Pianist James Lent

• James Lent - Piano

James received the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Piano Performance from Yale University, and is experienced in performing jazz, pop, broadway, classical, dueling pianos or any of your other favorite selections for any occasion! He has a live show every Friday night in Los Angeles at the piano bar in Silverlake which is located just off Sunset Blvd. at 2538 Hyperion Ave, 90027 from 9pm-1am if you want to hear him in person! Recently, he served as Woody Harrelson's piano coach for the movie "Seven Pounds" where Mr. Harrelson performs the role of a blind pianist. James is available by himself and he can provide additional singers or instrumentalists in any combination including strings, drums, winds, and/or brass. He also serves on the summer faculty at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, CA.

As a concerto soloist, Mr. Lent made his Alabama Symphony debut performing Rachmaninoff's Concerto No. 2 to critical acclaim on 24 hours' notice to replace Andre Watts. James' numerous piano awards include prizes in the New York Concert Artists Guild International Competition, the National Chopin Competition, the Washington International Piano Competition at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., the Olga Koussevitsky Piano Competition in New York, the Salon de Virtuosi Awards in New York, the Houston Symphony Ima Hogg National Young Artist Competition, and the title of Top Instrumentalist in the World Championships for the Performing Arts in Burbank, CA. Mr. Lent's other orchestral appearances include the Vancouver Symphony, the Houston Symphony, the Shanghai Philharmonic, the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, the Torrence Symphony, Orchestra X, the Ocean City Pops, the Utah Symphony and the Florida West Coast Symphony. His solo recital appearances include performances at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, the Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival in Lubeck, Germany; for the National Chopin Foundation in Miami, a Boston recital debut at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and at the Cleveland Museum of Art, where he gave the world premiere of a new work written for him by noted contemporary American composer Frederic Rzewski. His performances have been heard on New York's WQXR and National Public Radio's Performance Today. Mr. Lent was invited to participate in the Pierre Boulez Workshop for Instrumentalists and Conductors at Carnegie Hall where he performed with the renowned Ensemble Intercontemporain under the direction of Maestro Boulez in a sold-out concert at Weill Recital Hall. Mr. Lent was a fellowship recipient at the Aspen Music Festival, the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, the Sarasota Music Festival, and the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, where he studied with Jerome Lowenthal.

Mr. Lent is a native of Houston where he attended the Houston High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and the University of Houston. Since completing his Doctor of Musical Arts from Yale in 2001, Mr. Lent has been based in Los Angeles.

• A Whole New World - Aladdin
• Ain't Misbehavin - Standard
• Air on the G String - Bach
• All I Ask of You - Lloyd Webber
• All in the Family - TV
• All of Me - Standard
• All That Jazz - Kanders and Ebb
• All the Things You Are - Jerome Kern
• Anything Goes - Cole Porter
• As Time Goes By - from Casablanca
• At Last - Standard
• Autumn Leaves - Standard
• Begin the Beguine - Cole Porter
• Bennie and the Jets - Elton John
• Bewitched - Standard
• Big Spender - from Sweet Charity
• Boogie Wonderland - Earth Wind and Fire
• Bridal Chorus - Wagner
• By the Beautiful Blue Danube Waltz - Strauss/Schulz-Evler
• Cabaret - Kanders and Ebb
• California Dreamin - Mamas and the Papas
• California Girls - Beach Boys
• Can You Feel the Love Tonight - Elton John
• Canon in D - Pachabel
• Can't Help Lovin that Man of Mine - Jerome Kern
• Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Frankie Valli
• Chariots of Fire - from Chariots of Fire
• Cheers "Where Everybody Knows Your Name" - TV
• Clair de Lune - Claude Debussy
• Climb Every Mountain - Rodgers and Hammerstein
• Clocks - Coldplay
• Concerto in A Minor - Grieg
• Concerto No. 1 in Bb Minor, Op. 23 - Tchaikovsky
• Concerto No. 2 in C Minor - Rachmaininoff
• Concerto No. 21 in C Major, K. 467 - Mozart
• Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26 - Prokofieff
• Concerto No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37 - Beethoven
• Copacabana - Barry Manilow
• Crazy - Patsy Cline
• Crocodile Rock - Elton John
• Dancing Queen - ABBA
• Daylight - Coldplay
• Delovely - Cole Porter
• Do Re Mi - The Sound of Music
• Don't Cry for me Argentina - Andrew Lloyd Webber
• Don't Get Around Much Anymore - Standard
• Don't go Breaking my Heart - Elton John
• Don't Stop Believing - Journey
• Ebony and Ivory - Wonder/McCartney
• Evergreen - Barbara Streisand
• Flintstones - TV
• Fly Me To The Moon - Standard
• Funkytown - Lipps
• Fur Elise - Beethoven
• Get Me To The Church On Time - Lerner and Loewe
• Ghostbusters - Ray Charles
• Girl from Ipanema - Standard
• Golden Girls - TV
• Good Vibrations - Beach Boys
• Grand Polonaise Brilliante, Op. 22 - Chopin
• Greased Lightning - John Travolta
• Great Balls of Fire - Jerry Lewis
• Gymnopedie No. 1 - Satie
• Hey Jude - Beatles
• Holiday - Madonna
• Hot Stuff - Donna Summer
• I Am 16 Going on 17 - from The Sound of Music
• I Could Have Danced All Night - Lerner and Loewe
• I Feel Pretty - Bernstein
• I Get A Kick Out of You - Cole Porter
• I Guess That's Why they Call it the Blues - Elton John
• I Heard It Through the Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
• I Just Called to Say I Love You - Stevie Wonder
• I Love A Piano - Irving Berlin
• I Want to Hold Your Hand - Beatles
• I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston
• I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
• I Write the Songs - Barry Manilow
• If I Ain't Got You - Alicia Keys
• If I Only Had A Brain - from The Wizard of Oz
• I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair - Standard
• Imagine - John Lennon
• Incidental Music to A Midsummer Night's Dream - Mendelssohn
• It Had to be You - Harry Connick Jr.
• It's Raining Men - Weather Girls
• It's Small World After All - Disney
• It's Still Rock and Roll to Me - Billy Joel
• I've Got Rhythm - Gershwin
• I've Got You Under My Skin - Cole Porter
• James Bond Theme - James Bond
• Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - Bach
• Just the Way You Are - Billy Joel
• La Vie Rose - Standard
• Last Dance - Donna Summer
• Laverne and Shirley - TV
• Le Jazz Hot - Standard
• Like A Prayer - Madonna
• Like A Virgin - Madonna
• Little Shop of Horrors - from Little Shop of Horrors
• Love and Marriage - from Married With Children
• Love Boat - TV
• Love Will Keep Us Together - Captain and Tennille
• Luck be a Lady - Standard
• Macho Man - Village People
• Makin Whoopie - Standard
• Making Love Out of Nothing At All - Air Supply
• Malaquena - Lecuona
• Mamma Mia - ABBA
• Man on the Moon - REM
• Man That Got Away - Judy Garland
• Manic Monday - Bangles
• Maple Leaf Rag - Scott Joplin
• Material Girl - Madonna
• Maybe This Time - Kanders and Ebb
• Memory - Lloyd Webber
• Misty - as arranged by Oscar Peterson
• Monster Mash
• Moon River - from Breakfast at Tiffany's
• Movin On Up - TV
• Music of the Night - Lloyd Webber
• My Favorite Things - from The Sound of Music
• My Funny Valentine - Standard
• My Girl - Temptations
• My Heart Belongs to Daddy - Cole Porter
• My Man - Judy Garland
• My Way - Frank Sinatra
• Neutron Dance - Pointer Sisters
• New York, New York - Frank Sinatra
• Nine to Five - Dolly Parton
• Nutcracker Suite - Tchaikovsky
• On My Own - from Les Miserables
• On the Street Where You Live - Lerner and Loewe
• One Moment in Time - Whitney Houston
• One Singular Sensation - from A Chorus Line
• Our Love is Here to Stay - Standard
• Over the Rainbow - Judy Garland
• Part of Your World - Disney
• Phantom of the Opera - Lloyd Webber
• Philadelphia Freedom - Elton John
• Piano Man - Billy Joel
• Play That Funky Music
• Please Don't Say No - from
• Purple People Eater
• Rainbow Connection - from The Muppet Movie
• Reverie - Debussy
• Rhapsody in Blue - George Gershwin
• Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini - Rachmaninoff
• Rock the Boat
• Rondo alla Turca - Mozart
• Rondo Capriciosso, Op. 14 - Mendelssohn
• Route 66 - Standard
• Sara Lee - Kanders and Ebb
• Satisfaction - Rolling Stones
• Saving All My Love for You - Whitney Houston
• Sesame Street - TV
• Sign Your Name - Terrance Trent Darby
• Sit Down You're Rockin the Boat
• Some Enchanted Evening - Rodgers and Hart
• Someday my Prince Will Come - from Snow White
• Someone to Watch Over Me - Gershwin
• Somewhere - Bernstein
• Somewhere in Time - from Somewhere in Time
• Somewhere My Love - Standard
• Somewhere That's Green - from Little Shop of Horrors
• Stand By Me - Ben E King
• Stardust - Hoagy Carmichael
• Stop in the Name of Love - Supremes
• Stormy Weather - Standard
• Strangers in the Night - Frank Sinatra
• Summer Nights - Grease
• Summertime - Gershwin
• Superstition - Stevie Wonder
• Surfin USA - Beach Boys
• Tea for Two - Standard
• That's Amore - Frank Sinatra
• The Addams Family - from The Addams Family
• The Brady Bunch Theme - from The Brady Bunch
• The Entertainer - Scott Joplin
• The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Roberta Flack
• The Main Event - Barbara Streisand
• The Man I Love - Gershwin
• The Search is Over - Surivivor
• The Sound of Music - Rodgers and Hammerstein
• The Swan - Saint-Saens
• The Way We Were - Barbara Streisand
• There's No Business Like Show Business - Standard
• They Can't Take That Away from Me - Gershwin
• Thousand Miles - Vanessa Carlton
• Thriller - Michael Jackson
• Through the Eyes of Love - from Ice Castles
• Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper
• Tits and Ass - Marvin Hamlish
• Tomorrow - from Annie
• Tonight (from West Side Story) - Bernstein
• Traumerai (Dreams of Love) - Schumann
• Twist and Shout - Beatles
• Under the Rainbow - Judy Garland
• Variations on the Pink Panther - Mancini/Lent
• Vision of Love - Mariah Carey
• Walk of Life - Dire Straits
• Waltzes in Ab, Eb, and Db (Minute Waltz) - Chopin
• Water Music - Handel
• We Are Family
• Wedding March - Wagner
• What A Wonderful World - Standard
• What I Did for Love - Bacharach
• When I Fall in Love - Harry Connick Jr.
• When I'm 64 - Beatles
• When You Wish Upon a Star - Disney
• Witchcraft - Frank Sinatra
• Xanadu - Olivia Newton John
• YMCA - Village People
• You Make Me Feel So Young - Standard
• You Raise Me Up - Josh Grobin
• Your Song - Elton John
• You're the Top - Cole Porter

Anniversaries, Awards Nights, Bachelor Parties, Bachelorette Parties, Banquets, Bar Mitzvahs, Birthday Parties, Casinos, Celebrations, Children's Birthday Parties, Christmas Parties, Church Services, Clubs, Coffee Shops, Community Events, Conventions, Corporate Functions, Country Clubs, Cruise Ships, Festivals, Fraternity Functions, Fund Raisers, Funerals, Graduation Parties, Grand Openings, Hotels, Jingles, Movie Soundtracks, Picnic, Private Parties, Proms, Resorts, Restaurants, Reunions, Showers, Sorority Function, Studio Session, Temples, TV Soundtracks, Weddings

• What a special atmosphere James created for our party! The sound of beautiful music filling our home made for a truly exceptional evening. His great training, technical ability and musicality are unquestionably superior. We couldn't have asked for more. We hope to have him back the next time we have a special occasion to celebrate. -- Denise T, Laguna Beach, CA, 4/11/2009
• James is an incredible pianist. His expertise and patience is exactly what I needed to put my vocal performance together. I highly recommend his work. -- David Damian F, Pasadena, CA, 4/4/2009
• James is a total pro and made the whole experience easy, fun and stress free. He's extremely punctual, accommodating and has a enormous catalog of songs memorized in his head. I highly recommend him to everyone. -- Jason J, Marina Del Rey, CA, 1/4/2009
• Thank you, Gigmasters, for the opportunity to hire such an accomplished pianist. James was the hit of the party. The anniversary couple was delighted to have James playing the whole night. As one gues said a few days later "it was a magical night". Another wrote "Going to a party at your place is like going to a concert. Your pianist is a talented musician, and Good Looking, too!" James played a variety of music and began singing towards the end of the party, extending the stay of many guests, and bringing the crowd together through a singalong, which just enhanced this special occasion. James Lent would turn any party into "the party of the year" -- Paul S, Rancho Mirage, CA, 1/3/2009
• James is FANTASTIC!!! His talent is stunning, and he's such a professional. I would highly, highly recommend James to anyone who wants to add class and sophistication to their event! -- Kimshelley G, Calabasas, CA, 12/20/2008
• Despite a change of dates, below zero temperatures, and arriving flight problems, James was cheerful, composed, and played beautifully for our private party! Many guests commented that his music "made" the event, and I have to agree. After dinner, during which he played all of our favorite showtunes, we spent the evening dancing and closed with several rousing choruses of Christmas carols. He continued playing as our guests were slowly filing out and provided just the right ambience. His quiet personality, yet very personable, along with his ability to play such a variety of music, and to play it WELL, was exactly what we were desiring. VERY pleased. -- Allison O, Whitefish, MT, 12/14/2008
• James is a very talented musician. We loved having him at our company event. He accomodated any and every request that we had. We would definitely hire James back for another event. We will be recommending him to friends. Thank you James for a job well done you made our holiday event a great success! -- Courtney W, Temecula, CA, 12/13/2008
• Thank you so much! We all enjoyed having you. You're a wonderful pianist. Thank you! deviantART -- Sonya G, Hollywood, CA, 12/11/2008
• James was everything we wanted for our party. He is a very talented usician and our guests were just delighted with the music. He followed our requests about music selection, was adorable and friendly to everyone and added alot to the fun. There were guests that wanted his card. I'd hire him again for sure. -- Susie M, La Jolla, CA, 11/29/2008
• We were very satisfied with every aspect of our James Lent booking, from pre-event communication, to his early arrival and set up, professional appearance and his flexibility to extend for one hour. He is a great pianist and accomodated our requests for classical music during our wedding ceremony and romantic party music for our back yard reception. He also recommended singer Jennifer who had a beautiful voice and worked well with him. Additionally, our communications with Gigmaster have been excellent. (Sara and Victoria) We would definitely use Gigmaster services again. Thanks, Judy Burton -- Judy B, Yorba Linda, CA, 9/13/2008
• First and foremost, James Lent is an outstanding pianist of the highest caliber. Beyond that, he is a dream to work with. He is prompt, professional, friendly and 100% accomodating. You won't regret using his services! -- Kathryn L, Encino, CA, 9/7/2008
• James was outstanding!! Everyone at the party loved him and his music. He was the hit of the party. I would strongly recommend James to anyone who wants great music and talent for their function. I also want to mention that he was on time and was very professional. -- Bill M, Los Angeles, CA, 8/9/2008
• We loved having James play at our wedding. He is an outstanding pianist! An Impeccable dresser! His professionalism & talent I would recommend highly-we were more than satisfied & would want to hire him again!!! -- Regina & Jay G, Lawndale, CA, 7/26/2008
• I feel a little silly filling out this form because I never had any doubt that James would be ideal for this event. I'm just thanking my lucky stars that he was available. Even before he played a note his energy was positive and supportive and I would invite him to any event even if he were not playing the piano. There are great pianists everywhere but it's a rare find when you encounter one with as much charisma and personality as James. I can't possibly count to 675 so I better stop now before I run out of characters. -- Leon W, Santa Barbara, CA, 7/14/2008
• We can't praise James highly enough. He is amazingly talented and a dream to work with. He was very responsive to our request for a sing-along type of program for our 50th anniversary celebration. Our friends were totally impressed. Not only with the music for the songs we sang but with other music he chose to entertain while we ate. Thanks in a large part to James Lent our party was an unqualified success. We're confident that other requests will be coming to James from our friends. -- Bonnie H, Alta Loma, CA, 6/29/2008
• James is an astounding pianist of the highest caliber. Having worked with many accompanists from coast to coast, he is one of the very BEST collaborators. This put me at ease performing Rachmaninoff's monumental Piano Concerto #3, knowing James would totally support me and help me shine as soloist, the most important aspect of any accompanist. I thank him for his brilliant playing. - Chloe Pang -- Chloe P, Beverly Hills, CA, 3/17/2008
• James presence at my house was for a holiday party, not for a christening as Gigmasters seems to believe. He played with great style and flare, delighting my guests. I would certainly have him back and recommend him to anyone with musical tastes above the banal. -- Carol R, Redondo Beach, CA, 12/28/2007
• Our group loved Mr. Lent and his musical presentation. He did a great job blending in a Christmas flavor with his performance as well as including something for the younger children present. Thanks again! -- David C, Long Beach, CA, 12/8/2007
• Not much more I can say about James, except that all my friends now know what a brilliant pianist he is. James always puts his best effort into pleasing the crowd, with over 500 songs that he can play by memory. Also has back up books in case someone asks for something obscure. And I can say he is definitely a Master at what he does. -- Paul S, Rancho Mirage, CA, 11/11/2007
• James waa exactly what i ordered! He wae prompt, professional,looked great, entertained perfectly, and talented beyond my expectations! He was a big part in what turned out to be a hugely success party!! thank you rick millikan -- Rick M, Los Angeles, CA, 10/6/2007
• Our party ran longer than we had anticpated and James never once complained and just kept playing. He was very professional and I would use him for any future events. Thank you James! -- Jim B, Los Angeles, CA, 8/2/2007
• James was so wonderful to work with and I would recommend him to my friends and family and definitely use him again. -- Whitney T, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, 6/24/2007
• James was wonderful! All our guests loved him including my sister-in-law who is a professional singer. James knew exactly what to play and when, we all had a great time with his music. He is VERY talented and played all songs I requested...I really didn't expect him to know all of them but he did! I am very lucky to have found him(on line) and that he was available for our wedding. Thank you very much James, you are marvelous! Neil and Yolanda -- Yolanda P, Encino, CA, 6/17/2007
• James did a great job entertaining my guests for a graduation party. My guests are still talking about my piano player! Thank you very much James!! -- Dennis S, Riverside, CA, 5/26/2007
• Very professional...looked great...played beautifully. Thanks -- Natalie F, Oak Park, CA, 5/25/2007
• James exudes a sense that he loves playing and that vibe infects the party. -- Clive W, Los Angeles, CA, 5/12/2007
• James was perfect! He was professional, courteous and extremely talented! He added the perfect amount of sophistication to our event and we'll definitely use him again in the future! -- Jenny P, Los Angeles, CA, 2/20/2007
• He was very professional and has a wonderful personality. We really enjoyed having him at our home to play for our Christmas party. -- Scott D, Rancho Cucamonga, CA, 12/25/2006
• James was the perfect complement to my annual Christmas party! -- Darrell B. E, Los Angeles, CA, 12/15/2006
• James Lent was wonderful! He played consistantly throughout our party and we enjoyed his selections and enthusiasm very much. -- Sheila A, Santa Monica, CA, 12/13/2006
• James was a true crowd pleaser. He played a variety of classical, Christmas, Hannukah, and jazz music for our holiday party. He was friendly and engaging with the guests and took only one break in the three hours he was there. I would definitely have him play at another party as well as recommend him to friends. Maisha -- Maisha C, Los Angeles, CA, 12/9/2006
• We hired James for our wedding reception and he was amazing! He was 100% professional and is an incredibly talented musician. He also connected us with the tenor that accompanied him. My guests were amazed by the musical talent of both James and Peter and how perfect they were for our event. They could not stop raving about them, it made our night perfect. I would without a doubt hire James and Peter again and again. Truly amazing! Thanks James and Peter! -- Natalie T, Tucson, AZ, 9/2/2006
• James is a fantastic pianist. He played a large part in creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere at the Rehearsal Dinner we held for our son & his fiancee this weekend. He set up early, and was fully prepared. His keyboard, speakers & mics were excellent. This was a large family gathering, and James played continually for 3 hours, taking only short breaks. After our program ended, and the party was breaking up, James had his own peanut gallery, as 8-10 teenagers & younger kids all set up their chairs around him to watch him play! He's awesome! -- Beth V, Sherman Oaks, CA, 7/15/2006
• On Saturday, March 11th I held a 50th Birthday party for a friend of mine and 24 other guests at The Beverly Hills Hotel. After dinner I had decided to have a pianist play while the guests enjoyed dessert and mingled with eachother. I booked James through GigMasters and I have to say I was lucky to find such a talented, professional, and friendly performer as James. We emailed eachother a couple of times regarding what type of music and lagistics. I only spoke with James once, the week of the party to confirm. At exactly the time we had arranged James was there began playing and created just the atmosphere I had hoped for. Many of the guests attending are in show business and were all impressed at how James brought so much life to the evening. I would definately hire James next time I'm throwing an event. He's the greatest. Thanks for a wonderful evening. David -- David M, Beverly Hills, CA, 3/11/2006
• James was entertaining in his variety of music, and a hit with the guests! He played 4 hours practically without break, and the quantity of repertoire he has by memory is impressive. Very personable as well. -- Andrew M, Los Angeles, CA, 12/22/2005
• James was a "10" all around. Wouldn't hesitate to hire him again for other functions. Great Job! -- Richard R, Encino, CA, 11/24/2005
• James did a wonderful job playing at our event. -- Stacy W, Mira Loma, CA, 7/19/2005
• Excellent. Extremely talented and knows his audience. -- Chris H, West Hollywood, CA, 2/12/2005
• James was exactly as I wanted. Great musical variety, his talent at the piano shows right away. He was a great hit for my party. -- Brian N, Los Angeles, CA, 12/18/2004
• I met James and he was a true proffessional piano player. The entire session only took him 1 hour to record the track where the other 2 piano players combined took 9 hours and didn't give us the right arrangement. I recommend James to anyone looking for a professional piano player. -- Eric W, Camarillo, CA, 8/2/2004
• What a great evening! James impressed our guests with his talent, and yet didn't overwhelm the festivities. He was a generous accompanist for singing friends. He helped make the 50th birthday party very special for everyone and very easy for the hosts. Thank you James. We're looking forward to having another chance to hire you for another wonderful event. -- Steve K, Mission Viejo, CA, 5/19/2007
• James was wonderful. He kept the music in just the style we wanted from the general description we gave him. He played with great energy throughout the event. Importantly, too, he is a real gentleman. We would be delighted to have him play for us again and will recommend him very highly to our friends. -- Carolyn H, Pacific Palisades, CA, 6/26/2005
• James was great, I didn't even see or meet him until after the ceremony... He played beautifully both my wife and I were very pleased. Thank you so much James. -- Juan B, Alhambra, CA, 9/2/2006
• James was a huge asset to our event. He coordinated the trio for the ceremony and the reception. He REALLY helped with song suggestions for the ceremony. James, along with the vocalist Peter Nathan Foltz, the violinist Wes Precourt and the saxophonist David Olivas made our ceremony and reception entertaining and enjoyable. We were amazed how versatile Peter was--he not only gave us chills with classical tunes like "Where e're you walk", but he was able to belt out our first dance song "At Last". Everyone was so impressed!! We couldn't have been happier. We would definitely hire them again. -- Debrah W, Santa Monica, CA, 8/4/2006
• James was very professional, well dressed, and knowledgeable. He needed no direction, he walked in and just began to play. I appreciated his ability to just play, since I was the mother of the bride, I was very busy. -- Charlene A, Newport Beach, CA, 9/20/2008

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