New here...help with sound, please?

Hi all,

I'm totally new here and so glad I found this forum. You all seem nice and helpful, and since you're singers, I thought I'd start here before "live sound," but if I really need to ask this there, I understand:).

I am getting back into singing and performing after some time and have found myself the lead singer of a newly formed jazz band (we do jazz, pop, bossa nova). I need to purchase a pa (my first!) The band is 2 guitars, drums, and me. I am singing on a beta58 right now, and my voice is nice and clear, but not that powerful. Most of our gigs will be small up to 100 people?--restaurants, private parties, some art shows, outdoor festivals, etc. We are going for a quiet sound as most of the time we will be in the background. I need sound just for my vocals and sometimes one backup vocalist. The bandleader thinks I only need one powered speaker. Can anyone recommend a good setup that I can get started with and that won't break the bank? Much appreciated, and hope to be hanging out here a bit.

thanks,

thismamasings

Fender Passport, Yamaha EMX512SC with a powered mixer and a couple of speakers on stands will do you fine.

If you can swing $1,000, or so, the Fishman SoloAmp. It's a line array PA system like the Bose L1 but less expensive:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SA220/

I use one of these babies for solo gigs, and it's both great sounding and very easy to transport and set up. Your back will thank you!

And it includes a decent set of reverbs.

Thanks for the suggestions. I ended up getting a Mackie srm350. And I'll get a little mixer too. One of the guitar players in the band really likes Mackie, and at least that was one I was able to try out. I'll definitely look at adding more later when I have more $$. Thanks again!