Hiring Musicians FAQ

Why book your musicians through MAH?

The professionals of the Musicians’ Association of Hawai’i (MAH) are trusted by Hawaii’s top venues and event planners to deliver the perfect selection of world-class ensembles, bands and solo performers for events large and small.

From established solo artists to combos and ensembles, these artists’ diverse repertoires can accommodate any style and create the ideal performance for any occasion. Whether you are looking for a jazz trio, a single pianist, authentic Hawaiian artists, a hot swing band or a 25-piece orchestra—we specialize in making it happen. You deserve the best musicians that Hawai’i has to offer!

By booking your entertainment through MAH, you are dealing directly with the artists and saving agent commissions and fees, which can be substantial. We will prepare all of the contracts and filings. We even have an in-house payroll company that can handle all the paperwork, provide liability insurance, and essentially acts as the employer of record.

At this time, the State of Hawai’i does not require event planners and talent agencies to be licensed or demonstrate professional competence. By going directly to the performers themselves, you are ensuring that you are dealing with professionals who understand music and, just as importantly, greatly minimizing the chances of dealing with an agent who is possibly exploiting local artists.

What is the process of booking a musician, ensemble or band through MAH?

 We want to make the process of booking live music as easy as possible—while also making sure all of your questions are answered and that the musicians you book are the perfect fit for your occasion.

First and foremost, we listen to you. We want to know about your event, and to understand exactly how you imagine the role that the music will play. If you are very clear on what you’re looking for, we can move right to the selection process. We can also offer suggestions as to how certain options might make a great event even better. We will discuss the type of occasion, how many people will be attending, the location, and the style of music you seek. Then we can talk about price range, and how we can help you get the best quality musicianship within your budget.

Or you may just see a musical group or act on our website videos—and decide that that’s the just the right musical act for your event!

How much does it cost to book a musician through MAH?

Prices for musicians and bands can vary greatly. They depend on many factors including what the market can bear, how busy the band is on that date, how many musicians are in the band, etc. However we are competitively priced, especially when you consider the artistic caliber and reliability of these world-class players. Our referrals are free to you which saves you typical entertainment agent markups.

What if we go overtime? Can bands play past midnight?

Most bands are contracted to play a certain number of hours. If you would like them to play longer, an overtime rate will be negotiated ahead of time, so that everyone knows what will be expected in case of overtime play. On certain days and on certain events, playing past a certain number of hours may call for a higher hourly rate to be paid to the musicians.