Music for event

[Linky Lee]

It's my dad's 50th in a few weeks time and he's having a good old party, lots of people, beer and band etc. The usual stuff.
I'm going to sit in with his rock / blues band on a couple numbers and jam away a few tunes but he's asked me to play to some backing tracks for a little while as the guests come in etc.

I've got Bob Minzers 14 Jazz, Funk and Blues Etudes which I plan to use a lot, but I need some more quality material, not too 'exercise' like or 'complex' but just some good solid tunes to keep people interested, but not to dominate. I don't want to play anything involving much improvisation either as I haven't got too much time to get a set list sorted and learn the chords.

Does anyone have any reccomendations?

Cheers,
Linky.

 

[Pee Dee]

Would not a few of the old standards from Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein be suitable for that age group, and not to intrusive?
You know, the ones that everybody knows, even if they don't like to admit it!
A Foggy Day, Summertime, The Shadow Of Your Smile, People, S'wonderful, Our Love Is Here To Stay, These Foolish Things............etc
You can't beat the oldies:welldone

 

[kevgermany]

for a 50th? How about some cream - for your love.... And some simple Zeppelin like bron y awr stomp.... or some of their ballads.... And some Beatles - Sgt Pepper for instance. Deep Purple, Elton John, Jon Maclean would all be reasonable - as would Procul Harem, Moody Blues, Yes, and Bruce Springsteen (but maybe not as background music)....

 

[AlanB]

How about reeling off some of the "Great Saxophone Solos". I know for some saxophonists the tunes are little bit cliche, but for Joe Blow they are mostly real crowd pleasers - latest trick, baker street, careless whisper etc. Also thought some rock and roll classics (or 12 bar progressions), you can improve, but the whole band doesn't have to spend a great deal of time memorising wacky changes. That's my 2p. Hope you all have a great time, especially your Dad.
Al

 

[neil]

why not have a look at what was in the charts on the week your dad was born....cheesy i know but there might be a few decent tunes
just realised...i`m pushing 50...i`m depressed now

 

[Linky Lee]

Thanks for the ideas.
We had some issues getting my instruments back over to England but I ended up with my alto over there and managed to play for 30mins just before the food was served. It went down well and I didn't play too badly. Everyone had a great night and my Dad and his band (Barkham Mad) were excellent.