Élan Artists will make your ears sing!

In 1995, Joshua Friedman founded Élan Artists, a talented group of musicians with a wide range of skills. We are super excited that they will be playing at our upcoming Vendor Social at Marvin on April 6th.

We caught up with Gretchen Clements, who manages the D.C. branch of Élan Artists, to get a little bit more information about this rad group of musicians. Read more about Élan Artists below and check them out in person at our Vendor Social!

Want to be a Participating Vendor? Click here!

What services do you offer?

Dance Bands, Boutique Jazz Bands, DJs, Performance Acts, Classical Ensembles & other Musicians, Dancers, Cinematographers and Photojournalists

What’s your favorite part of working with Élan Artists?

The relationships that I’ve developed over the years with event planners and other vendors in the industry—it’s about taking care of people from beginning to end.

Do you have a favorite memory?

Our band, The Source, performed at the Candlelight Celebration for Obama’s second Inauguration. The Source was set up to the left of the speaking area, and Stevie Wonder to the right. I remember standing in the huge crowd taking video of the president and first lady speaking. After a while I got tired of holding the phone over my head, and JUST at the moment I put the phone down, President Obama thanked The Source. All of our jaws dropped. It was later on CNN and there are video clips around, but I couldn’t believe he said it, and that I had put my phone down at just that moment!

What do you love most about your job?

We’re happiest at any event where the clients and their guests have an appreciation for the quality of musicianship our acts have to offer.

What makes Élan Artists so special?

We customize the entertainment to reflect the client’s vision for the event from start to finish. Once a client has booked a dance band or DJ with us, they work directly with the bandleader to discuss music, special songs for the band to learn, and the flow of the event.