Background or featured: what is the difference?

Background means the vocalist supports the room while people eat and talk. Featured means the room stops and watches. Many events use both at different points in the night.

What styles of singer can you book?

Jazz and swing vocalists, pop and soul singers, singer-songwriters, classical and crossover voices, and vocal groups. Name a singer you like and we have a starting point.

Does the singer bring their own accompaniment?

It depends on the singer and the setting. Some perform with a pianist or guitarist and some with a full live band. We confirm the setup when we send options.

Can a vocalist sing a particular song for us?

Usually, with notice. Send the song with your enquiry so the singer can confirm it suits their voice and prepare it.

Can a singer perform at the ceremony as well as the reception?

Yes. A singer-songwriter with a guitar or a piano suits a ceremony, and a classical or crossover voice can sing one piece that stops the room. Tell us which parts of the wedding day need a voice.

Can we see who we would be booking?

Yes. We don't publish names on this site. Once we know your date, your room and the kind of night you want, we send you options to look at and listen to before you decide anything.

Singers and vocalists for events in Calgary

Shaw Entertainment books singers and vocalists for events in Calgary and across Canada, as background through a reception or dinner or as the featured performance of the night. We match the voice and the style to your occasion.

Add a memorable live vocal performance to your event.

Whether you're looking for background entertainment or a featured performance, we can help connect you with the right vocalist for your occasion.

Plan the night (403) 861-5958

A vocalist in a patterned shawl looking off to one side

Voices for every room

A singer in a brimmed hat at the microphone, playing an acoustic guitar

Jazz and swing vocalists: Standards and the songbook, with a pianist, a trio or a full band behind them.
Pop and soul singers: Current songs and the classics a whole room can sing, as background or as a set.
Singer-songwriters: A voice and a guitar or a piano. Suits a ceremony, a lounge or a quieter dinner.
Classical and crossover: A trained voice for a ceremony, an anthem or one piece that stops the room.
Vocal groups: Duos, harmony groups and carolers for a holiday party, when more than one voice is the point.
A featured performance: A set with the full attention of the room, placed in the programme where it will land.

A vocalist in a white top smiling on stage, with a string player behind her

Barry Shaw in a velvet tuxedo, holding a microphone

Looking for Barry Shaw?

Barry Shaw is the founder of Shaw Entertainment and a jazz, swing and pop vocalist. To book him for your event, visit his own site.

Visit barryshawlive.com

Occasions it suits

What to tell us

Four things let us match the act to the event. If you don't know one of them yet, say so and we will work with what you have. Booking more than one act? See how we plan the entertainment around your agenda.

The room: Whether there is a stage, a piano or a house sound system to sing through.
Guest count: A dinner for forty and a gala for four hundred call for different setups.
The mood: Jazz standards, pop, soul, something in between. Name a singer you like and we have a starting point.
The programme: Background sets, a featured spot, or both, and which part of the event each belongs to.

What affects the cost of booking a singer?

Whether the vocalist performs alone or with a pianist, a trio or a full band, how long they sing, the date and the season, any travel, and the sound the room needs. Tell us the occasion and we will come back with a quote.

Questions people ask

Background or featured: what is the difference?: Background means the vocalist supports the room while people eat and talk. Featured means the room stops and watches. Many events use both at different points in the night.
What styles of singer can you book?: Jazz and swing vocalists, pop and soul singers, singer-songwriters, classical and crossover voices, and vocal groups. Name a singer you like and we have a starting point.
Does the singer bring their own accompaniment?: It depends on the singer and the setting. Some perform with a pianist or guitarist and some with a full live band. We confirm the setup when we send options.
Can a vocalist sing a particular song for us?: Usually, with notice. Send the song with your enquiry so the singer can confirm it suits their voice and prepare it.
Can a singer perform at the ceremony as well as the reception?: Yes. A singer-songwriter with a guitar or a piano suits a ceremony, and a classical or crossover voice can sing one piece that stops the room. Tell us which parts of the wedding day need a voice.
Can we see who we would be booking?: Yes. We don't publish names on this site. Once we know your date, your room and the kind of night you want, we send you options to look at and listen to before you decide anything.

Tell us about your night

Choose the occasion and what you are looking for. It takes a few minutes and gives us a proper brief to work from.

Plan the night (403) 861-5958