Harpist

Tara Minton

Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
(5.0)Read all 16 reviews
Watch
Booking protection
Secure online payments
Free 48hr cancellations
Support available Mon-Sun
Like Tara?
Watch & Listen
Watch
Listen

About Tara

Jazz harpist and vocalist based in London. Played for Björk, Tom Walker and Eurovision's SuRie.
Harpist
London
Public liability insurance of £10 million
Verified profile

Tara Minton is a jazz harpist and vocalist based in London. Tara has built a reputation of excellence as one of the UK's top session musicians, having played with Björk, Tom Walker, Eurovision's SuRie as well as events for high end corporate clients including Cartier and The House of Garrad. Tara regularly performs for London's finest hotels and clubs as well as the UK's top country estates. Have harp, will travel - always up for an adventure, Tara has played for events further afield in Paris, the French Riviera and even Mexico! Tara holds a masters degree in jazz performance from The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, is proudly sponsored by Camac Harps and is signed to Lateralize Records. Whether solo, duo or with her trio or Gypsy Swing Quartet, Tara Minton will create a bespoke performance tailored to your needs that you and your guests will love.

Encore badges
Saved the day!
Booked for an Encore gig with less than 24 hours’ notice
7th Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over 7 years
10 gigs
Experienced: 10 bookings through Encore
Musicianship
Genres:
Christmas, Film / TV music, Contemporary classical, Ambient, Folk, Jazz, Gypsy jazz, Modern jazz, Swing, Cabaret, Avant garde, Easy listening, Light music, Originals, Pop, Acoustic, Ambient pop, Covers, Musical theatre, EDM, 1970s era music, 1980s era music, 1960s era music, 1920s era music, 1930s era music, 1990s era music, 1950s era music, 1940s era music, Blues, Disco, Funk, Motown, R&B, Soul, Top 40, Vintage, Australian music, Classical crossover
See all genres
Instruments:
See all instruments
Event types:
Wedding, Funeral / Memorial service, Hotel / Restaurant event, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve, Virtual event, Wedding proposal, Church service
See all event types
Other skills:
Lyricist, Songwriter, Actor, Fluent improviser, Instrumental teaching, Theory teaching, Singing teaching, Community music worker, Arranger, Composer, Transcription, Accompanist, Animateur
See all skills

Tara's Song list

Jazz:
After you’ve gone – Harry Creamer
All of me – Gerald Marks
As time goes by – Herman Hupfeld
At last – Harry Warren
Autumn Leaves – Joseph Kosma
Besame mucho – Consuelo Velazques
Black Orpheus – Luiz Bonfa
Blue bossa – Kenny Dorham
Bossa dorado – Dorado Schmitt
C’est si bon – Henri Beti
Caravan – Duke Ellington
Days of wine and roses – Henry Mancini
Djangology – Django Reignhardt
Fly me to the moon – Bart Howard
I’ll close my eyes – Billy Reid
In the wee small hours of the morning - Mann
Little sunflower – Freddie Hubbard
L.O.V.E - Gabler
Love for sale – Cole Porter
Lullaby of birdland –George Shearing
Mambo italiano – Bob Merrill
Moon river – Henry Mancini
My funny valentine – Richard Rogers
My heart belongs to daddy – Cole Porter
Nature boy Eden Ahbez
Night and day – Cole Porter
Nuages – Django Reignhardt
‘Round midnight – Thelonious Monk
Smoke gets in your eyes – Jerome Kern
Softly, as in a morning sunrise – Romberg
Sunny side of the street – Jimmy McHugh
Sway - Ruiz
Pop/contemporary:
A Thousand Years – Christina Perri
All of me – John Legend
Blue – Joni Mitchell
Both sides now – Joni Mitchell
Blackbird – The Beatles
Careless whisper – George Michael
Case of you – Joni Mitchell
Crazy – Gnarls Barkley
Dreams – Fleetwodd Mac
Fast car – Tracey Chapman
Gravity – John Mayer
Halo – Beyonce
Hotel California – The Eagles
If I ain’t got you – Alicia Keys
I’m kissing you - Desiree
Killing me softly – Roberta Flack
Landslide – Fleetwood Mac
The last time ever I saw your face – Roberta Flack
Make you feel my love – Bob Dylan
Marry you – Bruno Mars
Natural woman – Carol King
Norwegian wood
Put your records on – Corinne Bailey Rae
River – Joni Mitchell
Songbird – Fleetwood Mac
Time after time – Cyndi Lauper
Valerie – Amy Winehouse
Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

The combination of jazz, harp and vocals is unique! My harp is a stunning electric blue, which is both elegant and striking. My clients always comment on the quality of my music, but also, my approachability and friendly demeanour.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

Too many to list! The Royal Albert Hall. The 606 Club. The Hampstead Jazz Club. Brasserie Zedel. The Spice of Life. The Pizza Express. The Savoy. The Ritz. The Rosewood. The Dorchester. The RAC. The Director's Club. Annabel's. The Ned. The London Eye. The Criterion. Australia House. New Zealand House. St James Theatre.

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

Dorothy Ashby. Joni Mitchell. Ella Fitzgerald. Esperanza Spalding. Stevie Wonder.

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

I performed with Björk on "Later... with Jools Holland" and at Primavera Sounds Festival in Barcelona. I have also performed with Tom Walker on The BBC One Show and with Eurovision's SuRie at The Bishopsgate Institute. My favourite corporate event was for Cartier. They booked my trio to perform in the garden for the launch of their new collection.

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

I always try my best to be flexible to help ensure your event runs as smoothly as possible. If timings change slightly in the run up to the event just let me know. If I am able to accommodate you, I will.

How much time do you need to set up?

I usually aim to arrive an hour before I am due to play. Set up doesn't usually take this long, but it's always better to have a bit of lead way just in case.

Is the transport of your harp included in your quote?

Absolutely - I've include all travel costs, including the transport of my harp, in the quotes.

Do you need any equipment provided to play outdoors?

I am happy to play outdoors provided I am not sat in full sun and the harp is on a flat surface (no slopes, stones, gravel.) If it is raining/humid or very windy I will need to move inside to prevent damage to my instrument. I will not play outside if I feel at all uncertain about the safety of my harp.

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

I accept a couple of requests and am happy to lean towards a certain genre, but then leave the music to me. After more than a decade in the industry, I've learned what works.

Can you learn specific pieces before the event?

I'm more than willing to learn one or two requests (within reason!)

Tara'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)£250
Up to 1 hour£350
Up to 2 hours£400
Up to 3 hours£450
Tara
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5
12 verified reviews
Satisfaction
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5.0
Professionalism
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5.0
Communication
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
4.9
Punctuality
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5.0

Tara's Reviews

From Encore customers:

GT
Gary T
6 months ago
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

Tara, thank you for playing at our wedding! All of our guests loved every minute of your music. Thank you for the piece with Chris! You made the day go from great to fantastic! Lucy says she’d like to meet for that drink. Take care and thank you!

Reply from Tara
6 months ago

Gary it was my pleasure! Such a beautiful wedding. I’m so keen to have a drink with Lucy too. What a wonderful lady!

PA
Phil A
1 year ago
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

Tara was amazing and would fully recommend her to anyone wanting a harpist.

Reply from Tara
1 year ago

Thank you for the lovely review Phil. It was a pleasure to play.

HL
Hannah L
1 year ago
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

Amazing. Her voice was stunning and bought such a special touch to our day! Highly recommend!

Reply from Tara
1 year ago

Thank you Hannah. What a beautiful wedding! It was a joy to play for your special day.

JP
Justine P
1 year ago
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

Tara played at our wedding and she was truly amazing. Several guests commented on how beautifully she played the harp and sung. Thank you Tara for helping us make our day special!

Reply from Tara
1 year ago

It was my pleasure Justine. Thank you for having me play. Yours really was a special one.

Read all 9 reviews

From other customers:

SR
Shirely R
4 years ago, for a Birthday party in N6
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

Tara and her band were just fantastic! All my guests commented on how brilliant they were. I couldn't have hoped for better.

EB
Ed B
5 years ago, for a Private event in London SW9 0UJ
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star
5 out of 5

Maltby & Minton played at my annual January party. They were excellent! Really set the tone for a great evening. Great music. Good people.

Read all 7 reviews