Testimonials

"Whilst booking our wedding at the Craiglands in Ilkley, Matthew was recommended to us as a fantastic pianist by the hotel.  We contacted Matthew to see if he could play at our wedding on New Year's Eve, and he was happy to oblige.  From the first contact with Matthew he was very professional and helpful, he sent us his list of songs by email but offered to play any song we wanted even if it wasn't on the list.
 
We picked approximately 70 songs and Matthew played for 4 hours, and within this time, there were plenty of positive and delightful comments from many of our family and friends, he created a very warm and relaxing and atmosphere and we wouldn't hesitate in booking him again or recommending him to anyone in need of a true professional.
 
Thank you Matthew you were a true gentleman, and it wouldn't have been the same without you."
 
Mark and Natalie
Craiglands Hotel, 31/12/09

"Thank you so much for playing at our wedding reception. We loved it! At first we had decided against 'little extras' such as hiring a pianist, but looking round during our drinks reception, seeing so many of our guests singing along, we felt really pleased with our decision! It really contributed to the relaxed and speacial atmosphere of the day, and we had so many comments from our guests saying how much they had enjoyed your playing. We really appreciated the personal, individual service and, with all the expense of a wedding, very good value for money. We would definitely recommend you."

Katie and Richard
Winter Gardens, Ilkley 12/09/09

"We hired Matthew to play at our wedding reception on 6th September 2009.
Nick proposed in our local restaurant in Haworth, where Matthew also plays
the piano.  As soon as we began planning the wedding, we really wanted
Matthew to play, because after Nick proposed, he played a song for us and
we thought it would be a lovely touch to have the same pianist on our big
day!

Prior to the day, Matthew supplied us with two very comprehensive song
lists and we were to select our favourite songs.  My family are Ukrainian, so
I asked Matthew if he could learn a couple of Ukrainian songs to surprise
our guests, but mainly my dad!  He was only too pleased to do this and the
songs sounded brilliant.

One of my fondest memories of the day was when some of the guests were
swaying and singing along when Matthew played Elton John's 'Your Song'.

All our guests loved it and Matthew was really professional....even when it
came to him leaving and he tried to leave quietly before the speeches, but
our guests noticed and started off a huge round of applause for him!!!

We would certainly recommend Matthew, he is very talented and extremely
professional....it was the perfect entertainment for our wedding reception."

Nadia & Nick
Alma Inn, Nr Colne 06/09/09

"We asked Matthew to play the piano at our wedding, when we heard him play at a Wedding Fair.  Matthew has a beautiful talent, which added so much to our special day.
Our guests mentioned to us on and after our day, how fabulous Matthew was. One guest even said that they wanted Matthew to teach their child how to play the piano!
We would just like to say a massive thank you to Matthew, he added that extra bit of glamour to our day."
 
Niki & Lisa
Craiglands Hotel, Ilkley 05/09/09

"We found Matthew through a wedding fair held at our venue - The
Craiglands, Ilkley - he was really chatty and pleasant and was open to
ideas and unusual requests. For example my husband and I are both Foo
Fighter fans so Matthew incorporated 'Everlong' into the set he did for
us. We hired Matthew to play during our wedding breakfast and prior to
the day he sent us loads of songs he could do and also included a list
that we reqested - he was very good at finding music for our requests
to make it personal for us.

On the day Matthew was there and set up when our guests arrived for the
meal, he played beautifully throughout the meal and it gave the whole
thing a romantic atmosphere and as we had chosen the songs it was
personal for us. So many of our guests commented on how Matthew's
playing helped make the meal special and different and they all loved
the music.

We would recommend Matthew to anyone wanting a professional piano
player at their wedding, he will help make your day that bit more
special and he really helps to make it personal to you. Thank you
Matthew, you did a wonderful job."

Helen and Liam
Craiglands Hotel, Ilkley 30/08/09

"We would like to say that you did a wonderful job at our wedding and lots of our guests commented on how good you were and the excellent song choices you played. You helped to create a wonderful atmosphere on our special day, thank you. We will not hesitate, and haven't done, to recommend you, with the excellent reportoire you provided there is something for everyone."

Emma & Andrew
Coniston Hotel, Coniston Cold 08/08/09

"Matthew played for our wedding reception & really helped make our day. He came up with loads of songs for us to choose from beforehand, and was also happy to add any others we asked for. On the night he played beautifully, and actually worked with our toastmaster, unbeknown to us, to organise a surprise number which was then sung by our friends and family just before we sat down to eat.

It made our night! We had a fantastic day & we’d recommend Matthew to anyone!"

Ally & Alex
Craiglands Hotel, Ilkley 16/05/09

"We booked Matthew to play at our son's christening lunch (50 guests) in Skipton on Sunday 10th May 2009. Despite not being given too much notice, Matthew was extremely helpful in advance and very willing to accommodate our terribly vague requests for 'something pleasant and fairly mellow' to fit the mood of the event, which was on a Sunday afternoon obviously.
We were delighted with his playing and with the atmosphere which he helped to create for the event.

It was a pleasure to have him as our guest musician and I would wholeheartedly recommend him for anything of a like kind which other people may be planning."
  
Ian & Sue
Canalside Restaurant, Skipton 10/05/09

"After first hearing Matthew we were hooked. From classical to rock numbers and more, Matthew plays anything and everything absolutely fabulously. We met Matthew a few times before our wedding to choose and request songs and he even learnt new pieces especially for us. All our guests adorded Matthew's playing throughout our reception and it is still a fondly talked about highlight of our day.

We would absolutely recommend Matthew to anybody who is looking for an amazing, personable and talented entertainer for any event as we, and our guests thoroughly enjoyed listening to well known songs played as you have never heard them before.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts - you made our day!"

Jen and Ben
Coniston Hotel, Coniston Cold 11/04/09

"Before the wedding he provided us with a vast array of songs that he could play, ranging from classical to the latest chart. It was also great that he was willing to find and play songs that were not even on the list. Once we had booked Matthew he made arrangements with the venue himself and provided all the necessary paperwork for them. He was more than happy to meet before the day to finalise arrangements.

On the day itself we arrived at the reception to find him there, set up and playing. Throughout the reception Matthew's playing was faultless. He was happy to chat to the guests and accomodate their requests where possible. Throughout the day he acted in a fully professional manner. We had a fantastic and special day, and Matthew certainly added to it. All our guests commented on the high quality of his performance and how it added to the atmosphere of the day. We would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone.

The band played at our wedding at Harewood House. They were excellent. Before the day we met to arrange a playlist. They had loads of suggestions but were very open and willing to include our ideas. We decided to change the lyrics to a song for our first dance and they were more than happy to learn the new words. On the day they arrived and set up in plenty of time. Their performance was fantastic. They adapted the playlist as they went on to keep everyone on the dance floor and had a great rapport and interaction with the guests. Whenever we talk about the wedding with people who were there, they always mention how great the band were and how they helped to create an amazing night. We would have no hesitation in recommending the band. They were not only talented musicians but also genuinely nice people!"

Amanda and Richard
Harewood House, Harewood 26/07/08

"We booked Matthew for our wedding in July 2008, and we can honestly say that it made the day. He was very helpful beforehand and any requests we had he was fine with. On the day he was very professional and we had no end of comments as to his excellent playing. My mum was very taken with him and mothers of the bride are very hard to please! We've already recommended him to two of our friends who are getting married in the next year."

Anne and Richard
Craiglands Hotel, Ilkley 05/07/08

"Thankyou for everything you did to make our wedding day so special and memorable, from the personalised entrance tune for Ian and myself which made everyone chuckle, to our jazzy wedding march and your help with the arrangements for the hymns, the entire service was perfect.

The arrangement of or chosen songs as our guests arrived at the reception venue was brilliant, it helped so much to create a relaxed and informal atmosphere. It was so much more personal having a professional performer present rather than the usual piped music. So many of the people who were there commented how much they enjoyed your playing, so thank you once again. We could honestly say we would have no hesitation in recommending you to anyone who would like to create something special for whatever occasion they are planning. We were delighted with every aspect."

David and Debs
White Heather Hotel, Carlisle 25/05/08