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CelloJoe
- Oakland, CA
- Cellist
- Travels nationwide
- $200 and up
Overview
CelloJoe - Cello & Beatboxing - Classical Hip-Hop.
International bicycle touring vagabond troubadour cellist beatboxer.
CelloJoe provides unique entertainment for all types of occasions from weddings to graduation parties, kid's parties of all kinds, cello-grams, art galleries, special events, corporate gigs, looping demonstrations, conferences of all types, cafes, bars, clubs, festivals, and more!
CelloJoe can also perform on a bicycle pedal powered sound system as a science demonstration or in locations where power is not readily available.
67 Reviews
Cello Joe proved to be the perfect DJ/MC for our wedding, and we enthusiastically recommend him. From the beginning, he was responsive and took charge of the planning process to ensure our day unfolded exactly as we envisioned. His creative ideas helped maintain a smooth and engaging atmosphere throughout the evening. Not only did he adeptly adjust the energy levels to suit the mood, but his skills as a cellist and his unique personality added an extra layer of charm. He even accommodated outfit changes between sets as requested! From entertaining the youngest guests to delighting the older relatives, he effortlessly catered to all ages. Our 18-month-old niece and 3-year-old nephew even held hands and danced to his music together! Despite initial doubts from our families about bringing in an artist that we discovered the weekend that we met at a music festival, they are now singing his praises. Cello Joe exceeded all expectations, from his classical cello performance during guest entrance to his cello covers during cocktail hour, and finally, his DJ/MC duties and original music at the after-party. If we could change one thing, it would be to have extended his captivating original set longer into the after-party—it was simply outstanding. Here's to Cello Joe for making our wedding unforgettable and gaining new fans along the way. No one else could have done it like him—truly perfect!
Cellist, DJ, One Man Band, Singer/Songwriter, Variety Entertainer, Wedding DJ
Response from CelloJoe:
Thank you so much for your wonderful review Marisa!
I am thrilled to hear that I was able to make your special day both memorable and magical. You guys did a fantastic job planning everything. It was an absolute pleasure to tailor the music and atmosphere to suit your wedding's unique vibe.
Knowing that both the young and the older guests enjoyed the celebration makes me incredibly happy. Your niece and nephew dancing together were so cute!
I appreciate your kind words about extending the original music set. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of your wedding and am overjoyed to have gained new fans in your family. Thank you for choosing me to be your DJ/MC and cellist and I hope we see each other at future music festivals!
We got married on 10/08/2023 and booked Joey for both live entertainment and DJ. We selected him because he's a beatboxing cellist/DJ which we thought was totally awesome, and he did not disappoint. He was incredible and so much fun to work with!
Our vision was pretty quirky; our venue was a funky brewery in an old airplane hangar, our attire was Art Deco-style, we didn't want any tradition "wedding" music, and had a tasteful ode to Batman incorporated into our theme. Joey took our vision and ran with it. He had so many creative ideas and input throughout the whole planning process.
Beginning with the ceremony, he played cello versions of non-traditional 80s, pop, and rock songs, which were beautifully interpreted and set the perfect mood for the perfect moment.
During "Beer Hour", he shifted to playing the cello while beatboxing and singing to more non-traditional songs. I have to say we were not expecting him to sing, but were pleasantly surprised by his beautiful voice! We and our guests were thoroughly impressed by his talent and charisma.
When we transitioned to the reception, Joey switched gears to DJ/MC mode. He and his wife who was assisting him were seriously the life of the party. We requested that our grand entrance song be the Batman Forever theme song, and he came up with a minute-long "movie trailer" intro for us. It was epic and hilarious, and the perfect way to set the tone for the entire evening. Throughout the night, he played both songs we requested as well as other songs that fit our vibe perfectly. We were on the dance floor all night (other than when my husband left when the Niners game started haha). He and his wife were also rocking out with us at the DJ booth.
It's easy to see that Joey loves what he does. His passion for music and creativity shines, and we can't thank him enough for making our wedding day "the most fun wedding we've ever been to" according to every single one of our guests. It was the most amazing wedding ever and the best day of our lives. Thank you Joey!!!
Cellist, DJ, Singer/Songwriter, Wedding DJ
Response from CelloJoe:
Thank you so much for your in-depth review Madison! It was truly an honor to play and DJ at your wedding. What a joyous occasion! Thanks for the great memories and thanks for the awesome beer at Almanac Brewing Company!
We booked Cello Joe for a high school event and had a fantastic experience, I would say for two reasons.
First, Joey is a professional. Inquiries to him were responded to promptly; his paperwork was thorough; he was flexible and accommodating even given the threat of rain; he arrived at the venue when promised; he coordinated with our staff to understand the audio set-up we were able to offer; he made an effort to understand his audience in advance of the performance and he quickly unpacked and set up his equipment.
But more importantly, it's clear that Joey is a real artist. He prepared a playlist which was different and yet perfectly suited to our audience. He timed the feel of the event perfectly such that he transitioned from playlist to live music just when the energy seemed right. He appealed to both adults with a real taste for independent music as well as high school kids with less sophisticated tastes.
In short, run don't walk to book Cello Joe for your event!
Cellist
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks for the review Hilary!
I had a great time and it was fun to perform for the high school students, faculty, and parents.
Our library has hired Cello Joe for children's performances and for general party music. The most commonly used adjective is 'awesome!' He can entertain youth or provide an eclectic and appealing background for adults. And he is visually interesting, with a complex setup of instruments and tools.
Cellist, Children’s Music, Corporate Entertainment, One Man Band
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks for your review Kate!
It's been an honor and a joy to perform for children at the library and I had a great time and learned a lot at the 75th anniversary party that I played at!
-Joey
Joe was exactly what we wanted for our wedding. He was easy to work with, great communication, punctual, well dressed, and most importantly sounded great! We had a custom request of "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran and he took the time to learn it for us and turned out exactly as we hoped. HIGHLY recommend CelloJoe!
Cellist
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks for your review James!
It was lovely to perform at your wedding. Glad everything turned out "perfect" for you! 😉
-Joey
Cello Joe made a suprise birthday celebration unforgettable! He collaborated with me regarding lyrics and song tune. After he put everything together it became a wonderful memory never to be forgotten. My partner cried after watching the personalized video because of how amazed they were. Thank you cello Joe for such an impactful performance that poignantly strung together beautiful memories of a relationship.
Cellist, Singer/Songwriter
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks so much for your kind review Cat. It was truly an honor and quite a bit of fun to make that video for you!
What an extraordinary artist ! Our audiences loved every minute of this set. Thank you for sharing your talents with our community!
Cellist
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks so much for having me at the Paradise Theater! I had a great time playing for everyone. What a memorable show!
Talented, original and professional all describe why I hired Joey to entertain at our annual conference dinner.
His professional approach and follow through was very appreciated and his equipment was top notch. Then his unique entertainment was just what I wanted to create the memory stamp of this event. Everyone was unaware of their "bopping" while enjoying dinner. At one point, a group hijacked the microphone and began free styling giving the night a hilarious ending.
Cellist, Corporate Entertainment, One Man Band
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks for booking me for your event Kevin! It was unexpected and quite a fun surprise to have one table ask for a mic and start rapping and freestyling along with my performance at the end of the night. The decor was beautiful and the location on the top floor of the Hyatt in Sacramento was gorgeous. You sure know how to throw a party!
Cello Joe's performance at our wedding was outstanding. All of our guests were very impressed with his unique beat boxing cello performance. And he was a great emcee. He scheduled appointments with us prior to the event to make sure every detail was ironed out so that our big day went super smooth. Highly recommend!
Acoustic Band, DJ, Mobile DJ, One Man Band, Wedding DJ
Response from CelloJoe:
Hi Brianne-
Thanks so much for your kind review!
I had a wonderful time at your wedding reception. The love was palpable and your crew threw down on the dancefloor! Very fun wedding and I wish you and your (now) husband the best!
Joey was one of the best decisions we made for our wedding! Our ceremony was out in a meadow and the guests absolutely loved his cello playing before the ceremony. It set such a beautiful scene for the location we chose. During our cocktail hour he played more cello but also included some beat boxing and looping, which my guests raved about and thought was so unique. Sadly, as the bride I missed both of these, but when it came to his DJ skills I can attest that he had the party going all night. He listened to what we wanted and mixed up the playlist so that people were on the dance floor until the very end. He was extremely professional to work with and always listened to our wants. If you want an awesome DJ/cellist/beatboxer to make your wedding stand out and keep you guests talking then hire Joey!
Cellist, DJ
Response from CelloJoe:
Thank you so much Camryn!
Your wedding location was so so beautiful and it was an absolute joy to perform out in the meadow.
Dinner was wonderful and I was touched by the tears during the speeches and dances.
Your guests really brought it for the dance party and I had a great time!
Thanks so much for trusting me with your special day. It was my great pleasure to provide music for your wedding.
Congratulations!
-Joey
Joey was the DJ and live Cello musician at our Wedding in July 2023 at the UC Berkeley Botanical gardens, and it was the stuff dreams are made out of. Joey rocked it. He came through 150%. His suit. 11/10. His cello playing skills 11/10, His ability to get the dance floor JUMPING 11/10.
We had the best time with Joey. Couldnt be more grateful. Absolute legend.
Cellist, DJ, One Man Band, Wedding DJ
Response from CelloJoe:
Hi Ross-
Having performed at many weddings on the cello and as a DJ, I can confidently say that your wedding was top notch. UC Botanical Garden venue: 11/10. The food and drinks: 11/10. Your family and friends: 11/10. The two of you getting married: 100/10!
Thanks so much!
-Joey
Cello Joe came to perform for families at our library and it was a very enjoyable show. I think the audience really loved his music and his performance.
Cellist
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks for the review Zack!
I had a great time playing at your library. The kids were so fun!
Joey was an incredible DJ for a recent wedding I coordinated. He was professional, prompt and made the ceremony and night flow seamlessly. I am so grateful he was a part of our vendor team. You will not regret hiring him for your event!
Cellist, DJ
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks so much for your kind words Elspeth!
You also did a great job coordinating!
-Joey
Our company hired Cello Joe for a VIP reception and it was perfect! He’s an amazing talent and guests love watching him interact with all the instruments. A wonderful change from DJs and bands! He’s professional and easy on the eyes too!
Acoustic Band, Cellist, One Man Band
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks so much Laura! It was a real honor and pleasure to perform for you and your guests. Really appreciate all the care and attention that you and your team put into organizing and planning the event!
-Joey
I highly recommend Cello Joe to perform at your event, dinner or special occasion. His style and music is unique and entertaining. He is professional, easy to work with, and prompt. We used him for a party of about 60 guests outside next to our lake and it was perfect.
Cellist
Response from CelloJoe:
Hi Doug!
Thanks so much for your review!
Your venue Sinegal Winery is so beautiful. What an amazing setting for a party. I highly recommend Sinegal Winery to anyone that is looking for a beautiful place for a wedding, corporate dinner or party, or classy gathering.
CelloJoe performed at a festival held on Stanford campus and it was super exciting watching and listening to his act leading up to and during his musical performances. A truly unique and awesome experience having him perform!
Cellist
Response from CelloJoe:
Hi Phillip!
Thanks for this awesome review! It was a delight to play at Stanford for the S village (or as I like to say S-town 😉.
The students were awesome and it was so fun to perform for the event. I love that many students came up and grabbed a sticker or a CD after the show.
Thanks so much for having me and I'd love to come play at future Stanford events!
-Joey
CelloJoe is professional and did an amazing job at our wedding. My wife and I received wonderful feedback from our guests. We also asked him to intermittently play the cello during the background music at our reception, and it was a nice touch to add to our wedding.
He was very thorough during our meetings prior to the wedding and we covered everything.
Thank you Joe!
Cellist, DJ
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks so much for your review Jonathan! It was a joy and an an honor to perform at your wedding. All your friends really tore up the dance floor with their coordinated line dancing!
Wow!
Super fun.
Thanks again,
-Joey
Joey stepped in to cover our DJ and MC activities a month before our wedding, and although we were nervous at the time for such a late change, we are SO happy to have had him cover our big day. From the beginning, he worked tirelessly with us to understand the flow of the day (which was a complex multi ceremony, multi tea/coffee/cocktail hour, with dinner and dancing type of day) and to define the exact time, location and music for each event. On the day, he blended seamlessly into the fabric of the events, successfully coordinating our Indian (Tamil) ceremony which had specific cues for music, a gorgeous live cello performance leading into our western ceremony, and an absolutely lit, fun dance party. Our guests had an amazing time and we are so grateful to Joey for his support and making our day so special. Thank you!!!
Cellist, Wedding DJ
Easy to schedule, on time, great performance.
Cellist
Response from CelloJoe:
It was beautiful to witness your love together Ben! Thank you so much for booking us.
-Joey and Ariel
Joey played the cello at our Chinese wedding banquet and did a spectacular job! He played a mix of classics and pop covers, did both live performances and some DJ-ing. He wowed me and my husband as well as all our guests. Additionally he set up the sound system, speakers, and mics - everything worked seamlessly. He was great at communicating and so easy to work with. We had to reschedule due to COVID (the week of!) and he was kind, incredibly understanding, and flexible when we were stressed out. He has both style and impeccable professionalism. Would recommend him and his original music as well in a heartbeat! He made our wedding so special and is an extraordinary talent.
Cellist, DJ, Wedding DJ
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks so much for having me perform at your Chinese Wedding Banquet Tina!
It was a beautiful event and the food was amazing!
Glad we could find a time to reschedule. Congratulations to you and your husband!
We managed to book Joey super last minute for our small and intimate wedding. He was quite gracious with his time and energy especially with such short notice. Having him be a part of our wedding was a blessing that brought up lots of emotion through the ceremony. Wouldn’t have been the same without him!!
Cellist
Response from CelloJoe:
Thank you so much for having me perform at your wedding Tina!
It was a beautiful wedding. Thank you for the opportunity to entertain at such a special event.
Joey does not disappoint! He played the cello live for my wedding as well as DJ the dance music. I wanted the music personalized to our cultures and he did just that. Joey went so far as wearing traditional hats that represented both our cultures when he played the music. He also did a great job bringing people to the dance floor and brought the hype! 100% recommend Joey.
Cellist, DJ, Wedding DJ
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks so much for having me play at your wedding Sonya! It was such a fun wedding with so many great moments. The polish tradition of drinking the shots of vodka and water was especially fun to experience and I had a great time changing hats from your Mexican and Polish heritages during the cocktail hour. You guys are so fun and the love surrounding you was palpable!
Joey was absolutely fantastic to work with! He did anything to make my clients day special - even Spanish cries while he was playing the cello! He had guests on the dance floor all night long! I would highly suggest working with Joey if you are looking for a great DJ or even a live element as his cello skills were immaculate!
Cellist, DJ, Wedding DJ
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks so much for having me play at your client's wedding! What a joy it was. The decor was beautiful and everybody had such a great time thanks to you. Much Appreciated!
Cello Joe is so talented! His playlist for the Celebration-of Life event for our son was perfect. In addition, it rained and rained that day and as a true professional would, Joe remained flexible as he changed his venue from outside to inside with just enough room for his cello and equipment. Thank you, Joe, for your beautiful gift of music and for being with our family and friends on such a difficult day.
Cellist
Response from CelloJoe:
Thank you Susan! It was an honor to play for your son’s celebration of life gathering.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the music.
-Joey
Joey Chang was instrumental in conducting our wedding ceremony and our wedding reception. He brought the highest level of musicianship, ceremony, and professionalism to our special day, making it sing!
Joey played classical cello music before our ceremony, for the processional, and during our ceremony. Each music piece was selected for its contribution to the orchestration of the whole nuptial service and brought out and accompanied the feeling of the moment.
Joey also played both classical and contemporary live cello (many of his original pieces) at our reception during dinner, creating a warm, welcoming, and nuanced atmosphere.
Additionally, offering his multitalented presence, Joey served as our master of ceremonies for the reception. His timing and transitions and delivery were as deft at the microphone as they were at the cello, never missing a beat. Not only that but he also served as DJ for our wedding reception dance party. Working with our established playlist, he brought out the playful and reflective moments of the night, providing music to accompany the entrance, the first dance, the father daughter and mother son dance, and the bouquet toss. He worked magic!
Our wedding and its celebration were a work of art, and Joey Chang was a principal artist in its creation.
Joey was reliable and dependable in all of our preparations every step along the way; not only was he punctual and prepared, he helped to adapt to the changes in the moment on our special day, capably and flexibly responding to the schedule as it evolved throughout the five and a half hour reception.
Joey Chang is a multi talented musician and artist who brought style and poise as well as containment and sheer beauty to our wedding day with his presence at the cello, at the microphone, and at the DJ table.
- Willow & Daniel
Cellist, Variety Entertainer, Wedding DJ
Response from CelloJoe:
Thank you so much for such a thoughtful and detail filled review Willow!
It was such a pleasure to support your wedding in all these varied capacities. I feel like you and Daniel also deserve credit for being so well organized and for planning such a beautiful wedding.
Congratulations!
We hired Joe to DJ and play cello at our wedding in May. Joe was everything we could have asked for. As a DJ, he was professional and kept the party going and the energy high. His cello performances during the cocktail hour and ceremony were exactly what we were looking for!
In the planning phase, Joe guided us to figure out what we wanted and made it really easy for us to put together a plan. He was incredibly helpful along the way and we are so grateful! We would highly recommend Joe to anyone looking for a DJ and/or cellist at their wedding.
10/10 rating, would definitely book Joe again!
Cellist, DJ
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks Miles!
Your wedding was so beautiful and it was such a joy to play for you and your guests.
Congratulations to you, your bride and your families!
I hired him for a marriage proposal, he did everything is his hand to make the day as perfect as it could be and even better. He played unusual songs per request (All of them masterfully) and my now fiancée is the happiest woman. If you're looking for a professional and caring musician, stop, you found him!
Acoustic Band, Cellist
Response from CelloJoe:
Thank you so much Adrian!
I'm glad we were able to play for you and your now fiancé!
Making music and magic happen™️ ;-)
Congratulations!
Booked Joe again for a gig at our home. Small holiday party with a diverse mix of backgrounds and musical tastes. Joe was absolutely amazing and played to the vibe of the guests. He even curated a customized playlist that kept the party alive, while he took his well-deserved breaks. I highly recommend him for your next event.
Cellist, DJ, One Man Band
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks Ed! Appreciate that it's becoming something of a tradition to have me play at the holiday party!
Sidenote: Beautiful remodel!!
Cello Joe's unique and pleasing sound sets him apart from the rest of the acts that I could have booked for my event. Everyone loved his music and really appreciated having an act that does things a bit differently (how many beatboxing cellist have you heard of?).
The booking process was easy, and Cello Joe provided a great sound system and just the right ambiance lighting. Very responsive and professional communication. I highly recommend that you book Cello Joe for your next event!
Cellist, DJ, One Man Band
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks Mark!
I had a great time playing for you and your company. You guys are a lot of fun!
Cello Joe is a multi-talented musician, mixing classically traine cello mastery with lip smaking beats and funky lyrics. I first saw him perform live at a music festival where he had his equipment powered by bicycle, really cool concept. Since then he has been one of my favorite solo acts. Recently I was lucky enough to colaborate with Joe to make a custom Valentine song for my wife, he was very kind and professional and gave us something we can cherish forever.
Singer/Songwriter
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks Ross! So glad to have made a custom Valentine song for your wife! I'm so happy for you two. Enjoy the sun there in Hawaii!
-Joey
I had the privilege of booking him for my online Birthday Party and he truly made it a special event. Although Covid has impacted the way we party and connect, Cello Joe has remained persistent in finding creative ways to share his work and spread JOY.
He offers livestream performances weekly and I'm always grateful to have my fix of live music; busking, cello collaboration events, and improv beatboxing to name a few. I especially love hearing his interactions with passerby's - his kind demeanor and willingness to share knowledge is always present.
I highly recommend Cello Joe for digital and in-person events (he is vigilant in his safety measures around physical distancing and outdoor performances).
Cellist, Musical Comedy Act, One Man Band, Singer/Songwriter, Variety Entertainer
We asked Joey to play for our company holiday week and his show was fantastic and I would highly recommend him for your performance needs. His show and style was really special to share with our 70+ employees. Thank you so much for helping make this holiday season a bit brighter!!
Cellist, Children’s Music, Corporate Entertainment, One Man Band, Singer/Songwriter
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks so much for having me play for your company Lane!
I had a great time and it was really fun to interact with everyone and create songs on the spot from suggestions!
-Joey
Incredible talent!
Acoustic Band
Response from CelloJoe:
Thank you so much Joathan! Glad you enjoyed the performance and happy holidays!
-Joey
He was a surprise guest at our holiday party and was incredible!
Acoustic Band, Corporate Entertainment
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks Jason!
Appreciate you leaving a review!
Joey’s performance at our virtual holiday party last night was simply amazing. Great energy and sound as you would expect but his creative edits to personalize the songs for our team were over the top awesome!! Thanks so much, Joey! Already looking forward to the next one.
Cellist, One Man Band
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks so much Steve! I had a blast and I'm so glad you were stoked on the performance!
I hired Joe for a baby shower. He was super friendly, flexible, and great at communication from the get-go. I saw his performance videos online and was pretty excited to see him in-person. His performance was amazing and tied the event together by setting a great/relaxing mood. Everyone including the mother to be enjoyed the show. Will hire him again and highly recommend.
One Man Band
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks Santosh!
I had a great time playing for the baby shower.
Best of luck to you and congratulations!
CelloJoe is a fabulous artist and was a delight to work with. He's a good communicator, professional, kind and his music made the event I was hosting fantastic.
Cellist, One Man Band, Singer/Songwriter
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks Lana!
CelloJoe is a fabulous artist and was a delight to work with. He's a good communicator, professional, kind and his music made the event I was hosting fantastic.
Cellist, One Man Band, Singer/Songwriter
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks for the review Lana! I had a great time performing for you and your friends.
We booked Joe to play our house party and he performed some of the most amazing music we've all heard in a long time. It was great to hear such wonderful sounds coming from our dining room. He entertained and impressed everyone in the house that night. People were stopping during their walks around the neighborhood that night to have a listen. He intermingled with guests and played great music between sets. I'm already thinking of when we can book him again!
One Man Band
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks Ed! It was such a fun party to play! You guys and your friends are great. Really appreciate you for bringing me out to play.
-Joey
I booked Joey for my birthday party and he was absolutely fantastic and would recommend to anyone! The service from start to finish was uncomplicated, organised and professional. Joey was so friendly, interacted with the guests and we all agreed he was the highlight of the evening !
Thanks again Joey for making my day even more special!
Cellist, One Man Band, Singer/Songwriter
Response from CelloJoe:
I felt like such a rockstar playing at your party! Everyone was so nice and I really appreciated all the help moving gear up and down. Thanks so much and Happy Birthday!!!
It was so great to work with Joey on our film! He was super flexible and did a great job acting!
Actor
We hired CelloJoe to be the speaker at my Mom's Celebration of Life. He was fantastic! He took the burden off of me to coordinate the event. He gave me direction and kept me focused. He took the lead of the event as a neutral speaker. He recited a poem and a letter from a guest who couldn't make it. He stood at the podium orchestrating all of the people coming up to speak. He then played custom music that was unique and left a special touch on the event. He was a huge asset to the event! Very professional, courteous, helpful and friendly! A++++++
Actor, Cellist, Funeral Music, Singer/Songwriter, Variety Entertainer
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks so much for the kind words, Nikki. It was truly an honor to officiate and perform at your mother's celebration of life. The love in the room was palpable. I wish you well and trust that you are supported so will by your family and friends.
Joe and I met by chance during one of his performances at Revolution Cafe. Not knowing the full depth of his talents and only catching a glimpse, I invited him to my home for my birthday with friends. The result was an incredible one, all 20+ of my guests were astounded by the spectrum of his music. Another element that was completely unexpected was participation. Joe had all of my friends singing and dancing, two things that always equal genuine happiness and joy. I'd like to extend an eternal thank you to Joe for helping me throw an unforgettable birthday event. Cheers!
Cellist
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks, Michael! You and your friends were so fun to play for. I loved how you all really got into it and participated so fully.
Happy birthday!!
I wanted to play a joke on my guests at my birthday luncheon so I hired Joey to pretend to be a waiter. Except this waiter's accent kept changing from posh British, to outback Aussie, then back to posh British etc. etc. with a little French and far west thrown in too. He concocted a plausible, but hilarious story, to explain his accents and totally punked a couple of my guests - including my brother, who bought the whole story! The other guests figured out something was fishy but had fun trying to find an explanation. After lunch, waiter Joey transformed into CelloJoe and provided a wonderful outdoor concert for us on the deck. He started with mellow classical music but later switched to blues, bluegrass, and alt music the younger folks were familiar with and ended with Wheezer. Guest ages were from 29 to 79, but everyone loved the music and luxuriated in the atmosphere. Joey was definitely the hit of the party! He's a heck of a good waiter too! I highly recommend this talented and versatile musician!
Actor, Cellist
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks, Carol! Your party was so fun! I got to flex my actor/accent skills AND my musical chops. Not many gigs let you do that!
Thanks for the creative leeway to craft my story and for having the idea to prank your friends.
-Joey
Cello Joe was great to work with throughout the entire process--from coordinating prior to the event to setting up and performing on the day.
I originally reached out to Cello Joe to have him entertain my party with his amazing cello skills, but ended up hiring him to DJ due to my restricted budget. When my schedule went a little awry, he graciously kept the party going past our agreed-upon time and even busted out his cello to elevate the atmosphere while asking nothing in return.
When you hire Cello Joe, you not only get a professional entertainer, you also get a solid event-coordinating teammate. Do not hesitate to hire Cello Joe for your event.
Cellist, DJ
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks Matthew!
I had a great time at your party and I’m glad everything went smooth.
-Joey
I recently booked Cello Joe to perform at my wedding and what a special experience it was! From start to finish, communication was effortless and always on point. Joey is a true professional by every standard! He even assisted us with setting up and dialing in the sound system. Now on to the important stuff...
Cello Joe’s performance bridged the spectrum of family and friends present for our wedding. It was such a magical experience seeing so many loved ones getting down to veggie maniac, bike girl and so much love <3. Cello Joe delivered a performance that brought joy and smiles to everyone’s experience.
Overall I rate our experience 11/11. It was an honor to have such a talented musician perform and such a fun character to hang out with the rest of the event.
Cellist, Children’s Music, Musical Comedy Act, One Man Band, Singer/Songwriter, Soundtrack Composer, Variety Entertainer, Voice Actor, Wedding Band
Response from CelloJoe:
Hi Erik,
Thanks so much for having me play at your wedding. What a great cake party you guys had! Wow! So fun. Lots of love to you.. So Much Love in fact!
-Joey
CelloJoe played at our company holiday party (more than 500 guests attended). He wowed the crowd with an eclectic mix of innovative, funky music and vocal percussion. We heard great feedback from several guests. I highly recommend CelloJoe for any gathering where a cool vibe is desired!
Cellist, Corporate Entertainment, DJ
Response from CelloJoe:
Hi Marty,
Thanks for such a great review! I had an amazing time entertaining at your company's holiday party.
That had to be one of the best events at which I have had the pleasure of performing.
Cheers,
-Joey
-Joey
We had Cello Joey play for us for the first time tonight and besides his incredible talent and improv abilities, he knows how to play to his audience! Our group was thoroughly entertained and are already asking for a repeat performance! Thanks, Joey!
Cellist, Variety Entertainer
Response from CelloJoe:
Hi James,
Thanks for having me play!
Looking forward to a repeat performance.
Thanks,
-Joey
We had cello joe and his singing, puppeteer partner as entertainment for our children’s Halloween parade. The kids were enthralled; it was such a dynamic and exciting performance. There were fantastic morals worked into some of the songs and skits, such as the importance of safety, eating vegetables, looking both ways and holding hands while trick or treating, etc. This, paired with beautiful cello music, a beat box tutorial and Halloween songs- I couldnt have asked for a better twosome to provide such captivating entertainment for kids and adults too. I received so many compliments on the entertainment choice. I highly recommended Cello Joe and we hope to use them again!
Cellist, Children’s Music, Classical Duo
Response from CelloJoe:
Hi Christy,
Thank you for your review! We had an awesome time entertaining the kids with our music, puppetry and song. Hope you had a great halloween!
- CelloJoe and Toni Tone
We booked CelloJoe to do an hour of his beat box looping cello music. He was great! He did another hour as a DJ using a play list I sent him. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed his performances. He also was prompt and very professional.
Cellist
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks so much for your kind words Debra!
I had a great time playing at your party. Great people, great food, and a great time.
Enjoy your awesome home in Arizona!
When I first got engaged, I knew immediately that I wanted Cello Joe to play at our wedding. Little did I know that in addition to his amazing cello set, he also DJs! He also has various equipment that you can rent for very reasonable fee - wireless mic, speakers, etc.
Leading up to the event, he was great with the planning. His booking process was very organized and clear. He was flexible allowing us to submit any playlists and/or songs that we wanted for various parts of the wedding and reception and even familiarized himself with the songs beforehand.
Our wedding day schedule was very complicated, but he did not miss a beat!! Because he was on top of the timing, our day was able to run smoothly and on time. He cued everything right on time and worked closely with our wedding coordinator to remain flexible throughout the day/night.
His cello performance was , of course, amazing. Our guest loved his set and were thoroughly entertained. His DJing was equally on par. He was able to read the crowd and kept them dancing all night. He accommodated song requests from our guests too.
All in all, I could not be more grateful that we had him there on our special day. He made it magical and easy with his professionalism and talent. Highly recommended!!
One Man Band
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks Amy! It was a pleasure to play for you and Yuri and DJ a rocking dance party. I give all the credit to your amazing family and friends because all of you really brought it on the dance floor!
I really appreciate you taking the time to leave such a nice review. You had a beautiful wedding and I want to thank you for trusting me with such an important event in your life.
My husband and I were very lucky to have CelloJoe at our wedding recently. Joey played during our ceremony and he set the most magical tone for that really special and intimate moment. He followed by entertaining our guests with more contemporary songs during cocktail hour, completely mesmerizing everyone. He was even kind enough to take requests from some guests. We could not have asked for a better musician/person to help create such a warm, elegant and fun atmosphere.
Not only is Joey incredibly talented, he is also wonderfully personable and professional. He answered ALL my questions quickly, patiently and thoroughly. He made this element of the planning process very easy during an overwhelmingly busy time. As our wedding approached, we were completely confident he would deliver and he did so beyond our expectations. He was even very cool to stick around and hang with us afterwards. We were grateful to have Joey at our wedding and can’t express enough what an extraordinary and unique addition he was to a memorable night.
Cellist
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks for trusting me with making your wedding magical. I had a really great time playing for you and your families. I also had a good time on the dance floor! Your clan has some really good dancers!
I hired Cello Joe to play Cello's on an indie rock song, he did an amazing job. he was fast and gave me a few different ideas. Awesome cello player and awesome dude. Thanks Joe.
Cellist
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks for your review Dominic.
It was a pleasure working with you. Great tracks!
We met CelloJoe at a street music festival on the Peninsula. Our daughter was dancing like crazy to his original tunes and so we dreamed about booking him for her upcoming birthday party. Luckily he was available on the date and he was quick to respond and commit to the performance. CelloJoe delivered more than we expected for the performance, adding kids' music and his natural playfulness made the event special and a unique musical experience for all our guests. He started his set with instrumental/beat-boxing and then moved to vocals/beat-boxing tunes and kids' music later on. Our daughter and others, again danced around like crazy, and everyone left with a unique and memorable experience. He is clearly a talented performer/musician that loves what he does. Everyone had a great time thanks to CelloJoe who set the mood for a cool kids' party.
Cellist, Children’s Music, One Man Band
Joey was great. Super professional but fun. He played during a small dinner we hosted and people were so excited about it. Highly recommend him for any kind of event.
Cellist
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks Santiago!
I had a great time entertaining your dinner party.
I first saw Joey perform at a Bicycle powered music festival in Golden Gate Park in 2013 and again at Yerba Buena Night later that year. He is uniquely talented, incredibly approachable, and very dedicated to his music. I reached out to Joey in May of 2015 to see if he would be interested in a very personal performance for myself and my lady-friend as part of our 1st year anniversary 4-day weekend. Not only was he interested but he made it a personal priority and helped me develop the plans on how to best surprise my sweetheart. The end result was a perfectly well-timed romantic event that you really only see in movies. My sweetheart never saw him coming, but then burst into laughter, surprise then tears after he emerged from behind a bush to deliver an acoustic Bach serenade. He was very well dressed for the occasion and he stealthily hid all of his gear in the bushes well in advance of our arrival to ensure the perfect surprise. After the cat was out of the bag, Joey set up his electric equipment complete with pedal-powered amplification, performed several original pieces, and made a valiant effort to do some very personal covers of my lady-friend's favorite artists (punk rock included!) while we enjoyed our picnic in Golden Gate Park (which was another surprise :-)! To add to the fun we took turns pedaling and powering the amplifier while Joey performed for our special occasion. We had a blast, took lots of photos, and made some awesome memories. It was truly a priceless experience!!
Cellist, One Man Band
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks for such an in-depth and awesome review Adam. It was such a great pleasure to perform such an intimate concert for you and your sweetie. I loved working out all the details and planning the surprise. What a priceless expression on her face as I strolled out from behind the bush serenading you two!
Thanks again for the opportunity to make your anniversary magical and thanks for powering the sound system with your pedaling!
I needed an actor for a short business commercial. Although Joe's listed background is all about the music, I hoped that his performance experience was enough to make this gig work. He exceeded expectations, on short notice with no preparation, nailing the desired lines and emotions, brought added depth to the role and script, and was great to work with. I would not hesitate to retain him again in any performing capacity.
Actor, Voice Actor
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks for the nice review Steve!
It was fun working with you and I wish you success in your business!
-Joey
I was lucky enough to run across CelloJoe on Gig Salad. I had arranged a birthday dinner for my wife and several friends. The addition of Joey and his Cello and other instruments made the dinner beyond unforgettable. I highly recommend him and hope to be able to schedule him again.
One Man Band
Response from CelloJoe:
Thank you for such a wonderful evening Charles! You're definitely "the Host with the Most" when it comes to style, elegance, quality, and outstanding victuals. Again, thank you for the opportunity to entertain you and your friends.
CelloJoe came to our 30 person private dinner and wowed all of the guests. He started with Classical music and then transitioned over to such a neat modern set with his looping and beat boxing - the guests were all about it! I would definitely recommend him. Thanks, CelloJoe!
Cellist
Response from CelloJoe:
It was a pleasure to play for you and your friends Dave.
Such a classy party and great people.
Thanks for booking me!
Cello Joe is awesome! I first heard Joey's music at a yoga festival, and loved it, and realized that he would be perfect for my fiance's and I's wedding. Pretty much my favorite music ever is Cello/Viola/Violin looped over electronic (so that part was pretty obvious), and I also wanted something that wasn't too "wedding-ish" yet at the same time would please the more traditional family members while still being interesting for my friends. Plus, I really wanted my wedding to be a very personal experience, and Joey seemed like somebody I would want to be part of the inner circle, and not just a hired musician. I finally got up the nerve to ask Joey if he would consider, and, lucky for us, he was keen and the date worked!
Besides the totally amazing music, Joey was super easy to work with. Joey was very good about asking exactly what we wanted, what times we wanted, etc., so I imagine that if you had a structured wedding plan, he would provide exactly what you wanted at an exact time. I, however, am not a good planner. I think my only instructions were "something wedding-ish that isn't the actual wedding song" and gave him a "schedule" that of course was only vaguely reflective of the actual timing of events.
As if by magic, Joey started and stopped at all the exact right times. He went right along with the day as it unfolded without prompting, which was a godsend because if he had needed structured instructions, it wouldn't have happened. If there needed to be music, Cello Joe was playing, and if it was a part of the wedding where there needed to be silence, the music just stopped. Cello Joe definitely played a part in making it all happen.
Everybody LOVED the music, from my closest friends to most distant relatives. And it was nice just having Joe there as a part of the wedding. Plus now whenever I see Cello Joe's name as part of the line up at a festival or party, I get a little giddy thinking "Yup, he was at our wedding. We're cool like that."
We had the option of having a DJ for an hour that played with Cello Joe, and that was really cool too. Basically, we had Cello Joe play by himself for the outside processional, and then him and the DJ play together during the first part of the reception.
I can't recommend Cello Joe enough. Thanks for some wonderful music
Cellist
Joey was very flexible when we said wanted only classical style cello at our event. He put together his own medley of Christmas songs that made everyone so delightful. It was so great. We highly recommend him for the events. We would love to have him again in our next event.
Cellist
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks for the kind review Alice. It was nice to play at your art gallery and I look forward to the next time!
CelloJoe is an amazing performer. He was definitely the musical highlight of our wedding. Everyone loved his music and it is perfectly primed for a ceremony or reception. He also has such a warm/inviting presence. He also went way above/beyond and taped his performance for us! I'd highly recommend CelloJoe for any gigs you might have - he's unique and possesses amazing musical talent.
Acoustic Band, Cellist, One Man Band, Singer/Songwriter
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks for the kind review Cody.
It was an absolute pleasure and privilege to perform at your ceremony and reception.
I with you and KT all the best!
Through a friend,I luckily found CelloJoe to play at our wedding in Occidental, CA. From the moment I called him, he was incredibly professional, accommodating and kind. I did not have a worry in the world when I hired him and for great reason! As I got ready to walk down the aisle, his whimsical and heart steady melodies filled the Redwoods with all the beautiful raw emotion of a wedding. I definitely feel that he created an enchantment that day- after the ceremony, people couldn't help but smile and dance with his beats. We are forever thankful that CelloJoe was able to join us that day and express his magic for our family and friends. He is a true artist and wonderful performer.
Cellist, One Man Band
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks for the great review Whitney.
Your wedding was so beautiful. It was a real honor to be a part of it.
I recently had CelloJoe perform at a very small and intimate wedding ceremony. He learned 3 songs he had never performed before, but that were very meaningful to us. His first song brought my fiance to tears before the ceremony even began. We wanted something unique and memorable and CelloJoe was the perfect musician for the occasion. Would highly recommend him.
Cellist
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks for the review Stephen.
I think just about everyone present was tearing up throughout the ceremony including me because it was such a beautiful wedding and you could just feel the depth of the occasion.
Thank you for inviting me to be a part of such a momentous occaision in your life and I wish you two all the best life has to offer.
After hearing Joey at the Far West Fest in Point Reyes Station, I thought he would provide the perfect energy to round out our staff appreciation party, as his eclectic style and mix would communicate to our staff's diverse backgrounds and tastes. We ended up with the best party in memory, with kids from 2 to 80 grooving to his beats, loops, lyrics and overall good vibes.
Cellist
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks very much for your kind review Steven.
It was great playing for you and your staff.
The kids were so cute!
-Joey
What CelloJoe does is so unique and such a wonderful addition to any event where people enjoy live music. We hired Joey for our wedding celebration at a remote ranch in Sonoma County.
Joey was just wonderful! He came with his fancy sound system, which he set up for us and which we used for all the toasts. Just before showtime, he changed into a very nice looking tuxedo. And he played beautiful music for us throughout dinner and beyond. When he wasn't playing his cello, Joey also DJed for us off his iPod and even helped orchestrate the musical accompaniment during my cousin's singing performance.
After the event, so many of our friends commented to me about how much they enjoyed the music and where did we find this cool guy? Joey was also awesome to hang out with after the party, and it felt like he was just one of the guests.
CelloJoe was a bit hit and I'd highly recommend his unique musical style for any event where you want the music piece to stand out.
Cellist
Response from CelloJoe:
Thanks for the wonderful review YY! I really appreciate you taking the time to post it.
All the best,
-Joey
Cello Joe is Great! not only is his music wonderful to listen to... he will happily fill your event with wonderful sounds. be warned, you will be sad when the music stops, so make sure you over estimate how many hours you need him for! Cello Joe played at my wedding and I loved every second of it.
Cellist
Response from CelloJoe:
Hey Brian,
Thanks so much for posting your review!
I really appreciate you taking the time to post your review and thank you for the honor of performing at your wedding.
-Joey
Booking Info
Price Range: $200 and up
Gig Length: 10 - 240 minutes
Languages: English, Spanish
Insurance: $1,000,000 - Performer's Insurance carried through Specialty Insurance Agency
What to Expect
Joey Chang aka CelloJoe is an anomaly in the world of cellists.
Utilizing only his voice, a cello and a loop pedal, he is able to take listeners on a sonic journey around the world and to far away galaxies. Without using any pre-recorded samples, CelloJoe is able to record live on the spot with a looper and produce intricate intergalactic tapestries of harmony, melody, and rhythm as well as mimic many styles of music from dubstep to folk to rock to classical to hip hop by beatboxing, throatsinging, singing, plucking and bowing the cello.
By combining cello with beatboxing, he has created a unique genre: Classical Hip Hop. His looped and layered beatboxing beats (vocal percussion) and funky cello grooves form a rich soundscape for intelligent lyrics. CelloJoe spreads joy, laughter and consciousness raising vibrations everywhere he goes. CelloJoe's eclectic sound also incorporates the style of old time, jug band, blues and kids's music.
CelloJoe is the world's first long distance musical bike touring cellist.
He has ridden his bike over 10,000 miles in the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Australia.
About
Joey Chang aka CelloJoe is an anomaly in the world of cellists.
Though he is able to perform classical music, he is also a pioneer of a new sound with the cello: Classical Hiphop.
Combining cello with beatboxing, his looped and layered beatboxing beats (vocal percussion) and funky cello grooves form a rich soundscape for intelligent lyrics as well as instrumentals. Picture Yo-Yo Ma combined with Beardyman or Mstislav Rostropovich remixed with Rhazel or Pablo Casals and Doug E Fresh in one.
CelloJoe spreads joy, laughter and consciousness raising vibrations everywhere he goes. CelloJoe's eclectic sound also incorporates the style of old time, jug band, blues and kids's music.
Utilizing only his voice, a cello and a loop pedal, he is able to take listeners on a sonic journey around the world and to far away galaxies. Without using any pre-recorded samples, CelloJoe is able to record live on the spot with a looper and produce intricate intergalactic tapestries of harmony, melody, and rhythm as well as mimic many styles of music from dubstep to folk to rock to classical to hip hop by beatboxing, throatsinging, singing, plucking and bowing the cello.
Additional Booking Notes
Performance area must be shaded. Additional fees may apply if there is no shade provided.
CelloJoe can provide his own sound reinforcement for an additional fee.
Technical Needs:
• Two XLR inputs (DI boxes or quarter inch inputs on a mixing board)
• One stool, piano bench, or professional musician chair with the seat at approximately 20” off the ground (a chair without arms is acceptable, but not a bar stool or a chair with arms)
• One boom style microphone stand (not a straight stand)
• One Shure SM58 vocal microphones or equivalent.
• One stage monitor (8" - 12” speaker)
• One sound reinforcement system with two or more 12” or larger speakers, at least one subwoofer, a professional grade live sound mixer with at least 8 channels and on board effects and all required cables.
Services Offered
Past Booked Events
January 21, 2024 • 2:00pm - 5:00pm | Grand Opening |
April 20, 2023 • 6:00pm - 7:00pm | Festival |
February 20, 2023 • 12:00pm - 12:30pm | Surprise |
September 18, 2022 • 12:00pm - 1:30pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
May 16, 2022 • 7:30pm - 8:00pm | Personal Occasion |
September 11, 2021 • 5:00pm - 7:00pm | Fundraiser |
April 01, 2019 • 6:00pm - 6:15pm | Surprise |
March 22, 2019 • 6:30am - 10:30am | Product Promotion |
March 21, 2019 • 8:00pm - 8:15pm | Birthday Party |
February 24, 2019 • 1:30pm - 4:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
February 23, 2019 • 12:30pm - 3:00pm | Birthday Party |
October 09, 2018 • 10:00pm - 10:15pm | Surprise |
December 01, 2017 • 3:30pm - 4:30pm | Cocktail Party |
November 08, 2017 • 3:30pm - 6:00pm | Cocktail Party |
October 30, 2017 • 10:30am - 11:30am | Holiday Party (Halloween) |
November 01, 2014 | Wedding Ceremony |
Set List
Corporate Events
Weddings
Birthday Parties
Custom written songs
Original improvised instrumental beatboxing & cello music
My own original lyrical songs with vocals, beatboxing & cello music.
Kids Music
Blues and Old time music
CelloJoe Song List
CelloJoe original lyrical songs:
Get Freaky
Work
Bike Girl
Veggie Maniac
Dubstep Spaceship
So Much Love
Don't Forget
Wandering Traveler
Fancy Cars
Music Is My Way Of Meditation
Let Go
Change the World
Awakening
Find the Love
If You’ve Got the Money
Digital Addiction
Let Your Light Shine
Dance Everybody
End the War on Nature
Yeah Yeah Yeah - Party for a Purpose
Water is Life - People of the Earth Tribe
Who Controls Your Algorithm
Music as therapy
Trees Can’t Scream
Latina
Covers:
In My Life - The Beatles
From Me to You - The Beatles
Happy Birthday - The Beatles
Yellow Submarine - The Beatles
Stealin’ Stealin’ - The Memphis Jug Band
The Modern Day Fish - Norman Greenbaum’s Medicine Show
No Matter How She Done it - Tampa Red and Georgia Tom
Come On in My Kitchen - Robert Johnson
Say it Ain’t So - Weezer
Somewhere Over the Rainbow / Wonderful World - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
Better Together - Jack Johnson
Gone - Jack Johnson
I’m Yours - Jason Mraz
All of Me - John Legend
Marry You - Bruno Mars
All I Want Is You - Barry Polisar
Stand by Me - Ben E. King
Signed Sealed Delivered - Stevie Wonder
What Do I Know - Ed Sheeran
Perfect - Ed Sheeran
Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison
Moondance - Van Morrison
Honky Tonk Women - The Rolling Stones
On Top of the World - Miss Tess
In the Pines - traditional
Sweetheart of Mine - Bill Monroe
The Crawdad Song - traditional
The Hokie Pokie
If You’re Happy and You Know it
Gypsy Jazz and Jazz Standards:
All of Me
Misty
Autumn Leaves
Blue Bossa
Black Orpheus
Blue Monk
In a Sentimental Mood - Ellington
Fly Me to the Moon
My Funny Valentine
Satin Doll
Take the A Train
The Girl From Ipanema
Tears - Reinhardt
Minor Swing - Reinhardt
Limehouse Blues - Braham
Sweet Georgia Brown - Bernie, Pinkard, Casey
and many more…
Classical
Cello Suite 1 Prelude - J.S. Bach
Cello Suite 1 Minuet 1 - J.S. Bach
Cello Suite 3 Bouree 1 - J.S. Bach
The Swan - Camille Saint-Saëns
Air on the G String - J.S. Bach
Ave Maria - Franz Schubert
Arioso - J.S. Bach
Romberg Sonata in C
and many more…
Team
Joseph Chang | Cellist |
Toni Tone | Singer |
Influences & Inspiration
Bobby McFerrin, Tornado Rider, Rushad Eggleston, Cake, Beatles, Rahzel, Doug E Fresh, Kenny Muhammed, KRS-ONE,
Setup Requirements
I can provide my own sound equipment for an additional fee.