Byron Alley - DJ Resume

Bio

Byron DJ picture from Petit Medley

Swing, Jazz, Blues, and Motown — Byron just plays what he's been hearing all his life. Byron's father played Jazz and Blues in clubs in Vancouver, and his grandmother, a big motown fan, was also one of the early members of Vancouver's Hot Jazz Club. When Byron was a baby, his mama could only get him to sleep singing blues numbers such as "Summertime," and in a family where modern versus traditional Jazz was an issue of open debate, Byron was exposed early on to jazz standards and blues masters. He also dabbles in playing blues guitar, but in a family with more guitars than people, where out of 15 close family members, 12 play instruments or sing, this isn't such a big deal.

As the permanent DJ at the Petit Medley's popular swing nights since 2003, Byron helped develop the soiree from a modest 1am average closing time to the point where dancers have to be urged out at 3am. Byron has also been a regular DJ at Studio 88 Swing and the Jello Bar, and he has been seen at various events in Montreal and other cities in Canada and the US.

Musical Styles

Byron spins for the people, inspired by music that has soul. He's 2 parts entertainer, 1 part artist and 1 part communicator, believing that while a DJ's first responsibility is to make the people dance, it's important to have a personal voice.

A Few Favourite Artists

Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Artie Shaw, Dicky Wells, Alex Pangman, Mora's Modern Rhythmists, Victrola, 51st Eight, Robert Johnson, John Lee Hooker, BB King, Jimmy Smith, Ruth Brown, Eva Cassidy, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, James Brown

Experience

Events

Corporate Events

With a love of many styles of music, Byron has DJed for a number of corporate clients through the SAF Entertainment Group (which he co-founded). He combines elements of Jazz, Swing, and Rock 'n Roll with other styles of dance music (Motown, RnB, Hip Hop, Salsa and more) for most clients, but he has also mixed soft jazz and other listening music for quieter parts of the evening.

Other Random Tidbits

Byron still thinks this whole third person thing is pretty ridiculous.