musicians, accordion player in duo bands for events, exhibitions, street performances
Note: If you are pressed for time, and don't need a lot of background information, our other duo page is a condensed version of this page
Solo or duo musicians, roving musicians for entertainment at wedding receptions and community events at: Sydney, Newcastle, Hunter Valley, Pokolbim, Central Coast, Bowral and Wollongong
Bridal information about musicians and small bands for entertainment at wedding receptions
A music duo of French style jazz accordion and Spanish jazz guitar for session work producing TV commercials (Duo currently at Sandcastle studios)
Viva the duo is one of Sydney's most popular and professional instrumental duo combos, performing the function as a string quartet by providing strictly instrumental background music
As described in many of our published testimonials, Viva the duo is a special type of band, they create a classy, romantic and engaging ambiance. As a bonus, they are able to provide quiet dance music such as rumbas, bossa-nova's, tango's, jazz and quieter swing tunes.
What could be more delightful than a French jazz accordion, bass, flute and guitar playing La Vi En Rose or It Had To Be You. They can also perform up-beat music such as Brazil or swing such as In The Mood
The bands maintain a full calendar of private and corporate work as a result of word of mouth referrals, repeat calls and promotions. The Sydney Viva bands have a great reputation for reliability and are noted as one of Sydney's premier duo's, with over 300 performances in 2008)
This website describes Viva the duo and the Viva the band (quartet) , the type of work that the band regularly work at, the styles of music and how other people have appreciated the bands, as an example:
The Manly Daily 28/12/07 describes Viva as "the brilliant jazz trio"
Current press releases for a Sydney band, Viva the duo
European press release at this link: Opera in the Vineyards
European press release at this link: Manly food and wine festival
Manly Council website at this link: Manly Council website
The Sydney based duo also perform a concert at special events and promotions and are regularly engaged by organizations that require something "special" to entertain their clients.
The Viva bands have an extensive history of International performances. The most recent in Taiwan in 2004 and 2005 where the band performed for a series of concerts and television appearances, the photo depicts Viva being welcomed in a Street parade in Taichung and later welcomed by the Mayor in television Interviews over a period of 2 weeks in 2004 and 4 weeks in 2005. Viva the band provided many performance to audiences throughout Taiwan, sometimes in excess of 5,000 PAX.
duo for music at wedding receptions and outdoor wedding ceremonies
The band perform the standard fare of Jazz and latin music
Viva the duo perform Jazz, swing and Latin music which is the standard repertoire of many Sydney wedding and function bands, however, Viva the duo can also include some International music in their repertoire and are able to provide a French theme with their selection of French cafe' and Edith Piaf tunes on authentic instruments of musette accordion, bass and Spanish guitar. This unique feature of the duo proved invaluable in providing credibility to many French themed events, in particular, A Night of Romance and Ah La Belle Paris for the presentation of Opera in the vineyards by Good Weekend at Wyndham Estate. The duo also has performed at a number of French themed expos in Sydney attended by dignitaries from France.
entertainment at Opera in the Vineyards.
Viva the duo performed at Opera in the Vineyards 2008.
There are of press releases about Viva the duo and Viva the band on google, our press release in respect of Opera In the Vineyards was published in Russia, Central Europe, France, Spain, Italy, Hungary and The Gulf community at this link:- Opera in the Vineyards and Viva the duo
A band with more than just jazz
With the advent of the abundant availability of DVD'S that showcase music from around the world, in particular: Celtic, Spanish, European and performances by Andre Rieu. Australian audiences are no longer restricted to listening to a limited genre of pop, rock, Jazz and blues music, as a consequence, audiences are showing more interest in local bands and musicians that include a repertoire of some world music.
Viva's music styles
Viva's performances gives the listener the benefit of listening to the normal fare of Jazz, Swing and up-beat Latin music which is performed by many other Sydney bands. In addition to this, Viva the duo can also perform World music that has been developed by the bands International experiences, for example, it's nice to hear a piece of music that inspired the band whilst they were in France, their music is authentic and the listener could easily imagine themselves to be in Paris listening to a local band playing popular Edith Piaf and romantic cafe' tunes. Other examples are the bands renditions of Pink Martini songs such as Amado Mio and Andalucia, tangos such as: Jealousy, La Cumparsita, Amapola, El Choclo, Hernandos Hideaway plus tunes such as: From Russia with love, Dark Eyes or Espani Cani, Viva Espani, Granada (pasadobles), some of these tunes that were portrayed in the television series Dancing With The Stars, Some of Viva's repertoire includes music usually only heard in classic movies such as Sway and Andalucia in Shall We Dance, or Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club of France (hep) Gypsy Jazz tunes in The Aviator, or You Belong To Me in Shrek, or It Had To Be You from When Harry Met Sally, plus ever popular tunes such as Stardust or In the Mood
Jealousy was written by Jacob Gade (Denmark). It was played for the first time in 1925 in the movie Son of Zorro starring
Douglas Fairbanks. It was noted, that up until the late 70's, the tune was played every minute of every day on some radio station in the world.
Granada was also very popular, it was the second most listened tune of the last Century (No 1 was "I'm Dreaming Of A White Christmas")
A list of Viva the the duo tunes can be viewed at: Viva repertoire
To get a good idea about the types of jobs the Sydney Viva bands are performing at:-
go to 
see the band at work page
Sydney Jazz and latin duo for hire
Some wedding venues such Balmoral or Mosman public areas have restrictions on amplified sound, Viva the duo are acceptable in this regard and often work at these venues.
In addition to band work, the duo have developed their repertoire to perform as a specialty instrumental act for club or corporate entertainment and theatrical productions.
As an act, the duo performs a 45 minute showcase of their special show tunes including some French, Spanish and Gypsy Jazz music. The duo is currently featured as Viva "Paris" duo as an International act in the Roddy Montez production of the "Viva Latin American and International show" which regularly performs on the club circuit throughout Australia. (Photo)). The duo has also performed for theatrical productions and many French themed events.
Hiring a Sydney band for roving performances and street events
The jazzy duo, with their strong instrumental content of show tunes is popular at Council events, University functions, shopping centres, community events, marketing expos, art festivals, wine and food festivals etc. with venues and clients such as: Opera in the Vineyards, Westfield shopping centres, Warringah Mall, Feastability at Newtown, Warringah, Art Gallery, Coca Cola, Oddfellows, Krispy Kreme, Gloria Jeans, Yalumba wines, De Bortoli winery, Lindemans winery, Orlando Wyndham Estate winery, French Trade Commission, Manly Council, Mosman Council, Newcastle Council, Gosford Council, City of Canada Bay Council, Canterbury Council, Penrith Council, Warringah Council, Liverpool Council, Nelson Bay Center, Warners Bay Chamber of Commerce, The Entrance Town Centre Management, Marrickville Council, Lane Cove Council, Sydney University, Macquarie University, International House, Mc Donald College of performing arts, Jaguar, Mercedes, Porsche promotions and many more.
Hiring a duo or a trio for a wedding or a function
Viva the duo with Jiri Kripac, International trumpet player at a French themed party at Bayview NSW.
The duo also collaborate with Nigel Harris (photo left) an extraordinary trumpet soloist and accordion player with the unique ability to play both instruments at the same time. The duo is popular at parties and is regularly called upon to provide concerts for seniors (photo right)
How to program music for functions with Viva bands
- Background or dinner music at parties. Jazz standards, bossa nova's etc
- Dance music at dinner parties playing swing, bossa nova's tango's etc
- Dinner cabaret show (If required) playing French, Spanish, classic show tunes etc
- Up beat dance music at dinner dances: Jazz, Swing, Latin, Salsa etc.
Music samples are available at: CD Baby
Hiring a quartet for weddings and functions
click to the page about Viva the band (quartet - sextet)
The band combinations are reasonably priced, check our prices at pricing page
Our current or jobs and venues pages will give you a good idea of the bands work, these pages should assist you in deciding if the duo, quartet or sextet is suitable for your special event
There are hundreds of media releases about Viva the band on the internet, click on this link: Viva Media Releases alternatively you can type "viva the band" in google, ninemsn or yahoo search.
more information and testimonials about bands
We have provided some testimonials in response to our performances in our: testimonial page.
Contact details for Sydney bands
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If you would like to discuss your requirements for a band, please phone me at Sydney (02) 9970 6006 Please note: Viva bands are often very busy with performances on a daily basis including morning teas, luncheons and the like. I am the guitar player in the band, so if we are not at home, please leave a message on our answer machine or email: rappolt@optushome.com.au
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