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Pianist for Events, Fred Yacono
- St Paul, MN
- Pianist
- Travels up to 90 miles
- $300 and up
Overview
Fred Yacono is one of the premier wedding and event pianists in Minneapolis, St. Paul and outstate. He brings the very best in beautiful piano music to any event!
Fred will delight your guests with his dynamic repertoire of over 1,000 songs which is a virtual hit parade that covers all decades of great songs from the best bands, orchestras and vocalists of our time.
Your wedding is one of the most memorable, romantic events of your lifetime! Fred will create a magical musical memory for your wedding day.
Fred is prepared to go that extra mile to make you and your guests talk about his services fondly for years to come. He will crown it with the very best in beautiful solo piano music!
20 Reviews
My family and I gathered to celebrate my Mom’s 90th Birthday and Fred played through our social hour, which set the tone for a beautiful evening. Fred was responsive from start to finish and extremely easy to work with. We loved it. Thanks for a great experience!!
Pianist
Response from Pianist for Events, Fred Yacono:
Thank you Amy.
It was an honor to play for your Mom's birthday dinner social hour. I spoke with her and was very impressed. She is certainly a very fine lady. Again, thank you so much.
He was most professional and kind. He played at our Father's funeral, on the piano and did an amazing job. Our family and quests had kind comments also. I would defiantly ask for him again, anytime! I'd like to say, Thank you very much !
Maggie & Dan Kersey
Fridley, MN
Pianist
Response from Pianist for Events, Fred Yacono:
Maggie and Dan, thank you for your kind words. Funerals are never happy occasions, but it was a pleasure for me to provide music for your Dad's memorial service. Clearly, he was a much beloved man. Thank you for selecting me to honor him with my music.
Fred
Fred was wonderful - played the music my 90-year-old Dad requested for his birthday. Quickly pivoted to speeches/Happy Birthday songs when we needed, etc. He even took the time to scout out the location so that he could find it easily the day of the event. Greatly appreciated his preparation and talents!
Pianist
Response from Pianist for Events, Fred Yacono:
Carolyn, thank you for your very nice review. It was such a pleasure to play for your Dad's 90th birthday celebration. You and your siblings certainly did terrific job in honoring him. Every aspect of Butch's birthday was classy! I was very happy to be a part of this joyous occasion. Fred Yacono
Fred played all the holiday songs we enjoy! Friends really enjoyed his playing and live entertainment!
Pianist
Response from Pianist for Events, Fred Yacono:
Thank you, Kari, for your kind words. I, as always, enjoyed playing for you, your family and guests. Thank you also for your warm hospitality. You and Scott made me feel very welcomed. The entire atmosphere was festive, warm, and welcoming. I especially enjoyed the sing along that we did. Again, thank you folks so very much and a very Merry Christmas!!
Fred
Great communication throughout. Fred is the total package. Can’t begin to describe how beautifully he plays the piano - he’s the best.
Pianist
Fred was an absolute delight to work with! I could tell from my first phone call with him that he was going to be a great addition to our company's holiday luncheon....and he didn't disappoint! His music was beautiful and exactly what our luncheon needed and I received numerous comments and compliments! It made us feel so fancy....and even the people from another meeting down the hall commented as they walked by! His music just made everything so festive and fun! I hope to be able to book him again for future events!
Pianist
Response from Pianist for Events, Fred Yacono:
Nancy, thank you for your wonderful review! I also want to thank you, your husband and daughter, Ellie, for helping with the equipment. Your warmth and hospitality are unmatched. You and your guests made me feel very welcome and at home. It was a pleasure to provide music for your Christmas Holiday party and I look forward to future events where I might have the privilege of playing for you again. Holiday blessings to you and your family. Fred Yacono, Pianist for Events
Fred recently played an event at our home for a holiday party. For two solid hours, he played beautiful traditional holiday music without breaks. He concluded our evening with offering the option of a holiday sing sing-along, complete with the lyrics in brochures. He was very punctual, professional and talented! We’d highly recommend him for a future event!
Pianist
Response from Pianist for Events, Fred Yacono:
Kari and Scott, I want to thank you for the lovely review and for welcoming me into your home with such warmth and hospitality. Playing for you and your guests was a pure pleasure. I wish you and your children a blessed Christmas season and a New Year filled with health, happiness and prosperity! Fred
Fred played for our Dream Home Open House. He was very communicative, kind and very talented. I highly recommend him!
Pianist
Response from Pianist for Events, Fred Yacono:
Thank you for your nice review, Carole! It is great working with you and your team. I very much look forward to the upcoming three events.
The important part - the music was beautiful. We hired Fred for a small Christmas party and Fred did not disappoint. He arrived on time, confirmed our desires for the evening, and sat at the piano and provided us with his gift of fabulous music for the next two hours. All of our guests raved! Throughout this experience, Fred was great. His communication prior to and after booking was timely and helped shape the event. We couldn’t be happier! This was my first experience with GigSalad and Fred made it an enjoyable one.
Pianist
Response from Pianist for Events, Fred Yacono:
Thank you, Danny, for your wonderful review! It was my pleasure to play for you and Karen and your guests. Thank you for your warm welcome and hospitality. I am so happy that you all enjoyed my music. Christmas blessings to you and Karen.
Fred provided an amazing evening, wonderful entertainment! All of our guests were absolutely delighted!
Jazz Pianist
Response from Pianist for Events, Fred Yacono:
Thank you Chuck for your outstanding rating. It was a pleasure to provide piano music for you and your guests this past Saturday evening, 11/27. That was a great party you hosted and I was honored to be a part of it.
Very friendly, prompt and professional. Excellent pianist and customer friendly!
1940s Era Entertainment, Classical Pianist, Jazz Pianist
Fred was very professional and was easy to get in contact with. The music was so lovely, calming and meaningful, I will never forget it. We did a butterfly release and the piano accompaniment was so beautiful. Fred sat down with me and we put together when he would play and when we would speak, it just went seamless. He was very flexible and friendly. What an accomplished musician, made our event so meaningful.
Funeral Music
Response from Pianist for Events, Fred Yacono:
Thank you Angela for your kind review! It was a pleasure to provide piano music for your mother's memorial. You created a beautiful memorial to her memory and she will always live in your heart. Thank you also for being so gracious.
Fred was easy to work with, accommodating, and his music was fantastic. We couldn’t have been more pleased.
Pianist
Fred was great to work with-he communicated with me promptly and clarified details I wouldn't have thought to clarify. Overall he is a great pianist, we were hoping he would also help with actually leading the carols for our congregation, which he did not do as much of. Overall we enjoyed working with Fred!
Pianist
Our experience with Fred went beyond our expectations! His artistry is exceptional! We couldn’t be more pleased! Well done!
Classical Pianist
Response from Pianist for Events, Fred Yacono:
Thank you for your lovely review, Jane, and for selecting me to be your pianist! It was a joy and a pleasure to play for your Christmas worship service. The congregation was so warm and welcoming. I especially want to express how enjoyable it was working with the saxophonist and vocalists. I am very much looking forward to returning next week.
We hired Fred for our anniversary/vow renewal party and we so impressed and pleased with him. He is a top notch musician was well as a wonderful kind gentleman to work with. He was prompt, pleasant and very talented. Definitely recommend!
Pianist
On time and professional. Played all the songs we suggested. Had his picture taken with the 90 year old birthday girl, which she really appreciated. Would recommend Fred to others. Also, the whole GigSalad process was efficient.
Pianist
Fred Yacono was a joy to work with from our initial contact to post-party review! He is the consummate professional: talented, responsive, personable, caring, and dependable. Fred set just the right tone at our anniversary party, playing from a broad range of pop and jazz selections. Many of our guests commented on how much they loved both the music and the musician. Fred couldn't have been more generous and accommodating! We feel very lucky to have found him, and recommend him highly to others for any special event. Fred certainly made our special anniversary event an unforgettable experience!
Pianist
Fred played piano for both our wedding ceremony and reception at the end of September, and we could not have been happier with the results. The music was absolutely beautiful. He did a great job of understanding what we wanted and delivering exactly that. He even arranged with a violinist and a cellist that he recommended, and we had them play for our ceremony and cocktail hour. The trio was so beautiful! Fred was so easy to work with, and very responsive. Our wedding was just perfect, and Fred was a big part of that. Thank you!
Pianist
Fred Yacono is a pianist I highly recommend you consider hiring for your next event. He sat down and spent the next several hours playing without a note of music-- everything from old classics to Beatles to Billy Joel. Our guests were delighted, and some even danced in our living room. Fred provided the perfect entertainment for my husband's 60th birthday party in our home!
Pianist
Booking Info
Price Range: $300 and up
Gig Length: 60 - 300 minutes
Languages: English
Insurance: Yes
About
You and your guests will truly enjoy Fred's masterful arrangements and improvisational talents. Originally from New York, Fred's classy and elegant piano styling has brought rave reviews from all around the country.
Fred can work with you to design, in detail, a playlist that perfectly complements the theme of your event and pleases you and your guests. Fred is always happy to accommodate any special requests you may have.
Fred will delight you and your guests in all of the phases of your wedding celebration–your rehearsal dinner, the ceremony, and also the cocktail hour and reception. Fred meets with each couple and provides a complimentary planning session where together he helps them select the music that they love. If he is not familiar with a particular song request, Fred is happy to research the request, get the music, learn it and commit it to memory. He also consults with the couple, their officiant and wedding planner throughout the planning phase to make sure that every detail of their music is seamless and perfect! Fred has several wedding packages which are designed to save money for his clients. He has a very special discount for all members of the United States Armed Forces and veterans.
Live piano music is a huge hit at corporate events and Fred has many happy corporate clients who call him back for repeated performances! His music is a great ice breaker and creates an atmosphere which puts your guests in a fun, relaxed, and festive mood, adding a special flair to your celebration and leaving a lasting impression on everyone! Guests will always remember the music and how much fun they had!
The secret to successful party entertainment is versatility and Fred knows that. He is well-equipped with hundreds of songs from every decade that your guests will love to listen to and even sing along with. Fred has memorized all of the music he plays which allows him the freedom of expression to perform each piece of music with great sensitivity and creativity, very often composing and improvising as he plays and interacts with the guests.
One of life’s most difficult times is the loss of a loved one. Music is powerful and important to many people at this time, and it can help make the memorial service or funeral particularly meaningful and personal. Fred is very sensitive to the families and their friends as he helps to comfort the bereaved with his music which honors their loved one in an environment of peace and compassion.
Fred was classically trained in New York City and is a graduate of New York University where he majored in piano performance and music education. He has played piano since the age of five. At the graduate level, he pursued studies in music composition and theory with such renowned composers as, Karl Korte, Arnold Franchetti, Joseph Wilcox Jenkins, and a workshop with Aaron Copland. As a student, he taught at the Julliard School of Music, Preparatory Division. He furthered his graduate studies at The Hartt College of Music of the University of Hartford, Duquesne University, and the University of North Carolina, among others.
As Director of Bands for Currituck County, North Carolina Public Schools, Fred was coordinator between secondary school students and the U.S. Combined Armed Forces School of Music at the Amphibious Naval Base in Norfolk, Virginia. While living in the southern United States, Fred founded and established Coastal Music Connections, a music education consultancy, which designed and implemented music curricula for private, primary and secondary schools. He employed a staff of 42 music instructors. Concurrent with teaching in public education, he also taught privately all throughout his career.
In addition to his solo piano performances as an event and wedding pianist, Fred can also provide additional performers and instruments upon request, such as male and/or female vocalists, violin, harp, guitar, cello, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone and drums.
If a piano is not available, Fred will supply your event with one of his state of the art digital pianos and sound equipment. He also has a silent portable generator if an electricity source is an issue.
The unique artistry and outstanding customer service of Fred Yacono makes a truly unforgettable and lasting impression for you and your guests...your one-stop shop for most any kind of live music event!
Additional Booking Notes
Early in the planning stages, Fred will check with the venue to ensure that there is a piano and that it is well-tuned. You can expect Fred to always arrive 30-60 minutes early. If there is no piano, Fred will supply one of his digital pianos and sound system. In that case, he would need a minimum of an hour to set up. If the venue permits, he will often set up earlier in the day to make sure that there are no late surprises.
Services Offered
Past Booked Events
| December 01, 2023 • 6:30pm - 8:30pm | Christmas Party |
| September 23, 2023 • 6:00pm - 7:00pm | Birthday Party |
| August 25, 2023 • 10:00am - 11:00am | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| June 21, 2023 • 6:30pm - 8:00pm | House Party |
| January 21, 2023 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Birthday Party |
| December 20, 2022 • 4:00pm - 6:00pm | Corporate Event |
| December 16, 2022 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Christmas Party |
| December 13, 2022 • 11:30am - 1:30pm | Christmas Party |
| December 02, 2022 • 6:30pm - 8:00pm | Christmas Party |
| October 29, 2022 • 3:30pm - 6:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| October 14, 2022 • 6:30pm - 8:30pm | Corporate Event |
| March 26, 2022 • 4:00pm - 6:30pm | Nonprofit Event |
| December 17, 2021 • 5:00pm - 7:00pm | Christmas Party |
| November 27, 2021 • 6:30pm - 9:00pm | Christmas Party |
| September 18, 2021 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Nonprofit Event |
| September 05, 2021 • 4:00pm - 5:00pm | Wedding Reception |
| June 05, 2021 • 4:30pm - 6:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| January 27, 2021 • 3:00pm - 3:45pm | Retirement Community Event |
| June 06, 2020 • 4:00pm - 5:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| January 31, 2020 • 11:00am - 1:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| December 31, 2019 • 5:30pm - 7:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| December 29, 2019 • 8:00am - 10:30am | Christmas Party |
| December 15, 2019 • 8:30am - 11:30am | Worship Service |
| December 19, 2017 • 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Christmas Party |
| April 09, 2016 • 1:00pm - 2:00pm | Birthday (Adult) |
Set List
This is just a sampling of some of the more popular tunes and requests that Fred can provide. If he is not familiar with any of your desired selections, Fred can easily and quickly learn them. He is always looking for new music to add to his already huge repertoire.
A Fine Romance
A Foggy Day in London Town
A Taste of Honey
A Whole New World
Ain't Misbehavin
Air on a G String
All I Ask of You
All of Me
All the Things You Are
All the Way
All You Need is Love
Almost Like Being In Love
Always
Amazing Grace
An Affair to Remember
Angel Eyes
Anniversary Waltz
Answer Me My Love
April in Paris
Around the World in 80 Days
Arthur's Theme
As Long As He Needs Me
As Time Goes By
At Last
Autumn in New York
Autumn Leaves
Ave Maria (Bach)
Ave Maria (Schubert)
Baby Come to Me
Baubles Bangles and Beads
Beauty & the Beast
Because of You
Begin the Beguine
Besame Mucho
Bewitched Bothered and Bewildered
Beyond the Sea
Blue Bayou
Blue Moon
Blue Skies
Blueberry Hill
Blues in the Night
Body and Soul
Book of Love
Born Free
Both Sides Now
Bridal Chorus
Bridal March from Lohengrin
Bridge Over Troubled Water
But Not for Me
Bye Bye Blackbird
Bye Bye Love
California Here I Come
Call Me Irresponsible
Canadian Sunset
Candle in the Water
Can't Get Used to Losing You
Can't Help Loving That Man of Mine
Can't Take My Eyes Off of You
Catch a Falling Star
C'est Si Bon
Chances Are
Chapel of Love
Charade
Chariots of Fire
Chattanooga Choo Choo
Cheek to Cheek
Cinema Paradiso
Claire de Lune
Climb Every Mountain
Close to You
Come Fly With Me
Come Rain or Come Shine
Come Saturday Morning
Copacabana
Count Your Blessings
Crazy
Dancing in the Dark
Dancing Queen
Danny Boy
Days of Wine and Roses
Deborah's Theme (I Knew I loved You)
Deep Purple
Desafinado
Do That To Me One More Time
Don’t Stop Believin’
Don't Blame Me
Don't Cry for Me Argentina
Don't Get Around Much Anymore
Don't Know Why I Love You
Downtown
Dream A Little Dream of Me
E Flat Major Sonata
Ebb Tide
Eclipse
Edelweiss
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
Embraceable You
Endless Love
Evergreen
Every Day
Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime
Fanfare for the Common Man
Fascinatin' Rhythm
Fascination
Feather Theme
Feelings
Fly Me to the Moon
From This Moment On
Fur Elise
Gentle on My Mind
Gigi
Glory of Love
Gone With the Wind (Tara's Theme)
Gonna Fly Now
Good Morning Starshine
Goody Goody
Granada
Green Leaves of Summer
Greensleeves
Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry
Hawaii Five-O
Heart and Soul
Hello Young Lovers
Here Comes the Sun
Hero
Hey Jude
Hold Me in Your Arms
Home to Stay
House of the Rising Sun
How Deep is the Ocean
How Deep is Your Love
How Do You Mend a Broken Heart
How High the Moon
Hymne
I Can Only Imagine
I Can See Clearly Now
I Can’t Give You Anything But Love
I Can't Stop Loving You
I Don't Know Why I Love You Like I Do
I Feel Pretty
I Get A Kick Out of You
I Have Dreamed
I Hear Music
I Just Called to Say I Love You
I Left My Heart in San Francisco
I Love Paris in the Springtime
I Only Have Eyes For You
I Say a Little Prayer for You
I Want to Hold Your Hand
I Wish You Love
I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter
I’m in the Mood for Love
I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing
If I Loved You
If
I'll Be Seeing You
I'll Never Fall in Love Again
I'll Remember April
I'm in the Mood for Love
In the Mood
In the Still of the Night
In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning
Infinite Joy
Innamorata
Intermezzo
Isn't it Romantic
It Had to Be You
It Might as Well be Spring
It Was a Very Good Year
It’s All Right With Me
It's Only a Paper Moon
It's Still Rock and Roll to Me
I've Got a Crush on You
I've Got Rhythm
I've Got the World on a String
I've Got You Under My Skin
I've Grow Accustomed to His Face
Jealousy
Jean
Jeepers Creepers
Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring
Joy to the World
Joyful Joyful We Adore You
Just in Time
Just One of Those Things
Just the Way You Are
Killing Me Softly
King of the Road
La Vie En Rose
Lady Be Good
Lady
Lara's Theme
Laura
Lazy River
Leaving on a Jet Plane
Legend of 1900 Theme
Let it Be
Let's Fall in Love
Let's Forget About Tomorrow
Linus and Lucy
Lola
Long Ago and Far Away
Longer
Looks Like We Made It
Love Affair
Love Boat Theme
Love is a Many Splendored Thing
Love Me Tender
Love on the Rocks
Love Story
Lover
Lucille
Luck Be a Lady
Lullaby of Birdland
Lullaby of Broadway
Mack the Knife
Makin' Whoopee
Mambo Italiano
Man From La Mancha
Maria
Meditation
Memory
Michelle
Misty
Mona Lisa
Moon River
Moonglow
Moonlight in Vermont
Moonlight Serenade
Moonlight Sonata
More Than You Know
More
Morning Has Broken
Mrs. Robinson
Music to Watch Girls By
My Blue Heaven
My Cherie Amour
My Favorite Things
My Funny Valentine
My One and Only Love
My Romance
My Sweet Love
My Way
Never My Love
New York New York
Night and Day
Night Train
No Other Love Have I
Nocturne
Non Dimenticar
O Mio Babbino Caro
O Solo Mio
Ode to Joy
Oh What a Beautiful Morning
Oklahoma
Ol' Man River
Old Cape Cod
On a Clear Day
On the Street Where You Live
On the Sunny Side of the Street
Once in Awhile
One Hand One Heart
Our Love is Here to Stay
Over There
P.S. I Love You
Pachelbel's Canon in D
Pennies From Heaven
People Will Say We're in Love
Phantom of the Opera
Piano Man
Poinciana
Portrait of My Love
Put a Little Love in Your Heart
Rainbow Connection
Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head
Return to Me
Return to Sender
Reunited
Reverie
Rhapsody in Blue
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Sabbath Prayer
Salut D' Amour
Satin Doll
Secret Love
Send in the Clowns
Sentimental Journey
September Song
Serenade in Blue
Serenade in F Major
Shabbat Prayer
She's Always a Woman to Me
She's Out of My Life
Singing in the Rain
Sixteen Going on Seventeen
Smile
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
Softly As I Leave You
Some Enchanted Evening
Somebody Loves Me
Someone to Watch Over Me
Something
Something's Gotta Give
Somewhere in Time
Somewhere My Love
Somewhere Out There
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Somewhere
Song of Sorrento
Sophisticated Lady
Sound of Music
Spanish Eyes
Spanish Harlem
St. Louis Blues
Star Wars Theme
Stardust
Stella by Starlight
Stormy Weather
Stranger in Paradise
Strangers in the Night
Strike Up the Band
Summer Me Winter Me
Summer Wind
Summertime
Sunny
Sunrise Serenade
Sunrise Sunset
Sway
Sweet Caroline
Take Me Home Country Roads
Take the 'A' Train
Taking a Chance on Love
Tangerine
Teach Me Tonight
Tenderly
Tennessee Waltz
Thanks for the Memories
That Old Feeling
That's Amore
That's the Glory of Love
The Continental
The Entertainer
The Fool on the Hill
The Four Seasons Largo from Winter
The Girl from Ipanema
The Glory of Love
The Godfather Theme
The Impossible Dream
The Lady is a Tramp
The Last Time I Saw Paris
The Lion Sleeps Tonight
The Longest Time
The Look of Love
The Lord's Prayer
The Man I Love
The Most Beautiful Girl in the World
The Music of the Night
The Odd Couple TV Theme
The Pink Panther
The Place Where We Belong
The Point of No Return
The Prayer
The Rose
The Second Time Around
The Shadow of Your Smile
The Sound of Music
The Very Thought of You
The Way We Were
The Way You Look Tonight
The Wedding Song
Theme from "The Apartment"
Theme from Cheers
Theme from Love Story
Theme from Romeo and Juliet
There's A Kind of Hush
These Foolish Things
They Can't Take That Away From Me
Think of Me
This Guy's in Love With You
This Nearly Was Mine
Three Times a Lady
Through the Years
Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Ole Oak Tree
TijuanaTaxi
Tonight
Top of the World
Traumerie
Trumpet Voluntary
Try a Little Tenderness
Turkish March
Twilight Time
Unchained Melody
Unforgettable
Valse
Vincent (Starry Starry Night)
Vivaldi Four Seasons
Volare
Walk Right In
Water Music
Wedding March
Wedding Processional
We've Only Just Begun
What a Wonderful World
What Kind of Fool Am I
What the World Needs Now
What'll I Do
What's New
When I Fall in Love
When I'm 64
When Sunny Gets Blue
When the Saints Go Marching In
When You Say You Love Me
When You're Smiling
Where is Love
Where or When
Wichita Lineman
Willow Weep for Me
Wind Beneath My Wings
Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again
With a Song in My Heart
Working My Way Back to You
Wouldn't it Be Loverly
Yellow Bird
Yesterday
You and the Night and the Music
You Are My Sunshine
You Are So Beautiful
You Are the Sunshine of My Life
You Do Something to Me
You Don't Bring Me Flowers
You Light Up My Life
You Raise Me Up
You'll Never Know
You'll Never Walk Alone
Young at Heart
Younger Than Springtime
Your Cheating Heart
You're Breaking My Heart
You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You
Influences & Inspiration
The Masters, Broadway, George Gershwin, Ennio Morricone, Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, Rogers & Hammerstein, Beegie Adair, The Beatles, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Steven Sandheim, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, The BeeGees, The Silver Screen, Jazz, Pop, Classical and Opera.
Setup Requirements
If Fred needs to supply a portable piano and keyboard, he would need an electrical outlet and a 6 X 6 area in which to set up. If there is a piano onsite, it must be in tune.