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Log InBill Edwards Keys
- Ashburn, VA
- Jazz Pianist
- Travels up to 500 miles
- Contact for rates
Overview
A performer versed in everything from Chopin to GaGa, including jazz standards, rock standards, creative interpretations of a variety of genres, and specialty in traditional jazz and ragtime for old-time themed events. Located in Loudoun County, Virginia, Bill routinely plays all across the country and ragtime and jazz events, and has held down positions at everything from sing-along bars to classy conference centers, but no stranger to private party events, making them even more eventful. Also available for master classes and seminars on many musical topics.
10 Reviews
Bill was great...the music was lovely!!
Pianist
Bill Edwards was AWESOME!
His repertoire, performance, style, and flexibility were fantastic! Outstanding job!
I look forward to booking him again
Tip: Book early - Bill Edwards is in high demand.
Pianist
Response from Bill Edwards Keys:
The host made it easy to be my best. Well-planned evening. Superb Steinway with a nice action. Easy going. What more could anyone ask for. Maybe a star on my dressing room door, but that's me. It was an enjoyable evening for certain. Thanks for the kind words.
Our jazz event was taken to the next level with Bill at the piano. His repertoire was extensive and his skills at the piano were evident. Thanks again.
Classical Pianist
Response from Bill Edwards Keys:
If I were to review the hosts, it would be as delightful, caring, responsive, classy, and encouraging. If they call on any of you, answer. Thanks guys. Gigs like this are memorable for the performer as well.
Photos from this event
Bill Edwards has the most incredibly informative website I’ve ever seen. His playing was exactly as anticipated after sampling his music online. His wonderful range of happy sounds set a very festive mood for our birthday party! He was prompt and professional. I enthusiastically recommend Bill Edwards.
Keyboard Player
Response from Bill Edwards Keys:
Thanks for your kind words. It was a pleasure to entertain your fine group on Mr. Gherardi's 80th, and hear his stories about his time at Wolf Trap. You were very accommodating as well. Finest, Bill Edwards
This is the second time I've had Bill play for our assisted living residents and both times they so enjoyed him! He plays and sings the popular songs in ragtime they all love with a great enthusiasm! Highly recommend.
Pianist
Bill was an outstanding performer at our Gatsby-themed party. He arrived dressed for the occasion, played jazz, music from the era, popular Christmas music, guest requests and lead a sign-a-long. Party guests were musicians and/or music enthusiasts. Bill's performance was an absoulute home run! Several weeks later, our guests are still saying how much they enjoyed his music. I would both recommend Bill to you and hire him again for a future event.
Jazz Pianist
Thank you Bill! Everyone loved the beautiful Christmas music you played! So nice and professional! We look forward to hiring Bill for another party!
Classical Pianist, Pianist, Jazz Pianist
Response from Bill Edwards Keys:
Very kind and gracious host with a beautiful Shenandoah Valley spread. Thanks for the privilege.
A total professional, a great and gifted talent at the piano, versatile repertoire, and a most enjoyable addition to our surprise party. Without doubt, Bill is 100% recommended without hesitation. We hope he will grace our piano many times in the future.
Pianist
Response from Bill Edwards Keys:
It was a pleasure, and easy, given the crowd. I love sharing the joy of music, and glad I was able to keep up with the dynamic and appreciative guests. Thanks much
Bill was terrific!
Pianist
Response from Bill Edwards Keys:
The client is also terrific. Thanks so much. Always enjoy these types of events.
Bill played music for my wedding and reception. While many pianists want to play only the tunes in their repertoire, I asked Bill to play a complicated piece by Chopin that he had not played in several years while our guests were being seated. He agreed and it was wonderful. He was very attentive and worked with my celebrant to make sure everything flowed perfectly during the ceremony. Also, my wedding had a vintage 1920s theme, and he played ragtime during our cocktail hour that further set the mood. Everyone loved his style and many contacted me after the wedding to express how much they enjoyed the music. Most importantly, Bill went above and beyond our expectations. He drove in DC rush hour traffic to our rehearsal that was at 9:30 am on a Friday morning and even came in extra early on the morning of our wedding to tune the venue's piano, which we learned was horribly out of tune during the rehearsal. I asked him to stay an extra hour during the reception because everyone loved hearing the ragtime music in the background, and he did. I'm very happy that I found him and highly recommend him to perform music of whatever variety for a wedding and reception.
Booking Info
Price Range: Contact for rates
Gig Length: 60 - 240 minutes
What to Expect
For a wedding or reception, Bill and whoever else he is engaged with will make certain that the couple need only do minimal work in terms of choices for either event, and will be fully apprised and hear samples of what to expect. Also, outside of specific tune choices, Bill can bring in a number of similar or variegated choices to help round out everything from the prelude to the party.
For live performances, Bill can provide engaging concerts, accompanied silent films from the 1910s and 1920s, or classy background and dance music as specified. Themed events can use known tunes within any genre, and specialty numbers can also be composed for a specific event. Nothing will be mundane or ordinary, but creative and memorable. In addition to piano, Bill can provide a wide range of keyboard sounds with professional equipment and a strong library that covers a variety of musical instruments.
About
Bill Edwards has long been known as a specialist in ragtime, stride and jazz piano. Performing at festivals, solo concerts and private events throughout the United States and Canada, he has also been engaged to give seminars and master classes on the topic. However, he also applies his creative skills to popular or classical music for weddings, private parties or industrial events, even composing specialty numbers. An award winning composer and arranger, Bill can bring original and creative renditions of Beatles, Sinatra, and even Gaga or Trainor to the table. Available as a soloist, but also with access to a variety of other instrumentalists. Whether your wedding is themed for classic tones or Game of Thrones, or even Disney, almost anything can be adapted and quickly at that. Based in Loudoun County, VA, since 1986, Bill has earned a plethora of references that will support the level of professional musicianship and heart he brings to any performance.
Additional Booking Notes
Needs are simple. Bill can bring his own professional sound reinforcement, backing tracks if more complex musical needs are required, and even an additional microphone for use at the event. For accompanied silent films he will bring all of the playback and projection equipment except for a screen. Lighting is not provided. Piano in place is always preferred, but a keyboard can always be provided for a little extra.
Services Offered
Past Booked Events
| December 08, 2023 • 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Christmas Party |
| December 17, 2022 • 7:00pm - 10:00pm | Christmas Party |
| October 23, 2022 • 12:30pm - 4:30pm | Cocktail Party |
| March 05, 2022 • 2:00pm - 4:30pm | Birthday Party |
| February 14, 2022 • 2:00pm - 3:00pm | Retirement Community Event |
| December 12, 2021 • 2:00pm - 4:00pm | Christmas Party |
| October 30, 2021 • 4:30pm - 5:30pm | Birthday Party |
| September 24, 2021 • 6:00pm - 7:00pm | Rehearsal Dinner |
| December 14, 2019 • 2:00pm - 5:00pm | Christmas Party |
| December 01, 2017 • 5:30pm - 8:30pm | Campus Event |
| December 12, 2015–December 13, 2015 • 8:00pm - 12:00am | Holiday Party (Christmas) |
| November 07, 2015 • 6:00pm - 11:00pm | Wedding Reception |
| March 15, 2015 • 11:00am - 3:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
Set List
Rather than list specific songs, as there are too many to be all that specific, genres and example bands/performers will be listed.
Classical: Chopin, Beethoven, Bach, Liszt, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, and similar, mostly piano-centric works such as sonatas, nocturnes, etc. Some accompanied solo-instrument works can also be readily brought in for flute, violin, trumpet, etc.
Ragtime: The whole gamut from cakewalks and piano rags to popular sing-alongs. A wide variety of represented composers and performers including Scott Joplin, James Scott, Joseph Lamb, George Botsford, Charles Johnson, Eubie Blake, Irving Berlin, Al Jolson, Sophie Tucker, Nora Bayes, Kerry Mills, and dozens more. Ragtime can also be used behind any number of silent comedies that Bill has in his library, including films by Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, Charles Chaplin, Mack Sennett, and many others.
Jazz: This is a broad topic, but is covered from the origins of jazz up until current day. Styles include traditional jazz, stride piano, swing, bebop, straight ahead, some funk, and for the most part, any piano jazz. A wide range of artists that Bill can pull from includes Jelly Roll Morton, James P. Johnson, Fats Waller, King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Teddy Wilson, Art Tatum, Bill Evans, Dave Brubeck, Chick Corea, Art Blakey, Milt Jackson, Marcus Roberts, George Shearing, etc.
Rock: Another broad topic, but with MIDI tracks virtually anything can be replicated with piano as the focal instrument. This includes 1950s such as Elvis and Buddy Holly; 1960s, including the entire Beatles catalog, Beach Boys, and other popular groups; 1970s forward, including Elton John, Billy Joel, and similar artists; and even contemporary hits for special occasions, including Gaga, Maroon5, Foo Fighters, Meghan Trainor, Jewel, Brian Setzer, and more.
New Age and Film: Themes from a variety of film soundtracks and genres, such as Disney, Bond, Pirates, Potter, LOTR, and even some television evens. New Age includes the famous Windham Hill sound applied to almost anything, pulling on the works of George Winston, Liz Story and Keith Jarrett, but all with an original flowing flavor. Good for background music in a variety of settings.
Country: Not a strength, but an occasional old or new favorite can be included in the mix.
Influences & Inspiration
Lou Busch, Wally Rose, Elton John, Billy Joel, George Shearing, Adam Levine, Art Tatum, George Gershwin, and similar jazz and rock influences.
Setup Requirements
Piano is helpful, but can be provided for a little extra
Amplify piano and one vocal microphone
Projector and screen if silent films are requested. Projector can be provided.