Questions & Answers about the Band

We are musicians with heart and soul who play in all kinds of line-ups and genres. In the Weichsel Sharks, what unites us is our long-standing friendship, our love of improvising and our enthusiasm for the jazz songs of the 1930s. That joy of playing carries over to our guests – and that is what makes the Weichsel Sharks special.

It all began with Viktor, Martin and Tim on Berlin’s Weichselplatz. Today, our live band includes several experienced musicians who also work in other projects and productions. We have known each other for many years and play our repertoire by heart – which creates a familiar, well-rehearsed dynamic on stage.

Yes! Our jazz band can be booked flexibly – as an elegant duo or a grooving trio, or as a full quartet with vocals. That way the live music fits every occasion perfectly, from small private celebrations to large corporate events.

Yes, solo saxophone is possible. Whether it makes sense musically depends on the occasion, though. Get in touch with us – we will advise you on which line-up suits your event.

Yes. We have also played as a quintet and in even larger line-ups, as well as with additional instruments such as piano. If you have special requests, we are happy to find a suitable solution through our network of musicians.

Our live band is usually booked for 2 to 4 hours. We generally play 2 to 3 sets of 45 minutes each and arrange the breaks flexibly, so that everything fits smoothly into the schedule of your event.

As musicians, we work internationally. For events and weddings, however, we generally recommend using local musicians. We are active with local line-ups in Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Munich, Cologne and Freiburg & Basel.

Yes, of course. Austria and Switzerland are easy to reach from our locations in Freiburg and Munich. In principle, though, you can book us anywhere in Europe – and worldwide on request.

Yes, we are happy to speak English and can also make our announcements in English on request.

We often play at birthdays and anniversaries. We are booked for funerals less frequently, but we are very glad to take on this task. On one occasion we even played swing at a funeral because the deceased had loved that music so much. At other funerals we have provided very simple accompaniment with solo saxophone.

Absolutely. We regularly play at weddings and wedding ceremonies – at the registry office, in church or in the open air.

With pleasure. Whether it is the entrance at the ceremony or the first dance in the evening – we accompany these moments live. We will take the time to discuss with you in advance which piece it should be.

Gladly. Especially at the ceremony, it is lovely to hear a personal favourite song. We are not a cover band, but we interpret pieces in our own way – creating a completely individual version, just for you.

For the ceremony and small gatherings, the jazz duo with saxophone and double bass is ideal – understated and up close. The jazz trio with drums, which brings more swing, suits the champagne reception and the garden party. For dinner and the evening programme we recommend the quartet with vocals. Couples often combine the two: first the duo for the ceremony, later the larger line-up.

We can still arrange song requests at relatively short notice. Do bear in mind that we are not a cover band, so your song will always sound a little different from the original with us – and that is exactly its charm.

Yes and no. Although guests often start dancing spontaneously at our performances, we are not a classic dance band. Our instrumentation and repertoire are not designed for functional dance music. For non-stop dancing we therefore recommend a DJ or a party band. What we do love to offer, however, is live music with swing dance instruction together with the swing dancer Lilly Antico – perfect for a lively afternoon or a stylish interlude at your wedding.

We do not have a DJ of our own. But we are happy to help you find the right one – there are some great DJs in our wider musical network.

As we play acoustically and do not bring a PA system, we cannot play break music ourselves. If there is a system at the venue, we are happy to help choose suitable playlists. That said, we also think it is nice when there is no music at all during the breaks for once.

Yes, with pleasure. We often play outdoors – at champagne receptions, in gardens or on terraces. Our live music blends beautifully into the atmosphere there and creates a relaxed, summery mood without any great effort.

Many dates are taken early, especially from June to August. It is worth booking us about a year in advance – but last-minute enquiries are worthwhile too, as dates sometimes become free unexpectedly.

The price depends on duration, line-up and special requests. As a rule, a performance by our jazz band costs between €800 and €4,000. You can find out more under Pricing and Jazz band for your wedding. We are happy to prepare an individual quote for you – transparent and tailored to your celebration.

At corporate events we play stylish jazz, swing, lounge and subtle background music – perfect for creating an elegant atmosphere without drowning out conversation. Our music accompanies the evening unobtrusively and gives every occasion a professional, high-quality setting. You can get an impression in our audio samples: just let them play in the background and hear what suits your event.

Yes, that is exactly what we specialise in. Subtle live music for the champagne reception, dinner or between programme items creates a pleasant mood and leaves guests room for conversation. We shape the music flexibly around your schedule and the atmosphere.

We are flexible – from an elegant duo or trio to the quartet with vocals and a full quintet. Depending on the size of the room, your budget and the fullness of sound you want, we adapt our line-up individually. That way it always sounds balanced – whether at an exclusive dinner or a large corporate event.

As a rule, we play two to four sets of 45 minutes each. We arrange the duration flexibly – to fit your schedule, breaks and speeches. That way the music always remains harmoniously embedded in the overall flow of the evening.

Yes, our music is ideally suited to networking evenings, receptions and business dinners. We create a stylish atmosphere that feels relaxed and professional at the same time – ideal for successful business relationships.

Yes, that is possible. For a walking act, one option is a line-up with bass saxophone, guitar and clarinet that moves freely among your guests. Alternatively, we play with saxophone and double bass: we cannot play while walking with that line-up, but we can change location very quickly.

Absolutely. You can find out more on our page Jazz band for corporate events & Christmas parties. For Christmas parties in particular, we offer a festive programme with atmospheric winter and Christmas jazz. Elegant, warm and stylish – ideal for year-end celebrations, gala dinners or festive client events.

Yes, we play live and we are flexible. We accompany transitions, introductions or spontaneous programme items musically, ensuring a smooth flow. We can usually also work in individual requests at short notice.

As a rule, we play acoustically and without amplification. When we perform with vocals, however, we bring an amplifier for the voice – and you are welcome to use it for speeches and addresses as well.

All we need is a dry, sheltered spot. We bring all the necessary equipment ourselves. The ideal position for the band is where all the musicians can see the guests well, have a wall behind them and are roughly the same distance from all the guests. This not only looks good but also creates balanced acoustics, with the sound blending harmoniously into your guests’ conversations.

An enquiry is worthwhile at any time – we are happy to check availability.

Yes, of course. After the event you will receive a proper invoice with VAT shown separately.

Companies in Germany that regularly commission artists have to pay a levy to the Künstlersozialkasse (artists’ social security fund). If you are unsure whether this applies to your event, please get in touch – we will help you work out where you stand.

That depends on whether your event counts as public. A purely internal celebration with a closed group of participants is often not subject to fees. If clients, partners or other guests are invited as well, the event generally has to be registered with GEMA, the German music licensing body – this is the organiser’s responsibility. Only GEMA itself can give a binding answer; we are happy to support you with a list of titles and can handle the billing of the fees for you on request.

Jazz stands for elegance, creativity and style – values that also count in business. The music is stimulating but never intrusive, and strikes a pleasant balance between entertainment, background atmosphere and cultural quality.

We play jazz classics such as Mack the Knife, I’ll Be Seeing You and Fly Me to the Moon, as well as well-known film tunes like Baby Elephant Walk or The Flintstones. The best thing is to listen for yourself: in our audio samples you can discover our music, from swing and bossa nova to pop. Just let them play in the background and see what you like.

Yes, we are happy to send you an overview of our repertoire. Live, however, we usually do not play fixed setlists – we decide on the spot which songs fit best at that moment.

Yes, in the programme with our singer we also interpret some more modern songs in our own jazzy way. One example is Uptown Girl by Billy Joel, which you will find in our audio samples.

Yes, with pleasure. Swing and jazz from that era are at the core of our repertoire, and we have already accompanied receptions and themed evenings in the style of the Twenties. On request, we also adapt our outfits to the theme.

Yes, of course. We most enjoy playing American Christmas songs from the swing repertoire, but we are also happy to play contemplative German Christmas carols.

No – we thrive on improvisation. Every song is created anew each time: a different intro, an interlude, a saxophone solo, a different tempo or dynamic. This spontaneity keeps us fresh and allows us to respond directly to the mood on the day.

Yes, we do not have fixed setlists but decide spontaneously which song fits next. That way we can respond flexibly to the audience and the atmosphere.

Jazz is the umbrella term and covers many styles – from ballads to groovy jazz. Swing is one of them: it is the music you can swing dance to, and it makes many people think of the Roaring Twenties. For many, lounge music is simply another word for music that works well in the background – some also call it elevator music. Our aim is different: the music should be alive and still work wonderfully in the background. You can best hear the difference for yourself: in our audio samples every piece comes from a different style.

After your enquiry you will first receive an overview of our prices. We then discuss together which line-up and which setting suit your event best. After that you receive a written, transparent quote for booking our band.

For a suitable quote we need a few details: the billing address, the location of the event, the planned playing times and the band line-up you would like. That way we can prepare everything perfectly.

That depends on the event – above all on line-up, playing time and location. As a guide: a performance by the Weichsel Sharks starts at around €800 and can cost up to €4,000. You can find out more on our Pricing page. In conversation with you, we find the line-up that suits your budget and the situation on site – from a duo to a quartet with vocals.

Travel costs are added to the price. Because we play with musicians at several locations in Germany, we can usually keep them very low. As a rule, we do not need overnight accommodation. On request, we are happy to send you an overview of our prices first.

After the first conversation you will receive a written quote from us with all the details. Payment is usually made after the event: you receive an invoice and pay by bank transfer.

No. We are happy to reserve the date for about two to three weeks so that you can compare and decide at your leisure. It is important to us that you feel good about your booking.

It is important to us that your celebration is a complete success – and that includes responding flexibly to the evening. We are happy to play a little longer; we are not petty about that. If you would like a whole additional set, the fee increases according to our price list. We tell you about such surcharges clearly and in advance, so there are no surprises.

Our contracts clearly set out what cancellation fee is due if an event is cancelled – it depends on how short the notice is. If it comes to that, however, we always first look for a good solution for everyone involved together with you. Often the celebration can simply be postponed, for example.

In principle, the organiser registers the event with GEMA, the German music licensing body, and pays the fees. For a private celebration with invited guests only, such as a wedding, this is generally not an issue. If you have any questions about GEMA, we are happy to help – and on request we can also handle the billing of the GEMA fees for you.

Of course. We have actually been booked for the very next day before. If the date is free, we are flexible and glad to provide live music at short notice too.

Yes, we will come for as little as half an hour of music – for example for a short champagne reception or the reception after a wedding ceremony. Whether that is possible does depend on where the celebration takes place, though. Just send us an enquiry.

No problem – we are a well-rehearsed team and always have a replacement within our musical family. All the musicians have known each other for years and play the same repertoire – so the sound of the Weichsel Sharks always stays the same.

We do not need any special equipment, as we play acoustically. For the vocals we bring a battery-powered Bose amplifier – which makes us completely independent of mains power.

We are completely self-sufficient and do not need electricity. The amplifier for the vocals also runs on a battery. That means we can play anywhere without fuss – in the garden, in a meadow or by the water.

For each musician, you can allow roughly the space of a person with their arms bent – a little more for the drums, about the space of a person with their arms stretched out to the sides. Above all, it is important that we can see the audience well.

Purely acoustically, we work best for around 100 guests, often for up to 200 – and even more, depending on the room. The jazz trio or the quartet are suitable for that. The duo is particularly well suited to smaller gatherings but can also fill a large room. There is no one-size-fits-all answer: it depends on what you want from the music.

Yes, very easily. Because we play unamplified, the sound is entirely in our own hands and we can adjust the volume to the situation immediately. If we notice that the room is getting restless or loud, we play more quietly – so conversation is possible at all times.

As a rule, we arrive about an hour before our first note. That gives us enough time to set up calmly and tune up.

Unfortunately we cannot play in the rain – but guests usually want to move somewhere dry then anyway. In such cases we simply move with them, adapt to the new situation and make the best of it. This often leads to particularly atmospheric and personal moments.

We normally perform smartly dressed in suits – just as you see us in the photos on this website. On request, we are happy to wear something different.

If there is food at the venue, we are very happy to join in – we will gladly discuss that with you in advance. Otherwise we take care of our own food and drink.

Whether it is a wedding or a birthday: jazz thrives on improvisation – we respond spontaneously and directly to the mood of the moment. This creates a very special energy that radiates joy and carries the guests along emotionally.

Live music touches hearts in a way that is hard to achieve with a DJ. Our music creates atmosphere and closeness – it is individual and alive. For pure dance music, on the other hand, a DJ is the better choice.

Every time, we enjoy playing together with our fellow musicians, improvising and having fun. It is especially lovely when our audience senses how much heart we put into the music – and gives that feeling back to us.

Many musicians see playing at events or weddings more as a service. We see it differently: for us, every occasion is an opportunity to make high-quality, passionate and moving music – with genuine enthusiasm.

Yes. In our audio samples you can listen across all styles and line-ups: just let them play in the background and see what you like. You will find videos, for example, for the instrumental line-up and for the jazz band with vocals. Do take a look and be inspired!

That is actually difficult, because we play almost exclusively at private events and rarely give public concerts. With a bit of luck you will hear us jamming on Berlin’s Weichselplatz. Our videos give you a very good impression, though: they are recorded completely live, with no studio tricks at all. Watch them in full screen and listen through a good sound system or headphones – then you will know pretty exactly what to expect.