Founded by Ken Arlen, Arlen Music is a Chicago-based entertainment company that specializes in providing live customized music for special events. Winner of the 2015-2020 Best Band by Make It Better Magazine, Arlen Music is recognized as the leader and trendsetter within the Chicago special event industry.
Its premier band, the Ken Arlen Evolution Orchestra, has also developed a nationwide presence with performances ranging from New Year's Eve at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, to the Presidential Inaugural Ball in Washington, D.C. Chicago's exclusive rock violin show, performing everything from classical music to classic rock!
Its premier band, the Ken Arlen Evolution Orchestra, has also developed a nationwide presence with performances ranging from New Year's Eve at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, to the Presidential Inaugural Ball in Washington, D.C. Chicago's exclusive rock violin show, performing everything from classical music to classic rock!
Services
As one of the hottest dance bands in Chicago, Indigo has been featured on New Year's Eve at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, and has earned repeat performances at premier events in Chicago including the Lyric Opera and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Opening Galas, among others.
Indigo is built upon young veteran talent hand-selected by producer Ken Arlen to bring an exciting presence and youthful energy that our clients have come to expect from an Arlen Music experience.As the featured bandleader, arranger and saxophonist, Dan Nicholson is well known for his personable and energetic style and his ability to call a great dance party while incorporating a client's vision with a fun and easy flare.
Indigo is built upon young veteran talent hand-selected by producer Ken Arlen to bring an exciting presence and youthful energy that our clients have come to expect from an Arlen Music experience.As the featured bandleader, arranger and saxophonist, Dan Nicholson is well known for his personable and energetic style and his ability to call a great dance party while incorporating a client's vision with a fun and easy flare.
Entourage is an eight-piece band that delivers contagious energy and unmatched musical versatility. Led by top 20 American Idol finalist Leslie Hunt, this band brings a dynamic dance floor experience to every party, guaranteed to leave your guests talking about it for years to come.
Through their love of pop music and the boundless energy of their singers, they stay up-to-date with the latest top 40 hits, while also mixing in popular songs from each decade and genre.This something-for-everyone approach ensures that all of your guests will feel connected to the experience.
Through their love of pop music and the boundless energy of their singers, they stay up-to-date with the latest top 40 hits, while also mixing in popular songs from each decade and genre.This something-for-everyone approach ensures that all of your guests will feel connected to the experience.
Led by vocalist Heidie Malnassy, Velocity performs an expansive repertoire, including jazz standards, R&B, Soul, Motown, Classic Rock, Contemporary Top 40, and everything in between. The band features world-class talent who have performed alongside Chaka Khan, Common, Wynton Marsalis, and Diana Krall!
Ranging in size from 6 to 10 pieces, Ken Arlen's Sirens, Chicago's exclusive rock violin show, is led by Arlen Music's own Rebecca Richey on violin, backed by some of the best instrumentalists that Arlen has to offer (keyboard, bass, guitar and drums). Perfect for parties of any size, the Sirens can provide a fully choreographed 30-40 minute featured performance guaranteed to dazzle your guests.
Three of Chicago's top guitarists come together for a unique acoustic performance that covers a wide variety of genres, including Motown, Classic Rock and Top 40. Triple Fret is a perfect choice for cocktail or corporate receptions that require fun energy without overwhelming conversation. We used Triple Fret for two recent hospital events and were thrilled with their music and professionalism.
Reviews (20)
Melissa B.
Oct 12, 2021
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I loved what I saw of Indigo so much that I was basically fangirling - yes, for a wedding band! My then-fiance agreed that, even though every Ken Arlen band seemed awesome, Indigo was truly special. It boasts 4 singers, who each bring something unique to the table. This in turn makes it quite easy to have a variety of styles, which then puts people on the dance floor.
Dan is also very receptive to others' ideas, and brainstorming with him is a lot of fun, since he is passionate about all things musical. We thought that our entrance music could be the theme from The Simpsons, but he politely
Dan is also very receptive to others' ideas, and brainstorming with him is a lot of fun, since he is passionate about all things musical. We thought that our entrance music could be the theme from The Simpsons, but he politely
Maura F.
Mar 24, 2021
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I strongly recommend Entourage (part of Arlen Music Productions) for your wedding band! My sister had Entourage at her wedding over five years ago, and I knew I had to have them at my future wedding because they made the night amazing. Tim was great with working with us on our contract. When we had to postpone our wedding due to Covid, he worked with us on finding a new date. We met with Leslie Hunt, the band leader, a few months before our wedding. Once we talked to her and spoke about some of the details, we were even more excited. She provided a detailed itinerary for our day and helped us with
Izzie Griffith
Sep 01, 2020
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If you're going to splurge on anything, Ken Arlen Evolution is the place to do it! Everyone left our wedding saying it was the best wedding they had ever been to, and in large part because they couldn't stop talking about how incredible the band was. The best part about Ken Arlen Evolution is that everything they do is aimed towards making your wedding spectacular. From learning that song that you just have to have played, to working with you to create the perfect playlist, they are focused on what you want and then find a way to make it even better than you envisioned. And on the big night, they
Greg D.
Dec 31, 2019
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Erik and his band Velocity absolutely crushed it at our wedding! Not only were they extremely professional and easy to work with, but they also sounded incredible and kept the dance floor packed the whole night. Erik and his team flawlessly coordinated the sound/music for our ceremony and cocktail hour as well and I can't recommend them enough!!
Maryl Schroeder
Aug 14, 2019
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THANK YOU to the Front of House members! It was the BEST night and everyone danced the entire night! I told them I wanted a good mix of music to keep everyone dancing all night long and they did exactly that! David was a great MC and I could not have imagined having a different band play on our wedding night. Again, thank you Front of House and the whole Arlen Production team and making it a night to remember!
Olivia G.
Jun 21, 2019
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VELOCITY IS THE BEST!!!! We had Velocity (led by Erik) play at our wedding earlier this month. And WOW WOW WOW were they fantastic. If you want fantastic music and a full dance floor all night-- hire Velocity! Our guests had the best time and loved the band (even the music snobs couldn't say enough good things about the band-- the highest form of praise from my Uncle!). Velocity truly rocks!
Susie K.
May 30, 2019
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Front of House is an awesome band!!! They recently performed at our daughter and son-in-law's wedding and the dance floor was packed all night! Everyone was raving about their excellent, professional musicians and outstanding band leader and vocalists. David Sherman, the band leader is so charismatic and a great singer and dancer. The additional female and male vocalists did an incredible job singing varied genres and also rocked the house. From the ceremony to cocktail hour through the entire evening they had almost everyone on the dance floor. My daughter and son-in-law and their friends
Robert Baldi
May 26, 2019
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Ken Arlen Music Productions was probably the best choice we made for our March 2019 Chicago wedding. They have lots of different options but we ended up deciding on the Evolution Orchestra led by Lloyd Snyder. Ken and Lloyd helped us with all of the planning. Everything was customized and I'm so glad we went with their suggestions even on things we originally said we weren't sure about. Lloyd's band was just fantastic. People were truly shocked by the quality of this group of amazingly talented musicians. We also asked them to keep one of the saxophonists and the drummer for the final
Margaret A.
Sep 26, 2018
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We can't thank Arlen Music Productions band Indigo enough for EVERYTHING they did this past year in preparation for the glorious day that was our wedding. They were beyond our wildest dreams (and being performers and musicians, my family has the highest expectations for music). Their talents were complemented by all in attendance and more than half the 300 guests exclaimed it was the best wedding they've ever attended - a lot of that having to do with Indigo.
They were the most accommodating of our musically inclined family's requests and learned a handful of more obscure songs
They were the most accommodating of our musically inclined family's requests and learned a handful of more obscure songs
Blaine M.
Sep 10, 2018
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We had the Velocity band within Arlen Music productions as our wedding band, and I can't imagine having a better wedding band! The 3 singers are absolutely incredible! The flow of the night was flawless, and they sounded amazing. I have gotten SO MANY compliments on this band choice. My guests had an absolute BLAST because of how they entertained SO HARD all night! They have an incredible range for the types of music that they can perform and their energy is amazing. They were great to work with! There were SO many people on the dance floor all night for every song which is an achievement
Jim S.
May 11, 2018
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They say the 5 most important things for a wedding are inviting the right guests, selecting the perfect venue, serving great food and drinks, choosing an exceptional photographer, and most importantly the perfect entertainment. If you want the very best entertainment for your wedding there is only one band to select and that’s Entourage out of Chicago with Arlen Music Productions. With Entourage you not only get a great band but you get two incredible singers and entertainers in Leslie and Jerome. But the very best thing you get is a terrific band leader and the very best MC money can buy in
Olivia Gershman
Nov 25, 2017
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David and the rest of the Front of House band were absolutely PERFECT for our wedding this past weekend. David was wonderful to work with, he made us feel comfortable with all of our decisions and made great recommendations based on his years of experience. Our first dance song was performed more beautifully than the original. David knows how to read the room and keep the guests dancing...our dance floor was packed all night! All band members were very professional and classy. We don't have a single complaint, we are thrilled with Front of House and would recommend them to everyone we know! Thank
Jim B.
Oct 16, 2017
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Arlen Music's Entourage is the absolutely amazing. I could not imagine my daughter's wedding without this band. My daughter and son-in-law chose the band because of the components, but my wife and I almost felt like the band chose us! Leslie and the band were spectacular. From learning some unique songs for our special dances and our closing song to keeping the party up and moving all night long Entourage delivered. The energy from the band was palpable and the connection with the guests was amazing. At times I looked over and it seemed that the band was having as much fun as we
Colleen W.
Sep 13, 2017
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Ken Arlen Evolution completely ROCKED it at our recent wedding. Even with incredibly high expectations given feedback we'd heard, we were totally blown away.
Caitlin Simone & crew took the time to meet with us, really understand our musical preferences, learn a few favorite songs, and understand the meaning behind some of our "must plays".
They had so much energy and enthusiasm, not to mention raw talent. I could not peel myself off of the dance floor, and neither could most of our guests. I'd recommend them to anyone, and book them again in a heartbeat.
Caitlin Simone & crew took the time to meet with us, really understand our musical preferences, learn a few favorite songs, and understand the meaning behind some of our "must plays".
They had so much energy and enthusiasm, not to mention raw talent. I could not peel myself off of the dance floor, and neither could most of our guests. I'd recommend them to anyone, and book them again in a heartbeat.
Jeff L.
May 31, 2017
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Our wedding planner had used the Arlen Music Group (Velocity Band) for her own daughter's wedding, so we knew we were in good hands when we booked them for our wedding, but I had no idea just how amazing they were going to be. Most people think that everything at their wedding was the best (and we are admittedly no exception) but in the months that followed, we have heard so many people tell us that the music was the best they've ever heard at a wedding and that it was the most fun they've had at such an event. While hiring a live band was among our biggest splurges, in many ways
Kathy D.
Sep 06, 2016
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Thank you !Thank you !Thank you!
To me The Band/music is most important for a fun wedding, I could not have been happier! Indigo had everyone on the dance floor all night. I received phone calls and emails the next day raving about the music! The best!!! One guest said he never dances at weddings and he was on the dance floor all night. They are the best
To me The Band/music is most important for a fun wedding, I could not have been happier! Indigo had everyone on the dance floor all night. I received phone calls and emails the next day raving about the music! The best!!! One guest said he never dances at weddings and he was on the dance floor all night. They are the best
Stephen H.
Mar 08, 2016
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When we were planning our wedding, music was one of the key things we felt we needed to get right as it can really make the whole day. After a lot of research, we decided to book Front Of House (FOH) as they were a large group with multiple singers, trumpets and saxophones and their videos showed them playing incredibly well together. The repetoire included a wide range of genres and had just the tone we were after. We actually booked FOH 2-years prior to the wedding, before we even had a date for the wedding, and Arlen Music were immensely amenable to this.
Having a professional booking agency
Having a professional booking agency
Mackenzie Travers
May 16, 2015
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Entourage MADE our wedding! If you're looking for a band - look no further. Literally our guests were chanting for more after they announced it was the last song. Leslie was amazing to work with - so chill and helpful - especially given we were planning the wedding from North Dakota. She even executed a surprise song that my husband and his groomsmen danced too! We also wanted a few of our musical friends to join with the band at certain points and she made it happen. Truly the best and most memorable parts of our wedding were thanks to Entourage. Not only were they amazing to work with - but INCREDIBLY
Marielle D.
Apr 21, 2015
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For our wedding on 3/28/2015 we hired Indigo to play and it was the best decision we ever made.
Our dance floor was packed from the moment they started playing and no one stopped dancing until the last song. Every song they cover sounds better than the original and their vocalists are unparalleled.
We worked with Dan Nicholson, who was the bandleader for Indigo, and he was so wonderful to work with from start to finish. He listened to our ideas, offered great suggestions, and made sure that the dance floor was packed. He was also a wonderful MC throughout the evening, making our reception run
Our dance floor was packed from the moment they started playing and no one stopped dancing until the last song. Every song they cover sounds better than the original and their vocalists are unparalleled.
We worked with Dan Nicholson, who was the bandleader for Indigo, and he was so wonderful to work with from start to finish. He listened to our ideas, offered great suggestions, and made sure that the dance floor was packed. He was also a wonderful MC throughout the evening, making our reception run
Kelly Rice
Aug 04, 2014
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Front of House (a band in the Ken Arlen group) rocked the house at our July 2014 wedding! First of all, this band sounds so perfect that I felt like the recordings of the originals were playing all night. I had a friend tell me she felt like Rihanna was actually present! We considered many bands and Front of House's sound and professionalism was unmatched. If you like their online samples, they sound even better in person! From the inquiry process, wedding planning meetings, last minute changes, and day of coordination and performances, the Ken Arlen Group and Front of House were absolutely professional
