Frequently asked questions
Answered by Marie Knight, Manager

How long have you been in business?
Ted played his first band gig in 1975. We registered the name "A Little Knight Music" in 1980.

What kind of music do you play?
The orchestra leans toward jazz and blues but can also rock out. The Convertibles emphasize rock and roll, country, and island music. As a disc jockey, Ted can play just about anything. We also have chamber music, Dixieland jazz, and music for special occasions such as Christmas, St. Patrick's Day, and Oktoberfest. For more on this, read The Knightly News.

How far will you travel?
We can play anywhere in the southeastern United States. Click the map to see details.

To keep rates reasonable, Ted brings key performers from South Florida and hires the rest through a strategic network of musicians in Jacksonville, Atlanta, Charlotte, Mobile, and Washington, DC. Quotes include allowances based on MapQuest mileage, and allowances for overnight accommodations when needed.

Do your bands always have the same musicians?
Different gigs call for different skills, so we choose the best person available for each part for each gig. We enjoy long-term relationships with some of the best musicians in the area, including people on trumpet, trombone, sax, bass, drums and guitar who've been with us for ten years or more. Ted is always there on keyboard and vocals.

Where can I hear the band?
Most of our gigs are parties and weddings, which we consider to be private. Because we seldom play in public, it's virtually impossible to come and hear us. We ask you instead to consider our demo recordings, our excellent references, and a reputation built on thirty years of client satisfaction.

Don't you lose business that way?
Our clients tend to be people who appreciate the fact that there won't be people around who say "the band invited us." With Knight Music, you can be assured of respect for your privacy. We do play for one free public concert each year, a big-band pancake breakfast held at Lantana Airport.

Do you use sequencing?
No. Some bands use recorded backgrounds known as sequences to beef up their horn parts. Other bands just sing along with their sequences while only pretending to play. Unfortunately, even good bands that don't need sequences are using them these days. Ted believes that live music played in real time has an energy that's impossible to get any other way, so that's the only way he does it.

When do you take breaks?
We generally take a fifteen-minute break after the first hour and another break each hour thereafter, but we're not slaves to the clock. We play until a break seems natural, and when we do take a break we play appropriate music on iPod, either as background or for more dancing.

What about food and drink?
When a quick bite can be arranged, it pays a dividend in the energy of the music. If we must travel some distance, we ask that sandwiches and coffee be provided in a side room. We prefer not to drink alcohol when working, but we need soft drinks and water to help us keep our cool. 

Should I go with a band or a disc jockey?
A disc jockey is much more economical than a sequenced band, and the best way to hear hip-hop. On the other band, good live music is truly exciting, and a welcome break for people who have heard DJs one time too many. We can provide DJ services in combination with live music, for example live chamber music for the wedding recemony followed by DJ music for the reception. We play iPod mixes on band breaks at no extra charge, either as background for conversation or at full volume for dancing.

How much DJ work does Ted do?
He's averaged about one gig a month since he started back in 1983. I think he spends a lot more time and money on his music collection and sound system than he needs to, but he really loves the music.

Who are your other disc jockeys?
Larry Ruda, Glen Rovinelli, and Brian Russell are friends who are welcome in our home. They understand not only what kind of music to play, but also how to behave in a professional manner. You can rely on them to refrain from the jokey behavior and remarks sometimes found with disc jockeys.

Do you do karaoke?
No. We also don't play games or yell on the mic. There are plenty of DJs who do, and our clients are glad to choose us instead. Ted believes that what really matters is the music.

Do you take credit cards?
Yes. We use a slightly different contract that acts as an authorization for your Visa or Mastercard. Sorry, no American Express.

What does it take to reserve a date?
The quickest way is to send you a credit card contract by fax or email so you can fill in your card number and expiration date, sign it and fax it back. If you prefer to pay by check, we send the contract by mail, fax, or email. Meanwhile we put a hold on the date to allow time for your deposit payment to reach us. When the deposit and signed contract are received, we sign and return a copy of the contract, and the date is firm.