04.25.2026 we had our wedding at Bayview. Unico did an absolute amazing job. He exceeded my expectations in so many different ways. I had very precise instructions on how I wanted dinner to go (rnb sing a long style) and instead of delivering just that, he had everyone up dancing to the rnb play list. When I tell you, I was in complete shock at how someone can read the room so perfectly. He truly is one of a kind. Thank you for putting him on for my wedding. He will be highly requested for any event moving forward.
Read on GoogleLive Wedding Musicians in New York & Long Island
Saxophone, strings and percussion — performed live, and built to play with the DJ.
Live music is the moment guests remember
A saxophone riding the bridge of a song. A violin under the vows. A percussionist locking in with the DJ as the floor fills. Live musicians turn the soundtrack into something happening in the room, not just around it.
Genesis has curated live musicians for New York and Long Island weddings since 2008 — saxophonists, violinists, percussionists and guitarists who play ceremonies and cocktail hours on their own, and who know how to step onto a dance floor alongside an open-format DJ without missing a beat.
Instruments we bring to life
Book one musician for a single moment, or layer several across the day.
Saxophone
The signature sound of cocktail hour and the dance floor — smooth, then electric.
Violin & Strings
Ceremony processionals, cocktail-hour standards and modern songs reimagined for strings.
Percussion
Congas, timbales and hand drums layered over the DJ to lift a floor to its peak.
Live Band & DJ Hybrid
Sax, percussion, guitar and vocals on stage with the DJ — one team, one timeline.
How live music fits your day
We start with the moments: who walks in to what, the song you want played live at cocktail hour, and whether you want the floor to go electric at eleven. Then we place each musician where they make the biggest difference.
Every musician plays through our own sound, tuned to your venue, and works from the same timeline as your DJ and MC — so transitions feel effortless, from the first note of the ceremony to the last song of the night.
Our musicians, live
Strings, percussion, jazz, harp and vocals from Genesis weddings.
Celebrations we've brought to life
Our Team's Accomplishments
Our clients rave about our seamless, immersive experiences—crafted with precision, creativity, and a deep understanding of audience engagement. Through innovative design and intuitive interactions, we transform visions into unforgettable moments.
6× The Knot Best of Weddings
7× WeddingWire Couples' Choice Award
4.9★ 173 Google Reviews Genesis took our wedding to the absolute next level - they managed music throughout the night, ranging from a string quartet at ceremony to a jazz trio at cocktail hour to percussion / DJ (Raz) / MC at reception. Damian and Angelina at Genesis totally understood our lofty assignment of a tri-cultural wedding with Persian, Indian, American music. They gave extra prep to the ethnic musics ahead of time, reviewing our song lists and listening/prepping sets. Angelina helped us design our custom DJ booth to match the room. Huge thanks to Damian for bringing our wedding to life. We got so much positive feedback from guests and the dance floor was packed the entire night!
Read on GoogleWe had an incredible experience with Genesis Events from start to finish. They were the preferred vendor for our venue, and I can see why! We initially met with Dario who gave us our proposal and all the information we needed to make a decision. The meeting with him was so thorough! Throughout the planning, Angelina (name twins!!) was our contact, and she was great! She helped finalize all the little details during our final meeting (which was great because I am so indecisive) and came up with such a pretty design for our Photo Booth! The night of the wedding was amazing. Fabio was our MC and DJ Raz was our DJ. They were both fantastic! Fabio was fun and kept the energy up for all of our guests. He did a great job getting everyone up and dancing for the Tarantella! Before the guests came into the reception room, he quickly went over all the details with us to make sure everything went smoothly. The music provided by DJ Raz was great! We danced so much, our dance floor was never empty, right through to the final song of the night. He played all of our "must haves" and quite a few of our "inspo" list, and some that I didn't even think of but were perfect for our crowd of guests! Truly a wonderful experience with Genesis Events, thank you so much!!
Read on GoogleGenesis events did such an amazing job on our wedding on 8/24/23!! Damian, the dj, and the violinist were all so awesome and we've gotten a ton of compliments from guests telling us it was the most fun they have ever had at a wedding, and genesis events was definitely a huge part of that. I was so nervous beforehand and asked a million questions, all of which were answered promptly and Damian was so awesome at putting my mind at ease. Thank you so much!!!
Read on GoogleWe are beyond grateful to the entire Genesis Event Management team for making our dream wedding a reality. From the very beginning, they were always there to guide us, offering unwavering support and quick responses to every message. No matter how many changes we requested, they accommodated everything with patience and professionalism, ensuring every detail was perfect. What truly impressed us was how they brought together an incredible team—from the makeup artist to the photographer, videographers and of course the entire team GEM itself—each one exceptionally talented and dedicated. They carefully selected the best people to capture and enhance our special day, making everything even more beautiful than we imagined. The entire team’s coordination and attention to detail made the event seamless and unforgettable. We also appreciate how they helped us find the perfect options within our budget, making sure we had the best possible experience without compromising quality. Their connections to stunning and affordable event locations made planning so much easier. Thank you, Genesis Event Management, for your passion, professionalism, and for turning our dream wedding into reality. Our day was truly magical because of you!🥹🥹🧡🧡
Read on GoogleLive music, by the moment
Start with the instrument, or with how you want the night to feel.
Live Musicians — FAQs
Which instruments do you offer?
Saxophone, violin and strings, percussion and guitar are our core live instruments, on their own or in combination. If you have something specific in mind, ask — we curate to the celebration.
Can musicians perform together with the DJ?
Yes — that pairing is a Genesis signature. Our musicians play live over the DJ’s set, so you get the range of open-format DJing with the energy of live performance.
Which parts of the day can musicians cover?
Any of them. Strings or guitar for the ceremony, saxophone or a duo for cocktail hour, and sax and percussion with the DJ for the reception are the most popular combinations.
Do you provide sound for the musicians?
Always. Musicians perform through our own professional systems, tuned to your venue, and are coordinated by the same team that runs your DJ and MC.
How far in advance should we book?
For peak-season Saturdays we recommend booking nine to twelve months ahead, as prime dates are reserved early.
How much do live musicians cost?
Pricing depends on the instruments, how many musicians, and how much of the day they play. A DJ is the foundation, and live musicians are added to it. The best next step is a tailored quote for your date and plan.
Let's find the sound of your celebration
Tell us about your day and we'll build the ensemble around it.