A sixth birthday, a sunny January morning in the Adelaide Botanic Garden, and a trio playing acoustic New Orleans jazz under the trees. This garden party is a good example of how a small roving ensemble can lift a private family celebration for guests of every age.

The brief

The family wanted live music for a birthday party in the Botanic Garden, and they wanted the adults to be entertained as well as the kids, which suited us perfectly. The party ran through the late morning, with craft activities for the children and plenty of food and drink.

Playing in the Botanic Garden meant a few things to sort out in advance. We checked with the Garden before the day, confirmed the family had booked their spot, and kept the sound fully acoustic so it suited the setting and did not carry across the lawns.

What we did

Lineup: acoustic trio of trumpet, banjo and sousaphone
Format: two 45 minute sets among the guests
Power and PA: none needed
Look: matching summer shirts, and garlands in our hair made by the children at the party craft table

The children at the party had made flower garlands as one of the craft activities, and the whole band ended up wearing them. It is a small detail, but it is the sort of thing that makes a party feel like one shared occasion rather than a gig in the corner.

Watch the band in the garden

In the clip, one of the grandparents dances along to our version of Blue Skies. A guest filmed a few clips on the day, and this one captures the mood well.

Why a garden party suits a roving trio

Acoustic and portable. Trumpet, banjo and sousaphone carry without amplification, so we can play on a lawn with no power.
All ages. Familiar standards for the adults, and bouncy, playful tunes the children can clap and dance to.
Flexible. We can play from a fixed spot or wander through the guests, depending on the space and the mood.
Light on the setting. The sound stays inside the party, which matters in a public garden with other visitors nearby.

How the booking came about

One of the parents found us through our website and got in touch to ask about the party. After a few emails about the date, the lineup and the Garden’s rules, the trio was locked in. If you are planning something similar, the same approach works at other public gardens and parks: ask the venue early, confirm what bookings they require, and keep it acoustic.

At a glance

Event: children’s birthday garden party
Venue: Adelaide Botanic Garden
Date: Sunday 14 January 2024
Lineup: trio (trumpet, banjo, sousaphone)
Performance: 2 x 45 minute acoustic sets
Guests: all ages

Planning a garden party, birthday or family celebration in Adelaide? See our garden party and birthday party options, our trio and duo hire and roving jazz band pages, read more notable performances, or get in touch for a quote.