Brian King is a New Orleans-based classical guitarist whose award-winning performances have brought him across the United States and Europe. With over 10 years of study and professional experience, Mr. King's music can add a level of liveliness, intimacy, and sophistication to any formal event, be it parties, weddings, house concerts, etc.
Brian is an amazing musician. He performed at our wedding ceremony at the Phamacy museum and it was absolutely magical. He even learned a song i requested for the event. I highly recommend him.
I hired Brian to play for our wedding ceremony at the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum. We were so happy with his performance. Some of the songs Brian played were personally requested by me. Brian was happy to take the time to learn the songs and even offered to learn others for me.
It felt so surreal being able to walk down the aisle to one of my favorite, most nostalgic songs.
Also, Brian was nothing but professional and helped so much with any questions or concerns I had.
HIGHLY recommend Brian for your event :-) he made ours so special.
After reading previous reviews and after viewing videos of his work online, I felt confident reaching out to Brian to inquire about a booking. I am so happy that I did. I had a somewhat unique request; he was able to secure a bass guitarist and a drummer and the trio brought my little request to life. I trusted him to arrange the song as he saw fit and I was very pleased. He played jazz guitar. I am so thankful; until I contacted Brian, my experience communicating with musicians had been very disappointing. He was great to work with. I am looking forward to booking him for a classical guitar gig one day. Thank you!
Brian is great, very professional and talented.
Having worked with professional gig musicians before, I found Brian to be one of the most reliable and communicative. He played a waltz for classical guitar for our first dance at our destination wedding. He was so easy to work with, and played beautifully.
Brian is a distinguished classical guitar player. He was helpful in developing the program. Everyone adored him. If your looking for a class act for your event, lol no further than Brian. check out his website.
Brian was a wonderful addition to my special dinner party!!
Brian is not only an awesome musician but very professional with communicating with us on our needs for our event!
Brian was great to work with and very communicative. Enjoyed his music during our dinner and was able to extend his time on the spot.
Definitely recommend him and will hire him again if we have a similar need
Brian played guitar for my wedding. He was very professional and accommodating to our requests. We asked for specific songs to be played as the bridal party/bride walked down the isle, and for the exit. For the remainder of the time, we just suggested a general style of music we wanted played, and Brian filled in the gaps. He was amazing day of the wedding - showed up early and was set-up and ready to go way in advance of the wedding. Amazing performer and exceptional customer service.
Brian was fabulous at our event. He played while everyone was getting seated. He chose a beautiful New Orleans song for me to walk down the aisle. He also learned, played, and sang "Red Solo Cup" for us after the ceremony was finished, just for a bit of silliness. He was on time, very professional, and a joy all around. I highly recommend him for any of your events.
We hired Mr. King to perform at the baptismal reception for our neighbor's goddaughter. Despite an unexpected misty drizzle, he played beautifully alongside the bayou. It was beautiful and we'd certainly hire him again.
Brian was amazing, from concept through implementation! The music was perfect and our guests were thrilled to learn that he had recently returned from Scotland for his Masters Degree in Guitar. Professional musicians bring an elevated level of knowledge and skills that cannot be matched. Hire this man!
Price Range: $100/hour
Gig Length: 60 - 180 minutes
Languages: English
As a classical guitarist with creative influences coming from the jazz and folk music of his birthplace New Orleans, Brian King’s performances offer listeners a rich musical tapestry featuring a dialogue between many musical styles. Mr. King is also a professional arranger and is capable of incorporating any special song requests in preparation for an event.
Brian King is a New Orleans-based classical guitarist whose innovative performances, arrangements, and compositions have stretched the boundaries of classical music while bringing the genre to a wider audience. King’s nuanced performance style and creative works have led him to perform throughout the United States and Europe in places like the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and the island of Sorrento, Italy. He is a prizewinner in numerous competitions including the James Stroud Guitar Competition and the New Orleans International Guitar Competition.
Along with being a performer, Mr. King is also an accomplished composer and arranger. His musical influence comes from a wide variety of sources, and his arrangements reflect that variety: from the classical music of Tchaikovsky to the Samba-infused jazz of Chick Corea and the folk music of New Orleans. His compositional style incorporates the structure of classical composition with the musical language of jazz.
Mr. King believes in the power of musical collaboration. He founded the Okapi Duo with flutist Katie Kim, and together they’ve performed throughout the United States and Scotland and have received numerous awards including 1st place in the Governors’ Recital Prize for Chamber Music and 2nd place in the Southern Guitar Festival Ensemble Competition. Mr. King also founded the guitar duo the Raging Ragazzos with Mohit Dubey. They released their album “Saqiya” in 2019 which features unique arrangements by both duo members and a commissioned work by composer William Bolles-Beaven.
Brian is also a passionate advocate for community engagement through music. Throughout 2019 and 2020 King’s Okapi Duo collaborated with Live Music Now Scotland to bring live music to unique places and underprivileged populations. He has also worked on community-based projects with such organizations as Make Music NOLA, Family Promise of Lorain County, the DECODA Ensemble, and the Red Note Ensemble.
The only equipment that a venue will need to provide is an arm-less chair. If amplification is needed, Mr. King will provide it himself - all that is required is access to a power outlet. If the event is outdoors, a covered space is also needed.
This is a sample from Mr. King's current set list which includes a variety of classical, jazz, and popular songs:
Morrison: Moondance
Withers: Ain't No Sunshine
Beatles: Blackbird
Beatles: Here Comes the Sun
Jobim: Girl From Ipanema
Fly Me to the Moon
Corea: Spain
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Bach: Cello Suite No. 1, Prelude
Spanish Romanza
Albeniz: Asturius
Tarrega: Recuerdos de la Alhambra
Villa-Lobos: Prelude No. 1
Barrios: La Catedral
Access to an electrical outlet
Arm-less chair
Covered setup area (for outside events only)
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