Chicago's #1 Recommended Pianist!
- Chicago, IL
- Pianist
- 1 Verified Booking
Michele S. said “Richard is a highly skilled musician - his music provided the perfect accompaniment to our father's memorial service. He is really good at what he…”
Your list is empty.
Save musicians, entertainers, speakers, and services, and they’ll appear here.
Hello. I am Carolyn, pianist/organist & vocalist for over 40 years. I've accompanied choirs in multiple schools, resident organist in multiple churches,
children/adult church choir director, + 14 years in a family rock band.
I enjoy a combination of instrumental versions as well as vocal pieces. Most experience is with weddings, funerals, and all occasion dinner music. Now and again I do festivals, and other social events.
For weddings/funerals: I can help choose music that will embrace the service. If the music is already known then a list must be proved. With other social events music can be themed. Otherwise I have a repertoire covering multiple genres with both piano & voice💜
Be the first to review Smooth
Price Range: $250-$1000
Gig Length: 60 - 240 minutes
Languages: English
Starting at 4 years of age I've enjoyed tickling the ivory for over 50 + years. In that time I desired to sing but that voice in me was late to develop, yet it did not stop me. I just kept at it. By 7th grade I started playing and singing at church. Over those 50 years I've delved in a lot of musical work turning into my full time job as an independent music contractor.
I have experience with adult and children choirs, instrumentalists, resident organist in 2 parishes, vocal solist for weddings/funerals, festivals and other social events. I accept piano and/or vocal gigs if they fit into my style. I will travel farther than 50 miles if the situation is right.
For fun I garden, cook, fool around with keyboard sounds and loops, and spend quality time with my grown children and their families. I love mild hiking in any condition and blowing bubbles! Yes you read that right. 💜
When inquiring about booking please provide the following:
1. Type of event
2. Date and time
3. Length of time
4. Budget $$ /accomodations
5. If music is already chosen
please provide a list that
details which songs are
Instrumental or voice
6. Room and stage dimensions
7. Type of building access
(stairs/elevator) as well as
parking
8. Adequate electrical service
connections.
9. Who's providing the sound
system
10. Who's providing the piano
For small venues I can provide my own PA sound equipment and tech with your request.
This will be reflected in my fee.
My brother, a jazz artist of various instruments has inspired me to do this type of work. I enjoy making people happy with music, or touching them with comforting pieces during a loss, and celebrating events in their life with special musical selections.
I have to say that Marie Osmond was my very early influence when I was learning to sing in my single digits. She continued to inspire me thru her years on the Donny & Marie TV Show. I was most blown away when I attended one of duo's concerts. She can sing classical very well!
Donny became an influence later on. I learned from other artists like Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Captain and Tenille, Barry Manalow, The Beatles, Allison Krause, Eva Cassidy, Michael Bublé, and Diana Krall. I use their music to warm up my voice prior to an event. It helps put my mind in performance mode.
Piano influences are Kevin Hart the jazz artist, Oscar Peterson, Mozart, Rochmaninoff, Bach, Windom Hill, and many others.
Bands that have had a positive affect on my music journey are rock based groups such as Boston, Foreigner, Heart, America & Bread, Journey, Glen Miller Orchestra, Pete Fountain, Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass, and Dorsey Brothers. Listening to this and singing along is a mood setter for gigs as well😁
If you choose this option to provide PA equipment and tech I would need the following: piano/vocal monitor, 1-2 mics & stands, & direct box or equivalent for piano,
Smaller performance area will allow negotiation on PA equipment requirements
Michele S. said “Richard is a highly skilled musician - his music provided the perfect accompaniment to our father's memorial service. He is really good at what he…”
Frank N. said “Matt played at our wedding ceremony. We asked him to cover some of our favorite songs and he was able to do all of them. I'll never forget walking…”
Laura P. said “My 89 year old mother had just passed away. She was a woman who loved music, specifically show tunes and Sinatra. I wanted to create a celebration of…”
Vera B. said “Everyone enjoyed the multi-talented Joseph McDonald. He was engaging and his vocals were exceptional. Would we hire him again? ABSOLUTELY.”