Accordion performer, solo and band, specializing in Mardi Gras, Italian, German, Irish, and French music. Performing for fifty years, I've played all types of venues for all types of events, from the intimate to weekly senior shows to huge Oktoberfests, Italian festivals and Mardi Gras celebrations. Each show is crafted to provide your event a memorable and wonderful time; strolling, music for dining, or entertaining the audience, my shows provide the perfect musical ambiance to any event. As many clients have mentioned, music makes the party.
Edelweiss Oktoberfest Band and Gumbalaya Band.
This musical journey has led me to many wonderful people, I hope to add you to my book!
He was fabulous! Very professional and everyone loved him. He “made” the party!
Response from Billy "Gumbo" Murphy:
Thank you, Lori and friends, for inviting me to a fun evening, it was the true meaning of "gemütlichkeit", as in the song "Ein Prosit", a toast to good health, good friends, good food and good living!
BTW some recent events I've performed are several Italian gigs (Apollo Beach Italian Club, Waterworks Social Club of Sarasota), French, (Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, a $225 ticket fundraiser, also I was the featured artist at the CalaVida Arts Festival in JAX), Irish (Dunedin Celtic Society), Mardi Gras (Happy's Bayou Bites), Cajun-Zydeco (Cajun Cafe), Cinco de Mayo, and back in JAX for a Fifties party.
Keep the party going,
Appreciatively,
Bill "Billy Gumbo" Murphy
Edelweiss Oktoberfest Band, Benjamin Road Band, Gumbalaya Hot Sauce Band
I just wanted to take a moment to express my sincere thanks for your help with our recent event.
Once again, thank you so much for your invaluable contribution. I look forward to the opportunity to work together again in the future.
Best Regards,
Montse
Response from Billy "Gumbo" Murphy:
Thank you so much Montose for the opportunity to play for your friends at your wonderful community, it was pleasure. And you did a fantastic job for the event, I say that as a retired Activity Director of 20+ years. The coordination and organization between directors is something special!
Thank you
Bill "Billy Gumbo" Murphy
Billy was a huge hit at our recent Italian Gala! He dressed in a gondolier outfit and entertained our large audience with Italian music! I would highly recommend him or a large or small function.
Response from Billy "Gumbo" Murphy:
Thank you so much, Dee, I had a great time playing for your wonderful community. You and your staff of volunteers did an exceptional job and by the way, the food was super buono!
Photos from this event
Billy was awesome!
Response from Billy "Gumbo" Murphy:
Thanks Brandon, it was a blast, hope your buddy enjoyed it!
Billy did an amazing job entertaining our crowd! We had an Oktoberfest themed Tennis Exhibition at our Private Club. Billy's accordion playing and lederhosen was the perfect addition to our event! He was very kind and easy to work with. I confirmed his attendance a week prior to the event and arrived early and needed no assistance for set up.
Response from Billy "Gumbo" Murphy:
Thank you, Jillian it was a pleasure playing there. I certainly appreciated the staff, more than one asking if I needed a beverage, and some small chat with the Greek waiter from my grandfather's hometown in Greece. Adam made me feel comfortable right away, as did the rest of your staff, they made me feel welcome and made my performing more at ease, I really enjoyed watching the match while playing music!
If my music can help make your party better, let me know. My specialties include: Oktoberfest, French, Italian, and Mardi Gras Cajun-Zydeco-Tex-Mex music.
Bill "Billy Gumbo" Murphy
Benjamin Road Band
Edelweiss Oktoberfest Band
BTW, I was at a Player's in Lebanon, Ohio last year for a friend's retirement party, very nice club nestled in the green rolling hills.
Billy “Gumbo” Murphy is a top notch performance he played great French provincial music for our event and We couldn’t be happier with how wonderful he entertained all of our guests especially the 96 year old guest of honor.
Perfect party music
Response from Billy "Gumbo" Murphy:
Thank you, Henry, for hosting another favaloso bocce party, what a great time for all. Looking forward to next year!
He showed up on time. He was super nice! Great music! Everyone loved him!
Response from Billy "Gumbo" Murphy:
Thank you for the kind words, and exceptional UPCC hospitality. For 30 years I was fortunate to perform with a musician from the Berlin Conservatory of Music, we arranged long melodies for just these types of events. Next year I'll include a dinner in the fee!
Appreciatively,
Bill
Bill did a great job. We would be happy to have him again.
Response from Billy "Gumbo" Murphy:
Thank you, Barbara. I certainly appreciate your kind words and the wonderful hospitality we received; I had a great time! :)
Great!
Response from Billy "Gumbo" Murphy:
Thank you, Stephen, for the honor of playing for your distinguished guests, it was awesome fun for me!
Bill is extremely talented. He was dressed wonderfully for our French dinner party.
He is the consummate professional and a delight. Our guests were very impressed.
Response from Billy "Gumbo" Murphy:
Thank you for the kind words, Lee. I was touched by everyone's hospitality throughout the evening. It is a pleasure to perform for those that appreciate performance; for me it was the perfect setting for an evening of intimate French music.
Bill was great. He made our German themed dinner lots of fun!
Response from Billy "Gumbo" Murphy:
Thank you for the kind words, I hope I brought some pleasurable memories to "mama", it was great fun for me, the first Oktoberfest of the season!
The entire wedding party loved it!!! Bill was awesome!!
Response from Billy "Gumbo" Murphy:
Thank you for the kind review, what a wonderful time! Kapok Tree was amazing, I appreciate being able to share in the joy.
Accordion solo was very well received by all guests and myself. He had an excellent program which was presented in a personal, highly professional manner.
Response from Billy "Gumbo" Murphy:
What a wonderful honor and pleasure to have been a part of and shared in your 90th birthday! It was a pleasure to meet and get acquainted with your family and friends, everyone was more than hospitable. It is another beautiful page I can add to my book of memories. Thank you, Ray
Bill is friendly, punctual, and a masterful accordion player. I hired Bill for a surprise anniversary dinner for my wife and he exceeded all expectations in every way possible. You will not be disappointed hiring Bill
Response from Billy "Gumbo" Murphy:
Thank you, Bryan, for the kind words, as you know, reviews carry a lot of weight. I certainly appreciated playing a part of this wonderful event. The great thing about performing is the terrific people I meet, such as you and your wife. I did take a pic of your table setting to put in my memory-of-gigs photo album, my lady friends swooned at your efforts! Thank you for the honor and pleasure.
Photos from this event
Bill came in full lederhosen costume and paid 100% the guest of honor. His song choices were perfect as well as the amount of time he played. My mother in law LOVED him!!!
Thank you Bill
Billy Gumbo was GREAT. Did a great job entertaining. We would recommend him and have him back.
We loved his variety of music Thanks Bill. You made our event special.
Henry Passerini
Price Range: Contact for rates
My show is an eclectic entertaining mix of a wide variety of music that reflect my repertoire. After 50 years of performing, I craft a specially tailored program for each show.
Several times, I've provided music for just 2 people on their special occasion. Another time I performed for the owners of Hammock Pine Resort and over 300 guests on a rooftop overlooking the Atlantic. For all these years too, I've had weekly shows at various senior centers. And other times I've been in front of a thousand singing people at an Oktoberfest.
Whether as a quiet mood music musician or as an entertainer, my show will always be respectful, hard-working, honest, authentic with a great deal of expert musicianship.
I've been performing for fifty years, as a soloist and a member of various bands. I accompanied an Italian singer for several years before joining the Edelweiss Oktoberfest Band in the 80's and we're still going strong. I also play with the Benjamin Road Band and the Gumbalaya Band. My specialties include Italian, French, Oktoberfest music, Cajun, Zydeco, Tex-Mex with a sprinkling of classical, bluegrass and general swamp music.
I've played in every German and Polish club on this coast, opened for many national touring bands, including Frankie Yankovic on several occasions, German and Polish restaurants, Maifests, Polka cruises, and house parties. I have the lederhosen outfit, still "fits" after 50 years!
I've strolled many Italian fests, such as the San Genaro, played many dinner (spaghetti!) parties and cafes.
French parties, Bastille Day, Cajun cafes, wineries and breweries. Some French gigs I've been invited to perform are the CalaVida Arts Festival. Waterworks of Sarasota Social Club, The Arlington of Naples, Ritz-Carlton of Sarasota.
As an accordion teacher and performer for a number of years, I've had the opportunity to travel and meet so many wonderful people, I hope to add you to my list!
I have my own sound system, and happy to plug into your system. All I need is one outlet. I use a wireless sound system for accordion and voice.
I can stroll your event too!
I have outfits for all my programs.
| October 26, 2024 • 5:30pm - 7:00pm | Cocktail Party |
| October 19, 2024 • 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Dinner Party |
| August 25, 2024 • 1:00pm - 3:00pm | Surprise |
| July 31, 2024 • 5:00pm - 7:00pm | Dinner Party |
| July 13, 2024 • 11:30am - 2:30pm | Corporate Event |
| June 01, 2024 • 5:30pm - 7:00pm | Children’s Birthday Party |
| April 05, 2024 • 10:30am - 12:30pm | Fundraiser |
| February 25, 2024 • 2:00pm - 4:00pm | Dinner Party |
| January 31, 2024 • 2:00pm - 4:00pm | Cocktail Party |
| December 08, 2023 • 5:00pm - 8:30pm | Religious Celebration |
| October 17, 2023 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Cocktail Party |
| October 14, 2023 • 5:00pm - 5:30pm | Surprise |
| August 12, 2023 • 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Birthday Party |
| August 11, 2023 • 7:00pm - 7:30pm | Birthday Party |
| March 25, 2023 • 2:00pm - 6:00pm | House Party |
| October 26, 2022 • 6:00pm - 6:30pm | Birthday Party |
| October 21, 2022 • 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Dinner Party |
| October 16, 2022 • 2:00pm - 2:45pm | Nonprofit Event |
| October 15, 2022 • 6:30pm - 8:30pm | Dinner Party |
| October 04, 2022 • 2:30pm - 4:00pm | Retirement Community Event |
| October 01, 2022 • 7:00pm - 9:00pm | Restaurant/Bar Event |
| September 17, 2022 • 7:00pm - 7:45pm | Dinner Party |
| September 03, 2022 • 6:00pm - 7:00pm | Dinner Party |
| August 20, 2022 • 4:00pm - 6:00pm | Wedding Reception |
| July 16, 2022 • 6:00pm - 7:00pm | Birthday Party |
| November 14, 2021 • 7:30pm - 9:30pm | House Party |
| October 01, 2021 • 8:00pm - 8:15pm | Dinner Party |
| August 13, 2021 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Corporate Event |
| March 27, 2021 • 2:00pm - 6:00pm | Personal Occasion |
| October 12, 2019 • 5:00pm - 8:00pm | Corporate Event |
| September 21, 2019 • 4:00pm - 6:30pm | Retirement Community Event |
| September 19, 2019 • 5:00pm - 7:00pm | Dinner Party |
Oktoberfest Music, hours of traditional Bavarian oom-pah, popular Oktoberfest songs of today, Rocktoberfest songs, Czech, Polish, Tex-Mex polkas, all are fair game for fun!
Italian
International, Continental
French
Classical
Tex-Mex, Cajun, Zydeco
Originals
Louisiana Saturday Night
Devil Went to Georgia
Back Door
Bachelor Life
Mavericks: All You Do Is Bring Me Down, Rolling Along, Ride With Me
Sabre Dance
Cajun 2-Step
Eh Tite Fille
Cornbread
Zydeco Boogooloo
Zydeco Gris Gris
Iko Iko
Toot Toot
Jambalaya
Hey Good Lookin'
Dead Man's Party
Who Do You Love
All Going to Pot
Gotta Get Drunk
Drunken Sailor
Gilligan's Island
If I Ever Leave This World Alive
Uncle Bud
Paper In My Shoe
Dark Eyes
Close Together
Shame
Pine Grove Blues
Buddy Bolden Blues
Folsom
Orange Blossom Special
Ol' Joe Clark
Diggy Diggy Lo
Mardi Gras Mambo
Crazy Lil Mama
Shake Your Hips
Walkin' To New Orleans
Jai Vu Le Loup
Ain't No More Cane
Libertango
Ring of Fire
Catahoula
Adalida
Jalepena Lena
Back In the Saddle
You Are My Sunshine
Rt. 66
Bei Mir
Moondance
Light My Fire
Toccata in D minor
Let the Good Times Roll
Hey Bob A Ree Bob
Beer Run
Ya Ya
Canon in DM
Honky Tonk
Galway Girl
Free Beer
Grab Your Balls, We're Going Bowling
Buckwheat Zydeco, Clifton Chenier, Boozoo Chavis, Mavericks, Flaco, Yankovich, Chardon, Brave Combo.
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14 Verified Bookings Frank Y. said “Did everything that was asked of him”
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7 Verified Bookings Maria M. said “Jim was on time and his performance was spectacular. Every single guest was raving about him, and it really made the party. I would definitely hire him…”
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