Kent Arnsbarger Steel Drum Artist
- Chicago, IL
- Steel Drum Player
- 6 Verified Bookings
Cindi K. said “Enjoyed by all”
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Feel the breeze as Ken take you on a musical journey through the Caribbean with beautiful melodic music, skilfully performed.
Steelpan Soloist: Reggae, Soca, calypso and smooth Jazz.
2 piece: Steeldrums, keyboards and back up tracks,
3 piece: Steeldrums,Keyboards,Saxaphone and back up tracks,
4 piece: Steeldrums,Keyboards,Saxaphone, bass and back up tracks
5 piece: Steeldrums,Keyboards,Saxaphone, bass and Drums.
He was amazing ! Would absolutely hire again.
Our rooftop bar and restaurant, the Garden of Eden, offers a relaxed atmosphere with stunning views of the Cleveland downtown skyline. Thanks to Ken (Island Vibes), the ambiance was elevated to new heights. The chill music allowed guests to enjoy their food and drinks while still engaging in conversation.
Response from Island Vibes:
Loved the vibe created in the Garden. Much thanks for your hospitality and positive review.
Above and beyond. The music performed helped to make this party a glowing success! The playlist was perfect. Guests remarked on how much they enjoyed the island vibe during a very special event. From setup to break down, it was a seamless and flawless experience. I highly recommend this talented musician!
Response from Island Vibes:
Thank you much love
Straight from Trinidad! The best island sound around! Ken played for Halloween beggars night in Fairlawn. The crowd loved him and the children were fascinated by the sound. I would highly recommend Ken for your next gathering!
We had Ken play at a birthday party in a private space off a hotel lobby. Due to the space and shared ceilings, the venue required no vocals, which Ken easily complied with still providing beautiful, celebratory sound to accompany our rambunctious bunch visiting and enjoying cocktails. In fact, the hotel enjoyed it so much that they're sharing his card with future private event hosts. I appreciated how straightforward and concise our communications were. He made the quote, booking and experience a breeze, taking one thing of our party planning plates! Thank you, Ken!
Response from Island Vibes:
Thanks for the positive review and a special thanks for your awesome hospitality
The music was wonderful set the good vibes mood that I wanted.
Amazing! Made my dad's 60th birthday so much fun!
He was absolutely perfect for our event! He was professional and also fun. He was there early to set up and played right on time! We would definitely use him again!!! Thank you for making my sisters 30th a day to remember!
The music was fantastic and really made our party great!
Response from Island Vibes:
Thanks for your hospitality
Wonderful
Response from Island Vibes:
Thanks Connor
He did a great job. we would have him again.
Perfect for our event
Our group of 40 enjoyed a beautiful evening of good food, good beverages, good music and a delightful sunset! Thank you, Ken!
We held a Luau and my guest enjoyed all of Ken's music. We will recommend him to others.
Great job! Will schedule again
Response from Island Vibes:
Thank you so much Kim
Ken was great in all aspects. Played a great selection. Came early to make sure things were set just right. Have to plan 4 more weddings, so if Ken is available, we shall be in touch.
Sounded amazing
Response from Island Vibes:
Thanks Aaron, beautiful ceremony
Ken was great and loved the music. He was very personable. I would definitely use him again
The guests loved the playing by Ken. He was very polite and great to have here. I would highly recommend Island Vibes every chance I get. He played a variety of music and all of it was good.
Easy to book, easy to confirm and communicate with .
His set up and take down were effortless on my part.
His musical performance was great - LOVED by many at our event!
Response from Island Vibes:
Thank You for your hospitality and kind review Ms Solecki
We had a Hawaiian luau for a group of seniors in a assisted living . We hired island vibe to play music . Ken showed up with his wife and it was an amazing time. He played for quite a while and everyone had smiles on their faces. We enjoyed them both so much. I would hire him instantly again. The music was spot on! Thank you can very much for giving seniors a wonderful day!
He was wonderful. I feel bad my husband talked with him, I was so busy. I forgot to offer him anything. Did not think of it until today. I apologize to him.
Ken, from Island Vibes, was amazing! He was very professional, punctual, and most of all extremely talented. He played a terrific mix of music and had great tracks filling in when he took a break. Many of our party guests commented on how great he was. I would definitely recommend him for future events!
Response from Island Vibes:
Thanks Denise, for the review and your wonderful hospitality.
Ken was so great! He was on time and performed a great set for our event. Thank you!!
Response from Island Vibes:
thanks
We hires Island Vibes for our 25th wedding anniversary party. All I can say is they were awesome! Couldn't have asked for a better band. Played a variety of music that everyone enjoyed. Would definitely recommend them.
Response from Island Vibes:
Thanks Mary I had a great time. Your hospitality impacted a wonderful occasion.
The smooth sounds took me right to the Caribbean, barely remembered I was in northeast Ohio.
Response from Island Vibes:
Thanks Matt
We hired Ken to play the steel drums at an island themed birthday celebration. What a wonderful highlight to the party! Ken did a great job creating a relaxed island vibe. Guest raved all evening about the wonderful music! If you're looking don't hesitate...book Ken!!!!
Response from Island Vibes:
Thanks for your positive review and for allowing me to be a part of a wonderful atmosphere
This was simply the best surprise at "home" for my parent's Valentine's Day. Ken was very pofessional & highly personable. He played all genres which thrilled my parents immensely. Such a great musician and he was the best choice I could have made. Ken's lifelong musical experience really shows as does his ability to play absolutely anything! Along with the Carribean, Salsa, Reggae, Calypso, Jazz, etc. expected, he threw in contemporary and even some special tunes just for them from the "Beer Barrel Polka" to "Unforgettable" & "Wonderful World". He truly is a musician ANYONE can thoroughly enjoy! As much as great as a musician he is just as interesting as a person. He provided a fantastic time for my parents who will be 88 this year & have been married for 65 years & a memory they will be talking about for some time. He came with just the perfect set up needed which made the entire performance very up front & personal. I just can't say enough about him. If you are looking for simply the best & most entertaining steel drummer who will take you away to an amazing place with their music, then Island Vibes Ken Green is definitely the one!
Fabulous entertainment! Music was great and added a tropical feel to our party. Great communication, on time, easy to work with! We highly recommend hiring Island Vibes.
Response from Island Vibes:
Thanks for your positive review
Very nice and prompt. The music he played was enjoyed by everyone in the party. Would definitely recommend and use his services for future parties. Thank you for giving my guests an experience.
Response from Island Vibes:
thanks very much Norm and special thanks for your hospitality
After Ken's quick response, we booked him for steel drum music for our Tropical-theme anniversary party. He set up early and played a wonderful selection of music for 3 hours: all the while smiling. He is a great choice for "feel good" atmosphere! We would hire him again!
He worked very well for what we wanted. Nice background music without being over powering. Very nice guy. Great price.
Response from Island Vibes:
Thanks You were easy to work with
Ken Green came to our home for a small party. He was prompt and courteous and seemed to have the proper equipment needed for a pretty good sound for his steel drum. He was a very nice guy and had a fairly good selection of music. I think the main downfall of his gig was that he enjoyed a little too much break time and didn't play music during his break (he said he would but there was too much dead air getting to it so I just played my own). I would hire him again letting him know my expectations a little more clearly ahead of time.
Response from Island Vibes:
Client contributed to those breaks with party games and Quizzes.
Client's Spouse loved Earth Wind and Fire and was willing to play her collection in one of my breaks. My recollection was a 4 hr gig with 3 breaks of 15 minutes one of which Client invited me to enjoy
some fine indian cuisine. Also recieved a tip on my fee so am quite surprised with the review.
Price Range: Contact for rates
Languages: English
an exhilarating experience your thoughts and energy will be absorbed by the sound of the caribbean. Fun in the sun
Ken's birth place is Trinidad which is also the birthplace of the Steel Drum, He performed with Casablanca, Syncopators, Starlift and Phase2 before relocating to the coral islands of Bermuda.Opening for names like Roberta Flack, Jose Feliciano, Angela Bofil, Earl Klugh, The Manhattans, Gerald Albright and Najee, Ken played professionally on the night club circuit in Bermuda for fifteen years. He has also enjoyed entertaining extensively on cruise ships sailing out of American waters to foreign ports of call, and has performed in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and throughout the United States, where he now resides.He currently plays special events on the private party circuit in the States . Latin, Soca and Reggae with some jazz overtones are the prominent sounds of his vast (link hidden)stening to Ken Greene's music, you can close your eyes and feel that tropical breeze, hear the soft sounds of the waves and smell the sweet subtle scent of exotic blossoms, altogether an enjoyable journey through the imagination.
History of the Steeldrum
Provide my own Sound equipent if needed
June 14, 2025 • 5:00pm - 7:00pm | Wedding Reception |
August 24, 2024 • 3:00pm - 7:00pm | House Party |
August 03, 2024 • 5:00pm - 8:00pm | Wedding Reception |
June 22, 2024 • 5:00pm - 8:00pm | Cocktail Party |
June 08, 2024 • 7:00pm - 9:00pm | Restaurant/Bar Event |
April 08, 2024 • 2:30pm - 4:00pm | House Party |
March 02, 2024 • 1:00pm - 2:30pm | Children’s Birthday Party |
October 29, 2023 • 5:30pm - 7:00pm | Halloween Party |
August 12, 2023 • 5:00pm - 8:00pm | Birthday Party |
June 30, 2023 • 5:30pm - 7:30pm | Dinner Party |
June 29, 2023 • 5:00pm - 6:00pm | Retirement Community Event |
April 12, 2023 • 2:00pm - 3:00pm | Retirement Community Event |
April 08, 2023 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Retirement Party |
February 20, 2023 • 6:30pm - 8:30pm | Surprise |
January 14, 2023 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Birthday Party |
August 20, 2022 • 5:00pm - 6:30pm | Birthday Party |
July 16, 2022 • 1:00pm - 4:00pm | Personal Occasion |
July 09, 2022 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm | House Party |
June 22, 2022 • 1:00pm - 2:00pm | Cultural Event |
May 20, 2022 • 7:00pm - 9:30pm | Restaurant/Bar Event |
September 28, 2021 • 11:00am - 3:00pm | Corporate Event |
September 11, 2021 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Cocktail Party |
August 14, 2021 • 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Nonprofit Event |
June 13, 2021 • 4:00pm - 7:00pm | Graduation |
June 12, 2021 • 1:00pm - 4:00pm | Retirement Community Event |
June 30, 2020 • 4:30pm - 6:30pm | Corporate Event |
July 13, 2019 • 6:00pm - 8:30pm | Wedding Reception |
June 14, 2019 • 8:00pm - 11:00pm | Restaurant/Bar Event |
September 22, 2018 • 5:00pm - 6:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
July 28, 2018 • 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Birthday Party |
May 25, 2018 • 5:00pm - 9:00pm | Grand Opening |
May 19, 2018–May 20, 2018 • 10:30pm - 2:00am | Prom/After Prom Party |
May 09, 2018 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm | School Assembly |
October 28, 2017 • 1:30pm - 3:00pm | Wedding Cocktail Hour |
August 31, 2017 • 2:00pm - 3:30pm | Personal Occasion |
August 12, 2017 • 2:00pm - 4:00pm | House Party |
July 01, 2017 • 1:30pm - 3:00pm | Birthday (Adult) |
June 25, 2017 • 3:00pm - 7:00pm | Graduation |
October 22, 2016 • 3:30pm - 7:30pm | Anniversary Party |
October 18, 2016 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Product Promotion |
September 17, 2016 • 1:30pm - 3:00pm | Bachelorette Party |
August 20, 2016 • 6:00pm - 10:00pm | Cocktail Party |
June 11, 2016 • 5:00pm - 8:00pm | Birthday (Adult) |
May 26, 2016 • 4:00pm - 5:00pm | Cruise Ship Event |
September 04, 2015 | Private Party |
August 22, 2015 | Bar/Bat Mitzvah Party |
August 14, 2015 | Sporting Event |
August 02, 2015 | House Party |
July 04, 2015 | Holiday Party (Other) |
June 27, 2015 | Birthday (Adult) |
April 11, 2015 | Fundraiser |
August 23, 2014 | Birthday Party |
June 08, 2014 | Anniversary Party |
June 14, 2013 | Festival |
Cindi K. said “Enjoyed by all”
Jeannie B. said “Duane and company were absolutely wonderful!”
Sam A. said “Scott was more than we imagined when hiring a steel drummer for our Margaritaville themed Cleveland Charge game. He began playing on a busy concourse…”
Vanna C. said “Sherwin Performed at my 50th Birthday party. He arrived early and was a true professional. All my guest raved about his performance. He was engaging,…”