A Band For All Occasions

A Band For All Occasions was formed in 1969 by Peter and Marie Rappolt to provide bands for International  venues. There is extensive description of the history of A Band For All Occasions in following paragraphs.

 In 1996  A Band For All Occasions developed a cabaret styled band to cater for functions and events. The band is called Viva the band.  The band has produced many  successful performances at major music festivals Internationally and locally. The band is very popular on the Sydney music scene delighting  their audiences with their performances of  Jazz, Swing, Salsa, Latin, French, Spanish, Gypsy Jazz, Zydeco and classic show tunes. Viva the band is a truly versatile party band, a specialty for mixed audiences. The band has performed at many corporate functions, events, 5 star hotels, function centres, private parties and music festivals.

Viva the band regularly perform as a quartet or as a sextet at festivals and events including: Jazz in the City of Sydney at QVB, music events at Sydney Olympic Park and Darling Harbour and festivals at The Gold Coast, Newcastle, Morpeth, Kiama, Illawarra, Manly and Thredbo        
 
A Band For All Occasions also feature the two founding musicians of Viva the band  as an accordion , flute, bass and guitar duo. The duo is an economical alternative to a formal string  trio or quartet, performing the same function but creating a romantic "French" ambiance.

Samples of Viva the band music can be obtained from cdbaby.com under the title Viva the band "By Request".

There are also clips on youtube under the titles French music, a video of Paris and Django Reinhardt and Music in Asia with Viva the band in Taiwan

A snapshot of the duo's repertoire include:

FRENCH: C'est Magnifique, J'attendrai, La Vien Rose, Under Paris Skies

SHOW TUNES : Puttin' on the Ritz, In the Mood , Stardust, Caravan

• LATIN: Brazil, Siboney, Tico Tico, Ipanema, Carnival,Sway, Besame Mucho
  
• JAZZ: Riverboat Shuffle, Night In Tunisea, Night and Day, Sweet Georgia Brown
  
• SPANISH: Auranjuez, Espani Cani (pasadoble) La Paloma, Viva Espani
  
• GYPSY JAZZ: Minor Swing, Russian Lullaby, Nuages, Petite Fleur, Dark eyes
  
• CLASSIC : Czardas, Flight of the Bumble Bee
  
• DANCE: Amapola, El Cumbanchero, La Cumparsita
  
• CABARET: Bi Mir Bist Du Schoen, I wanna Be Loved By you
  
• NICE AND EASY: It had to Be You, If I had You, Embraceable You,Godfather Waltz, Shenandoah  

The duo is extended to quartet for wedding receptions or functions with the addition of two vocalists who also add congas, percussion, guitar and bass to the band,  they also harmonize most of their songs. The quartet can be extended to sextet  for festivals, special parties or events with the addition of drums, jazz violin or trumpet.

The bands are structured for functions that require a traditional format of:

• Background or dinner music for starters performing, Jazz standards, Latin etc
• Light dance music (if required) before or during dinner performing, Jazz, Latin, tango's etc
• Cabaret performance (if required) performing, Jazz features, Latin, French, Spanish, show tunes etc
• Up - beat dance music