Simon Brown | Singing Piano Man Blog

Wedding Pianist & Singer at Inglewood Manor Wirral Wedding Fayre

Simon — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 14:53:47 +0000

On 4th March, I set up at Inglewood Manor in Ledsham, one of my favourite venues and a favourite Wirral wedding fayre: More than 30 local suppliers, a top in-house team and a great atmosphere as always.

Inglewood Manor wedding pianist

For smaller weddings and evening events, I often set up in the Executive suite as I do for the wedding fayre. But for for standard (50-60 people) and larger weddings and events, I set up either in one of the bays of the central lounge area or against the wall looking out onto the patio particularly when I am going to be performing music for the wedding ceremony, drinks reception and wedding breakfast.
I am looking forward to providing wedding entertainment at Inglewood over the course of 2012 and will of course be at the next wedding fayre there in October – date to be confirmed.

Wedding Pianist at Mark & Steph’s Chester Grosvenor Wedding

Simon — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:47:57 +0000

Chester Grosvenor wedding pianist

Last Thursday (Thursday being the new Sunday), I was pleased to return to the heart of Chester and another Chester Grosvenor wedding to perform Mark & Steph’s wedding ceremony music and then play piano vocals for the drinks reception.
Steph had requested some instrumental music for the wedding ceremony which actually included two processionals: one for the walk-in of the bridesmaids - ”Where Is My Mind” by the Pixies and then, for the walk-in of the bride the “Glasgow Love Theme” by Craig Armstrong from the Love Actually soundtrack. Two very evocative pieces and there was “not a dry eye in the house” I think it would be fair to say….

Wirral Wedding Fayre at Thornton Hall Hotel

Simon — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 11:48:01 +0000

Pianist at Thornton Hall Wirral wedding fayre

After 2 weeks in Philadelphia, New York and New Orleans (!!!), it was back to business mid January with the first date of the 2012 Wirral wedding fayre season at Thornton Hall Hotel. I set up as usual in the Torintone Suite though I also perform at weddings in the hotel’s other slightly smaller and more intimate Pulford Suite.
For a Wirral wedding fayre that isn’t too big but has a wide variety of suppliers who aren’t “pushy” then I would definitely recommend the ones at Thornton Hall Hotel (mid January & mid September) and Inglewood Manor (Early October & Early March). See you there!

Pianist for Chris & Cat’s West Tower Wedding

Simon — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:50:24 +0000

: 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 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

Simon — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:19:28 +0000

: 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

Simon — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 11:30:16 +0000

: 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

Simon — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 20:52:16 +0000

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

Simon — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 21:37:15 +0000

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

Simon — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 15:38:59 +0000

A 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

Simon — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:21:23 +0000

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.