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Dave Berry
- San Juan Capistrano, CA
- Guitarist
- Travels up to 150 miles
- Contact for rates
Overview
Dave Berry is a professionally trained and seasoned multi-genre guitarist based in Orange County, CA, with a rich background in live performance. Having toured Europe and shared the stage with national acts, Dave brings an unparalleled level of artistry and versatility to his performances.
With extensive experience performing at hundreds of private and corporate events, as well as weddings—including elite 5-star venues like Montage Laguna Beach, The Ritz-Carlton, Pelican Hill, and Terranea Palos Verdes—Dave is renowned for curating the perfect soundscape. He seamlessly blends genres like jazz, classical, latin, and pop, tailoring his music to the unique ambiance of each event.
31 Reviews
We booked Dave to play at a high end broker's open house this week. Everybody absolutely love the music he played and the ambiance he provided to the home and the open house. Thank you so much Dave for providing amazing music for an amazing evening. We would book Dave again and again!!!
Classical Guitarist, Guitarist
Response from Dave Berry:
Thank you so much for this wonderful review! It was an absolute pleasure to provide the music for your event. Creating the perfect ambiance for your broker's open house and contributing to a memorable evening for everyone involved was truly rewarding. I'm thrilled to hear that the music was well-received. Looking forward to the opportunity to work with you again in the future. Thank you for choosing me for your event!
We hired Dave to play at our 25th wedding anniversary party and we could not be happier with our choice. Dave arrived on time, was extremely polite and respectful of our home, and played for a longer time than he was contracted. His musical selections were perfect - they set the mood without drawing strong attention. Our guests, including the lead singer of a well known musical group, had nothing but glowing comments regarding Dave's talent. We would happily hire Dave to play our next party and will recommend him to our friends and family.
Guitarist
Dave played for our J. Lohr wine club event at Mastro's Ocean Club in Newport Beach. He had a great vibe and everyone loved his music! He was very professional in everything he did. I highly recommend hiring him!
Guitarist
Dave was awesome. He provided the perfect backdrop for our holiday event. He was such a trooper when we asked him to play some music for our white elephant game!
I will definitely hire him again!
Great experience with Dave - booked him last minute for a corporate event and was so easy to work with! Entertainment was a nice highlight. Very talented!
Guitarist
Response from Dave Berry:
Thank you so much for the kind words! It was a pleasure to perform at your event, and I’m so glad the entertainment was a highlight. Looking forward to working together again!
Dave is an amazing acoustic guitarist I would recommend him for any event. So talented.
Guitarist
Response from Dave Berry:
Thank you so much for your kind words! It was truly a pleasure and an honor to be a part of your special day. Congratulations again, and I wish you all the best!
We were absolutely blown away by Dave's exceptional guitar performance at our event. His talent and versatility are simply incredible, blending a variety of genres seamlessly to create the perfect ambiance. Every note felt like it was crafted specifically for the moment. Our guests couldn't stop raving about his music, and we highly recommend him for anyone looking to elevate their event!
Guitarist
Dave was professional, polite, on time, and of course very talented. He played everything we wanted at exactly the right volume. Thanks again Dave!
Guitarist
Response from Dave Berry:
Thank you so much for your kind words! It was a pleasure to be part of your special day, and I'm so glad you enjoyed the music. Wishing you all the best!
Dave was so great! Very clear communication, showed up exactly when he said he would. His music was perfect for our event and exactly what we asked for. We had lots of children at the event and one was completely entranced with Dave’s guitar and equipment the whole time. Dave was beyond patient and sweet with him the whole time, taking time to explain what everything did and even letting him strum on his guitar. It really made our event feel extra special. We’d absolutely have Dave back again!
Classical Guitarist
Response from Dave Berry:
Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to leave such a wonderful review! I'm thrilled to hear that the music was a perfect fit for your event and that I was able to add something special to the day, especially for the children. It was a pleasure to perform and I look forward to the possibility of bringing music to your future events. Thank you again for having me!
Dave was the perfect addition to our outdoor cocktail reception. He’s so nice and so talented. Will definitely use him again!
Guitarist
Response from Dave Berry:
Thank you for the wonderful feedback, Carrie! I'm thrilled to have been a part of your event and to have added to the ambiance. It was a pleasure playing for you all, and I look forward to any future opportunities to perform for you again. Thanks for choosing me!
Dave was great, our group got out of their meeting earlier than planned and Dave had very little to no set-up time for our reception and was super cordial and understanding. He started playing and didn't stop to even take a break. His guitar playing is so good that a few people in our company were asking about how to book him for future events.
Guitarist
Response from Dave Berry:
Thank you so much for the kind words and the review, Victoria! It was a pleasure performing for your event. I'm glad to hear that everyone enjoyed the music :) Looking forward to playing at future events for your company. Thanks again for choosing me!
I was so excited that Dave was available for our wedding after hearing his music. He is an incredibly talented musician and I’m still so happy that he was with us on our special day. He was very responsive to emails and had a huge repertoire of songs that allowed us to pick a general vibe that fit our personalities as well as specific songs for each part of the ceremony. He is a master guitarists and I could not recommend him any higher!
Classical Guitarist, One Man Band, Guitarist
Response from Dave Berry:
Thank you so much for your kind words, Michael! It was an honor to be a part of your special day and I'm delighted that my music resonated with you. Wishing you both a lifetime of love and happiness!
Warm regards,
Dave
I recently had the pleasure of hiring Dave Barry, a talented guitarist specializing in Latin jazz ensemble for our event. Despite some initial issues finding a suitable outlet (our fault), Dave was incredibly easy to work with. He proactively helped us locate one, even though it was something we should have arranged beforehand. Once the music started, it was evident that we made the right choice. Dave's guitar skills were exceptional, delivering a perfect blend of Latin and jazz vibes that set the tone for a memorable and relaxing evening. The enchanting melodies he played created the ideal ambiance for our wine night. I highly recommend Dave Barry for his professionalism, musical talent, and dedication to ensuring a delightful experience.
Jazz Guitarist, One Man Band, Guitarist
Response from Dave Berry:
Thank you so much for your kind words and feedback, Stephanie! It was such a pleasure to meet you and to perform for you and your event :)
Our residents really enjoyed Dave's performance!
Guitarist
Response from Dave Berry:
Thank you, Stephanie! It was a pleasure to perform :)
Didn't really hear him. Couldn't hear him very well. Maybe it was where he was placed.
Guitarist
Response from Dave Berry:
Dear Vincent,
Thank you for your valuable feedback. It genuinely concerns me to learn that the volume of my performance wasn't optimal for all the attendees. I pride myself on always ensuring satisfaction, and in my years of performing, I've been fortunate to consistently meet and exceed my audiences' expectations.
Achieving the right volume balance is essential – the goal is for it to be enjoyable yet not intrusive. Being positioned at the far end of an outdoor venue, combined with my exclusive use of an amplifier (as discussed prior to booking, which is usually more than adequate for many venues), might have contributed to the acoustic challenges you noted. Ideally, a PA system would have addressed the volume spread over such an area, but I made sure to optimize my output to be pleasant and not overwhelming for those closer to me.
Your satisfaction is paramount. I'm heartened by the positive feedback I received from several guests that evening. I always strive to deliver the best experience. Your insights are invaluable, and I will certainly keep them in mind for future events.
Thank you for allowing me the privilege of playing at your special occasion. I appreciate your understanding and hope I get another opportunity to provide an exceptional musical experience for you.
Warm regards,
Dave
Dave’s music and guitar was quick-beat, smooth, and varied! Its tonal variations and rhythmic pace keeps the party up-beat and lively, and promotes a toe-tappin’ feeling of movement and energy. He’s a happy and a very entertaining musician! Thanks Dave for help making our party a great success!
Chet Chebegia
Guitarist
Response from Dave Berry:
Thank you so much, Chet! It was a pleasure meeting you and performing for your party!
He arrived on time! His performance was great! We really enjoyed the performance!
One Man Band
Response from Dave Berry:
Thank you so much for your kind words, Tassanee! It was a pleasure meeting you and performing for your event!
Dave was great...professional and prompt and responsive to communication. My guests loved having him at a special dinner birthday part!
Classical Guitarist
Response from Dave Berry:
Thank you so much, Elizabeth. It was a pleasure meeting you and performing for your dinner party!
Dave is worth hiring not only is he talented, but very professional. I asked if he could come in a bit earlier to figure out the best location to set him up as it was a small room. He showed up early, was very nice and flexible with the area available. Once he was situated and started playing he did need much direction in what to play, he knew exactly what to do and it was great. The music was a great fit for our high end winery dinner and he added to the ambiance. I will be hiring Dave for any future events.
Classical Guitarist, Jazz Guitarist, Guitarist
Response from Dave Berry:
Thank you so much for your kind words, Rosa! It was a pleasure meeting you and performing for your event, and I'd be delighted to perform for any of your future events.
He played amazing cool vibes music. Our guests were very pleased with the nice music while having dinner. Thank you Dave!
Guitarist
Response from Dave Berry:
Thank you so much, Hector. It was a pleasure meeting you and performing for your event!
Dave id a great job on short notice -- played a nice variety of background music, came prepared, was very professional and personable. He made the party a great success! Recommend highly.
Guitarist
Response from Dave Berry:
Thank you so much for your kind words! It was a true pleasure meeting you and performing for you and your event!
My friends and family raved about Dave. Will call again and recommend to all. He adds class to any event.
Classical Guitarist, Jazz Guitarist, Guitarist
Provided background music. Very professional & well received.
Classical Guitarist
Dave was on time to our event in Santa Ana. He was talented, professional and provided exactly the right atmosphere. Several people at the event say they would like to hire him for events they are planning soon. We will certainly have him back in the future!
Jazz Guitarist
Dave was absolutely amazing. He never hesitated between songs and kept us entertained for hours. We wanted background music because there were eight women chatting and he filled the bill.
Everyone in our group has asked for his information for future events. I am delighted to know that he can perform at Christmas.
Classical Guitarist, Jazz Guitarist, Guitarist
I booked a David to play at my wife's surprise birthday party. He was the greatest! Such a pleasant person to deal with from the very beginning. David arrived early to set up and started to play as our guests arrived. His playing was perfect and his music choices were spot on. I heard a lot of compliments from the guests about his playing. He helped make the party a huge success. I wouldn't hesitate to have him play at another event and recommend him to others looking to have music at their party, wedding or just a simple gathering that you'd like to add a touch of class to.
Jazz Guitarist, Ukulele Player, Guitarist
I was looking for instrumental music for a wedding rehearsal dinner party held in a hotel ballroom and came across Dave Berry online. I listened to some of his music clips and decided immediately that this would be perfect for the occasion. Dave was very professional and showed up to the event well ahead of time and was well prepared with equipment. He will really impress you with the depth of his musical expertise as well as his amazing arrangements. Everyone at the party loved him and couldn't stop talking about him. He really made the rehearsal dinner night memorable!
Guitarist
A milestone birthday party held at home was greatly enhanced by the presence of David Berry and his music. From our initial meeting to discuss the set-up, through to the delivery if an evening's entertainment, David was totally professional and a pleasure to work with. With 50 guests ebbing and flowing through the rooms during the evening, there was a need to temper the type and volume of the music to meet the situation. David was always on the ball, playing the right stuff at the right volume throughout. As the evening drew to a close, he was kind enough to sit with a couple of aspiring guitarists and shoot the breeze on equipment and techniques. If you want to add an edge to your event, book David Berry; you will not be disappointed.
Jazz Guitarist
I booked David to play at our wedding cocktail hour last year, and I'm really glad I did. His playing set the perfect tone for the transition from a formal ceremony to a relaxed reception. We received lots of compliments about him from our guests. Also, he made a point to arrive early, and was completely professional from our initial contact straight through to the day of the event. On top of all that he's a super-nice guy - highly recommended!
Jazz Guitarist
I booked Mr. Berry to play solo at my organization's (Hope House Foundation) Annual Dinner. Mr. Berry arrived early and came prepared with his equipment and an assortment of music. I gave him the basics, that I was looking for low-key background music for approximately an hour during cocktails. Mr. Berry took this information and ran with it, in the best possible way. His music selection suited the occasion perfectly, never too loud and certainly never inappropriate, and made all the difference in the event's ambiance. Mr. Berry also carries himself very professionally and was a pleasure to deal with during the booking process and at the event itself. All in all, I was thoroughly pleased with my experience with Mr. Berry and I will absolutely book him again in the future.
Guitarist
Dave was such a pleasure to work with. After doing extensive research on entertainment for my wedding, I finally ran across Dave's page on here and reviewed his work on his website and loved what I heard. I had a small wedding of about 22 close family guests but I wanted it to be special and he was very accommodating. He brought different instrtuments to set different settings for my party. I like to think of my wedding as a very glamorous party for close friends and he was such a pleasure. All my guests loved our entertainment...we had him for our ceremony and cocktail hour, during dinner and a wine tasting and a dance. When I met with him.....I requested him to play 3 songs and asked him to set the settings for the events that were taking place and he was fantastic all around...after trying to work with others, Dave was so great compared t the demands of other entertainers. He was great and very reasonably priced for the work that he provides....he such a talented man and am so thankful to have come across him and have him play for us.
Multi-Instrumentalist
Booking Info
Price Range: Contact for rates
Gig Length: 30 - 240 minutes
Languages: English
What to Expect
I specialize in background instrumental music and, depending on what is requested, I can perform covers and/or originals, and can perform a specific genre of music, or a combination of genres. Furthermore, I can perform as either a solo guitarist, or a one-man band. As a one-man band, I occasionally incorporate other instruments into my routine, such as piano, ukelele, banjo, and bass...
If you would like more information regarding my music or services, please feel free to contact me!
About
Dave’s first musical experience began when he started playing the viola around the age of 10 and then guitar around the age of 12. During high school, he attended the Governors School for the Arts for viola and classical guitar performance where he extensively studied music theory, music history, musical composition, conducting, and jazz guitar, as well as performed in various chamber music groups and the Governors School symphony, for 4 years.
Dave is an accomplished violist and guitarist and studied under renowned classical guitarist Sam Dorsey, head of the Tidewater Classical Guitar Society. During this time, Dave was fortunate to perform in master classes for the world-renowned classical guitarists David Starobin, Manuel Barrueco, and Ana Vidovic. Additionally, as part of the Governors School touring musical program, Dave traveled to Poland and Prague in 2003 to perform solo classical guitar as well as viola with the Governors School chamber orchestra.
While attending college at James Madison University, Dave co-founded the band, Electric Baby, which played extensively around the Harrisonburg, VA, and Tidewater circuits. In 2007, Electric Baby was signed to the student-run music label EightyOne Records and opened for the band Say Anything as well as produced a full-length album "For Your Ears" at JMU’s Studio A. In 2010, Dave was cofounder of the jazz-rock group, The Loud Shapes, performing all over the Hampton Roads area. In June 2010, The Loud Shapes opened for the jazz group Medeski, Martin, and Wood at The Norva.
From 2010 to 2014, Dave lived in Virginia Beach, VA, where he worked as a research scientist, part-time music instructor, and freelance musician. In August 2014, Dave moved to Los Angeles, CA, where he worked as a scientist (developing sensors for NASA spacesuits, developing biomedical devices, and more...) and performed as a freelance musician. He also performed alongside and wrote music with, the award-winning singer/songwriter, Chloe Temtchine.
As of January 2022, Dave resides in Orange County, CA, where he works full-time as a scientist (developing cures for rare autoimmune diseases), and part-time as a freelance musician. To date, he has performed for a wide variety of events including weddings, TV shows, private parties/events, radio events, art festivals, and restaurants/bars.
Additional Booking Notes
Instruments:
-Fender Stratocaster
-Ibanez Artcore
-Jasmine Takamine Acoustic
-Casio Privia PX-130 Digital Keyboard
-Alesis Q49 MIDI Keyboard
-Deering Banjo
-Cordoba Ukelele
-William M. Henderson Classical Guitar
Amplifier:
-Fender Bassman 1959 Vintage Reissue
PA/Sound/Stage:
-2 Powered Mackie TH-12A Speakers
-Mackie 802-VLZ3 8-Channel Mixer
-Shure SM-58 Dynamic Microphone
-MXL 440/441 Condenser Microphones
-2 Music Stands
-2 Microphone Stands
Effects/Sampling:
-Boss RC-50 looper
-Boss RC-20 looper
-Roland SP-404 SX Linear Wave Sampler
-Novation Launchpad/Ableton Live
-Electro-harmonix Cathedral Stereo Reverb
-Digitech Whammy
-Boss Super Octave
-Ibanez Delay/Echo
-Fulltone OCD
-Ibanez Tubescreamer
-Boss VE-20 Vocal Performer
Past Booked Events
December 14, 2024 • 7:00pm - 9:00pm | Cocktail Party |
November 12, 2024 • 6:00pm - 8:30pm | Corporate Event |
October 26, 2024 • 12:00pm - 2:30pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
October 12, 2024 • 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Dinner Party |
October 05, 2024 • 4:30pm - 6:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
September 22, 2024 • 11:00am - 1:00pm | Bridal Shower |
August 29, 2024 • 7:30pm - 9:30pm | Rehearsal Dinner |
June 20, 2024 • 3:00pm - 5:00pm | Cocktail Party |
June 12, 2024 • 6:00pm - 9:30pm | Corporate Event |
May 07, 2024 • 5:30pm - 8:00pm | Corporate Event |
March 21, 2024 • 5:30pm - 7:00pm | Nonprofit Event |
March 09, 2024 • 12:30pm - 4:00pm | House Party |
December 15, 2023 • 5:30pm - 6:30pm | Corporate Event |
November 04, 2023 • 4:30pm - 7:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
October 26, 2023 • 4:00pm - 6:00pm | Corporate Event |
October 17, 2023 • 4:30pm - 6:30pm | Corporate Event |
October 07, 2023 • 3:30pm - 5:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
September 30, 2023 • 6:30pm - 9:00pm | Birthday Party |
August 30, 2023 • 6:00pm - 7:00pm | Dinner Party |
August 29, 2023 • 3:30pm - 4:30pm | Surprise |
August 15, 2023 • 4:30pm - 9:00pm | Corporate Event |
August 08, 2023 • 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Corporate Event |
August 06, 2023 • 5:00pm - 6:30pm | Wedding Cocktail Hour |
June 22, 2023 • 7:00pm - 10:30pm | Cocktail Party |
May 20, 2023 • 1:00pm - 3:00pm | Anniversary Party |
May 07, 2023 • 12:00pm - 2:30pm | Nonprofit Event |
February 08, 2023 • 7:00pm - 9:00pm | Corporate Event |
January 21, 2023 • 1:00pm - 3:00pm | Birthday Party |
December 17, 2022 • 3:00pm - 6:30pm | Christmas Party |
December 03, 2022 • 6:00pm - 8:30pm | Birthday Party |
November 17, 2022 • 7:00pm - 10:00pm | Dinner Party |
November 12, 2022 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Birthday Party |
October 22, 2022 • 2:00pm - 5:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
October 15, 2022 • 2:00pm - 4:00pm | Birthday Party |
August 22, 2017 • 5:00pm - 7:30pm | Cocktail Party |
June 21, 2017–June 22, 2017 • 7:30pm - 12:30am | Dinner Party |
June 18, 2017 • 11:00am - 1:00pm | Holiday Party (Other) |
October 22, 2016 • 5:30pm - 6:30pm | Nonprofit Event |
August 19, 2016 • 6:30pm - 9:00pm | Dinner Party |
July 18, 2016 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Corporate Event |
June 03, 2016 • 6:00pm - 8:30pm | Dinner Party |
May 21, 2016 • 10:00am - 3:00pm | Grand Opening |
November 26, 2015 • 12:00pm - 4:00pm | Holiday Party (Other) |
October 17, 2015 • 6:30pm - 8:00pm | Cocktail Party |
Set List
My setlist varies depending on the venue and event. For example...
For weddings, I cater to the clients request, whether it be ceremony music, classical songs, jazz standards, or original compositions, or a mixture.
For a freelance private party event, with no requests by the client, I will generally (depending on the venue setting) perform a mixture of jazz standards and pop/blues original compositions.
Influences & Inspiration
J.S. Bach, Maurice Ravel, Augustin Barrios, Andres Segovia, Paco Pena, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, George Gershwin, Stan Getz, Sonny Rollins, Art Tatum, Joe Pass, Ted Greene, Mulgrew Miller, John Scofield, Paul Simon, Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Steely Dan, The Killers, The Allman Brothers Band, The Strokes, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin.
Setup Requirements
The only requirement I have is that for outdoor gigs, a tent be provided in the event of rainfall.