Hire Matt Penn | Pianist in Stratford-upon-Avon

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From£160

1 hour

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About Matt

Whether it’s Sinatra on piano, Bach preludes and fugues on the organ, Disney film hits or an improvised jazz background, Matt does it.

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Pianist

Stratford-upon-Avon

Public liability insurance of £1 million

Matt brings the ability to morph between styles, songs, artists and composers to set the perfect tone for your event. Twenty years of experience allows the flexibility to tailor things exactly to your needs - or if you like things simple - just leave it all to him. Friendly chat with guests, good humour and a keen eye for a chance to improvise, Matt is an exceptional talent, schooled at both the RNCM in Manchester and also the University of Leeds. However, it’s the playing for raw kicks that makes him the player he is today. Quite a few things will likely influence the style of music you want for your event. Your guests... the venue... and most importantly the event VIPs like bride and groom or someone celebrating a special birthday. Your own personal taste will come into it too. Matt is multilingual as far as the piano is concerned. He can play a set list of classic pop hits, or some late-evening smooth jazz... or any number of musical styles... or alternatively switch it all around based on your guests' requests.

Matt

5 out of 5

15 verified reviews

Satisfaction

5.0

Professionalism

5.0

Communication

4.8

Punctuality

5.0

Matt's Reviews

5 out of 5

Matt was fantastic, he was professional, on time, played some great music and all the guests loved him.

5 out of 5

Couldn't fault Matt! He sent a preview of the music we asked to be played before we even met. On the day he was wonderful, it wouldn't of been a patch on what it was without him and his music. We both highly recommend him.

Reply from Matt

5 months ago

Hi Lorna, This was such a great wedding to play at. Everyone very hospitable indeed. Some lovely comments. A trip outside for the mini baby-grand and its power pack too!

5 out of 5

All attendees loved it

4.8 out of 5

Matt was the ultimate professional.

Read all 5 reviews

5 out of 5

Matt is very talented, friendly and engaging Everyone was very impressed with his large repertoire. He made our party very special.

5 out of 5

We were so pleased that Matt came to play for our daughters first birthday party. His written communication was so friendly and we were pleased he was able to accommodate some song requests we made in advance. On the day Matt arrived early and set up no bother. The music was lovely and we had so many comments about what a relaxed atmosphere his songs created. Thank you again Matt!

Read all 11 reviews

Encore badges

Lightning fast responses

Average response time under 2 hours

5 gigs

Experienced: 5 bookings through Encore

Saved the day!

Booked for an Encore gig with less than 24 hours’ notice

1st Anniversary

This act has been working with Encore for over a year

Matt's Song list

As well as taking song requests, I always ask for clients’ preferred songs or bands so that I can include them in my set list for the day.

The various lists below give a flavour of the sort of tunes you’ll hear for each style. Use it like a pic n’ mix, have a bit of everything or stick to one style if you prefer. This is just a selection of the moods and atmospheres you may want to create…

Relaxed Jazz Bar

Fly me to the moon - Frank Sinatra

Something - George Harrison

Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong

Stand by Me - Ben E King

I Got Rhythm - Gershwin

Let it be - The Beatles

My Way - Frank Sinatra

Blue Moon -

Moon River - Audrey Hepburn

Yesterday - Paul McCartney

Summertime - Gershwin

Here Comes The Sun - George Harrison

Imagine - John Lennon

New York, New York - Frank Sinatra

I Wish I Knew How - Nina Simone

I Say a Little Prayer - Aretha Franklin

Can’t Take My Eyes off You - Frankie Valli

Do You Know the Way to San Jose - Dionne Warwick

Sway - Dean Martin

My Baby Just Cares For Me - Nina Simone

Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino

Contemporary Hits

Easy on me - Adele

All of Me - John Legend

Make you feel my love - Adele

Memories - Maroon 5

Sign of the Times - Harry Styles

Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen

She’s Always a Woman to Me - Fyfe Dangerfield

Perfect - Ed Sheeran

Green Green Grass - George Ezra

Firework - Katy Perry

Fix You - Coldplay

Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran

Umbrella - Rihanna

Someone Like You - Adele

Price Tag - Jessie J

Shut Up and Dance - Walk The Moon

Hello - Adele

Shotgun - George Ezra

Run - Snow Patrol

One Day Like This - Elbow

Footprints in the Sand - Leona Lewis

Guilty Pleasures

Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond

The Wonder of You - Elvis Presley

Theme from Titanic - James Horner

You Raise Me Up - Josh Groban

From a Distance - Bette Midler

One Moment in Time - Whitney Houston

Always on my Mind - Willie Nelson

I Can’t Help Falling in Love - Elvis Presley

I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston

Hit Me Baby One More Time - Britney Spears

The Winner Takes it All - ABBA

Can’t Fight This Feeling - REO Speedwagon

Disney Hits, Film and Musicals

I Dreamed a Dream - Les Miserables

Defying Gravity - Wicked

Somewhere Over the Rainbow - The Wizard of Oz

Can You Feel the Love Tonight - The Lion King

Slipping Through My Fingers - Mamma Mia

Somewhere - West Side Story

This is Me - The Greatest Showman

Rewrite the stars - The Greatest Showman

Somewhere Out There - An American Tail

When I Grow Up - Matilda

I Could Have Danced All Night - My Fair Lady

The Music of the Night - Phantom of the Opera

Memory - Cats

The Walk Home - Hans Zimmer

As Long As He Needs Me - Oliver

Any Dream Will Do - Joseph

I Know Him So Well - Chess

Drink Up Me Hearties - Hans Zimmer

Harry in Winter - Patrick Doyle

Main Theme - Chariots of Fire

Classic Bands & Pop

Every Breath You Take - The Police

Father and Son - Cat Stevens

All I Have to do is Dream - Everly Brothers

You Are Not Alone - Michael Jackson

Vincent - Don McLean

Tears in Heaven - Eric Clapton

Whiter Shade of Pale - Procul Harem

Dream a Little Dream - The Mamas and the Papas

Wonderful tonight - Eric Clapton

Blowin in the Wind - Bob Dylan

California Dreamin - The Mamas and the Papas

Mrs Robinson - Simon and Garfunkel

Daydream Believer - The Monkees

Can’t Help Falling in Love - Elvis Presley

Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers

I Only Want To Be With You - Dusty Springfield

American Pie - Don McLean

December 1963 - The Four Seasons

No Woman No Cry - Bob Marley and the Wailers

Life on Mars - David Bowie

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - Elton John

Killing Me Softly With His Song - Roberta Flack

Don’t Speak - No Doubt

Only You - Yazoo

Sail This Ship Alone - The Beautiful South

1950s, 1960s and 1970s Retro Hits

Lollipop - The Chordettes

Unforgettable - Nat King Cole

That’s Amore - Dean Martin

Rock Around the Clock - Bill Haley and His Comets

Ain’t That A Shame - Fats Domino

Sugar Sugar - The Archies

These Boots Are Made For Walk-in’ - Nancy Sinatra

Suspicious Minds - Elvia Presley

Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers

I Only Wanna Be With You - Dusty Springfield

For Once in My Life - Stevie Wonder

My Sweet Lord - George Harrison

Wuthering Heights - Kate Bush

Knowing Me, Knowing You - ABBA

Mandy - Barry Manilow

Without You - Harry Nilsson

Love Songs and Power Ballads

Livin’ On A Prayer - Bon Jovi

Total Eclipse of the Heart - Bonnie Tyler

You’re Still the One - Shania Twain

Angels - Robbie Williams

Unbreak My Heart - Toni Braxton

Wrecking Ball - Miley Cyrus

All By Myself - Eric Carmen

Maybe I’m Amazed - Paul McCartney

Because of You - Kelly Clarkson

It’s All Coming Back to me Now - Celine Dion

I Want It That Way - The Backstreet Boys

Everything I Do (I Do it For You) - Bryan Adams

Sharabang Sing-Along

Cockles and Mussels

Land of Hope and Glory

Calon Lan

Auld Lang Syne

I Will Survive

I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)

Love Is All Around

When I’m Sixty-Four

You’ll Never Walk Alone

Is This The Way to Amarillo

Let it Go

Hey Jude

Hi Ho Silver Lining

Matt's Prices

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

Performance duration	Price
Short performance (up to 15 min)	£100
Up to 1 hour	£160
Up to 2 hours	£240
Up to 3 hours	£320

Ceremony (Wedding, Funeral, Church Service etc.

All ceremonial music is included at this rate, alongside consultation prior to events.

£160

Wedding ceremony

This includes music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave.

£160

Drinks reception

Two performances of up to 55 mins each during your drinks reception

£240

Wedding ceremony + Drinks reception + Dinner

- Music before the service begins, music during the signing of the register, and music as guests leave. - 2 x 55 min performances at the drinks reception. - 2 x 55 min performances as dinner is being served.

£520

Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

People love an informal ‘chat with the piano-player’ when they can hear their song choices getting played… The white baby-grand piano is loved everywhere too! Above all, people like the basic formalities of a friendly face with a smile and a nod as they relax and listen to the entertainment. I am approachable and happy to play and chat all night long…

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

Leeds Town Hall Walton Hall, Warwickshire Bourton Hall, Rugby St Mary’s, Warwick Birmingham Cathedral St Luke’s, Bowden J.C. Manor, Oxfordshire The Shakespeare Annual Birthday Celebrations, Stratford upon Avon

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

My favourite Beatle is George Harrison, and I particularly love his music as well as the other Beatles of course. Sinatra, Bach, Elton John and the composers of wonderful musicals such as Les Miserables and Matilda - they are all heroes. Today I’m a fan of Adele, John Legend and Ed Sheeran. You’ll hear flavours of each of these throughout my setlist.

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

It’s a not-very-well-kept-secret that I’m also an organist. I once accompanied a visiting choral society who sang morning and evening as I accompanied on the colossal organ at Lichfield Cathedral to a packed house. You can imagine the sense of drama in an atmosphere like that!

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

No problem at all - as long as you let me know as soon as possible. If there’s a date where I already have other bookings that mean changes will be difficult, I’ll let you know that from the outset.

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

My breaks are typically only 5 minutes or so, but I can provide music when I’m not at the piano. Let me know when making your booking.

How much time do you need to set up?

20 minutes is ample if I am bringing a piano with me. If not, I need no set up time at all!

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

This is the best type of gig for me… (no heavy lifting involved!) …so yes, absolutely! As long as it’s in playable working order, I’d love to play on the venue’s own piano.

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

I try to make sure every booking suggests at least a few of their own tunes or favourite bands/artists so that I get the mood exactly right for them. I weave these choices into my usual set list, having identified the style best suited to the atmosphere people are after. You are welcome to choose the exact running order from my songs if you want to.

Are you able to bring your own piano or keyboard?

Absolutely. This is a frequent add-on. The best option is the portable white baby-grand piano for £80 but I can also provide a smaller white Kawai ES8 digital piano for £40.

Can you learn song requests before the event?

This is positively encouraged! I love it when I can play the songs people want to hear. Suggest as many as you like! (That goes for people at the event too!).

Musicianship

Genres:

Traditional church music, Christmas, Contemporary Christian, Musical theatre, Film / TV music, Classical, Baroque, Classical crossover, Contemporary classical, 1960s era music, 1970s era music, 1980s era music, 1950s era music, 1990s era music, 1940s era music, 1920s era music, 1930s era music, Jazz, Blues, Light music, Pop, Acoustic, Covers, Motown, R&B, Soul, Top 40, Tribute, Vintage, Rock, Classic rock, Pop rock, Rock 'n' Roll

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Instruments:

Piano, Organ

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Event types:

Wedding, Funeral / Memorial service, Wedding proposal, Church service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve

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Other skills:

Accompanist, Fluent improviser, Instrumental teaching

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