"Based on the great reviews for ECS, we expected an awesome wedding band, but what we got was beyond what we could imagine. We had 230 guests at our wedding and once the band started, nobody sat down again, even the grandparents! The playlist was amazing - hit after hit of timeless awesome songs. Our guests can't stop raving about ECS, a month later. Oh, and there were literally rows of people at the front of the dance floor just watching and dancing to ECS like we were at a concert for some of the songs - they were so impressive (including their dancing). ECS learned a few new songs for us too and killed it! They even led a New Orleans Style recessional for us from the ceremony to the cocktail party which was amazing. Also, communication before the wedding was exceptional - Art was incredibly responsive, flexible, and clear. ECS was the best vendor we worked with. I cannot recommend ECS enough. We booked them for five hours and just wish we had them for longer!! ECS is the first thing you should book for your wedding."

Debbi (Bride)

Chittenden, VT
August 8, 2015
"My fiance was not sure about the idea of getting a band for our wedding. She was content with a DJ and I really had to sell her on the idea that a band was the way to go. It was, her words not mine, "the best decision I have ever persuaded her to buy into". When I was trying to find the best band that fit our budget (as young, recent college graduates), East Coast Soul rose above the rest. The band was responsive to emails (typically the same-day I would send one), upfront about what they could provide, and open to negotiation once we discussed our wedding budget. The weeks leading up to the wedding, East Coast Soul worked with myself and my fiance to provide us with a customized wedding experience fit for our venue and our crowd. We filled out a survey to give the band a general idea of what we were looking for during the wedding, and the band connected with us and the venue shortly after filling out the survey to iron-out specific details on the night. East Coast Soul talked us through what the day of the wedding would look like, and were comfortable to make suggestions and recommendations (about both the day and the music selection) that would help prepare us for what was to come. By the time we arrived at Bittersweet Farm for the wedding, the band was already there setting up for the event. The music was AWESOME. I cannot tell you the number of people who came up to me during the night, and days after the event talking to me about how "this was the best wedding band they have ever heard". The crowd was ALIVE and even people who had to go home because of work the next day stayed until the very end. Everyone from younger relatives to our friends in their 20's to parents and grandparents were on the dance floor until the very end! Our wedding was truly something special, and I cannot think of any other band that would have fit our wedding better than East Coast Soul. It was truly everything that we could have asked for...and then some."

Michael (Groom)

Westport, MA
July 12, 2015
"When I first found East Coast Soul online, I knew that I would sacrifice anything else in my wedding budget to have them play at our wedding. When I heard them practice, I literally got chills. Amazingly, their price was totally reasonable. I can't say enough about this band. They are fun, soulful, and just all-around great musicians. They really are a band, not just a wedding band. People danced to every single song at our wedding, and obviously had a really good time. The singers are amazing, and get the crowd involved in a non-cheesy way. This band plays the greatest combo of pop hits and motown/soul classics. My mom actually told me she wished she could think of another excuse to hire East Coast Soul again because she loved them so much."

Christina (Bride)

Topsfield, MA
September 28, 2014
"The first few adjectives that come to mind... Incredible, Amazing, Superb... and the list goes on and on. Not only was East Coast Soul incredibly easy and professional to work with (easy website to navigate, open rehearsals to view their songs, customized playlists, etc), they provided over six hours of non-stop fun during our power-less wedding... yes, POWER-LESS wedding. My husband and I were married just over three weeks ago in Ipswich, MA. It happened to be the night of an epic summer thunderstorm - cue bride panic. Halfway through cocktail hour, a huge bolt of lightening struck the Estate where our reception was being held and knocked out all the power. Rather than panic, East Coast Soul assured me and my husband that they'd do everything they could to still make the evening a success - and they couldn't have pulled through any stronger! While waiting for the generator to arrive, the band quickly put band members on their horn instruments and grand piano so music could still be heard through the Estate. Although they had not planned to play these instruments during cocktail hour originally, they quickly adapted to the situation and had our guests dancing even before dinner was served. As soon as the generator arrived, they plugged right in and led our party through the most epic dance party. I've heard nothing but rave reviews from friends and family since our wedding. And I already have friends asking for their contact information for their own weddings. I couldn't be happier that my husband and I chose Sean and Aaron and the rest of the band from East Coast Soul. They provided amazing acoustics, awesome dance moves, and an all around seamless evening despite everything that was thrown at them. Not to mention, they are incredibly affordable! Thank you, East Coast Soul - you were the BEST!!"

Lauren (Bride)

Ipswich, MA
September 6, 2014
"Oh man, these guys are incredible. I think every single one of our guests came up to me on the wedding night and said 'Who is this band??? They are amazing!!!!' They learned the Cat Power song 'Sea of Love' for us for our first dance and I swear it was magic when they played it. Even more beautiful than I could've imagined. And they're so FUN! The singers were all dancing while they were singing and they had smiles on their faces the whole time, everyone just loved them and never wanted to leave the dance floor. I also think they played the perfect array of music, they got everyone from grandparents, to aunts and uncles and ALL of our friends dancing at some point. They knew just how to work the room, everyone would get excited at whatever the next song was :) I worked with Sean in the whole booking and planning process and he was the easiest person to talk to and work with. He listened to all of my ideas and questions and worked out the perfect package for me. He made everything so easy! And he was so personable, really caring about what we were going for in our planning and getting to know us as a couple. I definitely felt like a client he really cared about. On the wedding day when I finally got to meet everyone (we planned long-distance) they were all so friendly and fun, it was like having more friends there, who happened to be the best band EVER! We gave them a few songs we really liked and our favorite bands from their repertoire and they came up with the most amazing sets. Right after the first dance they played 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered' and EVERYONE jumped onto the dance floor immediately - perfect. And for the last song they played Journey's 'Don't Stop Believing' and my husband said it felt like a movie, it started out slow with everyone dancing as couples, and ended up with the whole place in a circle around us screaming the lyrics. Couldn't have been better ending! Hire them - they will MAKE your party!"

Kendall (Bride)

Holliston, MA
August 3, 2013
"Based on recommendations from others, we went into our wedding with very high expectations for ECS, and somehow they managed to surpass them. The band set exactly the right mood for our wedding with a perfect selection of songs that got everyone on the dance floor. We received countless comments from family and friends regarding ECS, all with lofty praise for their performance and ability to get the wedding guests involved. In addition to their already great selection of music, the band learned several songs for us, including an Irish folk song, that made the music all the more meaningful. Additionally, the band handled the more formal aspects, like the first dance and introduction of the wedding party, with the perfect mix of class and style. Hiring ECS for the reception was one of the best decision we made and I would wholeheartedly recommend them for any wedding or event."

Ryan (Groom)

Osterville, MA
December 18, 2010
"We hired EAST COAST SOUL for our daughter, Kelley's wedding (9-18-2010-Grafton, VT). Living in California I left the decision to hire a band up to my soon to be son-in-law, Jeff. Jeff is a Musician himself and knows good music when he hears it. I was skeptical having only pursed the website prior to the Wedding. I was blown away, this is the best group of talented musicians and vocalists I have heard in a long time. WOW, I cannot say enough about this Band - from the musicians to the vocalists - it was truly a SPECTACULAR evening. The band is an intricate part of the reception - the band can make or ruin a reception - EAST COAST SOUL made our reception. We did not want the MUSIC to end, thus enjoying two encores! We received many comments on how great the band was! I cannot believe there were 11-members in a tiny space - EAST COAST SOUL pulled off a GREAT evening! If anyone wants to hire a talented and highly entertaining musical group for any occasion - I HIGHLY recommend EAST COAST SOUL!!! THANK-YOU EAST COAST SOUL for making Jeff & Kelley's wedding reception truly unforgettable."

Deanne (Mother of the Bride)

Grafton, VT
September 18, 2010
"We just wanted to thank you for making our wedding day such a special occasion! East Coast Soul is fantastic, and you were a pleasure to work with from start to finish. You brought great energy to our wedding day, and we heard nothing but rave reviews throughout the day from our family and friends. It’s clear that you are passionate about what you do, and it showed in your performances throughout the day—from providing music for our ceremony to the performance you gave during the reception. You truly helped set the tone and mood for our memorable day and were a huge part of making the night a hassle- and stress-free success. The setlist was well thought out and kept everyone on the dance floor for the entire night; we also appreciate that you were mindful of our personal preferences, as well as those of guests of several generations. We can’t thank you enough for making our wedding day so much fun!"

Kornelia W. (Bride)

Boston, MA
July 17, 2010

Unplugged Videos

Check out our recent live, "unplugged" in-studio video shoot

East Coast Soul: “Bring It On Home To Me” (Unplugged)


East Coast Soul feat. Astha Shrestha – “Sweet Thing” (Unplugged)


East Coast Soul feat. Giang Luc – “Landslide” (Unplugged)


East Coast Soul feat. Astha Shrestha – “Baby, I Love You” (Unplugged)


East Coast Soul: Stax Ensemble – Live @ Hotel Commonwealth (Short Version)


East Coast Soul feat. Giang Luc – “P.Y.T.” (Live In-Studio)


East Coast Soul feat. Daniel Omphroy – “Superstition” (Live In-Studio)



Configurations

Check out the multiple, flexible ways to get East Coast Soul involved at your wedding

Ten Piece:

Vocalist

Vocalist

Vocalist

Horn

Horn

Horn

Keys

Bass

Drums

Guitar

Nine Piece:

Vocalist

Vocalist

Vocalist or Horn

Horn

Horn

Keys

Bass

Drums

Guitar

Eight Piece:

Vocalist

Vocalist

Vocalist or Horn

Horn

Keys

Bass

Drums

Guitar

Seven Piece:

Vocalist

Vocalist

Horn

Keys

Bass

Drums

Guitar

Frequently Asked Questions

Great question. There’s a few factors that we feel can contribute to the decision of which size ensemble to go with:

  • Your Vision: We think this is the biggest factor. Essentially, when you envision the band at your wedding, what kind of ensemble are you seeing? Is it bigger, with a bunch of horns and vocalists bouncing around, or is it a little smaller to perhaps align with a tighter venue space, smaller guest list, etc? That should be your first litmus test, and generally can provide some initial benchmarks to compare against.
  • Your Budget: We sometimes say that’s it’s not about the money, but it’s not *not* about the money, haha — budget is an unavoidable decision-making factor, and the size of the ensemble is one of the biggest aspects in terms of price. Comparing your budget against our pricing, keeping in mind the potential for travel and ceremony charges and travel, is not a bad idea. Though we can also say, your guests will remember us a lot more than they’ll remember your flowers, lolz
  • Your Guest List (?): We actually find that guest list size isn’t, or doesn’t have to be, a huge factor in terms of ensemble size. We’ve carried out performances for some of our smallest guest counts with some of our largest ensemble configurations (a ten piece ensemble for a 40 person wedding — yep, that happened! Haha). Likewise, some of our largest audiences were juxtaposed with our smaller/smallest configurations (college festival with a smaller budget – 2,500 kids in attendance, and a seven-piece ensemble!). So we generally don’t recommend this be your primary decision-making factor. That said, at the extremes we just mentioned, it can feel a little “top-heavy”, haha — feel free to ask us about this if you have any questions!

Some other information for you to consider:

  • Our eight-piece ensemble tends to be our most utilized ensemble configuration. We find this tends to be a nice sweet spot in terms of space, ensemble size, and budget. The option for three vocalists also allows sharing of lead singer duties, which translates to the need for shorter break(s) — always a good thing. If you’re not sure where to start in terms of band size, start here, and see how things line up for you.
  • We can also book the smaller/smallest ensemble you’re considering right now, and add musicians later. It’s true. If you’re considering the nine or ten piece, for example, we can lock in nine pieces now, let your budget and other decisions take shape, then revisit the idea of adding a musician closer to your date. If you’ve got the bandwidth, great! If not, you know you’ve got a killer ensemble lined up already.
  • All our ensembles sizes kick ass. Don’t worry if your budget or preferences is leading you towards a smaller ensemble size. Nothing is lost in terms of dance-ability, fullness of sound, etc. Each configuration is tried and true, and all have been a part of absolutely epic dance parties. You’re in great hands regardless of the number of musicians, so don’t hesitate to be conservative here. We can always revisit the idea of more players later, and either way, you’ve got an incredible ensemble lined up! The other thing to consider, is that your guests won’t be aware that there was an option between 8, 9, or 10 pieces. All they’ll see upon arrival is a kickass band or probably at *least* seven or eight pieces, which will probably be bigger than most of the bands you’d see out and about anyways!

Great question. We have our most common configuration suggestions listed below:

  • Seven Piece:
    • Two Vocalists
    • One Horn
    • *Four Piece Rhythm Section
  • Eight Piece:
    • Two to Three Vocalists
    • One to Two Horns
    • *Four Piece Rhythm Section
  • Nine Piece:
    • Two to Three Vocalists
    • Two to Three Horns
    • *Four Piece Rhythm Section
  • Ten Piece:
    • Three Vocalists
    • Three Horns
    • *Four Piece Rhythm Section

The ranges here are designed to show that each ensemble can alter its configuration slightly depending on your personal preference. However, it’s important to note that we do firm this up in our potential contract, so there won’t be any grey area once we hit the potential stage of locking things in.

The reason for this: some folks are particularly excited about horns/brass arrangements, while others are particularly excited for vocal harmony, and the energy that multiple singers can bring. All options represent powerhouse configurations that will deliver an epic performance!

*Follow up question: “What is a rhythm section?” In East Coast Soul, we refer to the rhythm section as bass, drums, keys and guitar. In general, we strongly recommend all four of these pieces be in place for any given performance. Bass and drums together represent the foundation of the sound, with keys and guitar working together to fill up the sonic space, play signature parts, support horn lines, etc. Removing one of these is an option in the most extreme situations of limited space, budgets, etc. but is something we recommend against if at all possible.

This is a very common question/concern. However, we’ve found that East Coast Soul is more comfortable squishing larger numbers of musicians into a smaller area that you might think possible. Generally we find the following (rectangular) stage areas are a good place to start the stage plot process, but we are flexible on this:

  • 18 ft2 to 24 ft2 per band member
  • 140 ft2 to 240 ft2 for the whole band

That leaves you with anywhere from 10 ft. by 14 ft.  to 12 ft by 20 ft. area, depending on the ensemble. This is more of a rough guideline, but nonetheless, here’s a rundown of each ensemble’s recommended sizes:

  • 10 Pieces:
    • Minimum: 10 ft. 𝗫 18 ft.
    • Preferred: 12 ft. 𝗫 20 ft.
  • 9 Pieces:
    • Minimum: 10 ft. 𝗫 16 ft.
    • Preferred: 12 ft. 𝗫 18 ft.
  • 7/8 Pieces:
    • Minimum: 10 ft. 𝗫 14 ft.
    • Preferred: 12 ft. 𝗫 16 ft.

Note: the seven and eight piece stage areas are roughly the same, since the presence or lack of an additional horn player or singer won’t change the footprint significantly

Stax Weddings

Check out some of the Stax ensemble's recent weddings

Featured Wedding

Ayana Bali

September 24th, 2022

Pieces: Eight Piece
Wedding

Santo Domingo del Cerro

November 25th, 2022

A lovely November wedding at the Santo Domingo del Cerro where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble definitely made some new best friends!


Wedding

Valley View Farm in Bennington, VT

September 16th, 2022

An unbelievable September wedding at the Valley View Farm in Bennington, VT where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble had a tough time saying goodbye to this particular group of guests!


A lovely August wedding at the Cunningham Farm in New Gloucester, ME where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble had a night to remember!


An unbelievable July wedding at the Boston Public Library in Boston, MA where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble brought the house down!


Wedding

Topnotch Resort in Stowe, VT

July 29th, 2022

An exquisite July wedding at the Topnotch Resort in Stowe, VT where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble had a tough time saying goodbye to this particular group of guests!


A stunning June wedding at the The Barn at Gibbet Hill in Groton, MA where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble left everything out on the dance floor!


Wedding

Private Residence in Marblehead, MA

September 11th, 2021

A beautiful September wedding at the Private Residence in Marblehead, MA where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble blew the roof off the place!


A beautiful July wedding at the The Yellowstone Club in Big Sky, MT where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble had an amazing time!


Wedding

West Dennis Yacht Club in West Dennis, MA

September 21st, 2019

An unreal September wedding at the West Dennis Yacht Club in West Dennis, MA where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble blew the roof off the place!


Wedding

Chatfield Hollow in Killingworth, CT

September 7th, 2019

An incredible September wedding at the Chatfield Hollow in Killingworth, CT where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble had a tough time saying goodbye to this particular group of guests!


An incredible September wedding at the Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa in Whitefield, NH where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble had an amazing time!


An inspiring August wedding at the Private Residence in Little Compton, RI where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble left everything out on the dance floor!


Wedding

The Coonamessett in Falmouth, MA

August 24th, 2019

An absolutely beautiful August Wedding at the The Coonamessett in Falmouth, MA where East Coast Soul had the guests screaming for an encore!


A stunning August wedding at the Stratton Mountain Resort in Stratton, VT where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble had a night to remember!


An unreal July wedding at the Wentworth by the Sea Country Club in Rye, NH where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble had the guests screaming for an encore!


Wedding

Mad River Barn in Waitsfield, VT

July 6th, 2019

An incredible July wedding at the Mad River Barn in Waitsfield, VT where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble blew the roof off the place!


An exquisite July wedding at the Cliff House Maine in Ogunquit, ME where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble brought the house down!


Wedding

The Mount in Lenox, MA

June 29th, 2019

A breathtaking June wedding at the The Mount in Lenox, MA where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble definitely made some new best friends!


An inspiring June wedding at the Granite Links Golf Club in Quincy, MA where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble brought the house down!


A charming June wedding at the Twin Lake Village in New London, NH where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble definitely made some new best friends!


An inspiring May wedding at the Mountain Top Inn & Resort Wedding in Chittenden, VT where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble laid down an unforgettable performance!


A breathtaking May wedding at the InterContinental Boston in Boston, MA where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble had a tough time saying goodbye to this particular group of guests!


Wedding

Suicide 6 in Pomfret, VT

January 6th, 2019

A lovely January wedding at the Suicide 6 in Pomfret, VT where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble had a night to remember!


A charming December wedding at the Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown, NY where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble blew the roof off the place!


Wedding

Rivermill at Dover Landing in Dover, NH

November 10th, 2018

An inspiring November wedding at the Rivermill at Dover Landing in Dover, NH where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble definitely made some new best friends!


A breathtaking November wedding at the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology in Boston, MA where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble had the guests screaming for an encore!


Wedding

Shelburne Farms in Shelburne, VT

September 29th, 2018

An incredible September wedding at the Shelburne Farms in Shelburne, VT where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble brought the house down!


Wedding

Twin Lake Village in New London, NH

September 2nd, 2018

An unbelievable September wedding at the Twin Lake Village in New London, NH where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble brought the house down!


Wedding

Private Residence in Mattapoisett, MA

August 25th, 2018

An unreal August wedding at the Private Residence in Mattapoisett, MA where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble blew the roof off the place!


Wedding

Willowdale Estate in Topsfield, MA

August 18th, 2018

An incredible August wedding at the Willowdale Estate in Topsfield, MA where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble had a night to remember!


Wedding

Fort Adams in Newport, RI

June 29th, 2018

An inspiring June wedding at the Fort Adams in Newport, RI where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble had a night to remember!


Wedding

Broadturn Farm in Scarborough, ME

June 24th, 2018

An incredible June wedding at the Broadturn Farm in Scarborough, ME where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble laid down an unforgettable performance!


Wedding

The Liberty Hotel in Boston, MA

June 9th, 2018

A beautiful June wedding at the The Liberty Hotel in Boston, MA where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble had the guests screaming for an encore!


Wedding

Thompson Island in Boston, MA

June 2nd, 2018

A breathtaking June wedding at the Thompson Island in Boston, MA where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble laid down an unforgettable performance!


A breathtaking May wedding at the Willowbend Country Club in Mashpee, MA where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble just crushed it!


Wedding

Ocean Gateway in Portland, ME

April 14th, 2018

A stunning April wedding at the Ocean Gateway in Portland, ME where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble definitely made some new best friends!


An exquisite November wedding at the State Room: A Longwood Venue in Boston, MA where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble had a funky good time that won't soon be forgotten!


A stunning October wedding at the Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm in Newbury, MA where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble definitely made some new best friends!


An exquisite April wedding at the Metropolitan Building in New York City, NY where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble brought the house down!


Wedding

Willowdale Estate in Ipswich, MA

March 13th, 2017

A lovely March wedding at the Willowdale Estate in Ipswich, MA where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble definitely made some new best friends!


An unreal December wedding at the Courtyard by Marriott Boston Downtown in Boston, MA where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble had a kickass night of music!


Wedding

Gedney Farm in New Marlborough, MA

November 5th, 2016

An unreal November wedding at the Gedney Farm in New Marlborough, MA where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble brought the house down!


Wedding

​Glen Manor House in Portsmouth, RI

October 8th, 2016

An incredible October wedding at the ​Glen Manor House in Portsmouth, RI where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble had a tough time saying goodbye to this particular group of guests!


A lovely September wedding at the Duxbury Bay Maritime School in Duxbury, MA where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble had a night to remember!


Wedding

Loring Greenough House in Boston, MA

September 10th, 2016

An inspiring September wedding at the Loring Greenough House in Boston, MA where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble had a kickass night of music!


An inspiring August wedding at the Stone Mountain Arts Center in Brownfield, ME where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble laid down an unforgettable performance!


A charming August wedding at the Cuttyhunk Fishing Club in Cuttyhunk Island, MA where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble had a kickass night of music!


Wedding

Ochre Court in Newport, RI

October 10th, 2015

An amazing October wedding at the Ochre Court in Newport, RI where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble had the guests screaming for an encore!


Wedding

Private Residence in Williamstown, MA

September 19th, 2015

An incredible September wedding at the Private Residence in Williamstown, MA where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble had an amazing time!


Wedding

Pot & Kettle in Bar Harbor, ME

September 5th, 2015

An unreal September wedding at the Pot & Kettle in Bar Harbor, ME where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble had the guests screaming for an encore!


Wedding

Inn at Baldwin Creek in Bristol, VT

August 22nd, 2015

An unbelievable August wedding at the Inn at Baldwin Creek in Bristol, VT where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble had a tough time saying goodbye to this particular group of guests!


A breathtaking August wedding at the The White Mountain Hotel & Resort in North Conway, NH where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble blew the roof off the place!


A lovely June wedding at the Bedford Golf and Tennis Club in Bedford, NY where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble had an amazing time!


Wedding

Alden Castle in Brookline, MA

April 25th, 2015

A charming April wedding at the Alden Castle in Brookline, MA where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble definitely made some new best friends!


Wedding

George Weir Barn in Lloyd Neck, NY

October 11th, 2014

A lovely October wedding at the George Weir Barn in Lloyd Neck, NY where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble definitely made some new best friends!


Wedding

OceanCliff in Newport, RI

August 17th, 2014

An exquisite August wedding at the OceanCliff in Newport, RI where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble had a funky good time that won't soon be forgotten!


Wedding

Newagen Seaside Inn in Southport, ME

August 14th, 2014

An incredible August wedding at the Newagen Seaside Inn in Southport, ME where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble just crushed it!


Wedding

Taj Boston in Boston, MA

June 28th, 2013

An exquisite June wedding at the Taj Boston in Boston, MA where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble had the guests screaming for an encore!


Wedding

Harvard Club of Boston in Boston, MA

December 8th, 2012

An amazing December wedding at the Harvard Club of Boston in Boston, MA where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble blew the roof off the place!


Wedding

Artists For Humanity in Boston, MA

November 17th, 2012

An unbelievable November wedding at the Artists For Humanity in Boston, MA where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble definitely made some new best friends!


A charming May wedding at the Exchange Conference Center in Boston, MA where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble had a tough time saying goodbye to this particular group of guests!


Wedding

Boston Public Library in Boston, MA

April 21st, 2012

An incredible April wedding at the Boston Public Library in Boston, MA where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble had a tough time saying goodbye to this particular group of guests!


An incredible July wedding at the 1768 Hubbell Homestead at Colgate Park in Bennington, VT where East Coast Soul's Stax ensemble had a funky good time that won't soon be forgotten!


Wedding

Oyster Harbors Club in Osterville, MA

December 18th, 2010

An unforgettable, mid-December Oyster Harbors Club wedding on Cape Cod that will forever be remembered as one of East Coast Soul's favorite performances.


Wedding

Grafton Inn in Grafton, VT

September 18th, 2010

East Coast Soul performed at a picturesque Grafton Inn wedding in foliage-covered Grafton, VT for the seasonal late September wedding of Kelly and Jeff.


Wedding

Taj Boston in Boston, MA

July 17th, 2010

East Coast Soul performed at a stunning mid-Summer Taj Hotel Wedding in the band's home of Boston MA for two friends of East Coast Soul, Kornelia and Torben


Wedding

Hawthorne Hotel in Salem, MA

June 19th, 2010

East Coast Soul was invited to perform at a Hawthorne Hotel Weddingin Salem, MA for the beautiful reception of Jake and Julie in June of 2010.


East Coast Soul Live @ Fairfield Theatre Company

Daversa Partners Holiday Party