A most happy fella, well-dressed (blazer&bow tie or my Tuxedo), Christmas, Wedding, Party, Corporate Event Pianist and all sorts of other events. I am clean, shaven, will arrive early; courteous, willing to MC, good communicator, willing to stay late at no extra charge, connects well with guests. I have 50 Online Reviews, all but two FIVE STARS (4 STARS). Based on my reviews I am, much to my consternation, considered to be one of, if not The Top Christmas, Wedding, Party, Corporate Event pianist in Music City. HOWEVER, I
CANNOT READ MUSIC, HENCE CAN'T PLAY CLASSICAL PIECES (with
the exception of the Wedding March) AND CANNOT LEARN NEW TUNES
THAT ARE NOT BY THE GREAT COMPOSERS OF PAST YEARS.
Much to my amazement, I was recently informed that my Bio will be
included in the next edition of WHO'S WHO IN AMERICA! Go figure.
My clients often comment on my professionalism and ease of communications, the warmth of my chording and my obvious passion for the music. They also underscore the fact that I am Mr. Reliable: If necessary, I can bring my own keyboard and amp. My version of The Wedding March (Here Comes The Bride) has received many compliments as does my jazz version of Amazing Grace. If you want some ball-room type dancing, I can bring along an upright bass player to underscore my beat. To hear more of my recordings at other locations simple search "Best Jazz Pianist in Nashville." I recently updated my Youtube Channel: just search my name. Thanks for your interest.
I play four hundred seventy one tunes mostly from the Great American
Songbook: George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Irving Berlin, Stephen Sondheim and many others. I can play
MELLOW or LIVELY and UPBEAT. I also have a Wedding Repertoire that is
strictly Songs of Love. If you wish, I will send you my comprehensive set list and you can choose the tunes and even the order in which they are to be played.
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HERE ARE A FEW REVIEWS FROM OTHER WEBSITES. WHEN YOU REQUEST A QUOTE I WILL SEND A LIST OF ALL OF THEM -- which you can confirm online.
♥♥♥♥♥ Best Pianist Ever! Tom Neff, Nashville
I have had Doug at a number of events, that have ranged from a large opening at the Nashville Public Library to Christmas parties, to small intimate events, and he has always been beyond terrific. I simply chose one of the times for the date given below for this review. First of all, he can play anything, so that makes it really fun and easy. He is extremely personable, and is just a pleasure to have as a guest, much less someone who is working the event. He is completely self-contained in terms of equipment, so again, that makes it really easy; if you have a piano, great. If you don't, that is great too. He is always on time, and truth is will play longer than necessary, and is not a "clock watcher." I could not recom-mend Doug more highly, and I cannot wait to have the need for his musical skills again!
♥♥♥♥♥ Awesome Entertainer Tuck Hardie, Belle Meade
Doug did an absolutely fabulous job entertaining our guests at a housewarming event for approximately 60 people. The selection of tunes was spot on and Doug knows how to keep the party lively with the right combination of music. He is also a heck of an interesting guy as we learned from talking to him during a break. You can't go wrong if you are looking for a pianist for your event.
♥♥♥♥♥ Birthday/Anniversary Party Gary, Private party Paducah, KY
Doug is the absolute perfect pianist if you are looking for talent, professionalism, personality, likability and depth of knowledge of piano standards and jazz in general. He and Kathleen blended perfectly with all our guests and his renditions of all the best lounge numbers added just the right amount of conviviality and gaiety to our party.
♥♥♥♥♥ Corporate Christmas Party
Evon Woods, Fairview Plantation, Gallatin
Doug was wonderful entertainment for our company's Christmas party.
♥♥♥♥♥ Christmas Party Kristina L., Brentwood, Tennessee
The evening was fantastic! Thank you for coming and playing for us!
♥♥♥♥♥ Wedding Reception Rebecca L., Nashville
The event was held in the Lobby of the Hermitage Hotel in down-town Nashville, Doug
♥♥♥♥♥ Holiday House Party, Franklin, Tennessee Thomas M.
Well received. Personable and provided a great vibe for our party atmosphere.
♥♥♥♥♥ Wedding Reception Doug was fantastic! Christine J., Nashville
Doug was fantastic at our brunch Wedding Reception! Working up to the big day he was very responsive and helpful, even accommodating a few last minute requests the day before. He did a great job MC-ing for us to announce our entrance and other wedding day items, and really helped pull the day together. Highly recommend!
♥♥♥♥♥ New Parents Reception Kimberly W., Nashville
Doug was very professional. He was well dressed and arrived on time and played the piano even longer than we had agreed. I would highly recommend Doug...for your next event! N.B. The event was a Cocktail Reception at Harpeth Hall School, Doug
♥♥♥♥♥ Performed for two events at our luxury dealerships
Mat C., Nashville
We booked Lounge Lizard Stylings to play at events for two of our luxury dealerships here in Nashville. Our guests provided us with extremely positive feedback regarding the music that Doug Gortner played during the two events. He provides a touch of class to an evening, and we would highly recommend booking him for future events. N.B. These two events were Customer Appreciation Dinners hosted by LEXUS, Doug
♥♥♥♥♥ Birthday Party (adult) Amos H., Hendersonville, Tennessee
Doug was the perfect addition to my Mother’s birthday party. His choice of music was top notch and everyone at the party enjoyed the music. He was professional and well dressed and again, perfectly rounded out the party. Would recommend him for future gatherings. N.B. Amos is a full-time band manager, Doug
♥♥♥♥♥ Corporate Function Nicole S., Nashville
Doug was excellent to work with. He played at our company's 25th anniversary party/open house and it was a great addition to the evening. He gave the event a new level of sense of "occasion" that was very special. The communication was easy, and he was professional and punctual. We appreciate him doing our smaller scale event.
♥♥♥♥♥ University Function
Christian Heritage University, Muscle Shoals, Alabama on
N.B. This was a 3.5 hour gig at the Marriott to celebrate their Fiftieth Anniversary and the Inauguration of their next President. Hired me the following year where I opened for Marie Osmond .
♥♥♥♥♥ Wedding Reception Andreea B., Duluth, Georgia
Doug is a pleasure to work with! We recently had our wedding reception at The Hermitage Hotel in downtown Nashville, and he played the piano during cocktail hour. We received so many compliments regarding his performance!! We would definitely recommend Doug for any event as he is easy to work with, friendly but professional, and very talented!! Thank you, Doug, for making a special event even better!!
♥♥♥♥♥ Birthday Party (adult) Julie M., Franklin, Tennessee
Doug is an amazingly talented pianist with an ear for playing just the right songs at the right time. He's very charming and beyond dependable. He was just the icing on the cake for my mother's surprise birthday party. We will definitely hire him again when the occasion arises. Thank you Doug!
♥♥♥♥♥ Fabulous! Laura H, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Thanks so much to (Doug Gortner) for making our party fabulous! He is a talented and fun performer. I highly recommend him!
♥♥♥♥♥ Birthday Party (adult) Kim H., Nashville
Doug was wonderful and fun! A class act. A true Professional. A Renaissance Man. A new friend. Thanks you for being so flexible and so accommodating! N.B. The client was a jazz singer who recently relocated to Nashville from New York. The venue was the Standard Club. A great place for a party.
♥♥♥♥♥ 50th Wedding Anniversary Lois H., Nashville
Doug played for our dinner and did a fantastic job. He played all the songs from our era. It was great! I highly recommend for your event. N.B. Held at the wonderful Centennial Club. Doug
♥♥♥♥♥ Bridal Shower Melanie M., Brentwood
What a beautiful addition to our Bridal Shower. Our guests really enjoyed the Stunning Music. Thank you.
♥♥♥♥♥ What a pleasure Dr. Ned J., Nashville
Doug, at our party of 40 + people, was a smashing success!! What an evening! Thank you, Doug!
♥♥♥♥♥ Pleasant evening Dr. Liz K.
Doug Gortner performed at the birthday of a 70-year-old friend. The music was a lovely time-period appropriate background to an outdoor cocktail hour and an indoor dinner. He was very talented and entertaining. Also, prompt, agreeable (needed to relocate during the evening and had to move his piano) and very cordial to guests.
♥♥♥♥ Rehearsal Dinner John K., Brentwood,
Doug’s Performance made the evening perfect! It was a truly memorable and we will always remember. I Highly recommend for your next special party.
I have always enjoyed playing for others. I regularly get compliments about having really improved the event. My goal in life is to bring a little joy into the lives of those I encounter, whether with a joke, a compliment, good music, or good conversation. Having spent many years as a senior administrator for arts and educational institutions, I offer a 25% discount for Nonprofits.