Sarah Lightman
- Nashville, TN
- Singing Guitarist
- 24 Verified Bookings
Cari R. said “Sarah has a great voice and is so talented. She was easy to work with and communicated well. We hired her for dinner music for a gala for 700 people and…”
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* Listen to duo album “Anemoia” on streaming platforms.
* Pro Guitarist & Singer specializing in performing Brazilian Bossa Nova/Samba and original compositions.
* Opened for Poncho Sanchez, Performed at Dodger Stadium, RedCat, Pershing Square, Levitt Pavilion, Rio Hotel (Las Vegas), and worldwide venues.
* Available as a soloist or accompanied by a talented ensemble.
* Can tailor performance to all occasions!
* Degree from California Institute of the Arts.
* Global upbringing, fluency in diverse languages.
* Plays traditional musical styles with authenticity & originality.
* Outstanding references upon request.
Contact Now!
Nick was able to feel the vibe of the party and lent just the right feel to my party. He really made the event special and everyone in attendance absolutely raved about having him. He totally elevated the entire experience. Raves!
Response from Nick Kello's Bossa Nova Sounds:
Thank you Ruthie for your kind review! It was a wonderful event and I was delighted to contribute to it. The food, the ambiance, the people were all wonderful!
Nick Kello played the most beautiful Bossa Nova music for our small dinner party! It was a treat for us and our guests. Truly magical evening!
Response from Nick Kello's Bossa Nova Sounds:
Thank you for the kind review, Angie! Your family and friends were wonderful. It was a real joy to play music for you as you relaxed and enjoyed your evening.
Nick and his trio played for our son and daughter in law’s wedding weekend welcome party. Not only was Nick extremely accommodating but the music was awesome. If you are a Latin Jazz fan you would be fortunate to have them at your next event.
Response from Nick Kello's Bossa Nova Sounds:
Thanks for your kind review Meg - and for the opportunity to play music at such a wonderful event and for such a special occasion!
Our guests raved about Nick's music! It set the mood and was the perfect fit for our wedding. We highly recommend him! Thanks Nick!
Response from Nick Kello's Bossa Nova Sounds:
Hi Jackie! Thank you for your kind review. It was wonderful to be part of such an incredible wedding in Sedona - the setting, the people, and the ceremony were all so lovely. Very happy to be a part of it.
All of our wedding guests raved about Nick!!! He handled himself with the utmost professionalism and his melodies and voice were enchanting. We loved him so much we'll be hiring him again for our housewarming party!!!
Response from Nick Kello's Bossa Nova Sounds:
Thank you so much for the kind words! It was a pleasure to work with you and I look forward to doing it again.
Nick was an absolute delight to work with! He was very punctual and professional and played all of my favorite Bossa Nova songs beautifully. I had him alone with his guitar and he absolutely killed it. On top of all of this he was the nicest person and an all around great musician. Would highly recommend.
Response from Nick Kello's Bossa Nova Sounds:
Thanks for the kind words Benjamin! It was wonderful to play a show at CSUN for the student union. The sound engineers were great and it was great working with you. Good luck with your photography endeavors!
Nick Kello was the ultimate professional from the initial interaction until the very end of the evening. He couldn't have been better for this lovely european style dinner party set under the stars. Nick knew exactly what we needed and when. He was perfect and my client was beyond pleased. All the guests made positive comments about Nick and his music as they were leaving. I can't wait to book Nick again!
Response from Nick Kello's Bossa Nova Sounds:
Tank you so much for your kind review Denise! It was a real pleasure to work with you and to assist in creating such a beautiful evening. I look forward to working with you again!
We had our Christmas party last Sunday and we needed some sexy beautiful background music
We cuden't be happier with Nick's talent amazing beautiful sound and human for sure we will have him back to our next event
Thank you so much Nick to make our night even more special
Response from Nick Kello's Bossa Nova Sounds:
Thank you for your kind review Simone! The setting of your party was classy, relaxed and beautiful and all the people there were warm and wonderful. Merry Christmas!
Nick provided the perfect musical ambiance to our wedding cocktail reception and dinner. He was amazing! You can't go wrong by hiring him. Thanks Nick!
Response from Nick Kello's Bossa Nova Sounds:
John, Thank you so much for your kind review. It really was a wonderful night to be a part of! The setting was beautiful and the guests and ceremony were full of levity and heart.
Nick came to play during our grand reopening open house. Music was a calm and soothing energy throughout the day. Great guy to work with. I will definitely use him again. Thank you Nick
Nick played and sang bossa nova music at our wedding cocktail hour and reception and it was perfect! He is an amazingly talented musician and singer. He was laid back and easy to work with. He added a unique and romantic element to our wedding that we will never forget. We hope to hire him again at future events. Thanks Nick!
Response from Nick Kello's Bossa Nova Sounds:
Thank you so much Aaron! Your backyard ceremony was so intimate and authentic and your wife, family, and friends were all so welcoming and wonderful. It was a real pleasure!
Nick Kello is an extraordinary performer. With his fine voice and excellent guitar skills, he brings a relaxed charm that fills the room--or your outdoor space--with romantic or lively bossa nova sounds. (It is your choice.) Our family hosted three days of celebrations and of all the performers that entertained our guests, Nick was the one that everyone raved about and asked about. Our family hopes to call on him again...and again. We rate him ten stars ... five are just not enough.
Response from Nick Kello's Bossa Nova Sounds:
Dear Susan,
Thank you so much for your very kind review! It was such a pleasure to work with you and your husband, family and friends on this special occasion. You have a beautiful home and family and it was a real joy to contribute to that wonderful ambience.
I was introduced to Nick by a friend that said, Nick is the perfect fit for your wedding. I emailed Nick and from his first reply that was so heartfelt and touching about my upcoming wedding, I knew he was the guy. Throughout the year, he constantly touched base. I had a couple of request, "All of Me" and "Thinking Out Loud" two songs that he normally doesn't sing and play. He learned them for me and sang them beautifully. Our wedding day was magical and honestly, it had to do with Nick. He was early to set up, it was a raining day in Southern California, he never complained. He was so loving. His voice is of an angel. Myself and my guest keep talking about how beautiful his voice is.
I can guarantee that if you hire Nick as your guy, you will not be disappointed. I will be using him for other events.
Response from Nick Kello's Bossa Nova Sounds:
Thank you for your very kind review Stacy. It was a joy to be part of your wedding and to help create an environment to support you and your partner in celebrating your love. I wish you both the very best as you embark on this beautiful adventure.
I can't recommend Nick enough, he was great to work with and on time. He has the most beautiful singing voice and very talented Guitarist. Our guests loved Nick's music selection and general vibe. You would be a fool not to hire Nick.
Response from Nick Kello's Bossa Nova Sounds:
Thank you Jasmin for your incredibly kind review! The event you put together for your partner was full of enthusiasm, joy and love and a pleasure to be a part of. It was great meeting you all.
Nick, thank you so much for coming to play for us in Newport Beach this past summer. It truly was a magical day, and your musical talents were such a beautiful addition to our ceremony and reception. Your music was exactly what we'd been looking for, and it was such a relaxing time before the crazy DJ in the evening. Thank you also for your prompt communication and kindness throughout the process!
Response from Nick Kello's Bossa Nova Sounds:
Hi Peg, thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a kind review! It was a pleasure to be part of such a wonderful day. Your family and friends, and the entire ambience, were very warm and welcoming. I wish you and your husband the very best!
Our family and friends enjoy love & friendship under light bossa nova music from Nick
Response from Nick Kello's Bossa Nova Sounds:
Thank you Joe, it was a real pleasure. You have wonderful family and friends.
I hired Nick to play an event at our Spa. He walked me through the whole process and he was always very Profesional and kind. He showed up early, had everything he needed and really helped set the tone of what was a wonderful evening. Even my guests were asking "who is this guy?" They all loved him!! I will absolutely be asking Nick to come back and play for us again. He is simply the best!
Response from Nick Kello's Bossa Nova Sounds:
Hi Ratna! Thank you for such a kind review. Your whole setup for the evening was beautifully done: elegant, relaxing, rejuvenating and romantic. I look forward to working together again.
Nick was the perfect fit for an event that surrounded the theme of love. The music was in harmony with the atmosphere we desired to create. Not only was he a delight to us , but our guests as well were captivated with his talent.
I hope to work again with Nick in the future , he definitely was a part of the evenings success.
Response from Nick Kello's Bossa Nova Sounds:
Thank you Patricia! I'm glad that the music was a good fit for the event. Your boutique was charming, sophisticated and elegant and it was a pleasure to contribute my music to the ambience.
All the best, Nick
Thank you Nick for your beautiful music. Your music set the tone for a beautiful garden wedding for all to enjoy. I would do it again for any occassion. Nick's Bossa Nova Sounds drifted thru the backyard and lended to the magical feeling of romance to all. Promptness and Appearance were professional and appreciated! Thank you!
Karen Petersen Shultis Las Vegas, NV September 26, 2015
Response from Nick Kello's Bossa Nova Sounds:
Dear Karen,
Thank you for the opportunity to be part of such a special and intimate event. It was a real pleasure to make the trip up from LA! It'd be an honor to do it again any time. All the best to you and your husband!
Nick
Nick was so professional. Everything that was written about him was spot on. His soothing Bossa Nova sound was perfect for my Mom's 80th Bithday. I will defiantly use him again for other functions.
Response from Nick Kello's Bossa Nova Sounds:
Thank you very much Marisa! I'm glad the music was a good fit. It was a pleasure to be part of such a special occasion.
Nick sings and plays exquisitely. On top of that he's completely accomodatimg, professional, and extremely easy to work with. He came out to us to help with a celebration of life and managed to strike the perfect tone; playing with both reverence and joy. I would recommend him to anyone and I'm grateful he chose to join us.
Response from Nick Kello's Bossa Nova Sounds:
Thank you for your kind review Jennifer. It really was an honor to be part of such a special and heartfelt celebration; to be part of honoring a life that had positively impacted so many.
Nick was a wonderful addition to our son and daughter-in-law's wedding. His Bossa Nova guitar sounds were really calming before the ceremony and during the cocktail hour. It was a pleasure to work with someone so talented and engaging. Nick was kind, caring and extremely accommodating. He was easy to work with and really helped to make the wedding special. We would highly recommend him to anyone who needs a very gifted musician for their event.
Response from Nick Kello's Bossa Nova Sounds:
Hi Cassie! Thank you so much for your kind review. It was such a pleasure to meet you and work with you ~ and to be part of such a beautiful event. Your family and friends were all such genuinely good people.
We booked Nick for a corporate dinner function with guests from China and Canada on the roof of the Hilton Checkers in Los Angeles and he was simply amazing. All of the guests raved about the quality of the music, his voice and his perfect match of music to the mood of the event. He is reliable, professional and a total delight to have worked with. He is a brilliant addition to any event and I'm hoping to work with him again.
Nick's Bossa Nova music was beautiful and marvellous. All our guests enjoyed!
Response from Nick Kello's Bossa Nova Sounds:
Thank you Daphne! It was a wonderful event in a beautiful setting. I'm glad my music helped to provide the atmosphere for a successful event.
Nick & the band were amazing! They set the mood for the wedding reception, they made it intimate and lively at the same time. I'd recommend anyone looking for Jazz/Bossa Nove to book with Nick! Obrigada, Nick por ter feito nossa noite espetacular!
Response from Nick Kello's Bossa Nova Sounds:
Thank you for your review Monica! It was a beautiful evening and an honor to be a part of. Obrigado vocês pela oportunidade de participar num momento tão especial!
Nick hosted our son's wedding and it was wonderful. He played great songs and is a wonderful guitarist. Let alone his great voice. He was the perfect choice for our event and I would use him again. He came on time and did not miss a beat!!!!
Response from Nick Kello's Bossa Nova Sounds:
Thank you so much for your kind review! It was an honor to be part of such a special occasion. Everything, from the ceremony to the dinner and cake-cutting, was intimate and beautiful. I wish your son and his bride the very best.
I hired Nick for my 50th birthday party, and I can't thank him enough. How his wonderful music and voice added to my event. Live music created such a great atmosphere, and Nick has such a sweet personality and appearance. It was a pleasure to get to know him. Thanks again, Marianne.
I had the pleasure of watching Nick perform on a rooftop under the stars in the 2,000 year old city of Girona, Spain. It. was. amazing. If you have the chance to watch him perform, do not hesitate! You won't regret it!
(Note: I had to select "San Juan, Puerto Rico" for the location because the site doesn't have an option for Spain or Spanish cities.)
Response from Nick Kello's Bossa Nova Sounds:
Gracias Carlos, for your review! What a beautiful city Girona is - everybody was very nice and welcoming.
I wanted to express our gratitude for the magnificent entertainment you provided us at our son's engagement party. I think you should be in Vegas on stage.
Response from Nick Kello's Bossa Nova Sounds:
Thank you Bob! It was a great pleasure and a very fun night. It was especially great to have you and your sons join in on percussion and keys!
I hired Nick to perform at the inauguration of my art gallery - Espacio de Arte INNOVA - located in Punta del Este in January, 2010. His show was PERFECT and the people told it to me all night long. Beautiful Bossa Nova! He was even mentioned in the most important newspaper from Uruguay (El Pais), when they did an article on my opening night! Nick was very professional!!! Buenísimo!
Response from Nick Kello's Bossa Nova Sounds:
Thank you for your kind review! It was a wonderful event. I look forward to stopping by INNOVA next time I am in Uruguay!
Price Range: $400 +
Gig Length: 30 - 360 minutes
Languages: English, French, Portuguese, Spanish
Unions: AFT
You can expect the highest level of integrity, friendliness and professionalism:
An early and punctual arrival. A committed and passionate performance that is tailored to meet your individual needs. Most of all, the soothing and romantic sounds of traditional Bossa Nova and Samba music played with authenticity and originality.
Nick Kello was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and spent his childhood and later years traveling and living in diverse corners of the globe, including Boston, Montreal, Rio De Janeiro and Sao Paulo. This global upbringing afforded him both a fluency in the diverse languages in which he sings his music (Portuguese, English, Spanish and French) as well as a natural exposure to a wide variety of musical tastes and styles. Nick earned a degree in Philosophy and Literature from Boston College, as well as a degree in Musical Performance for the Guitar from California Institute of the Arts, where he studied with Miroslav Tadic, Stuart Fox, and Larry Koonse.
For the past ten years, Nick has worked as a performer, recording artist, composer and educator. He has been involved in composing and performing music for various interdisciplinary arts projects, (including animation, dance and theater), and has also performed live concerts of both traditional Brazilian songs and original compositions. These have included local performances at RedCat in downtown L.A., House of Blues in Hollywood, and the Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena; as well as South American and European venues. Nick is also a current member of the L.A. County Arts Commission Musicians Roster. His recent studio work has included a Bossa Nova song, with French lyrics, entitled "Amoreuax de Toi" (B. Rubin), which was released by University of Arizona Recording in 2010. Nick has worked prolifically as an educator in a variety of school settings -- teaching diverse subjects, including songwriting, guitar, student ensembles, music theory, literature and philosophy. He is currently based in Los Angeles, California, where, aside from his work as a composer, performer, and recording artist, he is still actively involved as an educator. In September of 2012, Nick began working at the pioneering UCLA Lab School, where he currently holds the position of Music Demonstration Teacher. He also provides educational consulting services on an independent contractor basis.
Able to provide high quality amplification, microphones, and equipment if need be.
Numerous Bossa Nova Classics, such as (but not limited to):
By Tom Jobim
Agua de Beber
Aguas De Março
A Feliçidade
Amor Em Paz
Chega de Saudade
Corcovado
Desafinado
Dindi
Eu Sei Que Vou Te Amar
Garota de Ipanema
Insensatez
Lamento No Morro
Meditação
O Grande Amor
O Morro Não Tem Vez
Vivo Sonhando
So Danço Samba
Triste
Wave
As Recorded by João Gilberto:
Aquarela do Brasil (Ary Barroso)
Falsa Baiana (Geraldo Pereira)
Manha de Carnaval/Black Orpheus, (Luiz Bonfá)
Composed and/or Performed by Caetano Veloso:
Bem Devagar
Coração Vagabundo
Desde Que O Samba E Samba
Drão (Gilberto Gil)
Labios Que Beijei (Orlando Silva)
Luz do Sol
O Homem Velho
Samba E Amor (Chico Buarque)
Sampa
Sozinho (Peninha)
And many more!
Inspired by legends such as Antonio Carlos Jobim, João Gilberto, Caetano Veloso, João Bosco, Gal Costa, Astrud Gilberto and many more luminaries of Brazilian Popular Music.
A simple chair will do!
Able to provide high fidelity amplification, microphones, and equipment if needed.
Cari R. said “Sarah has a great voice and is so talented. She was easy to work with and communicated well. We hired her for dinner music for a gala for 700 people and…”
Trade M. said “Dane was an amazing addition to TRADE Marketplace's kick-off series of Saturday Night Live Music Events! He brought an amazing selection of songs…”
Lisa G. said “Adriana and her piano accompanist Malik showed up early to familiarize themselves with the room and brought their own sound equipment which was great.…”
Kathleen T. said “Truly was amazing! He made our event! Festival Mode: ON Thank you so so much, Luke!!”