Ken Arlen Evolution Orchestra Corporate | Arlen Music Productions

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Winner of the BizBash Entertainment Act of the Year, voted 2014-2021 Best Band by Better Magazine, and acknowledged by Chicago Magazine as the “Top Choice” for a dance band in the city, the Ken Arlen Evolution Orchestra has ignited thousands of special events with its unique style, stage presence and contemporary music selection. The Ken Arlen Evolution Orchestra delivers an incredible energy geared for today’s brides and grooms! Imagine a band with 6 incredible vocalists, our Sirens rock violins, sizzling horns, and the tightest rhythm section in the country. Using the latest technology, this band is able to perform from any part of the room and make it sound like a live concert of the original artist.

Ken Arlen

As a sought-after orchestra leader and saxophonist, Ken Arlen has been a featured entertainer for numerous celebrities and dignitaries, from the President of the United States to Hollywood stars. Ken is also the founder of Arlen Music Productions, a Chicago-based entertainment company that specializes in providing live customized music for special events. He has led the transformation of music’s impact on this industry in Chicago and, over the last decade, has brought this force to the national event scene through his performances with the Ken Arlen Evolution Orchestra.

Eric Woody

Eric Woody is proud to bring his keyboard artistry and passion for performance to Evolution, creating unforgettable moments through music. A graduate from Columbia College Chicago with a piano performance degree and an emphasis on jazz. He has played professionally with many bands and orchestras and can also be seen taking the microphone for lead vocals and harmonies. Eric can play all styles and genres, but prefers music that fills a dance floor and helps people enjoy life’s greatest moments.

Meghan Parker

Violin

Caitlin Simone

Vocalist

Jerome Matthews

Vocalist

Christa Jasmine

Vocalist

Ben Scott

Vocalist

Neil Artwick

Keyboard

Mark Beringer

Bass

Frank Alongi

Drums

Neil Carson

Musical Director/Sax

Connor Bernhard

Trumpet

Andrew Zelm

Trombone

Rick Purro

Percussion

Rebecca Richey

Violin Chair

Signature Events

Commander-In-Chief’s Presidential Inaugural Ball

Bellagio Hotel International New Year’s Eve Gala – Las Vegas (including a performance with Bruno Mars!)

Governor of Iowa Inaugural Ball

BRAVO Des Moines Gala

Catholic Charities – Spirit of St. Nicholas

Chicago Lights Gala – Fourth Presbyterian Church

Democratic National Committee Fundraiser (attended by then-President Bill Clinton)

The Children’s Ball (Medical Research Institute Council of Children’s Hospital of Chicago)

Rita Hayworth Gala – Alzheimer’s Association

UNICEF Chicago Gala

Lincoln Park Zoo Ball

Kentucky Derby Museum Ball

8-Peat for Best Band!

8 Tips From a Top Bandleader: PartySlate Interviews Ken Arlen

Evolution Orchestra featured in Modern Luxury Wedding

Ken Arlen Performs at the Commander-in-Chief Ball

Authority Magazine Interviews Ken Arlen

Ken Arlen Featured in Modern Luxury's Power Players

Charitable Groups Invest in Arlen Music to Raise the Bar and Reap Rewards

PartySlate: Five Couples Get Surprise from Ken Arlen Evolution Orchestra

8-Peat for Best Band!

8 Tips From a Top Bandleader: PartySlate Interviews Ken Arlen

Evolution Orchestra featured in Modern Luxury Wedding

Ken Arlen Performs at the Commander-in-Chief Ball

Authority Magazine Interviews Ken Arlen

Ken Arlen Featured in Modern Luxury's Power Players

PartySlate: Five Couples Get Surprise from Ken Arlen Evolution Orchestra

Charitable Groups Invest in Arlen Music to Raise the Bar and Reap Rewards

evolutionorchestra

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Lloyd Snyder - Bandleader/Guitar • Ken Arlen - Producer/Sax

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Brookfield Zoo Whirl Gala (Chicago Hilton)

Thank you so much for helping to make Twirl Around the Whirl such a memorable evening! Your performance was absolutely fantastic, and the energy you brought to the room truly elevated the night. We received wonderful feedback from our guests that it was the best Whirl they’ve been to, and we were thrilled to have you as part of the celebration.

On behalf of our team, thank you for your professionalism, talent, and flexibility throughout the event. It was a pleasure working with you and your team.

Kerri Anne Doherty, Director, Development Boards & Events, Brookfield Zoo

Catholic Charities St. Nicholas Ball Gala (Hilton Chicago)

Ken - Thank you — again and again . . . for another amazing celebration.
The Ball was filled with joy, and your music set the perfect tone and provided a spirit-filled backdrop for it all. From the first note to the last, you and your musicians created an atmosphere that lifted hearts and inspired generosity.

Sally Blount, CEO, Executive Operations, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago

Keating & Associates 50th Anniversary Gala (Manhattan, KS)

What an amazing event! I have heard nothing but greatness from everyone that attended. Thank you so much for coming out to Manhattan and helping us celebrate our 50th Anniversary. I know it was so appreciated by Pat & Rita and everyone in attendance.

Quinn Jacobs, Chief Operating Officer

Almost Home Kids Gala (Palmer House Hilton)

To the incomparable Ken Arlen, you did it again! So much positive impact on the vibe of the evening (Katreina on stage was worth the ticket price). Everyone had a blast, and you are the best MC, Ken.

What a magnificent team! Thank you again for all you did to support Almost Home Kids. It was a spectacular evening!

Terri Danko, Almost Home Kids

McGill and Partners

I just wanted to thank you again for another great event! As usual, Neil and the band were absolutely fantastic– we received rave reviews from our colleagues and clients, and the music really made the evening. As always, so appreciate your help – and hope to have an opportunity to collaborate on future events soon!

Lexi Gallucci, McGill and Partners

Bob and Dawn Davis Photography

For the past 20 years, we've had the privilege of working alongside Arlen Music, and it's been nothing short of extraordinary. Their talent and professionalism are unmatched. Time and time again, they bring the energy and fill the dance floor, making every wedding and event unforgettable. Their ability to keep guests dancing all night long is truly remarkable. We are so grateful for the partnership and look forward to many more incredible celebrations together!

Bob and Dawn Davis

ETHS Foundation, Evanston Township High School

You are the best of the best as is your team at Arlen Music Productions.

Lloyd and company were perfect. They are consummate professionals and added so much to the event. It is truly a JOY to work with them and I absolutely look forward to it. Thank you again, it was truly a wonderful night and Arlen added so much.

Sarah Schmidt, Associate Executive Director, ETHS Foundation

Sunset Ridge Country Club, 100th Anniversary Celebration

Ken - Belated thanks for introducing us to Kendall and Indigo! Our 100th anniversary party at Sunset Ridge on December 16 was a tremendous success, and the dance floor was ROCKIN’ - packed until what seemed like 30+ minutes after the party was scheduled to end! Kendall’s musicians brought it - one great song after another. Indigo had the same personality and delivery I’ve come to know from your organization.

Our goal was to represent the decades - and that they did. Kendall, you were great to work with leading up to the event as well as the night of! I can’t thank your group enough.

Steve Sullivan, Event Chair

Catholic Charities St. Nicholas Ball (Hilton Chicago)

Ken – What an amazing night it was! My heart is still bursting with gratitude for the outpouring of support for Catholic Charities and our mission. A truly record-smashing year with fundraising at $3.04 million gross! As you know, the impact of the Ball will be felt not only for this one night, but throughout the year in the thousands of lives touched by our work, only possible because of everyone’s generosity.

Please thank your entire team for us – as you always do, you brought voices filled with joy, inspiring rhythm, and the true beauty of artists in action to the Ball. I am grateful to have you as an amazing partner in this work. Thank you for sharing your gifts, energy, and expertise to this event. Wishing you a holiday season full of blessings and joy!

Dr. Sally Blount, President and Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago

PartySlate Chicago Industry Event "Stars Aligned" (Theater on the Lake)

We hired Arlen Music to be our entertainment partner for our high profile annual PartySlate Chicago industry party. This talented group of entertainers exceeded every expectation from the cocktail reception to the full-on dance party at the end of the night. I especially loved the Luna Strings world premiere performance that set the tone for this elevated evening. Ken Arlen’s Evolution Orchestra with big horns, incredible vocalists and his exciting new rapper, amped up the room and led everyone to a packed dance floor. It was a night to remember. Thank you Ken! We loved working with everyone on your team - true professionals and so fun too!”

Julie Novack, PartySlate, CEO & Co-Founder

Rita Hayworth Gala (Alzheimer's Association)

Ken, thanks so much for another fantastic Rita Hayworth Gala performance. I don’t think we could have fit one more person on the dance floor – it was packed until the very last dance! Everyone had a great time and your music was wonderful in every way. Thank you for everything you did to pull out all the stops. As always, we really enjoyed working with you.

With heartfelt applause,

Anne Marie Arzt, President, EventScape, Inc.

Bravo Greater Des Moines Gala

Dear Ken,

I just wanted to take the opportunity to say thank you for making the Bravo Gala yet another night to remember for us here in Des Moines. Best part for me in my role as Board President was the opportunity to get to know you better through the event. Rest assured that those of us involved with the Gala know that you and your team are a big reason why people keep coming back on a sold out basis year after year.

Sean Vicente, KPMG

Bravo Greater Des Moines Gala

Dear Ken,

I am more convinced than ever that the Bravo Gala is successful only because of Ken Arlen and the Evolution Orchestra. Your team was brilliant!

Suka Radia

Rita Hayworth Gala (Hilton Chicago)

Ken--many thanks for doing an amazing job on Saturday night! The dance floor was packed and our guests loved the music!

You were wonderful to partner with and I appreciate all that you did.

Many thanks,

Ann Marie Arzt, President, EventScape, Inc.

Bear Necessities Gala

Evolution was amazing at our Bear Tie Ball! The band was so flexible and easy going and happy to jump in if I needed impromptu announcements. The crowd loved the band and was dancing down to the last second.

Everyone had such a great time thanks to them!

Hilary Fash, Director of Special Events

Song List

Meghan Parker

Caitlin Simone

Jerome Matthews

Christa Jasmine

Ben Scott

Neil Artwick

Mark Beringer

Frank Alongi

Neil Carson

Connor Bernhard

Andrew Zelm

Rick Purro

Rebecca Richey

Signature Events

evolutionorchestra

Testimonials

Brookfield Zoo Whirl Gala (Chicago Hilton)

Catholic Charities St. Nicholas Ball Gala (Hilton Chicago)

Keating & Associates 50th Anniversary Gala (Manhattan, KS)

Almost Home Kids Gala (Palmer House Hilton)

McGill and Partners

Bob and Dawn Davis Photography

ETHS Foundation, Evanston Township High School

Sunset Ridge Country Club, 100th Anniversary Celebration

Catholic Charities St. Nicholas Ball (Hilton Chicago)

PartySlate Chicago Industry Event "Stars Aligned" (Theater on the Lake)

Rita Hayworth Gala (Alzheimer's Association)

Bravo Greater Des Moines Gala

Bravo Greater Des Moines Gala

Rita Hayworth Gala (Hilton Chicago)

Bear Necessities Gala

What type of event are you planning?

Wedding

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