Wedding singers: Couple forms new DJ/Band Hybrid business

Jimmy Salvemini and his wife, Ana, have performed at over 1,000 weddings and all over the world, married after years of performing together and now live in his East Patchogue family home. After years of deliberation and with some much-needed pandemic “downtime,” they finally birthed, so to speak, their new business: AMP DJ/Band Hybrid, this fall.

Having been in the wedding industry for over 20 years, Jimmy said it was time to revamp it. Most couples, he said, have a hard time deciding whether to hire a DJ or a band; thus, the idea was born to merge the two for an all-inclusive package.

“When you’re getting married it’s hard to choose, DJ or band. This is totally different—the ‘marriage’ of those two things together,” Jimmy said.

“We just want to give them the best. It’s like cookies and ice cream. Why do you have to choose?” Ana added jokingly.

Their business model comes with packages, though options are customizable, including their signature package which includes four members, three lead singers, rotating DJs and a live drummer who also sings.

“We are completely customizable to the clients’ needs,” she added, noting that they can add pieces or take some out. “We are the complete entertainment.”

The Salveminis also offer lighting and photobooths, as well as the unique option to have a personalized, written and produced wedding song. A quick questionnaire and they can create a completely custom and unique personal love song as a keepsake.

Jimmy is a career musician who was found some years ago by Luther Vandross after being featured on “Star Search,” and has even performed for singer, songwriter and producer George LaMond, freestyle and salsa singer. Vandross has also been known as an in-demand background singer for Chaka Khan, Bette Midler, Diana Ross, David Bowie and more. He wrote and produced Jimmy’s first album in 1986, titled “Roll it.” Jimmy grew up in East Patchogue and graduated from Bellport High School in 1988. He currently sings at weddings on the weekends and at nursing homes from Brooklyn to West Hampton during the week.

“It’s really cool to be a part of the beginning of something in people’s lives, then at a different stage of people’s lives when music can be so healing,” Jimmy said of his current career.

Ana, also a career musician, has performed at weddings and traveled the world as the background singer for the famed Gloria Gaynor. Her last gig was on tour with Gaynor in Cuba this last February. She grew up in Glen Cove and after a brief period in Pennsylvania, returned to Long Island in St. James.

Joining them is soulful singer, recording artist, and producer Tony Pruden. Early in his music career, Pruden was signed to Next Plateau Records. More recently, Pruden and Jimmy co-wrote the song “Weak” for intern LaMond, which is available on all platforms. Also joining them as drummer and background vocalist is Jamie Betty, who has been a part of the music industry for over 20 years.

Jimmy and Ana met about 15 years ago at a karaoke night. They went on to perform in a number of different wedding bands together and were married about four years ago. They live in East Patchogue with their three rescue dogs.
“We went to rescue one and came out with three,” Ana laughed. “It’s ironic that we chose a pandemic to open this business, but we were at a point in our lives where we took a look and [reflected] on what we wanted our lives to look like at the end of this tunnel,” she added, noting the limited work they have had since the pandemic.

Though currently restricted due to the pandemic with limited gatherings, AMP DJ/Band Hybrid is taking on clients for the 2021-‘22 wedding season. For more information or to book a party, visit their website www.ampdjbandhybrid.com or take a look at their social media.

“We are so excited for this new business; it’s really about making other people’s dreams come to fruition,” Jimmy added, explaining that they came up with many ideas during their own wedding planning. “It feels good to be a part of other people’s journey together.”