Sneak Preview - Ambient DJ Staff Photo Shoot 2011

Below are a sampling of photos from February's Ambient DJ staff photo shoot held in Princeton.  Shots were taken in (a) Palmer Square near the Nassau Inn, and (b) on the Princeton University campus.  Why did we pick Princeton?  First, Ambient DJ is based in the Princeton area and we regularly work in Princeton and the surrounding area.  Second, Princeton holds an image of class and prestige - an image that we believe applies to our company's service offerings!  While Princeton University doesn't offer a major in mobile disc jockey studies, we believe that our music mixologists are at the top of their games, worthy of Ivy League status within the private party scene!

Meet your DJs!

Gregg Hollmann - Owner/Founder of Ambient DJ Service.  

Staff Photos - Princeton

Christopher Smith, DJ Spinz

Mike Bacon, DJ Iron Mike

Gregory Lambiase, DJ Greg Nice

Brian Dzbenski, DJ Extreme

DJ Larry Sargent

DJ Anthony Ferretti

Jamie - Bar/Bat Mitzvah Choreographer

1st Annual Winter Jazz Fest

Yesterday I had the pleasure of Emceeing the 1st Annual Winter Jazz Fest, sponsored by Packet Publications and www.centraljersey.com.  The event was held at the upscale Hamilton Manor.

The event was very well-attended, with perhaps a couple of thousand people passing through during the day.  Admission was free, and guests received tickets that could be redeemed for tastings from the various food vendors serving diverse styles such as Italian, Japanese and Vegetarian.  If you liked the samplers, then do check out the main course from any of these great establishments! (El Sham Restaurant, Villa Romanza, Marcello's Tomato Pie Restaurant, Mahzu Japanese Restaurant, Spoon & Sprout Restaurant, Revere Grill Room, Toscano Ristorante, Chocolate Lovers Club of Princeton).  Numerous door prizes were also announced during the afternoon, donated by the likes of the Tiger's Tale and Anthony Vincent Salon in East Windsor (who was particularly generous with salon package giveaways!).

There were three live musical acts that were enjoyed throughout the afternoon: The Luke Elliot Band, Wenonah Brooks, and Meg Hanson Group.

In addition to keeping guests informed, I provided music in between the sets of the live acts, playing a variety of mainstream jazz (Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Stan Getz, Kenny Burrell, Charlie Parker, Herbie Hancock, Nina Simone) to contemporary jazz-influenced electronic music (e.g. Bebel Gilberto remixes, Brandt Brauer Frick, Thievery Corporation, Sweetback,Francois K.).  

 Thanks to Packet Publications and CentralJersey.com for sponsoring this amazing event

The incredible Benny Barksdale, Jr. - who performed with Alicia Keys at the Grammys

 The Meg Hanson Group - Live!

DJ Gregg from Ambient DJ Service posing with April Sette from A.C. Marketing

For more photos, visit the following link.  Let Ambient DJs' staff of professional DJs/Emcees help to make your next public or social gala an unprecedented success!  For more info, visit us on the web at www.ambientdj.com.

Other vendors supporting this fine event included:

David Lerner Associates, Inc. (investments)
Camp Bow Wow (doggy daycare)
Performance Spine and Sports Medicine
Real Life Designs (audio-visual consulting services for residential/commercial)
Hamilton Pet Meadow (pet burial and cremation)

DJ Iron Mike's Winter 2011 Playlist

On a quarterly basis, Ambient DJs' music mixologists post their Top 25 dancefloor hits.  Our resident 'selectah' DJ Iron Mike, chimes in with picks hot enough to thaw the deepest winter freeze!

In countdown fashion, drumroll please..........

25. Just Be Good to Green (Wideboys Remix)- Professor Green f/ Lily Allen
24. Moment 4 Life - Nicki Minaj f/ Drake
23. Fancy (Remix) - Drake f/ T.I. & Mary J. Blige
22. Bass Down Low - Dev f/ The Cataracs
21. Wave Ya Hand- Nicki Minaj
20. Hold it Against Me- Britney Spears
19. Buzzin' (Remix) - Mann f/ 50 Cent
18. Pretty Girl Rock (Remix)- Keri Hilson f/ Kanye West
17. All of The Lights- Kanye West f/ Rhianna
16. Kush- Dr. Dre f/ Snoop Dog
15. Grenade- Bruno Mars
14. Party Rock Anthem- LMFAO
13. 6 Foot 7 Foot- Lil' Wayne f/ Cory Gunz
12. The Time (Dirty Bit)- Black Eyed Peas
11. Black & Yellow (G-Mix) - Wiz Khalifa f/ Snoop Dog, Juicy J & T-Pain
10. Hey Baby- Pitbull f/ T-Pain
 9. What's My Name (Rmx)- Rihanna f/ Drake & Vybz Kartel
 8. *ss on The Floor-  Diddy Dirty Money f/ Swizz Beatz
 7. Tonight- Enrique Isglasis f/ Ludacris
 6. No Hands- Waka Flocka Flame f/ Wale & Roscoe Dash
 5. Firework (Jump Smokers Remix) - Katy Perry
 4. We R Who We R- Ke$ha
 3. Aston Martin Music (remix) - Rick Ross f/ Drake & Chrisette Michelle
 2. You Be Killin' Em- Fabolous
 1. Down On Me- Jeremiah f/ 50 Cent

IRON MIKE's PREDICTED BREAKOUT HEAT
The Show Goes On - Lupe Fiasco
For The First Time-  The Script
I'm A Boss-  Meek Millz f/ Rick Ross

To book DJ Iron Mike for your next hot dance party, contact info@ambientdj.com or 609.672.1270.

Winter 2011 - DJ Gregg's Playlist

On a quarterly basis, Ambient DJs' music mixologists prepare playlists reflecting their top dance floor selections.  Listed is below DJ Gregg's (aka DJ Jagged's) Winter 2011 playlist, reflecting a wide variety of tracks across multiple genres.  Songs are listed in no particular order!

1) Animals - Neon Trees (alternative)
2) Uprising - Muse (alternative)
3) Dog Days are Over - Florence and the Machine (alternative)
4) Rocketeer - Far East Movement f/Ryan Tedder
5) Firework - Katy Perry (dance)
6) Only Girl in the World - Rihanna (dance)
7) Hey Baby - Drop it to the Floor - Pitbull (w/T-Pain) (dance)
8) Forget You - Cee Lo Green (dance)
9) Raise Your Glass - Pink (pop/dance)
10) Time (the Dirty Bit) - Black Eyed Peas (dance)
11) We No Speak Americano (Chew Fu Rosetta Stone Dub) - Yolanda f/D-Cup (dance)
12) I Can't Go for That (Members Only Mix) - Hall & Oates (80s/dance)
13) Take Over Control - Afrojack f/Eva Simons (electro)
14) Tarantella - Chicco Secci Hurricane Radio Edit (electronic)
15) Stereo Love - Edward Maya f/Vika Jigulina (electronic)
16) Bromance (Avicil's Radio Edit) - Tim Berg (electronic)
17) Raise Your Weapon - DeadMau5 (techno/dubstep)
18) Carbonated - Mt. Kimbi (dubstep)
19) C'Mon - Tiesto (f/Diplo) (trance)
20) Grenade (DJ Joey C. Remix) - Bruno Mars (dance)
21) Black & Yellow - Wiz Khalifa w/Snoop Dogg & Friends (hip hop)
22) When a Woman Loves - R. Kelly (R&B)
23) Sweat (Wet) - Snoop Dogg (hip hop/R&B)
24) Roman's Revenge - Nicki Minaj (hip hop)
25) Hold it Against Me - Britney Spears (dance/electro)
26) Teach Me How to Dougie - Cali Swag District (hip hop)
27) Fancy - Drake f/T.I. and Swizz Beats (hip hop)
28) Barbara Streisand - Duck Sauce (dance)
29) Party Rock - LMFAO (electro)
30) Coma Cat - Tensnake (electronic)
31) Bromance (Aviciii's Radio Edit) - Tim Berg (dance)
32) Hello - Martin Solveig f/Dragonette (dance)
33) Cowbell - DJ Shiftee (dubstep)
34) Make the Floor Shake - Afrojack w/Wiz Khalifa (MaxMethods Remix)
35) Take Me Back - Kings of Tomorrow f/April (Sandy Rivera's Original Mix)
36) Rolling in the Deep - Adele (Vocalist)
37) The Cave - Mumford & Sons (Alternative)
38) Yeah (3x) - Chris Brown (Dance)
39) Born This Way - Lady Gaga (dance)
40) Marry Me - Train (acoustic)
41) Beautiful People - Chris Brown f/Benny Benassi (Disco Fries Electro Remix) (Dance)
42) Loca - Shakira w/Dizzee Rascal
43) On the Floor - Jennifer Lopez (dance)
44) Down on Me - Jeremih w/50 Cent (hip hop)
45) You Be Killin' Em - Fabolous (hip hop)
46) Heat You Up (Melt You Down) - Shirley Lites (house)
47) Grand Central (Deep Into the Bowel of House) - DJ Sprinkles (house)
48) One - Swedish House Mafia (electro)
49) Ripple Effect - Evey Styles (ambient)
50) Cut the Lights (Acid & Skribble's Lights Out Edit) - Chris Reeder
51) Hey Muma - Cam'ron w/Vado (hip hop)
52) I Do - Colbie Caillat (pop)
53) Bow Chicka-Wow - Mike Posner (pop)

Classics in Rotation

1) Show Me Love - Robin S. (90s dance)
2) Make the World Go Round - Sandy B. (90s dance)
3) Sing Hallelujah - Dr. Alban (90s dance)
4) Around the World - Lisa Stansfield (90s)
5) Say It Ain't So - Weezer (alternative)
6) Where It's At - Beck (alternative)
7) True - Spandau Ballet (80s)
8) Oh Sheila - Ready for the World (80s)
9) I Wanna Be Your Lover - Prince (80s)

10) Take Your Time (Do it Right) - S.O.S. Band (80s)

11) Didn't Mean to Turn You On - Cherrelle (80s)

12) Flashlight - Parliament (funk)
13) Low Rider - War (funk)
14) Do I Do - Stevie Wonder (soul)
15) I Wanna Know - Joe (R&B)
16) Cry for You - September (dance)
17) Chameleon - Herbie Hancock (jazz)
18) Lambada - Kaoma (Brazilian/world)
19) Waiting on a Friend - Rolling Stones (rock)
20) Seven Nation Army - The White Stripes (rock)
21) Sara - Starship (80s)
22) London Calling - The Clash (Punk)
23) How Soon is Now - The Smiths (80s)
24) Karma Chameleon - Culture Club (80s)
25) Return of the Mack - Mark Morrison (90s)


To see DJ Jagged's Top 50 tracks of 2010, click here.  For booking information, please visit Ambient DJs' corporate website here.

Ambient DJ Photo Shoot - Behind the Scenes

Sunday, February 13th, Ambient DJs' staff of music mixologists gathered in Princeton for a company photo shoot. The shoot was conducted by Joseph K. Brown Photographers  (www.josephkbrownphotography.com) who shot group shots at several locations, as well as individual bio shots.  These profesional images will be available in a week or two, and will replace the current photos on the Ambient DJ website (www.ambientdj.com).    Princeton was selected (a) given that it is close to our home base of East Windsor, (b) it is one of our favorite towns to work in, and (c) Princeton's prestigious image matches the prestigious nature of Ambient DJs' service offerings!

The first shot location was in Palmer Square, on the steps near the red door of the Nassau Inn (have you checked out the Nassau Inn's new website?).  The action then moved across the street to the Princeton University campus.  As the day unfolded, the cold bite of the winter weather became more apparent.  To counteract this, various tomfoolery commenced, including some behind the scenes candid shots!

I would like to thank DJs Iron Mike, Spinz, Greg Nice, Brian, Gil, Larry and Anthony... as well as Jamie and Irene, for being such great sports. The ultimate goal of this photo shoot is to have a more professional, uniform look in our marketing materials.  Stay tuned.... in a couple of weeks, we will post the professional images shot by Joseph K. Brown.

A Personalized Valentine's Day Gift

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, why not suprise that special someone with a personalized gift?  Specifically, a CD of meaningful and romantic songs.  Then, create a custom cover with either Valentine's Day imagery, or perhaps a photo of you and your significant other. There are literally thousands of ballads across multiple genres to select from.  You should select songs that are meaningful to you and yours.

Here are 50 songs to consider for a Valentine's Day mix CD.  Please comment with your own selections!

My Funny Valentine - Chet Baker (jazz)
The Way You Look Tonight - Frank Sinatra (big band)
You Belong to Me - The Duprees (doo-wop)
Only You - The Platters (doo-wop)
They Long to Be (Close to You) - The Carpenters (soft rock)
Cupid - The Spinners (Motown)
My Cherie Amour - Stevie Wonder (Motown)
Always and Forever - Heatwave (R&B)
Don't Look Any Further - Dennis Edwards (reggae)
No Woman, No Cry - Bob Marley (reggae)
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Marcia Griffiths (reggae)
How Deep is Your Love - Bee Gees (disco)
Crazy for You - Madonna (80s)
True - Spandau Ballet (80s)
Take My Breath Away - Berlin (80s)
Saving All My Love for You - Whitney Houston (80s)
Shake You Down - Gregory Abbott (80s)
I Wanna Be Your Lover - Prince (80s)
Lost in Love - Air Supply (80s/soft rock)
Method of Modern Love - Hall & Oates (80s)
Heaven - Bryan Adams (80s)
The Lady in Red - Chris DeBurgh (80s)
Hopelessly Devoted to You - Olivia Newton-John (soundtrack)
I Only Have Eyes for You - Jamie Cullum (electronic re-make of the oldies classic)
That's the Way Love Goes - Janet Jackson (90s)
Truly, Madly Deeply - Savage Garden (90s)
Too Close - Next  (90s)
Lovers Rock - Sade (R&B)
You Make Me Feel Brand New - The Stylistics (R&B/Soul)
I Need Love - Robin Thicke (R&B)
Good Morning - John Legend (R&B)
You're Making Me High - Toni Braxton (R&B)
For the Love of You - The Isley Brothers (R&B/soul)
What You Won't Do For Love - Bobby Caldwell (R&B/soul)
Through the Fire - Chaka Khan (R&B/soul)
Whip Appeal - Babyface (R&B)
Lost Without You - Robin Thicke (R&B)
Let's Stay Together - Al Green (R&B/Soul)
Waiting for Your Love - Onda (house)
Love Can't Fail - Jamie Myerson (ambient)
Fade Into You - Mazzy Star (alternative)
Far, Far Way - Wilco (alternative)
You are the Best Thing - Ray LaMontagne (alternative)
Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton (rock)
(You Want to Make) A Memory - Bon Jovi (rock)
Wrapped Around Your Finger - The Police (rock)
All My Love - Led Zeppelin (rock)
Open Arms - Journey (power ballad)
I Could Not Ask for More - Edwin McCain (acoustic)
Collide - Howie Day (modern)

Ambient Content

I recently discovered the company "Ambient Content"(*) while browsing Twitter.  This company offers video content set to music, to be enjoyed from the comfort of your home.  For example, imagine a pair of Bengali Tigers relaxing in an upscale bedroom, set to soothing lounge music.  Or picture fresh video interpretations of masterpiece paintings, dinosaurs or dancers.

These videos can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home for relaxation, or to give your next cocktail party a unique touch!  For private parties, video/audio content such as the above can be projected on a plasma screen at cocktail hour, for an upscale and unique presentation (a professional DJ company such as Ambient DJ Service can provide the necessary equipment).

These ~ 1 hour videos can be purchased online at sites like i-Tunes.  For more information, visit www.ambientcontent.com.



What is Ambience?

Ambience is a mood created by sound, visuals or both.  Ambient DJ Service creates aural soundscapes as well as visual environments designed to engage a guest's senses.  To learn more, visit us on the web at www.ambientdj.com.

(*) Disclaimer:  Ambient Content is not affiliated with Ambient DJ Service. 

Valentine's Week Specials

Call us hopeless romantics, but Ambient DJ is an amorous mood and is offering the following specials, now through February 14th!

1) Valentine's Wedding Day Special - 

Receive a free upgrade from the AMBIENCE PACKAGE to the RADIANCE package.  The RADIANCE package includes an enhanced lighting package with a backlit South Beach style DJ facade, a wall wash (uplighting), and more lighting effects for open dancing.  This FREE upgrade is worth $200; OR, alternatively, clients may enjoy a FREE cocktail hour (valued at $150);

2) Valentine's Private Party Special -

Receive 15% off any DJ service.

To enjoy these specials, mention coupon code "CUPID."  Parties must be booked by February 14, 2011.  Specials may not be combined with each other or with any other offers.

To see Ambient DJs' affordable packages, click here.

Review from Lara and Lenny's Engagement Party

I was pleasantly surprised to receive an unsolicited review on Linked-in for a party that I performed at in October 2009!  Lara and Lenny threw an upscale engagement party on the waterfront in Toms River.  This party went for extended hours, and many guests danced and partied quite hard!

"Awesome! We can't say enough about the great time we had at our party thanks the the skills of Gregg @ Ambient DJ. He was so accommodating and on point! It was like we were at his side telling him everything we wanted to hear! He reads the crowd with perfection delivering a night to remember. Guests raved. We were more then pleased. The success of your party relies heavily upon the mood that is created. He delivers. Professional, reliable and personable. Trust your event to a wonderful person that comes highly recommended! Thanks again for helping make our engagement party a night we will never forget. The spot on delivery of "Wilde Rover" brought a team of rugby players together to sing passionately for the crowd-- at a perfect moment that only Gregg could predict. High rated for good reason. Hire him...If we didn't go away for our wedding he would have MOST DEF been our wedding day DJ as well! Thank you, Lara and Lenny May - February 2, 2011

Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. May, and thank you for taking the time to submit this awesome review!

Ryan's Quest & DMD Awareness

Ambient DJ Service is proud to be a donor to the "Ryan's Quest" fundraiser being held this February 12, 2011 at John Henry's Stone Terrace in Hamilton, NJ.  Ryan is a local boy who was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a rare disease that strikes 1 out of every 3,500 males, typically between the ages of 3 and 7.  Tragically, there is a 100% fatality rate for DMD and no known cure.  Scientific researchers are making great strides, but time is running out for Ryan and the other boys afflicted with Duchennes.  

The proceeds from the Valentine's Ball will be donated to researchers working on a cure and treatments for DMD.  Tickets for the dance itself are sold out, with over 400 attendees expected.  It is amazing to see the local support for this cause, even in the midst of tight economic times.  At this juncture, how can you help?

1) Businesses - can still purchase ads for the books being distributed to the guests at the Valentine's Ball.  A quarter page ad costs only $100 and will be viewed by the hundreds of guests in attendance.  The book is going to printing on Friday, so there is no time to delay!  Please visit www.ryansquest.org for more information.

2) Individuals - you can make a direct cash donation to Ryan's Quest.  Visit www.ryansquest.org for more information.

The video below describes what Ryan's Quest is all about.  Warning - it is very moving.

Please bookmark the ryansquest.org website and tell a friend!