Menu
  • Blog
    • Enquire Now
    nightlife Jazz & Lounge

    Cocktail Pianist

    Sophisticated jazz piano for drinks receptions, private parties, and elegant evenings. Solo, duo, or full ensemble.

    Book an Enquiry View Ensembles
    piano 20+ Years Playing Jazz
    library_music The Great American Songbook
    groups Solo to Full Ensemble
    Jazz pianist performing
    format_quote A Special Moment

    The Chet Baker Connection

    "One evening at the Pump Room, a woman approached me after my set. She introduced herself as the daughter of Chet Baker's pianist — the musician who played on those iconic recordings. She told me my playing reminded her of her father."

    That moment confirmed what I'd spent two decades pursuing: capturing the essence of jazz — the intimacy, the swing, the storytelling. Whether it's the cool sophistication of the West Coast sound or the fire of bebop, I bring authentic jazz to every performance.

    Bebop Cool Jazz Trad Jazz Dixieland Swing
    Musical Range

    The Sound of Sophistication

    From the Great American Songbook to modern jazz interpretations, I tailor my repertoire to create the perfect atmosphere.

    auto_stories

    The Standards

    Cole Porter, Gershwin, Irving Berlin. The Great American Songbook — timeless elegance that never goes out of style.

    waves

    Cool Jazz

    The West Coast sound. Chet Baker, Dave Brubeck, Bill Evans. Sophisticated, understated, and utterly captivating.

    bolt

    Bebop & Modern

    When you want more energy. Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Oscar Peterson — virtuosic playing with fire and swing.

    celebration

    Trad & Dixieland

    New Orleans spirit. Joyful, energetic, infectious. Perfect when you want your guests smiling and tapping their feet.

    Flexible Line-Ups

    From Solo to Full Ensemble

    I collaborate with exceptional musicians across the South West. Build your perfect sound from intimate solo piano to a swinging jazz band.

    piano Solo

    Solo Piano

    Intimate elegance. Perfect for smaller venues, background ambience, or when you want the piano to take centre stage.

    • check Cocktail receptions
    • check Restaurant ambience
    • check Intimate dinners
    group Duo

    Jazz Duo

    Add another dimension. Piano with vocals, double bass, guitar, or saxophone creates richer texture and interplay.

    • check Piano & Vocals
    • check Piano & Double Bass
    • check Piano & Saxophone
    groups Trio

    Jazz Trio

    The classic jazz format. Piano, bass, and drums — or add a vocalist for that authentic jazz club experience.

    • check Piano, Bass & Drums
    • check Piano, Bass & Vocals
    • check Piano, Guitar & Bass
    diversity_3 Quartet

    Jazz Quartet

    Full jazz band sound. Add horns for that unmistakable swing and presence. Perfect for larger events.

    • check + Trumpet
    • check + Saxophone
    • check + Vocals
    hub 5+ Piece

    Full Jazz Band

    The complete experience. Multiple horns, rhythm section, vocalist — for events that demand something special.

    • check Corporate galas
    • check Large celebrations
    • check Festival stages
    tune

    Build Your Own

    Have something specific in mind? Let's discuss your vision and I'll put together the perfect line-up for your event.

    Discuss Options arrow_forward
    Sample Repertoire

    A Taste of the Setlist

    Every performance is tailored to your event. Here's a glimpse of the standards, classics, and favourites I draw from.

    View Full Repertoire
    music_note

    Fly Me to the Moon

    Bart Howard

    music_note

    Autumn Leaves

    Joseph Kosma

    music_note

    The Way You Look Tonight

    Jerome Kern

    music_note

    My Funny Valentine

    Rodgers & Hart

    music_note

    Take Five

    Dave Brubeck

    music_note

    Summertime

    George Gershwin

    music_note

    Blue Moon

    Rodgers & Hart

    music_note

    All of Me

    Gerald Marks

    music_note

    Cheek to Cheek

    Irving Berlin

    music_note

    Georgia on My Mind

    Hoagy Carmichael

    music_note

    Night and Day

    Cole Porter

    music_note

    What a Wonderful World

    Thiele & Weiss

    Perfect For

    local_bar

    Drinks Receptions

    Elegant arrival ambience

    restaurant

    Private Dinners

    Sophisticated dining music

    corporate_fare

    Corporate Events

    Professional entertainment

    storefront

    Hotels & Venues

    Regular residencies

    Client Experiences

    starstarstarstarstar

    "The jazz trio was absolutely perfect for our drinks reception. Sophisticated, classy, and exactly the atmosphere we wanted. Several guests asked for their details."

    Corporate Events Team

    Bristol Law Firm

    starstarstarstarstar

    "Jools played for our anniversary dinner and it was magical. His rendition of 'The Way You Look Tonight' was absolutely beautiful. Highly recommend."

    Margaret & Robert

    Private Dinner, Bath

    starstarstarstarstar

    "We've booked Jools for our hotel lobby several times now. He always reads the room perfectly and creates exactly the right ambience. A true professional."

    Events Manager

    Boutique Hotel, Clifton

    Common Questions

    What's the difference between solo and ensemble? expand_more
    Solo piano is intimate and elegant — perfect for background ambience or smaller spaces. Adding bass creates more groove and swing. A full trio with drums brings energy and presence. I'll help you choose the right configuration for your venue size, budget, and desired atmosphere.
    Can you play specific songs we request? expand_more
    Absolutely. If it's not already in my repertoire, I'm happy to learn special requests. Jazz is about interpretation, so I can also create jazz versions of popular songs — transforming modern hits into sophisticated lounge numbers.
    What equipment do you need? expand_more
    I bring a high-quality stage piano with professional amplification suitable for any venue. If you have an acoustic or grand piano, I'm always delighted to use it. For larger ensembles, we'll discuss specific requirements — most venues can accommodate a jazz band easily.
    How far in advance should I book? expand_more
    Popular dates (especially weekends and the Christmas season) book up quickly. I recommend enquiring as early as possible. For ensemble bookings, more notice helps ensure availability of my preferred collaborating musicians.
    How much does it cost? expand_more
    Pricing depends on ensemble size, duration, and location. Solo piano starts from a base rate, with additional musicians priced accordingly. Please use the contact form for a bespoke quote — I'll respond within 24 hours.
    nightlife

    Ready to Add Some Sophistication?

    From intimate solo piano to a swinging jazz band — let's create the perfect atmosphere for your event.

    Enquire Now play_circle Listen to Samples