The Party Faithful

December 31, 2011 - Schneider / Hipp Wedding

Thank you once again for making Rachel and Adam's New Year's Eve wedding so spectacular!

We can't tell you how many times our guests said, "What a fantastic/awesome/amazing/unbelievable [choose your adjective] band!" Everyone was blown away by the band's musicianship, repertoire, and energy.

The hora was one of the most fun horas we've ever done. As you promised, you played much more than just Hava Nagila, and the energy and celebration kept ramping up. Many of Rachel and Adam's friends had never seen the hora before. After participating that night, a bunch of their Catholic friends said they wanted to dance the hora at their weddings!

We also really appreciate your willingness to let Talia sing "the first dance" with the band. What an added bonus that you then invited her to sing again later in the evening!  It was so special for all of us to hear her; and her participation added to the warm and personal atmosphere of the event. Plus, she had such a blast.

Your New Year's Eve countdown was perfect. And what better way to begin the New Year than with the incredible Ain't No Mountain High Enough?

Colby, we could not have been happier with your emceeing and the band's (and your) performance throughout the night. Thank you so very much.

 

— Linda and Jim (Parents of the Bride)

December 31, 2011 - Schneider / Hipp Wedding

Hi Colby (still hard not to call you Mr. Beserra even though it was years ago you were my teacher!),

I just wanted to send you a quick not saying thank you once again for the amazing night! I'm sorry this is so belated. Life after the wedding was crazy getting ready for our trip and then time melted away as we started traveling, but never-the-less, the wedding was the best night of our lives so far and it was in a large part to your amazing band and leadership! I've never seen so many people dancing and having so much fun; for a second I was worried we didn't have a large enough dance floor. So thank you very much for everything and I hope we can catch up and grab lunch or something when I get back.

Cheers!

— Rachel (Bride)

October 29, 2011 - Snyder / Spencer Wedding - The Drake Hotel

The music you created at the wedding on October 29th was exceptional!!! It was amazing to see everyone on the dance floor from the 87yr old Grandmother to the 6 year old nephew! You played for all ages. I was so happy we did the 15min. set at the very beginning because I think it set the mood for the entire night! So many people commented on that little touch which was your suggestion. Your acoustical arrangements are very memorable ....There were times I felt we could be at a concert! You never took a break as a whole! That definitely kept the energy at a high level. Christine Stone could not have given us a better suggestion for a band ! We took her word and you were a huge success! Please thank everyone that played that night. The wedding dinner and dancing music were a huge success. So many people have asked for your information...I only hope I am at a wedding soon where I can sit back and enjoy every set of The Party Faithful. This wedding was the only time I will be mother-of-the-bride! Thank-you again for the music of the night....possibly of the year!

— Mary Snyder (Mother of the Bride)

October 15, 2011 - Misrac / Riskin Wedding - The Ivy Room

We just wanted to thank you (and the rest of the group) again for making our wedding such a memorable night. The only topic of conversation at our Sunday brunch was the band- how good they were and how much fun everyone had. The Astral Weeks during dinner is a really special memory for me and Amanda. Please let us know if you would like to us to write up a review anywhere, we really appreciated working with you guys throughout the process.

Thanks again,

— Jon and Amanda (Groom and Bride)

October 8, 2011 - Bannos / Eisel Wedding

You guys were beyond fantastic. Everyone had such a blast. You really delivered the full dance floor! And I'm so happy with the ceremony music and your guidance picking that. Loved it.

 

Deepest thanks,

— Stephanie and John (Bride and Groom)

October 1, 2011 - Crane / McMillan Wedding, Ritz-Carlton

You were instrumental in making Kate and Patrick's wedding fabulous at the Ritz-Carlton on Saturday. You and the band played your hearts out! We loved the trio during cocktails as well as the beautiful music played during the dinner courses. You got the young and the old on the dance floor. Music plays a key role in the success of a party. I will say that you nailed it Colby, it was perfect from start to finish. Thank you so much.

 

Our best,

— Kathy and Guy (Parents of the Bride)

June 25, 2011 - Rosenbloom / Ellis Wedding

I wanted to thank you and your band for performing at our wedding Saturday.  I thought you guys did an amazing job and personally could not have been more pleased.  I received a ton of great feedback about you and the band and was very impressed with your performance and professionalism.  Thanks again, you guys played an important part making the day very special for me!

Best Regards,

— Tom Ellis (Groom)

May 29, 2011 - Arbus / Cohen Wedding

I can't even begin to describe the feelings of my daughter's wedding. We're still on a little high. There are not enough superlatives for Colby and the band. Very few of my guests (including my wife and me) had ever even heard of Colby, let alone heard the band. I can't count the number of our guests who told me that this was about the best band they ever heard. In fact, a couple of our friends are hosting weddings later this summer and said they wished they had booked Colby. My only disappointment was that I could not be in the audience while you played as the guests entered the ballroom. I would have loved to hear what music was played. I literally could go on and on but I will end this with 3 things. My daughter had a few somewhat unusual requests for aisle walking music (some bandleaders probably would have asked her to change her mind) and Colby not only encouraged her to go with her choices but he made them work. He also kept the party building to a crescendo with the order of the music. And most important, not only did we extend the party, but at the end at 1 a.m., there was still a crowded dance floor.
 
I could not have asked for more.
 
Best regards to you, Colby and the band members. I only hope we have the chance to use you again!

— Lee A. Arbus (Father of the Bride)

May 29, 2011 - Arbus / Cohen Wedding

Just wanted to send you a quick note to say THANKS!!!!

You guys rocked our party last night - we had a fantastic time, and the fact that the dance floor was full all night was proof that our guests did, too!
We also got tons of complements on the ceremony music -  I was so pleased with how everything turned out, especially Brown Eyed Girl, as I walked down the aisle :)

THANK YOU to you and your band for a great night!!!

— Randi & Jared (Bride and Groom)

April 9, 2011 - Katz / Loevy Wedding

A little note to say thanks for helping to make this evening so special.

You are the best!

— Paul & Betsy Katz (Parents of the Bride)

April 1, 2011 - Yelp Review

Colby Beserra and the Party Faithful (Great Life Music) are incredible. They had our dance floor packed from the moment the wedding began until the wee hours of the night. The entire night our guests were coming up to us telling us how amazing our band was. And people are still complimenting us today. As an added bonus, Colby is the nicest, most patient and accommodating band leader out there. He took the time to customize a package for us that suited our needs and saved us money without anyone noticing where we cut costs. ABSOLUTELY A FIVE-STAR FIND. We can't thank them enough for helping make our wedding so memorable. You will not be disappointed.

— Eliane R.

March 27, 2011 - Plotkin / Sax Wedding

Hey Colby!!

So things have settled down here and I wanted to thank you so much for all the planning leading up the wedding, and of course our wedding day! People keep talking about how wonderful you guys were and all my brothers and sisters and friends yelled at me for not warning them about the recorded speech down the aisle. It really played out perfectly, and I could not have been happier. As I'm sure you noticed, quite a crowd was dancing all night long and I want to thank you for keeping people on the dance floor. We had a blast! Even the music during dinner was incredible- guests loved watching you sing with your guitar.

I'm sure you're busy with other weddings so I'll let you go.. just wanted to let you know how much we appreciate the band's talent.

Thank you!!

— Amanda Sax (Bride)

March 27, 2011 - Plotkin / Sax Wedding

Colby, I have to thank you for such a great night. Everyone I talked to asked who the band was. They loved you. It was like you and your guys (girls) were just in your zone jamming and we happened to be there. The music was so awesome and your singing was amazing. At one point you sang a song and the groom Adam started crying and couldn't stop. He was touched by the song and thought of his groomsmen that had passed away a few months back. Amanda and Adam were so happy that night with you and everything that was going on. They were over whelmed and so thankful that this party was for them. My son in-law Adam just kept hugging me and thanking me for such a fabulous night, he couldn't believe this was for them. He had never been to a wedding like this before, and the ones he was at were with a DJ and buffet. He didn't know how I plan weddings. (My 5th child married) Amanda and I kept everyone in the dark. Adam loved the little surprises you had for him. The sunglasses at night song is one he and his friends always plays at party's. Another one of his favorites was Footloose. Amanda and Adam had a blast at their wedding because of you and your Great Life Music band, The Party Faithful.

I also have to thank you for your patience and expertise in making that recording for Amanda to give to Adam. When I came up with this idea Amanda was so excited to do this and we got very emotional about it. She didn't think you would do it, but you did and it came out 10 X better then we thought. Her and I were blown away when we first heard it. It stopped us in our tracks and we were touched by it and cried for the first few minutes we heard it. The sound was perfect. We didn't expect that the reaction from the guests and bridal party to be so intense. We like that element of surprise. The recording had everyone crying both male and female. It was unique and one of a kind. Can't wait for the video and pictures.

Thank you again for making the wedding a memorable one for Amanda and Adam, and for doing such a wonderful job making us one very happy customer. I'm so glad we met you and had this chance to work together.

Sincerely and with love,

— Abby Hirsh (Mother of the Bride)

March 7, 2011 - Charity Gala

THANK YOU, THANK YOU,THANK YOU!

Thank you everyone for your support and expertise helping to plan for and during the evening of the 2011 Charity Gala.  My understanding is that this year's event was one of the most successful in terms of head count and fundraising to date!! 

It was a pleasure working with all of you.  I hope to have the opportunity to work together again soon.

Again, many thanks for all your hard work.

Warmest regards,

— Jean DeFrancesco

December 31, 2010 - Rosenfeld / Farrell Wedding

Colby,

Everyone has raved about you guys.  You did an awesome job and many friends have told us you are the best wedding band they have ever seen.  We really appreciate the effort and your talents.

Have a great year.

Best wishes,

— Chris and Tracy (Groom and Bride)

December 11, 2010 Four Seasons - Friedlen / Zaslavsky Wedding

Dear Colby & The Party Faithful,

We wanted to extend our gratitude for your phenomenal performance at
our wedding.  You exceeded all of our expectations in every way -
highlighted memories include the violin show, the acoustic dinner jam
session, and of course a rocked out "Frankenstein" entrance.  Although
we had a "party people" crowd - it was you guys who kept the dance
floor packed all night long.  Thank you for learning so many songs
that are so special to us.  We have received RAVE reviews from our
guests - you guys were certainly the focus of the sunday morning
brunch banter.  We are so looking forward to seeing the video!

Fondly,

— Lisa & Marc Zaslavsky (Bride & Groom)

Nov 6, 2010 - Balter / Malk Wedding

Hi Colby,
 
Now that things are somewhat settling down, I want to drop you a note to say a HUGE THANK YOU for being part of our wedding.  We had such a great time and my #1 goal was achieved – dance floor filled all night long.  I can’t even tell you the number of compliments we received on the band – everyone thought you were phenomenal!!  I am dying to see the video and relive the night.
 
Thanks again and I will be sure to pass along your info to all my future bride friends.
 
Take care,

— Stephanie & Craig (Bride and Groom)

October 30, 2010 - Heller / Teplinsky Wedding

Colby, Brian, and the rest of the team:

I've been meaning to write this letter since the wedding ended.  I'm sure you get these all the time, but Stacey and I wanted to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.  When we started planning the wedding a year ago we both decided that there were really 3 ingredients to make the perfect wedding:  The alcohol package, The music, and The People.  After I met Colby for the first time, there was no doubt in my mind that you guys were going to fill the music void.  As a life long musician and a professionally trained vocalist, guitarist, and pianist, my only job was to find the wedding band.  Trust me when I tell you we talked to several bands and you guys beat all of the "usual" competition by a long shot.

Your biggest differentiation from the rest of the usual Chicago wedding bands is that you guys are not a wedding band.  Weird, right?  Let me explain.  You guys are so different than the cliche wedding band.  When I describe you guys to my friends and family I tell them that you are all professional musicians with several projects and that weddings happens to be one of the many things in the large portfolio.  I think it helps keep you guys fresh and relevant.

Your passion for music and performing comes through clearly in every song.  Our dance floor was packed the entire night.  Again, probably something that you are very used to.  My parents, Stacey's parents, Stacey, and I are still receiving phone calls from all sorts of people inquiring about great life music.  Hopefully you will receive a lot of business from our wedding.  I will absolutely be doing everything I can to spread the word about you guys. 

If there is anything Stacey and I can do to help let me know.  Seriously, do not be shy to hit me up for a reference, a quote, an interview...  I'd be happy to talk to any prospective clients or give you a quote for any PR pieces that you might be doing. 

Thanks again and I look forward to hopefully seeing you play at many of our friends' upcoming weddings.  Please keep us posted on any public appearances you'll be making.

Best Regards,

— Dave and Stacey Teplinsky (Bride & Groom)

October 9, 2010 - Sheinbaum / Dworkin Wedding

Amazing.  Outstanding.  Incredible.  Inspiring.  Perfect.

And that was just during soup.

Seriously, thank you.  You and your crew made the wedding ours.  The way you and Brian projected our thoughts and tastes and energy during the ceremony AND reception was a revelation.  The band was on fi-yah, and EVERYBODY said so -- no -- gushed so!  The wedding was a symphony of joy, and you conducted it with such skill, poise, passion and honesty.  On top of it, your resilience and strength (vocally and personally) was a biblically-proportioned testament to your dedication, talent and professionalism.

Did I mention, THANK YOU!!!!?

Rock on.

— Keith Dworkin (Groom)

September 25, 2010 - Saville / Collins Wedding

Colby,

A huge thank you for you and Great Life Music. It was a fantastic party and your music made the evening! Many guests inquired about the band and I am pleased to pass along your info.

 

All the best,

— Connie Saville (Mother of the Bride)