Pianist

John Edward Croker

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(5.0)Read all 6 reviews
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About John

I gigged from age 17 at the now Global Latin El Piano chain, York. I have played solo for A Listers, Broadcast on BBC and Frontman my bands!
Pianist
Palma
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I started playing in York, 1999 at the now International 'El Piano' Chain, Gallery Night Club (VIP Lounge), Royal Assembly Rooms, Churchill Hotel (***) and more while arranging Horns/gigging as Tenor Sax in Giles Bailey's Ska Band 'The Soots' [2nd Place, Battle of the Bands, York, 1999]. Played at MacDonald Holyrood Hotel (****), the better known Palm Court, Balmoral Hotel (*****), Edinburgh, taught singing for Stagecoach Theatre Arts, the world class MGA Academy and accompanied for National Youth Choir of Scotland. Landmark Hotel, LDN while studying my Post Grad Certificate in Education (Music + Music Technology: 11 - 18) and my MA Education Independent Study - 'Improving Singing through Recording'. Raithwaite Hall, Whitby, 2014, Volunteer Music / Choir Director, Producer & International Promotion for Charitable Sales at The Olive Branch for Children (NGO), Mbeya, Tanzania, 2014. 'JeCMziki' label created - Unsigned and Charitable International Productions. Piano & Bvs, Suzi France's 'Cherry Bomb,' 2015. Manor House, Stockton-on-Tees, NYE, 2015/16. Recording with Bianca Robinson (BVs) & Ben Woodrow (Lead Guitar) on 'Somewhere New' [BBC Intro Tees] from upcoming 'Debut Knot' EP (2018). Dinner & Lounge Pianist, MacDonald Leeming House, Penrith, NYE, 2017/18. Currently writing, producing and recording ’Debut Knot’ for global release on my own label JecMziki. I’d describe myself as a crossover artist from Jazz / Rock&Pop / Electro-Acoustic / Singer Songwriter….inspired by Gershwin/Joplin/Wainright…

John
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5 out of 5
6 verified reviews

John's Reviews

From customers:

EL
Emma L
1 year ago, for a Private event in Rawreth
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5 out of 5

John is an exceptional musician of the highest calibre. The perfect soulful and entertaining pianist and singer and an all round lovely person to have at your event.

SF
Suzi F
2 years ago, for a Corporate event in Raithwaite
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5 out of 5

I have worked with John for many years performing Classical, Jazz, Pop and Rock music. He is breathtakingly talented!...as a pianist, accompanist, bandleader and singer. He's also an outgoing, flamboyant and funny performer. Exceptional Professional Musician and Teacher.

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6th Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over 6 years

John's Song list

Ain’t Misbehaving
All I want for Christmas is You
All of me
Angel Eyes
Angels
Angel of the Morning
Anything (from Oliver…)
Anything Goes
Ave Maria (J. S. Bach)
Ave Maria (Schubert/Beyoncé Knowles)
Autumn Leaves (Jazz Standard/Montland & Joachim/Eva Cassidy)
A whole new World (Menken etc…)
Away ina Manger
Baby love
Bad (Jackson)
Bad Romance
Barcelona (Mercury et al)
Beyond the Sea
Blues (12 Bar)
Big Girls don"t cry
Billie Gene (Jackson)
Best friend (Queen)
Bella Luna
Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata
Blue Bayou / Lago Azul (Orbison)
But not for me (Gershwin)
By your side
By your side
California Dreaming
Can’t Take that Away from Me
Crazy for You (Madonna)
Crazy (Aerosmith)
Crazy
Crazy for You (Gershwin et sim.)
Chanson de Matin (Elgar)
Dancing in the Street
Dangerous
Don’t Leave me this way
Don’t want to Miss a Thing (Tyler)
Don’t you make my brown eyes Blue
Don’t speak
Delinquents - Tears on my pillow
Dream
Edelweiss
Embraceable you (Gershwin)
Endless Love
Everybody Knows (Divine Comedy)
Every time we say goodbye (Porter)
Everytime (Spears)
Evergreen
Everything (my)
For you
Fernando’s Hideaway
Faith
Gravity (Martin, Chris)
Hungry eyes
Habanera
Havana
Hotel California
Respect
Teardrop
Give a little respect
Your song
Sorry seems to be the hardest word
Rhythm is a dancer
Rhythm of life
Rhythm of the falling rain
Shape of my heart
Last Christmas
My Baby Just Cares for Me (Simone, Nina)
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (John, Elton)
When I Fall in Love (Young and Heyman)
Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Ellington/Waller)
Someone to Watch over me (Gershwin)
Prelude 1 (Gershwin)
Rhapsody in Blue (Gershwin)
They all Laughed (Gershwin)
I have nothing (Whitney Houston)
Just like a Pill (Pink)
King of Sorrow
La vie en Rose
Libertango (Piazolla)
Love is Here to Stay (Gershwin)
Love Me (Cardigans)
Love is a Losing Game
The Man I Love (Gershwin)
Summertime (Gershwin)
I Love a piano (Berlin)
You’re the Top (Porter)
Tea for two (Youmans)
I’m still standing (John)
Yellow Brick Road (John)
All I want for Christmas is you (Carey & Afanasieff)
You belong to me (Price, King and Stewart)
I got plenty of Nothin (Gershwin)
Take Five (Brubeck)
Blue Bayou / Lago Azul (Orbison)
It must be love (Madness)
Universal (Blur)
We are Young (Supergrass)
I like it like that
On the Street where you live
Life on Mars
I’m still standing
Rise like a Phoenix (Conchita Wurst)
Sacrifice
Somewhere New
SOMEWHERE
SOMETHING
somewhere only we know
Somebody loves me
Still the One
Puttin on the Ritz
Stronger (Clarkson)
Stronger (Spears)
Quien Sera / Sway
Girl from Ipanema
Songs of Love (Divine Comedy)
I don’t know what it is (R. Wainwright)
Can't Take my Eyes of You
Music To Watch Girls By
What a difference a Day Made
My romance
Mas Que Nada
Will you still love me tomorrow
The Impossible Dream
Impossible
ABC
Survivor (Destiny’s Child)
I will survive
No je regret Rien
M it on the boogie
You’re the Top

John's Prices

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Short performance (up to 15 min)£50
Up to 1 hour£185
Up to 2 hours£350
Up to 3 hours£475
Packages
Lesson Booking Fee
This will be deducted from my Hourly Teaching Rate of 50€/Hr but is not refundable in the event of cancellation less than 24 Hours, please of the agreed Lesson Time.
£10
Keys / Piano Session Recording Rate (DEPOSIT)
This amount will be deducted from my Hourly Studio Recording Session Rate for Commercial productions of 150€/Hr. Agreements can be made for future payments on Royalties / future streaming & downloading revenue by negotiation.
£10
Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

I play with a passion and flair that I have worked on over 20 years through popular to jazz to classical and the audience can feel my understanding and love for the music I play. I always play requests when appropriate and I have experience of accompanying other performers, soloist and musical director since 1999 for private and public special events.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

El Piano, Grape Lane, York, UK The Churchill Hotel, York***, UK VIP Lounge, The Gallery Nightclub, York, UK De Grey Rooms, York, UK Royal Assembly Rooms, York, UK Other venues in Leeds, Harrogate and Yorkshire. Holyrood MacDonald Hotel ****, Edinburgh, UK Leeming House MacDonald Hotel ****, Cumbria, UK Palm Court, The Balmoral Hotel *****, Edinburgh, UK

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

Gershwin, Elton John, Lady Gaga, Beethoven, Rufus Wainright, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Britney Spears, Mariah Carey, Coldplay

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

Star Radio for Kerrianne Covell (X Factor), UK

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

I will always try to accommodate these as long as no other gigs are impacted so I kindly request an additional 25% for every change of timing greater than an hour. If timings of less than an hour need to take place please just let me know.

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

“Absolutely. IPod service via PA is free. If you would like DJ service after the final set until the venue closes, we provide this for an additional €100 / Hr.

How much time do you need to set up?

I usually set up about 1 to 1.5 hours before the performance time. As soon as my PA is set up I can provide a free playlist service pre performance!

If I have a piano at my venue, are you happy to perform on that?

Yes, of course - as long as the piano is in working order and in tune, then I'm happy to play on it! If you are booking me as a singer / pianist I will call to check if the Piano is Acoustic or Digital so I can bring the right amplification.

Can I pick the songs you play from the set list?

My set lists are crafted from countless performances and learning what guests enjoy best at a variety of different themed events. However, we're definitely happy to chat through and make sure we find what works for your event. I kindly request €30 per song or piece of performing with your own musicians and that this sheet music is sent to me 30 days prior.

Are you able to bring your own piano or keyboard?

Yes, absolutely! I bring my own instrument to play acoustically or digitally to suit your event!

Can you learn song requests before the event?

If a song isn't included in my repertoire there may still be a chance I already know it. If there is a special song you'd like me to learn we are happy to do this for you. There is a fee of €30 for this service to take into account rehearsal times etc.
Musicianship
Genres:
Pop, Acoustic, Ambient pop, Americana, Covers, Disco, Funk, Funk rock, Hip Hop, Karaoke, Motown, R&B, Soul, Top 40, Tribute, Vintage, Rock, Alternative rock, Classic rock, Britpop, Glam rock, Pop rock, Indie, Post rock, Progressive rock, Rock 'n' Roll, Synth rock, World music, African music, Bossa nova, French music, Flamenco, Latin, Ska, Reggae, Salsa, Scottish music, Samba, Tango, Spanish music, Cuban music, Russian music, Christmas, Classical, Baroque, Classical crossover, Contemporary classical, Film / TV music, Opera, Musical theatre, Ambient, Electronic, Triphop, 1920s era music, 1930s era music, 1940s era music, 1950s era music, 1960s era music, 1970s era music, 1980s era music, 1990s era music, Folk, Ceilidh, Folk rock, Country, Jazz, Blues, Cabaret, Modern jazz, Latin jazz, Swing, Gospel, Ragtime, Barbershop, Postmodern jukebox jazz, Jazz fusion, Dixieland, Gypsy jazz, Avant garde, Easy listening, Experimental, Light music, Noise music, Originals, Punk rock, Arabic, Calypso, Caribbean music, Hard rock, Power rock, Hardcore, Heavy metal
See all genres
Event types:
Recording session, Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Burns night, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve
See all event types
Other skills:
Arranger, Composer, Lyricist, Orchestrator, Producer, Songwriter, Sound technician, Transcription, Actor, Musical comedy, Dancer, Fluent improviser, Repetiteur, Instrumental teaching, Theory teaching, Singing teaching, Composition teaching, Music therapy, Examiner, Community music worker, Musicologist, Accompanist
See all skills