A Singing Pianist for Sacramento Weddings, Holiday Parties and Events

Sacramento is one of the busiest wedding and party towns in Northern California, and a lot of couples and planners there never think about live piano until they hear it at someone else's event. If you're planning a wedding in Sacramento, Elk Grove, Folsom, Roseville, Davis or El Dorado Hills, or a company holiday party downtown, here's how a singing pianist fits into the day and how I'd plan it with you.

What a singing pianist adds to a Sacramento wedding

A singing pianist is one person who covers every quiet moment of the day with live music: prelude while guests find their seats, your processional arranged for piano and voice, and a cocktail hour full of songs you both love. With 2,000+ songs to draw from, I can usually play what your guests ask for, and those requests tell me what the room wants for the rest of the night.

• Ceremony. Soft instrumentals for about 20 to 30 minutes before you start, then the processional timed to your wedding party's walk so the entrance lands on the right moment of the song.
• Cocktail hour and dinner. Standards, Motown, Billy Joel, Elton John and modern pop played in my own style, at a volume where people can still talk.
• First dance. I can sing your first-dance song live, then hand off straight to the dance mix.
• Reception. I also DJ and MC, so one person handles the grand entrance, toasts, cake cutting and the last dance.

One of my favorite weddings near Sacramento was at Grand Island Mansion in Walnut Grove, about half an hour down the river from downtown. It was just me, the piano and a room that already sounds beautiful, and it's a good example of how far solo piano can carry a wedding on its own.

Sacramento-area venues and what to plan for

Summer heat. Valley afternoons can be brutal from June through September. For outdoor ceremonies, ask the venue where the shade falls at your ceremony time, and plan a later start if you can. I bring weather-ready gear, but shade keeps the piano, and your guests, happier.

Power and placement. I bring my own professional stage piano and sound system, so you don't need a piano at the venue. Garden, vineyard and backyard ceremonies just need power within reach. Tell me the spot and I'll plan the setup.

Sound limits. Many downtown, midtown and residential venues have noise rules or curfews. Live piano is easy to scale, so I set the volume to the room and respect the venue's end time.

Delta and foothill weddings. If you're heading out to the Delta or up toward Folsom and El Dorado Hills, I play there often. My wedding piano in Lodi and the Delta page and my Gold Country wedding piano page cover those areas in more detail.

Holiday parties and events in Sacramento

December is the busiest month of the year for company parties, and Friday and Saturday nights go first. For an office holiday party or client night, solo piano keeps the room warm during dinner and drinks, and I can bring up the energy with requests and sing-alongs later. For an after-party, my signature piano karaoke puts your team on the mic with me playing live piano behind them. See my corporate event piano and private party services for what's included.

Crowds are crowds whether it's a ballroom or an arena. As a former San Jose Sharks organist, I played 500+ NHL games and the NHL All-Star Game, and that's where I learned to read a big room and know when to lift it.

Hear me live before you book

If you want to hear me before you book, I'm just down Highway 99 from Sacramento this month, with public nights at Woodbridge Crossing in Woodbridge on November 21 and Stogies Lounge in Lodi on November 28. My upcoming shows page always has the latest dates, and my reviews page has what couples and hosts have said.

Want a bigger party? For a reception that turns into a full sing-along, I can bring a second player for a two-piano show with Modern Dueling Pianos. For general tips, see how to hire a singing pianist in Northern California.

Book a singing pianist in Sacramento

Send your date, venue and which parts of the day need music through my booking form, or call or text (408) 203-5563.

Frequently asked questions