Pianist for Chris & Cat’s West Tower Wedding

Posted on by
pianist_wedding_breakfast_West_Tower
pianist & vocalist for the wedding ceremony and wedding breakfast at West Tower

On Sunday, I was back at my favourite Lancashire  wedding venue: West Tower in Aughton near Ormskirk. For the arrival of guests and the actual wedding ceremony, the bride Cat had asked me to prepare some special pieces including “Bella’s Lullaby” and “The Meadow” from the Twilight soundtracks. I also included “Love Letters” from the Sex & The City soundtrack which I had first played at another wedding at West Tower just the week before..On the day, Cat actually walked in to my piano version of “Something” by the Beatles and looked absolutely stunning. 

pianist_West_Tower_wedding_drinks_reception
pianist for the wedding drinks reception at West Tower 

As usual at a West Tower wedding, the drinks reception was held downstairs in the bar area where I had already set up a second piano keyboard for a “seamless transition”.
After the guests had downed their mulled wine and champagne, it was time to head back upstairs to the baby grand for the wedding breakfast and what turned out to be a proper Liverpool singalong even before the desserts came out!! I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! xx

Pianist Singer at Heaton House Farm Christmas Party

Posted on by
pianist_Heaton_House_Farm_Christmas_Party
White Christmas party at Heaton House Farm 16.12.11

Having missed the Christmas party of 2010 due to a prior engagement, I had been looking forward to performing at the 2011 Christmas Party at Heaton House Farm for some time.

I began playing piano in the bar area as guests arrived for the drinks reception before moving through to the main barn (see left) where I had set the white baby grand piano up on a circular stage brought in specially by Mick and the team. 
During dinner, guests still sent in requests while enjoying a fantastic dinner. Some welcome requests for piano songs by Tom Waits , classic Rat Pack – always good for during dinner – my song of the week “L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.” by Noah & The Whale plus some Christmas songs of course to help create the festive mood. 

With just a thin covering of snow outside, the dreams of a white Christmas may not come true just yet but my hopes of a great night surely did. I have to say the band who performed for the rest of the night – Groovy Revolution – were fantastic and great fun. After a bit of a bop and a glass of their local beer, it was time to head home. What a night! And tomorrow… more!!

Pianist Liverpool Playhouse 100th Birthday Party

Posted on by
pianist_birthday_party_liverpool_playhouse
Liverpool Playhouse Happy Birthday!

Liverpool Playhouse celebrated 100 years of theatre yesterday with events throughout the day and a gala performance of “The Ladykillers” in the evening.
I set up as lounge pianist for attending guests at the drinks reception and again later at the aftershow party where I added some vocals…
“Ladykillers” was absolutely brilliant – very funny, a clever set and great performances by all actors. Everybody loved it and so there was a real atmosphere of celebration the aftershow party. I have to take my hat off to Flock of Seagulls Frank for an inspired singalong and thank Rowena, Amy, Sarah and the rest of the team for making it such a memorable night. Congratulations! And here’s to the next hundred…!!

Pianist for Corporate Event at Radisson Edwardian Hotel Manchester

Posted on by
jazz_pianist_radisson_manchester

Simon Brown pianist for corporate event at Radisson Edwardian

Last Friday I was the singer and pianist for a corporate event at the very elegant Alto Restaurant in the Radisson Hotel Manchester. The event was hosted by Engage, the Super League sponsors, on the eve of the rugby Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford.
My own performance on the evening was set between a talk on beers and accompaniments given by the very entertaining Adrian Tierney-Jones, several speeches by Engage on the eve of their final match as sponsors and later speeches by national sports writers and journalists who paid tribute to the very positive contribution made by Engage during its years of Super League sponsorship.
As formalities drew to a close, the inevitable singsong began with a few “guest singers” who ”showed them how it’s done!” A night that had everything but nothing could have prepared us for the drama that was to follow at Old Trafford on Saturday as Leeds secured a memorable victory…

Pianist Singer at Simon and Anna’s Wedding at Sheldrakes, Wirral

Posted on by
pianist_wedding_sheldrakes_wirral

Simon Brown Pianist, Singer and Band for Wedding at Sheldrakes, Heswall

On Friday, I played at Simon & Anna’s wedding reception at Sheldrakes in Heswall, a fantastic setting made even more so by the glorious weather on the day. Guests fired requests during the drinks reception and the party was already buzzing by the time the 40 Thieves trio started at 8:30pm with the newlyweds’ first dance request “Sweetest Feeling”.
A glorious day and a great night was had by one and all!

Pianist Singer at Matt and Claire’s Wedding at Thornton Hall Hotel, Wirral, Cheshire

Posted on by

pianist_singer_wedding_thornton_hall_hotelA great evening was had by one and all at Matt and Claire’s wedding last night in the Pulford Suite at Thornton Hall. As the weather was unpredictable, I set up the white baby grand in the bar area for a couple of early evening sets. With more than a few characters in attendance, by 8 o’clock this had developed into a full on singalong around the piano with several guests also taking up a mike including the groom himself singing “That’s Life” to his beautiful bride Claire and the bride returning the compliment with a great rendition of Duffy’s “Mercy”. I carried on taking requests for old favourites like Delilah, Daydream Believer, Sweet Caroline, That’s Amore, Champagne Supernova, Shine, etc then played for the best man as he belted out ”Green, Green Grass Of Home” and then it was time to hand over to the band…. and catch a breath! What a great crowd and all the best to the happy couple!!

Pianist Singer at Claire and Oli’s Wedding at Rowton Hall, Chester

Posted on by

Returned to Rowton Hall on Sunday to play at Claire and Oli’s wedding surrounded by their many friends and family. Bank holiday weekend weather was again unpredictable but the atmosphere inside the conservatory was great. After the drinks reception, I moved everything forward so that everyone could hear me during the wedding breakfast. As the last song before speeches, we did a rousing “Hey Jude” with hands in the air (the only way to do it!) in hommage to Oli’s mum Jude. I wish Claire & Oli all the best for the future.

White Baby Grand Piano Hire for Steve and Anna’s Wedding at Thornton Manor, Wirral

Posted on by

Anna had called me to see if I was available to perform during the day at her and Steve’s wedding at the lakeside marquee at Thornton Hall. I already had a booking in Chester but was not using the piano so was able to hire it out to them for the day.white_baby_grand_piano_hire_Thornton_Manor
I set it up in the morning and they had the pianist from their chosen band for the evening play a few sets during the wedding breakfast. The white piano did look great in the marquee and Anna was made up with the overall white theme she had chosen.
They rounded the evening off with a trip round the lake on the boat before the band began the evening sets. I wish them all the best.

Pianist Singer at Mike and Liz’s Wedding at Briars Hall, Lancashire

Posted on by

I had met Mike and Liz at a wedding fayre at Scarisbrick Hall in 2010. On the day, I set up the baby grand in ready for the wedding breakfast. Speeches were made before the food was served and then I began playing and taking requests from top table and guests including Can’t Take My Eyes Off You… “I love you baby…!”.
Thanks to guest special Dave for letting me have some images from the day. This one –  I’m not sure if I’m going for a high note or the piano lid’s just come down on my fingers:pianist_wedding_briars_hall_lathom

Pianist Singer at Pete and Louise’s Wedding at Rowton Hall, Chester

Posted on by

On the Friday at the start of the 5 wedding bank holiday weekend, I performed at Pete and Louise’s wedding at Rowton Hall near Chester. Pete had asked particularly for songs by Stone Roses, Happy Mondays and Oasis along with a selection of Rat Pack and some songs from the charts so that there was something for everyone.
I started later than anticipated as the wedding breakfast was running over an hour behind schedule but everybody was clearly up for a sing song: ”You’re twisting my melon, man!” before I handed things over to the DJ who took them up to midnight. I wish them both all the best.