Pianist

Joshua Howard Abbott

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About Joshua

A versatile, professional freelance pianist that is suitable for Birthdays, Weddings, Funerals and other private events.
Joshua Howard Abbott's profile picture
Pianist
Taunton
Public liability insurance of £10 million
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In 2015 Joshua graduated with a Masters of Arts specialising in Piano Accompaniment.  The two year postgraduate was studied under the tuition of Zoe Smith and Richard McMahon, after achieving a 2:1 BMus (Hons) in Music Performance at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2013. During this time, Joshua has studied under the tuition of Mary Dullea and James Kirby and Simon Lepper, along with well known performers; Alasdair Beatson, Benjamin Frith, Polina Leschenko and Martin Jones to name but a few. At the age of 26, Joshua has already held prestigious positions, such as the Pianist in Residence for the Mehli Mehta Music Foundation, Mumbai, 2013. While in India, Joshua was pianist for Japanese violinist, Midori Goto’s masterclasses, and also performed private concerts for Maestro Zubin Mehta. Within the UK, Joshua has appeared as an accompanist on National television, and live on BBC Radio. He was the pianist for the College Symphony Orchestra Remembrance Concert conducted by Maestro Carlo Rizzi at St. Davids Hall. He also provides piano tuition to dozens of students, both independently and in private music schools, and has just established a new music facility in Monmouth. Not just limited to classical piano, Joshua is a keyboardist and has a busy career performing in musicals. With experience of working directly with West-End Musical Directors, he can programme for shows with high-end computer mapping technology, using electric synthesisers.

Joshua
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5 out of 5
2 verified reviews

Joshua's Reviews

From customers:

RE
Richard E
5 years ago, for a Wedding in Monmouth NP25 5AS
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5 out of 5

Thank you for the wonderful playing at our ceremony -it helped set the perfect mood and I have even since had a mention about the piano playing.

GR
Gwyneth R
5 years ago, for a Birthday party in Chepstow
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5 out of 5

Thank you very much for the lovely playing - I wouldn't hesitate to book you again should we need a pianist.

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This act has been working with Encore for over 8 years

Joshua's Song list

Classical
Barcarolle - Offenbach
Clair De Lune - Debussy
Prelude in E Minor - Chopin
Largo from Xerxes - Handel
Morning - Greig
Sonata C Minor - Beethoven
Pie Jesu - Faure
Rondo Alla Turca - Mozart
Nessun Dorma from Turandot - Puccini
Nocturne in Eb Major - Chopin
Canon in D - Pachabell
Jesu, Joy of Mans Desiring - J.S.Bach
In the Hall of the Mountain King - Greig
Sleeping Beauty Waltz - Tchaikovsky
More on request
Film Themes
Alfie
Amelie
America Beauty
Born Free
The Deer Hunter
Forrest Gump
Lawrence of Arabia
Lion King
Live and Let Die
Lord of the Rings
Love Story
Braveheart
Doctor Zhivago
Gladiator
Love Actually
Schindlers List
Romeo and Juliet
Titanic
Many more including Disney throughout the Ages.
More on request
Great Standards
All I have to DO is Dream
Can't Help Falling in Love
Come Fly with Me - Sinatra
Do you Know the way to San Jose
Lets call the whole thing off
My Way
Somethin' Stupid
Stardust
Unchained Melody
The Nearness of You
What the World Needs Now is Love
When I Fall in Love
and more on request.
Jazz and Blues
I Wish I Knew How it would feel to be Free
Georgia On My Mind
The Girl From Ipanema
Moonlight Serenade
My Baby Just Cares for Me
God Bless That Child
Misty
Solitude
The Night We called it A Day
Gershwin Brothers, MGM, Rodgers and Hammerstein and more on request.
Pop Favourites
Beyond the Sea - Charles Trenet / Jack Lawrence
Both Sides Now - Joni Mitchell
Eternity - Robbie Williams
Fields of Gold - Sting
Have I Told you Lately - Van Morrison
Here, There and Everywhere - John Lennon & Paul McCartney
I Say a Little Prayer - Burt Bacharach
Killing Me Softly With His Song
Still Crazy After All These Years - Paul Simon
Your Song - Elton John
Also; Norah Jones, Fleetwood Mac, Coldplay, The Carpenters, Katie Melua, Keane, Stereophonics and many more.
Musical Theatre
Blood Brothers
Copacabana
Company
Carousel
Evita
Jesus Christ Superstar
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat
Is you is or is you ain't my Baby - Five Guys named Moe
La La Land
Les Misérables
Mamma Mia
Memory - Cats
Miss Saigon
I'll Never Fall in Love Again - Promises, Promises
The Sound of Music
The Phantom of the Opera
Sweet Charity
Starlight Express
South Pacific
The Music Man
Cabaret
Sunset Boulevard
More on request.
Customer questions

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

I'm usually quite flexible and I'm keen to make any event run as smoothly as possible. I drive to all venues so I don't mind overrunning (within reason) and I'll never take more than one booking per day solely so that things don't get complicated.

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

I don't provide DJ services I'm afraid!

How much time do you need to set up?

If playing on a piano already in the venue - 5 minutes If setting up Keyboard with small Amp/ Duo/Trio work - 15 minutes

If I have a piano at my venue, are you happy to perform on that?

Yes, of course - as long as the piano is in working order and in tune, then I'm happy to play on it!

Can I pick the songs you play from the set list?

Every venue is different and so set lists do change as a solo pianist - I've noted a small batch of pieces I've done on my Profile so if you'd like them done in any particular order please do feel free to say!

Are you able to bring your own piano or keyboard?

I am happy to bring a keyboard though I usually charge a small porterage fee for the packing and unpacking of all the equipment.

Can you learn song requests before the event?

Yes. I'm always happy to take requests. Do ask if you have anything in mind, chances are I've already played it at some point! If I haven't I'll just charge the cost of the music and £10 for the rehearsal time.

What do your clients love most about your performances?

I'd like to think I bring a personable and friendly face to any gig, when on my breaks I'm more than happy to socialise with the guests.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

I perform a large number of weddings around the UK. I also play shows in south Wales and South West England, and my accompanying has led me abroad to mainland Europe.

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

I love performing the variety of music, from Coldplay to Debussy and Cole Porter to Movie themes.

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

I've performed at the Aalborg Musikkens Hus, the Motorpoint arena Cardiff, the WMC Cardiff. St. Pauls Cathedral and many other high-profile venues. I have additionally performed for some private events in Somerset that have hosted high-profile guests.
Musicianship
Genres:
Christmas, Traditional church music, Classical, Musical theatre, Classical crossover, Baroque, Contemporary classical, 1990s era music, 1980s era music, 1970s era music, 1960s era music, 1950s era music, 1940s era music, 1930s era music, 1920s era music, Easy listening, Light music, Pop, Covers, Top 40
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Instruments:
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Event types:
Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Birthday party, Christmas party
See all event types
Other skills:
Fluent sight-reader, Instrumental teaching, Theory teaching, Accompanist, Examiner
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