Performing as a Pianist in Devon
My name is Eugene Portman and a steady flow of work comes from Devon for me as a pianist. This area of England has always been popular for weddings and other kinds of events. This is probably because Devon is a really beautiful county and has a great choice of venues. These range from historic buildings to high-class hotels. I play the piano all sorts of events in Devon, most of which are weddings.
The Music
There is a very healthy jazz scene in Devon and the South West and this has provided me with plenty of work as a pianist over the years. My real love is jazz , but don’t let that frighten you off. I player an older style of jazz which is more melodic and accessible than some of the more modern forms of this genre. I play all the great jazz standards made famous by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennet, Nat King Cole and Jack Jones.
My jazz piano style has developed over the years through listening to all the great keyboard giants of the past. These include such musicians as Erroll Garner, Oscar Peterson, and George Shearing.
Because I play the piano for so many weddings throughout Devon, I have to possess a varied repertoire, and I do play many styles of music. These styles include rock, pop, classical, ragtime, Latin, blues and singalong.
Working as a Sing-along Pianist in Devon
There seems to have been an overnight surge of work coming in from Devon for me as a sing-along pianist. There is definitely a rise in the number of Cockney themed events in and around the Devon area. For these events I can provide all the song sheets and I also dress as a typical Cockney pianist. This includes a Bowler hat, red neckerchief, grandad shirt, waistcoat, pocket watch etc. All that you have to do is provide some enthusiastic singers who can let their hair down.
Please see the page HERE for more information. Alternatively, you can also visit my other website at www.uksingalongpianist.co.uk.
The Line-ups
Most of the events that I do in Devon require me to play the piano as a solo pianist. However, I have performed in other line-ups groups for some events. If you contact me I can find a suitable instrumental line-up that can match both your budget and available space at the venue. These line-ups range from duos and trios right up to a five-piece jazz band. The full range of line-ups is as follows:
a) Duo – piano and vocals or piano and bass
b) Trio – piano, bass and vocals or piano, bass and drums
c) Quartet – piano, bass, drums and vocals or piano, bass, drums and sax
d) Five Piece Jazz Band – piano, bass, drums, sax and vocals
Whether you book me as a solo jazz pianist or the full jazz band, you will find that I try and give the music has a feel-good quality. I hope this quality makes the music sit comfortably in any social situation. My aim is to add sparkle to your event without drowning conversation.
Here are some of the many venues in Devon that have used my services as a pianist:
Boringdon Hall Hotel, Colebrook, Plympton, Plymouth PL7 4DP
Exeter Golf & Country Club, Topsham Road, Exeter EX2 7AE
Plymouth Arts Centre, 38 Looe Street, Plymouth PL4 0EB
Beaconside Country House, Beaconside House, Bideford, Devon EX39 5JL
Hotel Endsleigh, Milton Abbot, Tavistock PL19 0PQ
Langdon Court Hotel, Adam’s Lane, Down Thomas, Plymouth PL9 0DY
I perform all over Devon as a pianist. Here are just a few cities, villages and towns that are covered:
- Exeter
- Plymouth
- Exmouth
- Torquay
- Barnstaple
- Bideford
- Tavistock
- Ilfracombe
- Dartmouth
- Budleigh Salterton
- Crediton
- Brixham
- Axminster
- Newton Abbot
- Okehampton
- Paignton
- Sidmouth
- Ashburton
- Bradninch
- Buckfastleigh
- Cullompton
- Dawlish
- Heathfield
- Holsworthy
- South Molton
- Honiton
- Seaton
- Ivybridge
- Tiverton
- Kingsbridge
- Lynton
- Moretonhampstead
- Salcombe
- Teignmouth
- Totnes
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