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Doug Gortner, Wedding/Party Pianist
- Nashville, TN
- Pianist
- Travels up to 200 miles
- $200+ Nonprofits = 20% discount. Request quote
Overview
I play solo piano for your Party, Wedding Reception or Rehearsal Dinner, or Corporate function. I play Classic Standards, Show Tunes, and Christmas music, and Modern Jazz. If you inquire, I will send you a compilation of my Online Reviews: 50 FIVE STARS +4.3 & 4.0. YouTube: "Doug Gortner."
If you google "Best Jazz Pianist in Nashville" I will be near or at the top of the list. Two years ago, I responded to an invitation from Steinway Piano Gallery to add my headshot to their "Gallery of Steinway Piano Artists" wall. Then, a month ago, I was stunned to be informed that My Bio. will appear in the next edition of WHO'S WHO IN AMERICA, as Nashville's top party pianist.
21 Reviews
Doug was fantastic at our brunch wedding reception! Working up to the big day he was very responsive and helpful, even accommodating a few last minute requests the day before. He did a great job MCing for us to announce our entrance and other wedding day items, and really helped pull the day together. Highly recommend!
Pianist
Response from Doug Gortner, Wedding/Party Pianist:
Thanks for the great review. It was a beautiful wedding and a most appreciative audience. Bon Voyage.
Doug played for my senior community Thanksgiving dinner. The resident's really enjoyed the music and are still telling me how much they liked the entertainment this year.
Pianist
Response from Doug Gortner, Wedding/Party Pianist:
Thank you Lisa,
It was one of the most appreciative audiences I encountered.
Doug is such a talented artist and an absolute joy to work with. Highly recommend him for any of your pianist needs!
Pianist, Corporate Entertainment
Response from Doug Gortner, Wedding/Party Pianist:
Hi Nicole. Thank you so much. It was a great event. Doug
We had Doug play piano for our wedding’s welcome party and he was just a delight. Tons of compliments all night as he was able to keep the “vibe” going very well. When we throw another party, we will be sure to contact Doug again. Not only is he great on the piano, but he is a fabulous storyteller and presence at any party.
Keyboard Player
Response from Doug Gortner, Wedding/Party Pianist:
Thank you MIchael,
I most enjoyed sharing your special day.
Cheers.................Doug
Photos from this event
Doug was excellent! He had the perfect blend of songs and was very sociable as well! I would HIGHLY recommend him to anyone!
Pianist
Response from Doug Gortner, Wedding/Party Pianist:
Thank you Josh,
You put on a great party, and the piano was one of the best I have ever played. I look forward to working with you in the future..........Doug
Doug was sensational! The perfect entertainment to elevate my client's cocktail party. We were honored to have Doug play and be a part of our event. Would absolutely hire and have him at future events!
Pianist
Response from Doug Gortner, Wedding/Party Pianist:
Wow Sara...you make me blush. You put together a fabulous event! Thanks for the hire and the wonderful review. Doug
.Doug was easy to work with and helped us create memories for a lifefime..
Pianist
Response from Doug Gortner, Wedding/Party Pianist:
Thanks so much for your kind words and letting me share your special day.
Doug is a pleasure to work with! We recently had our wedding reception at The Hermitage Hotel in downtown Nashville, and he played the piano during cocktail hour. We received so many compliments regarding his performance!! We would definitely recommend Doug for any event as he is easy to work with, friendly but professional, and very talented!! Thank you, Doug, for making a special event even better!!
Pianist
Response from Doug Gortner, Wedding/Party Pianist:
Thank you Andreea, It has been really slow for the past nine months, but people are now starting to book weddings for fall and into next year. Your review will definitely help.
Talented and accommodating
Pianist
Response from Doug Gortner, Wedding/Party Pianist:
Thank you Bridget,
What a fun party. I love playing at the Governor's Club. Thanks too for the $100 tip.
Wonderful Man, so courteous. Came early, set up and then helped us move tables. His music was quite delightful and set the mood nicely.
Keyboard Player, Pianist, Jazz Pianist
Response from Doug Gortner, Wedding/Party Pianist:
Thank you. Wonderful family, wonderful party. It is always a treat to visit Chattanooga.
Doug is incredible! He has played at our event for the past two years to welcome guests as they arrive at our fundraiser. He is great to work with and such a gentleman. We definitely recommend him for your next event!
Jazz Pianist
Response from Doug Gortner, Wedding/Party Pianist:
Thanks Katelan,
It is always a joy to play for you in at the Muscles Shoals Marriott. A wonderful event with many very generous people.
Doug did an absolutely fabulous job entertaining our guests at a house warming event for approximately 60 people. The selection of tunes was spot on and Doug knows how to keep the party lively with the right combination of music. He is also a heck of an interesting guy as we learned from talking to him during a break. You can't go wrong if you are looking for a pianist for your event.
Pianist
Response from Doug Gortner, Wedding/Party Pianist:
Thank you Tuck. It was a wonderful Party. You are an interesting fella yourself!
I have had Doug at a number of events that have ranged from a large opening at the Nashville Public Library, to Christmas parties, to small intimate events, and he has always been beyond terrific. I simply chose one of the times for the date given below for this review. First of all, he can play anything, so that makes it really fun and easy. He is extremely personable, and is just a pleasure to have as a guest, much less someone who is working the event. He is completely self-contained in terms of equipment, so again, that makes it really easy; if you have a piano, great. If you don't, that is great too. He is always on time, and truth is will play longer than necessary, and is not a "clock watcher." I could not recommend Doug more highly, and I cannot wait to have the need for his musical skills again!
1940s Era Entertainment, 1950s Era Entertainment, 1960s Era Entertainment, Corporate Entertainment, Keyboard Player, Pianist, Jazz Pianist
Response from Doug Gortner, Wedding/Party Pianist:
Thank you tom for your kind words, Doug
Doug played for our dinner and did a fantastic job. He played all the songs from our era. It was great! I highly recommend him for your event.
1950s Era Entertainment
We hired Doug to play at a surprise birthday party for my dad. He was fantastic and everyone loved the music!
Pianist
Well received. Personable and provided a great vibe for our party atmosphere.
Pianist
We've had Doug Gortner, Party Pianist for several events at our organization - social gathering, recognition lunch and garden butterfly release. At each event he played suitable music with warmth and caring. Doug's personality is genuine and humorous and he is very amiable! The guests all loved him and his music!
Keyboard Player
We booked Doug Gortner, Party Pianist to play at events for two of our luxury dealerships here in Nashville TN. Our guests provided us with extremely positive feedback regarding the music that Doug Gortner played during the two events. Doug Gortner, Party Pianist provides a touch of class to an evening, and we would highly recommend booking him for future events.
Keyboard Player
Response from Doug Gortner, Wedding/Party Pianist:
These two events were Customer Appreciation Dinners hosted by LEXUS of NASHVILLE AND LEXUS of COOL SPRINGS. They sure know how to throw a party! As each event was winding down, a few customers and staff members came over and sang OVER THE RAINBOW and MISTY. What fun!
Doug at our party of 40 + people was a smashing success!! What an evening! Thank you Doug!
Pianist
Doug Gortner, Party Pianist performed at the birthday of a 70 year old friend. The music was a lovely time-period appropriate background to an outdoor cocktail hour and an indoor dinner. He was very talented and entertaining. Also prompt, agreeable (needed to relocate during the evening and had to move his piano) and very cordial to guests.
Pianist
Thanks so much to Doug Gortner, Party Pianist for making our party fabulous! He is a talented and fun performer. I highly recommend him!
Keyboard Player
Booking Info
Price Range: $200+ Nonprofits = 20% discount. Request quote
Gig Length: 60 - 180 minutes
Languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Danish
What to Expect
Recently I responded to an invitation from Steinway Piano Gallery to add my headshot to their "Gallery of Steinway Piano Artists" wall and they have offered their recital hall for me to shoot some video. I also act in commercials and recently did a five minute schtick for a promotional movie for Yamaha Pianos. I am a well dressed, happy fella who will arrive early, flexible, courteous, a good communicator, willing to stay later than contracted (at no extra charge), connects well with your guests, and someone to whom you will gladly give an enthusiastic review. My "hosts" often comment on my professionalism and ease of communications, the warmth of my chording and my obvious passion for the music. There is no chance I will show up late or intoxicated. If necessary, I can bring my own keyboard and amp and will arrive about one half hour ahead of the scheduled time. I can send you my Setlist and you can choose the tunes I play, and even the order in which I play them.
About
Based on my Forty (40) online reviews, all but one being FIVE STARS, (the other awarded me 4 stars), I am considered by many to be Nashville's Top Event Pianist. I will gladly send you a list of my online reviews. They praise my music but also my personality and professionalism.
I am retired from senior administrative positions in educational and arts institutions in the North and Canada, followed by a nationwide management consulting career. I cannot learn to read music as my ears have "a much faster processor" than my eyes, so, much as I adore it, I cannot play classical pieces (although I did perform for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Ask me about that!) I do a nice version of Here Comes The Bride and have a magical violinist partner who can accompany me, and, if you wish, play all your favorite classical pieces at your wedding ceremony. I started playing professionally in a Coffee House (remember them?) while a student at Brown University and have played in lounges and many private parties ever since that time. I don't sing much, and in Nashville that is a requirement to work in most restaurants and lounges. So I have jumped into the niche of Party/Wedding/Corp. Function Pianist, where one does not want the distraction of singing. I play over three hundred tunes by ear. I just love to play for people. I am an enthusiastic (and relatively accomplished) photographer, tennis, golf and bridge player, and enjoy gardening and the life of the mind. I live in Hillsboro Village, Nashville.
Services Offered
Set List
While my playlist will vary based on the age of the audience, this is a list of tunes I most often play:
AFRAID THE MASQUERADE IS OVER
AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
ALL THE THINGS YOU ARE
AMAZING GRACE -- BLUES
ANGEL EYES
AS TIME GOES BY
BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC -- BLUES
BEWARE MY FOOLISH HEART
BLACK COFFEE
BLUESETTE
CAN’T GET STARTED
CAN’T HELP LOVIN THAT MAN
CUTE
DAHOUD
DARN THAT DREAM
DIS’ HERE
EVERYTHING HAPPENS TO ME
FLY ME TO THE MOON
GREEN DOLPHIN STREET
HELLO YOUNG LOVERS
HERE’S THAT RAINY DAY
I LEFT MY HEART IN S.F.
I LOVES YOU PORGY
IN THE WEE SMALL HOURS
I REMEMBER YOU
LADY BE GOOD
LITTLE GIRL BLUE
LOPING BLUES
LOVE IS TWICE AS NICE
MISTY
MOANIN’
MOONLIGHT IN VERMONT
MOON RIVER
MORE
TITLE
MY FUNNY VALENTINE
MY WILD IRISH ROSE
OVER THE RAINBOW
PENNIES FROM HEAVEN
RAINY DAYS & MONDAYS
ROUND MIDNIGHT
SATIN DOLL
SECRET LOVE
SEND IN THE CLOWNS
SISTER SADIE
SOME DAY MY PRINCE WILL COME
SOME TIME AGO
SOUSA BLUES
SPRING CAN REALLY HANG YOU UP…
STARDUST
STARS FELL ON ALABAMA
STELLA BY STARLIGHT
SUMMERTIME
TAKE THE “A” TRAIN
TEACH ME TONIGHT
TENDERLY
THE CHRISTMAS SONG
THE DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES
THE LADY IS A TRAMP
THE NEARNESS OF YOU
THE WORK SONG
THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER YOU
UNFORGETTABLE
WALTZ FOR DEBBIE
WATERMELON MAN
WAY WE WERE
WHEN IRISH EYES ARE SMILING
WHEN SUNNY GETS BLUE
WHOM CAN I TURN TO
YOUNG AND FOOLISH
TITLE
ALL THE WAY
AN IRISH LULLABY
I THOUGHT ABOUT YOU
YOU ARE DA SUNSHINE OF MY LIFE
ALL OF ME
BASIN STREET-- ST. LOUIS -- BLUES
CHEEK TO CHEEK
DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES
EASTER PARADE
EASY TO LOVE
EVERYTHING HAPPENS TO ME
GIRL FROM IPANEMA
I’VE GOT A CRUSH ON YOU
I’VE GOT THE WORLD ON A STRING
I LOVE YOU JUST THE WAY YOU ARE
JEEPERS CREEPERS
LITTLE DARLIN’
LONG AGO AND FAR AWAY
LOOK FOR THE SILVER LINING
LOVER
LULLABY OF BIRDLAND
MOONLIGHT IN VERMONT
MY FAVORITE THINGS
MY FUNNY VALENTINE
MY ROMANCE
NEW YORK NEW YORK
NOBODY KNOWS THE TROUBLE I’VE SEEN
ONE NOTE SAMBA
QUIET NIGHTS
ROUTE 66
SEPTEMBER SONG
STORMY WEATHER
SWEET GEORGIA BROWN
SWING LOW SWEET CHARIOT
THAT’S ALL
TITLE
WILLOW WEEP FOR ME
THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT
YARD BIRD SUITE
SWINGING SHEPARD BLUES
BLAME IT ON MY YOUTH
KILLING ME SOFTLY WITH HIS SONG
OLD FOLKS
BLUE MOON
BODY AND SOUL
BROWN UNIVERSITY SONG
FOR ALL WE KNOW
GOOD MORNING HEARTACHE
HOW ABOUT YOU
HOW HIGH THE MOON
I THOUGHT ABOUT YOU
IT HAD TO BE YOU
IT HAPPENED IN MONTEREY
IT MIGHT AS WELL BE SPRING
LOVE, LOOK AT THE TWO OF US
MEDLEY OF N.E. COLLEGE SONGS
NEFFI’S NEBBISH
ONE FOR MY BABY
ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE
PENNIES FROM HEAVEN
SING A SONG – SESAME STREET
SOON IT’S GONNA RAIN
THAT LONESOME ROAD
THE WHIFFENPOOF SONG
THERE’S NO YOU
EASY TO LOVE
EASTER PARADE
VALARIE
LET’S GET AWAY FROM IT ALL
THIS CAN’T BE LOVE
TITLE
WE’VE ONLY JUST BEGUN
IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU
OH DANNY BOY
MAKIN WHOOPEE
OL’ ROCKIN CHAIR
A GHOST OF A CHANCE
MEMPHIS IN JUNE
THESE FOOLISH THINGS …
GEORGIA ON MY MIND
OLD FOLKS
GONE WITH THE WIND
GIRL TALK
HONEYSUCKLE ROSE
LAURA
AUTUMN IN NEW YORK
AUTUMN LEAVES
CRY ME A RIVER
DESAFINADO
DON’T BLAME ME C Bb A (F E Am)
EMBRACEABLE YOU
BLUE SKIES
I’VE GOT YOU UNDER MY SKIN
MOONGLOW
MORE THAN YOU KNOW
I GOT PLENTY O’ NUTTIN’
I WILL WAIT FOR YOU
I’VE GOT THE WORLD ON A STRING
I’VE GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO HER FACED
ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE
OUR LOVE IS HERE TO STAY
THEY ALL LAUGHED
IT AIN’T NECESSARILY SO
IF EVER I WOULD LEAVE YOU
NIGHTINGALE IN BERKELEY SQUARE
NIGHT AND DAY
LIZA
TITLE
MIDNIGHT SUN
OLD MAN RIVER
SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES
SAMBA DE ORFEU
SHINY STOCKINGS
SWEET LORRAINE
THE FOLKS THAT LIVE ON THE HILL
THE MAN I LOVE
THE SHADOW OF YOUR SMILE
THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT
TIME AFTER TIME
WAVE
WHAT ARE YOU DOING THE REST...
WHAT WE DID FOR LOVE
WHERE DO YOU START
NOTE: Songs are listed alphabetically by how well I play them, hence those closer to the top are played better/richer. I need to read chord changes from a fakebook for those nearer the bottom.
Influences & Inspiration
My influences are Bill Evans, Bobby Timmons, Oscar Peterson, Andre Previn, Gene Harris (Peterson with dirt under his fingernails), Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Taylor, Marion McPartland, Harvey Reed, Miles Davis, Herbie Mann, John Jonethis, Steve Bailey, and Les McCann. As a young man I attended live performances by Bill Evans (Village Vanguard, Village Gate. and Upstairs at the Downstairs?), and Peterson (Village Vanguard '50s, in Munich, Germany, 60s, and at Dartmouth College 70s, Herbie Mann at the Half Note, Less McCann and Dorothy Ashby at the Bohemian Caverns (D.C.), and many others.