Andrew Westphal Music

Testimonials for DJ Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:15:48 +0000

Testimonials

Andrew was absolutely terrific! I had so many people at the wedding tell me how wonderful the music was. Everyone, young and old was up dancing the entire reception. He seamlessly mixed all the songs I had requested with requests from guests and made it such an amazing day. He even handled a power outage caused by the caterer with ease. He was a constant presence without being overbearing, which is exactly what we had asked of him. Also he was such a nice guy to work with, so accommodating to changes we made last minute. I honestly can’t say enough nice things about Andrew and would recommend him in a heartbeat to anyone planning a special event.
- Martin & Eric

Andrew is awesome! We had two distinct parts to our wedding – the outdoor cocktail party and ceremony then the reception upstairs in the barn at the Millbrook Winery. Andrew provided music for both – he played the grand piano for the ceremony and the cocktail hour and then DJ’d for the reception. I can’t explain enough how perfect all the selections, timing and overall execution was. Our music tastes are so all over the place that I felt bad even trying to explain to him and have it make sense. He was able to put into words, or music should I say, our intentions exactly and we’d hoped. He read the crowd, kept the party alive when we were up dancing, accompanied the cocktail hour with perfect mood-setting selections, and the perfect build up during the ceremony. Can’t wait to book him for another event – he “gets” it!
–Mara & Matt

From the moment I met with Andrew until the end of the event he met all of my expectations. He went out of his way to make sure he could meet all my song requests and any of those requested by my guests. Andrew was gracious, easy to work with, and accommodating in every way. I only wish I had hired him to do my daughters weddings rather than incur the huge expense of hiring a band. Bottom line HIRE HIM.
–James Schwab
Pawling, New York

Andrew was wonderful to work with. He promptly replied to all of our questions and concerns prior to the wedding and took all of our ideas into consideration. He even edited our first dance song and went through a very long list of requests…Andrew helped set the tone for the entire evening, he worked closely with us on creating the perfect playlists for cocktail hour, dinner and dancing. He was flexible throughout the evening and played requests from the wedding party and guests. He kept everyone dancing throughout the evening and people raved about the music that was played. We were incredibly happy and would recommend him to anyone looking for a DJ.

–Tara and Matt Kosloski
Newburgh, NY

Andrew is probably the nicest guy i have ever met! He took requests and even played some salsa (a request) at the very end. People were dancing – and all was good! His website allowed me to browse through thousands of songs and he even had a “most requested play list” that had exactly the kind of music for the party. I am confident that people left with a very good impression and that andrew will be deejaying very soon for some friends. Bravo!
–Stephen B.
Highland, NY

Andrew provided cocktail and dance music for our daughter’s wedding. He was a true professional and was dependable and thorough. His web site is easy to navigate and he made it easy for us to pick the songs we wanted. Everybody danced and had a great time!
–Janice Sullivan
Newburgh, NY

Andrew provided a really good mix of music to suit the tastes of everyone in attendance at our function, regardless of age. The vibe of the music brought everyone to the dance floor. I would highly recommend Andrew. Best private DJ I have ever worked with, very professional. Will be hiring Andrew in the future for additional functions.
–Raymond Jordan
Newark, Delaware

Andrew is definitely my DJ for any future events. I must have canvased about a dozen DJ’s and Andrew was the most professional, prompt, and polite out of all of them. I was also more than pleased with his on-line request system. His fees are more than reasonable for the services provided and he was a hit with the guests. Not only was he a master at his profession, but he enjoyed learning about new music from party goers who were from other countries and cultures. His ability to diversify and adapt to the changing mood of the crowd makes him a must hire for your event.
–Dietrich Orris
Newburgh, NY

Andrew is a very professional and organized DJ. He always answered all questions via email or phone call within the hour they were asked! He also goes out of his way to get special request music available for your event. It is not always easy to find a suitable DJ for an event, being that this type of service relies heavily on word-of-mouth referrals. I hired Andrew for my wedding, and am very happy with his level of professionalism. He was a pleasure to work with, and I felt confident with choosing him every step of the way.
Thank you, Andrew!
Gina & Franco
Saugerties, NY

Testimonials from Wedding Wire:

We asked Andrew to DJ late-night at our Sep 2011 wedding. On very short notice, he was responsive, easy to work with, and did an amazing job. Has a great feel for the crowd and kept us all dancing. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to others or use him again!

Andrew dj’ed our wedding at Hunter Mountain this past Saturday and he was the best. He really caught our “vibe” and we had only spoken to him once over the phone. We loved his web-based song request & planning system because it made it easy to add songs requests as we thought of them. We were really happy that instead of playing the same tired music you hear at every wedding, Andrew played more interesting and diverse music, from jazz and Frank Sinatra during the cocktail hour, to more “dance-y” music later in the night. I would recommend Andrew to anyone that has more sophisticated musical tastes, and wants to have a distinctive and memorable wedding soundtrack than you would hear from the Jersey Shore type DJ’s that you normally hear.

If you are interested in booking Andrew’s Piano and/or DJ services, click this link: check availability

Diva Haase Sings Sweet Lorraine

Andrew — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 01:15:04 +0000

Here’s a recording that I arranged and produced with an incredible vocalist from the Hudson Valley named Diva Haase. She has so much soul! Listen to her rendition of the classic tune Sweet Lorraine and I’m sure you’ll want to hear more from this amazingly talented artist.

If you are interested in booking Andrew’s Piano and/or DJ services, click this link: check availability

Andrew Plays Gershwin

Andrew — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:56:16 +0000

When I was about 11 years old I listened to a tape of George Gershwin on a bike trip around Europe. Thus began my life-long infatuation with one of my favorite composers. When I play solo piano, I always try to incorporate as much Gershwin as possible! Of course, I love all the great American songbook writers–from Irving Berlin to Cole Porter and yes, even some of the modern greats. But there is something about Gershwin…

And so, here is my solo piano recording of some of Gershwin classics, arranged into a medley. My interpretations of these songs tend to vary each time I play them… I hope you enjoy these renditions!

Songs: Summertime, Lady Be Good, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Someone to Watch Over Me, Rhapsody in Blue (excerpt)

If you are interested in booking Andrew’s Piano and/or DJ services, click this link: check availability

Top 50 Bride and Groom Dances

Andrew — Thu, 05 May 2011 14:53:12 +0000

On my DJ sub-menu (to the right) there is a link to the most requested DJ songs from around the country. The list is dynamically updated and is a great way to get ideas for some of your most special requests on that most special day! In addition to the overall top 200, there are most requested lists by decade so you can quickly find that 80′s hit for your next retro party.

Also, there are some helpful lists of top music requests for wedding reception events. Here are the current top 50 Bride and Groom dances. You can click on any of the songs below and start your own request list using my database. Then, you can print or save your list. If you have any questions about using my online request system, feel free to contact me anytime!

1	Paisley, Brad	Then
2	Black Eyed Peas	I Gotta Feeling
3	James, Etta	At Last
4	Mraz, Jason & Colbie Caillat	Lucky
5	Lonestar	Amazed
6	Rascal Flatts	Bless The Broken Road
7	Buble, Michael	Everything
8	Lamontagne, Ray	You Are The Best Thing
9	Matthews Band, Dave	You And Me
10	Urban, Keith	Only You Can Love Me This Way
11	Mcgraw, Tim	My Best Friend
12	Strait, George	I Cross My Heart
13	Mcgraw, Tim With Faith Hill	It’s Your Love
14	Presley, Elvis	Can’t Help Falling In Love
15	Train	Marry Me
16	Chesney, Kenny	Me And You
17	Adele	Make You Feel My Love
18	Johnson, Jack	Better Together
19	Urban, Keith	Making Memories Of Us
20	Clapton, Eric	Wonderful Tonight
21	Green, Al	Let’s Stay Together
22	Mraz, Jason	I’m Yours
23	Aerosmith	I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing
24	Sinatra, Frank	The Way You Look Tonight
25	Uncle Kracker	Smile
26	Jones, Norah	Come Away With Me
27	Snow Patrol	Chasing Cars
28	Black Eyed Peas	Let’s Get It Started
29	Krauss, Alison	When You Say Nothing At All
30	Big & Rich	Lost In This Moment
31	Paisley, Brad	She’s Everything
32	Armstrong, Louis	What A Wonderful World
33	Journey	Faithfully
34	Michaelson, Ingrid	The Way I Am
35	Adams, Bryan	(Everything I Do) I Do It For You
36	Morrison, Van	Crazy Love
37	Sade	By Your Side
38	Boys Like Girls Feat. Taylor Swift	Two Is Better Than One
39	K-Ci & Jojo	All My Life
40	Morrison, Van	Into The Mystic
41	Morrison, Van	Someone Like You
42	Brown Band, Zac	Whatever It Is
43	Righteous Brothers	Unchained Melody
44	Firehouse	Love Of A Lifetime
45	King, Ben E.	Stand By Me
46	Mccain, Edwin	I Could Not Ask For More
47	Sinatra, Frank	Fly Me To The Moon
48	Twain, Shania	From This Moment On
49	Beyonce	Halo
50	Brooks, Garth	To Make You Feel My Love

If you are interested in booking Andrew’s Piano and/or DJ services, click this link: check availability

iTunes Essentials

Andrew — Thu, 05 May 2011 14:32:38 +0000

Here’s a great way to discover new music or revisit classics that you may have forgotten: go to the iTunes Essentials section on the iTunes store. There you will find an endless array of lists which are thoughtfully researched and organized. I’ve enjoyed browsing through the Genres and History sections for learning about different styles of music and finding cool tunes for my DJ sets. If you are looking for the perfect songs for specific occasions, check out The Sound Of series where they offer suggestions for Weddings, Holidays and other memorable events.

If you are interested in booking Andrew’s Piano and/or DJ services, click this link: check availability

80′s Dance Songs

Andrew — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:33:24 +0000

I must admit, I have a soft spot for 80′s music. Some of my favorite dance songs of all time are from the 80′s with legends such as Michael Jackson, Prince and Madonna all producing amazing hits and plenty of lesser known artists that created awesome pop tunes. Not to mention, we also witnessed the birth of Hip-Hop and Techno music.

And so, I suggest taking a look at this excellent list of the top dance songs from the 1980′s and add some neon to your party!

If you are interested in booking Andrew’s Piano and/or DJ services, click this link: check availability

Creative DJ Requests

Andrew — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:06:39 +0000

One of my clients recently asked if I could play Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve for their wedding reception entrance but they wanted to loop the instrumental part and leave out the vocals. This is easily accomplished with my DJ software, which is Serato, one of the industry standards. Loops and cues can be setup in advance which opens up a lot of possibilities for using your favorite parts of songs and even combining them with other songs. Uptempo songs can also be slowed down and vice versa. Pretty much whatever you can imagine!

Another benefit that DJ’s offer is the art of transitioning between songs. Depending on the style of music, there are many ways to keep the beat going while switching to a new song. Scratching can be an effective way to mix between songs, especially for pop, funk and hip-hop. With club music, the transition might be less noticeable with a smooth tempo matched segue from one track to the next. In fact, most club music has extended intros and endings with just the dance beat so you can easily bring in the next song without interrupting the flow. Personally, I use a variety of these techniques depending on the music and party I’m playing.

For some inspiration, listen to DJ AM who was a master of mixing and scratching a wide range of styles together. Here is a link that has collected some of DJ AM’s mixes for download. Girl Talk has an interesting style of mashups, usually combining many choice loops from classic pop songs with dance beats and contemporary rap vocals. Check out his album Night Ripper for example.

If you are interested in booking Andrew’s Piano and/or DJ services, click this link: check availability

100 Greatest Dance Songs of the 90s

Andrew — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 02:16:15 +0000

The 90′s were a great time for dance music as this was when Electronic Dance Music really took off. DJs became rockstars and artists such as Moby, Daft Punk and Fatboy Slim became household names. For a trip down memory lane, check out the list of 100 Greatest Dance Songs of the 90s at DigitalDreamDoor.com. What’s really cool is that many of the songs have YouTube links to the music video. Hours can go by here!

If you are interested in booking Andrew’s Piano and/or DJ services, click this link: check availability

Pure Imagination on The Hype Machine

Andrew — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 21:02:37 +0000

One of my favorite ways to discover new music is through music blogs with The Hype Machine. Hypem.com is an awesome site that collects the best music blogs in one place. You can browse and listen to all kinds of interesting music while reading up on the blog posts. And, unlinke iTunes, you can listen to the full songs and quite often download them as well. There is a great chart for the most popular tracks and if you create a free account, you can save your favorite tracks while helping others discover them.

Recently, I was pleasantly surprised to find my recording of Pure Imagination posted on Hypem. It was originally included in a wonderful post from The Wounded Jukebox which has some other excellent versions of this classic song. If you are looking for new ways to discover music I highly recommend exploring The Hype Machine.

If you are interested in booking Andrew’s Piano and/or DJ services, click this link: check availability

Valentines Mixtape: You’re Trying to Seduce Me

Andrew — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 04:26:30 +0000

For those times when you want to set the mood, here is my love songs mixtape. Some familiar favorites as well as a few lesser known classics mixed with some Hollywood references. Enjoy!

You’re Trying to Seduce Me by andrewpiano

If you are interested in booking Andrew’s Piano and/or DJ services, click this link: check availability

How to Choose a DJ

Andrew — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:15:12 +0000

I’d like to share some tips for finding a DJ that will be a good match for your wedding or special event in the Hudson Valley, NY. There are different styles of DJs, and some can be quite entertaining although sometimes they can be a little too entertaining.

A professional DJ should have great timing–both with the music and their promptness–arriving early to setup and perform sound checks. Some DJ’s specialize in certain styles of music so you should find out if they are knowledgeable about the kinds of music you want to hear.

Your DJ should be easy to work with, following up with you promptly. Look for a team player who will work closely with the other vendors to help direct the flow of events. And most of all, your DJ should have a passionate knowledge of music and be able to read the crowd–adjusting songs as necessary to keep the dance floor busy.

If you have any questions about choosing a DJ or music for your reception or event, please feel free to contact me!

If you are interested in booking Andrew’s Piano and/or DJ services, click this link: check availability

Solo Piano Recording of Auld Lang Syne Released by Indaba Music

Andrew — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 04:01:26 +0000

Recently, my solo piano recording of the traditional New Years Eve song ‘Auld Lang Syne’ was chosen to be included on a 2 volume holiday release by Indaba Music. The album, entitled ‘Not Your Grandfather’s Holiday Album’, is a unique mix of contemporary versions of classic holiday tunes. My version of Auld Lang Syne is an upbeat stride piano stomp, inspired by legendary New Orleans pianist James Booker.

There are two albums for this release and my recording is included on volume 1. Here is a link to the iTunes preview. A CD version is also available here.

It’s quite an honor to be included on Indaba Music’s first release of what I’m sure will be many to come. Here is the full version of my track:

Happy New Year!

If you are interested in booking Andrew’s Piano and/or DJ services, click this link: check availability