Also available in Bournemouth, Poole, Weymouth, Ferndown, and Dorchester.
Performing as a Pianist in Dorset
My name is Eugene Portman and I perform very frequently as a pianist in Dorset. My only complaint is that I don’t work in the county as often as I would like. The area is stunning and many couples dream of getting married in one of the county’s stunning venues. These venues range from hotels such as the Royal Bath Hotel in Bournemouth to castles such as Lulworth Castle. I play for many different kinds of events, but in Dorset, I am usually booked as a wedding pianist.
The Music
A thriving jazz scene and the number of live music venues are the main reasons I receive so much work as a pianist in Dorset. Jazz and swing is my main specialty and my jazz piano style has developed through listening to the great keyboard giants of the past. These include such greats as Erroll Garner, Oscar Peterson, George Shearing, and Teddy Wilson. I play all the great standards from the “Great American Song Book”. These songs were made famous by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennet, Nat King Cole, and Ella Fitzgerald.
Because the district provides me with so many weddings each year, I have to be adept at playing many other styles of music. These include styles such as pop, rock, classical, Latin, blues, and even sing-along.
Working as a Sing-along Pianist in Dorset
Over the last few years, there has been an ever-increasing demand for me as a sing-along pianist in the Dorset area. It seems that Cockney themed events are very much in vogue in the region. If you are thinking of hiring me as a sing-along pianist all you need to provide is some enthusiastic singers and I will do the rest. Song sheets are provided and I come suitably attired in a Bowler hat, red neckerchief, grandad shirt, waistcoat, pocket watch, etc.
Please see the page HERE for more information. Alternatively, visit my other site at www.uksingalongpianist.co.uk.
Line-ups
A lot of my work in Dorset has been as a solo pianist, but I can provide a full range of instrumental line-ups. These range from solo piano right up to a five-piece jazz band. The latter consists of vocals, sax, piano, bass, and drums. If a full jazz band is just too much for your event then you could consider a duo or maybe a trio. If you can’t decide then we can help you find a line-up that will fit both your budget and space at the venue. Here is a full list of the line-ups available:
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 pianist or the full jazz band, I hope you will find that the music has a feel-good quality. I try and make the music sit comfortably in any social event or situation. My intention is to add colour to your event without drowning conversation.
Here are some of the many venues in Dorset that have used services as a pianist:
Royal Bath Hotel (The), Bath Road, Bournemouth BH1 2EW
Westbury Church Hall, Sherborne, Dorset DT9 3EL
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, Abbotsbury, Nr Weymouth DT3 4LA
Boat That Rocks Bar & Restaurant (The), Portland Marina, Osprey Quay, Portland DT5 1DX
Carrington House Hotel, Knyveton Road, Bournemouth BH1 3QQ
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, Abbotsbury, Nr Weymouth, Dorset DT3 4LA
Boat That Rocks Bar & Restaurant (The), Portland Marina, Osprey Quay, Portland DT5 1DX
East Close Hotel, Lyndhurst Rd Hinton, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 7EF
Lulworth Castle, Lulworth BH20 5QS
I work as a pianist throughout Dorset. Here are just a few of the towns, cities and villages that are covered:
- Weymouth
- Ferndown
- Dorchester
- Wimbourne Minster
- Bridport
- Verwood
- Swanage
- Blandford Forum
- Sherborne
- Gillingham
- Easton-Weston
- Shaftesbury
- Saint Leonards
- Overcombe
- Preston
- Lyme Regis
- Fortuneswell
- Lytchett Matravers
- Chickerell
- Alderholt
- Beaminster
- Wareham
- Sturminster Newton
- Stalbridge
- Wool
- Bovington Camp
- Three Legged Cross