Netherlands — Belgium — Luxembourg — Germany

Big team — always a backup

Top-notch professional musicians

Personal advice for a custom jazz band

We play all over the Netherlands and Belgium

The specialist in live jazz bands for business and private events

100% specialized in live background music

Specialized in last-minute bookings

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A diva who effortlessly switches between authentic 1920s swing, jazz, groovy soul, and jazz covers of contemporary hits

Jazz and soul singer SaraLee

When you choose our fantastic jazz and soul singer SaraLee, you’ll give the jazz band at your party or event an unparalleled flair. After all, what could be more appealing to you and your guests than a true jazz diva on stage, singing all the well-known jazz classics and effortlessly transitioning to a groovier soul and pop repertoire? SaraLee can do it all. Perfect for your Great Gatsby party!

100% COVID-19-SAFE

All of our performances, including this one, are COVID-19 safe. We can perform while maintaining a distance of at least 1.5 meters from one another!

You may recognize SaraLee's repertoire from:

  • The Great Gatsby, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald
  • But also soul classics by artists such as Bill Withers, Amy Winehouse, Moloko, and Erykah Badu
  • View repertoire

Composition

Recommended composition

Jazz and soul singer with a band

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Highly Recommended

This is the second time I’ve organized a company party featuring live music from “Jazz Centrale.” The first time, it was a jazz quartet with Bossa Nova singer Agnes, and this time it was a jazz quartet with jazz singer SaraLee. Both were equally fantastic. I highly recommend them, not only for the quality of the music but also for how smoothly everything was organized.

Stephane Carlier

Business event

Better than expected!

From the very first contact, communication went smoothly. Jazz Centrale understood exactly what we had in mind for our party and helped us plan the evening. The final performance exceeded our expectations! The pianist played beautifully on our own piano, the drummer and double bassist played in perfect harmony, and the singer sang flawlessly.

Alexandra Mes

Birthday

Listen to our music!

For the best bass sound, listen with good speakers or headphones.
Turn your phone sideways to hear the music in stereo!

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Repertoire

Our repertoire is super varied and perfect for any occasion! Want to get a sneak peek of our songs?

View an overview of the repertoire here

Hear for yourself!

A true diva

SaraLee is one of those rare singers who truly embodies the spirit of a diva on stage. Just as you know the jazz classics performed by the greats, that’s exactly how you’ll hear them from SaraLee. With swing classics like “Fly Me to the Moon” and “Take the A-Train,” she creates a classic jazz atmosphere at every performance—the kind you know so well from the LPs and CDs where legends like Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgeraldshine. Perfect for your Great Gatsby party!

Perfect for Roaring '20s and Great Gatsby parties

Are you planning a party with a Roaring 20s or Great Gatsby theme? Then a jazz band featuring SaraLee would be a perfect fit! We play both vintage jazz and more contemporary swing and grooves, allowing us to build up the energy beautifully throughout the performance. This way, your guests will be swept up in the vintage swing style, and they’ll also be able to dance to some more familiar tunes . Success guaranteed!

Diverse repertoire

In addition to the well-known repertoire of the old masters, SaraLee has an appealing setlist featuring newer artists in the style of Amy Winehouse, Erykah Badu, and Bill Withers, for example: a fantastic playlist to transform your party or event—which may start off a bit more traditionally—into a lively mix of jazz, soul, and groovy pop songs.

SaraLee is one of the most sought-after Dutch jazz singers and has a wealth of experience. With her enthusiastic and cheerful personality, she turns every performance into an unforgettable experience . You and your guests will be thoroughly impressed by a jazz band featuring SaraLee!

For which lineups can SaraLee be booked?

All of our vocalists really shine when accompanied by the swinging lineup of ourAllround Trio

For even more variety and that authentic jazz sound, you can also adda saxophone to this lineup:

 For small or intimate gatherings (such as a dinner for 30 people), you might also consider booking SaraLee as part of our Allround Duo.

Why Jazz Centrale?

  • More than 300 performances a year
  • A team of enthusiastic professionals
  • Kars personally selected all the musicians with great care
  • Always keep the volume on for background music
  • We perform throughout the Netherlands and Belgium
  • Well-kept clothing
  • Atmospheric lighting
  • We provide equipment and instruments
  • 100% peace of mind, thanks to comprehensive coverage in case of illness

How does Jazz Centrale work?

Our team consists of more than 200 professional jazz musicians who are among the very best in the field.

Jazz is a universal musical language. We speak it fluently, which means we can perform in any possible combination!

Get advice from Kars, jazz pianist and founder of Jazz Centrale!

FAQs

Can you perform outdoors?

Absolutely! Nothing beats having a great jazz band at your garden party or wedding reception. Business receptions are also often held outdoors in the summer. We’re more than happy to perform outdoors. However, it’s important that we’re sheltered from the sun and wind, and that the temperature is comfortable—preferably around 20 degrees.

Is a stage necessary?

A stage isn’t strictly necessary. For larger groups (more than 100 people), we recommend providing a small raised platform. This way, the musicians are more visible to the audience. After all, a jazz band contributes not only musically but also visually to the atmosphere of the event—so it’s nice if we’re clearly visible.

What is the typical playing time?

We are usually hired for a performance lasting 2 to 4 hours. The ideal performance length depends in part on the band’s lineup. As a rule of thumb, the number of musicians should roughly correspond to the number of hours of music required. For a performance of about three hours, for example, a trio is an excellent choice. Do you need music for just a short time, such as a one-hour performance? Then a smaller lineup, like a duo, is often sufficient. If you need music for a really long time—say, six hours—it’s also a great idea to combine a live band for a few hours followed by our vinyl DJ. Of course, Kars is happy to work with you to figure out what best suits your event!

What is your dress code?

To stay true to the spirit of jazz, we typically perform in a stylish black suit with a white shirt and a black tie or bow tie. It’s a nod to the elegant 1950s—the era when jazz developed its iconic look. Even if you and your guests opt for a more casual dress code, our classic style ensures a chic atmosphere. After all, the musicians play a special role during your event and should certainly stand out a bit. Of course, we’re happy to tailor our attire to your preferences—whether you prefer formal, festive, or casual.

Where are you from?

The professional musicians of Jazz Centrale live throughout the country, which allows us to perform flexibly throughout the Netherlands and Belgium, as well as beyond. That’s why we can also perform in North Rhine-Westphalia, Luxembourg, and northern France. Travel costs remain relatively low and have only a minor impact on the rate. After all, musicians are used to traveling. This way, you can enjoy top-quality live jazz music, wherever you are!

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Let Kars give you some advice!

As a professional jazz musician and the founder of Jazz Centrale, I'm perfectly placed to give you advice based on real-world experience. With over 10 years and hundreds of gigs at receptions, weddings, and corporate events under my belt, I've seen it all! So I'd love to share my extensive experience with you.

Call me directly at +31 6 24 75 29 71. Or send me a WhatsApp here"