Chris-Violinista Talented violinist performing emotional covers and songs!

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Price Guide

The guide prices below are for events within 15 miles of Stevenage, Hertfordshire. Outside this area extra travel expenses will apply. Please get in touch for an accurate quote.
Violin with high-quality backing tracks:
1 x 45 minutes set: £295
2 x 45 minutes sets: £397
3 x 45 minute sets: £496
With Piano:
With Piano (duo)-1 x 45 minutes set: £496
With Piano (duo)-2 x 45 minutes sets: £726
With Piano (duo)-3 x 45 minutes sets: £895
Weddings:
Wedding ceremony: £375
Wedding ceremony + 1 x 45 minute set drinks/reception: £558
Wedding ceremony + 2 x 45 minute sets drinks/reception: £629
DJ service/background music between sets: FREE
Recording of 1 track (for example, when walking down the aisle) on bespoke: £100
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About / Biography

Chris Violinista-an experienced, talented and qualified violinist, offering deeply emotive performances.

Chris Violinista enjoys playing pieces that convey significance and emotion to his listeners. He has played at numerous weddings, celebrations, concerts and other events. He plays a variety of genres and styles, including pop, easy-listening, jazz and classical.
He particularly enjoys playing for weddings as his style matches the significance and poignance of the day.

Chris’ main goal is to employ his touch, sensitivity and virtuosism to provide a performance that you will remember, although he is happy offering more subtle background music-you can choose.

He has had many listeners come up to him after a performance and describe how moved they have been by his playing.
He plays from memory (no unsightly music stands!) and has a unique ability to improvise. He is happy performing requests, whatever style it may be.

Chris has been playing violin since the age of 5 when he first started learning violin and piano. At the age of 10 he embarked on a rigorous 10-year violin diploma at the Italian Conservatoire which granted him the highest of standards of technique and sound. He continued his studies at the contemporary music academy Nexus which supplied him with an enviable breadth of experience across both classical and popular music. He has played over a period of 20 years in orchestras, ensembles and bands.

He continues to work on his performing, including attending masterclasses from the likes of Jason Rebello (Sting, Jeff Beck), Mo Pleasure (Earth Wind & Fire, Michael Jackson, Ray Charles), grammy-award winning Snarky Puppy and David Newton (Alan Barnes).

Having studied in Italy, the historical heart of the violin, Chris combines classical technique with a richness of sound honed over many years, to offer a broad offering that spans pop, jazz, easy listening and crossover. A lot of his repertoire contains crooner classics from the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Nat King Cole. In fact you can expect him to turn up looking like one of the Rat Pack: suited and booted with a hat to complete the look.

He can perform as a soloist (with high quality backing tracks), as a duo with a pianist and in other combinations. Importantly, he is also an exceptional pianist. He has performed at many events, playing background music, ceremonial music and light-hearted jazz and soul. So you can book him for both instruments (played separately of course!).

Thanks to his extensive experience in this area, Chris can perform hymns, worship songs and gospel tunes for the ceremony.

Chris is an experienced performer but is also a music teacher with over 12 years’ experience, teaching piano, music theory and production. He holds a degree in the communication area and various teaching qualifications.
He has also performed in orchestras, played and toured in France, Italy and in the British Isles. Chris has experience in recording (Steve Glen, Matt Cossey, Yellow Rattle Studios/Steve Genewick).

Reviews (10)

There are currently 10 user ratings for Chris-Violinista

AVERAGE RATING

10 / 101

Location

Based in Stevenage, Hertfordshire

Will travel up to 105 miles
green circle = areas covered (up to 105 miles)
pink circle = free travel (up to 15 miles)
Please note that the circles shown on the map are calculated "as the crow flies". By road distances may vary, so please get in touch for an accurate quote.

I won't give up-Jason Mraz

Mac the Knife-Bobby Darin

Message in a bottle-Police/Sting

You Raise me up-Westlife/Josh Groban

Fields of Gold-Sting

Happy Birthday-Traditional

Shape of my Heart-Sting

Young at heart-Frank Sinatra

Somewhere over the rainbow-Judy Garland/Eva Cassidy

Time to say goodbye-Andrea Bocelli/Sarah Brightman

That's amore-Frank Sinatra

Volare-Domenico Modugno

Viva la Vida-Coldplay

Every breath you take-Sting

Misty-Ella Fitzgerald

Englishman in New York-Sting

Galway Girl-Ed Sheeran

Shape of you-Ed Sheeran

Symphony-Clean Bandit

Feeling good-Muse

Fly me to the moon-Frank Sinatra

Moon river-Frank Sinatra

Moves like jagger-Maroon 5

What a Wonderful World-Louis Armstrong

Wake me up-Avicii

Tu vo’ fa l'Americano-Renato Carosone/Covered by Yolanda Be Cool

My way-Frank Sinatra

Rather Be-Clean Bandit

How deep is your Love-Bee Gees

Various tracks-Pat Metheny

Canon in D-Pachelbel

Air on G string-J.S. Bach

Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring-Bach

Gabriel's oboe-Morricone

Bridal Chorus (Here comes the bride)-Wagner

I know and have performed a large amount of songs and pieces, so if you would like to add some requests, please do contact me as I can quickly prepare or learn new content.

Technical Info

What are your basic technical requirements?

I need at least 2m x 2m with close access to a power point (2 power sockets preferred).


Do you provide sound and lighting equipment?

Yes, I provide an amp' or PA.
I will consider using the venue's own sound system subject to certain conditions.


What information do you require about a venue?

I would need to have a complete address and any information on the ideal place to unload the vehicle (eg nearest door, etc).


Can you provide a Spotify/DJ service before and between your sets?

Yes, I can provide background music from Spotify or another source of your choice (eg phone, CD, ipod) in between sets.
We can select music or you can specify.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best gig you've ever done and the best venue you've ever played at?

I have played at Wembley Stadium and also at the Royal Albert Hall. But the best venues have often been the smaller, more intimate ones.

Probably the most recent and memorable gig was a close friend's brother's baptism. I wrote a piece for it which I finished the night before I flew out to Italy. The ceremony was in a private church part of a hamlet in a stunning location in central Italy.
The audience were wowed by the music and I received excellent feedback.


Which artists have you been most influenced by, who is your favourite artist and what is the greatest song of all time?

-My greatest influences are: Sting, Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind & Fire, Bill Cantos, Jason Rebello, U2, Simply Red, Simon & Garfunkel, Bach, Vivaldi
-My favourite artists: Gregory Porter, Stevie Wonder, Incognito, Tom Misch, Jarrod Lawson, Sting, Clean Bandit
-My greatest song of all time: Lovely Day (Bill Withers) but there are many others!..


What's your previous experience and how did you start gigging?

I was probably 10 years old when I first had my public gig. I accompanied an operatic singer in a condominium lobby in Italy! I had probably had a couple of recitals before that.
Since then I have played with orchestras, choirs, gospel choirs, ensembles, function bands, duos, DJ Orchestra acts, etc.


What's your favourite type of event to play at?

I have played at a variety of events and enjoyed most of them!
However, I like playing the most at events that are of significance and host an emotional importance in which I can 'tie a bow' of exquisiteness and leave a message of beauty. The most important are: weddings, ceremonies and yes, funerals.


What will your dress attire be like?

I take pride in what I wear and in my presentation overall.
I generally dress very smart, which means wearing a suit, a bow tie or tie and sometimes a small extra bit of flair like a coloured hankerchief, etc.
I often wear a hat, as this is part of my signature style.
Sometimes, if I feel it fits the event, I dress smart-casual which I think is increasingly appropriate and appreciated.


How many languages do you speak and can you converse in other languages?

I am bilingual in Italian and English.
I also speak fluent French.
I can understand and speak some basic Spanish.


Can you be flexible with things like time, music, etc?

Yes, I pride myself in being flexible, within reason.
Examples might be moving the starting time due to changes in the timeflow (eg guests are held back in traffic or at the church) or making one set list longer than another due to the flow of events or mood.
But please do discuss details in advance so that we can arrange things best for your event.

Performance Info

What are your typical setup and performance times?

In general, I like to arrive in good time for most events.
My setup times are: around 30 mins for set up and around 25 mins for set down.

I typically perform for 45 minutes with a 15 minute break. But I am flexible and can play for a bit less or longer depending on how the event is going, general atmosphere/vibe and so on.


Are you happy to perform outside?

Yes, but subject to conditions such as: wind must be limited (especially if using a mic) and humidity low (no rain due to the nature of antique instruments).
Electric supply nearby is essential.
Shade is preferred but not essential.


Do the clients have a say in what you play or is it a set repertoire list only?

I have a set list and repertoire but I will always try to tailor the music to the event, setting and atmosphere. Clients can also offer an indication of what kind of feel and vibe there are looking for.
I do accept requests. Please give plenty of notice in order to arrange backing tracks. A fee will normally be applied.


How do previous clients most commonly describe your performances?

Clients normally describe my playing as emotional, moving and passionate.
My playing is often considered emotional and passionate but I also try hard to choose pieces that fit the moment.
My repertoire also includes up-beat songs like Wake me Up, Americano or Volare.

Recent Clients

Chris-Violinista has performed for these clients:

All private clients

Venues

Chris-Violinista has performed at these venues:

-Wembley Stadium

-Royal Albert Hall

-Sage Newcastle (Glasshouse)

-The Bentley (London 5* hotel)

-The Ned (London 5* hotel)

-St Albans Arena

-Watford Colosseum

-Fanhams Hall

-Ware Priory

-Great Fosters

-Auberge du Lac (Brocket Hall)

-The Fosters

-Greenbelt Festival

-All Souls/Langham Place

-Offley Place (piano)

-Various venues in France and Italy, including Umbria Jazz (Berklee Clinics)

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