The Killer Dueling Pianos
- Fresno, CA
- Dueling Pianos
- 2 Verified Bookings
Joanne W. said “Ryan and Donny were a great choice for our annual fundraising gala event. Our crowd loved them and we heard nothing but positive feedback about them after…”
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Classically trained as a pianist, and with a lifetime of performance and stage experience, Karey is comfortable delighting and connecting with audiences across the world. Whether with his 4 piece band, Uptown, in a dueling piano format or alone at the keyboard, Karey will have your audience singing along, requesting songs, reminiscing, dancing, and thrilling to the sound of new and old songs alike.
So nice and easy to work with! He played absolutely beautifully!! We were so lucky to have him at our event!
I had the absolute pleasure of working with the incredibly talented keyboardist and soloist, Karey Nickel, for a small private party held at the enchanting Château du Sureau in Oakhurst, CA. From start to finish, Karey's professionalism and musical prowess were superb.
Karey arrived early to set up his equipment, displaying a genuine commitment to his craft and ensuring everything was in perfect order. His easygoing nature and friendly demeanor immediately put us at ease, making the coordination process smooth and enjoyable. It's always a joy to work with someone who brings such positivity to every interaction.
Once the party began, Karey took the stage and captivated the audience with his extraordinary talent. His performances of pop and rock hits from various decades were nothing short of mesmerizing. Each note he played resonated through the Château, creating an unforgettable atmosphere that elevated the entire event.
What truly impressed us was Karey's dedication to making the performance memorable for our guests. He went above and beyond by learning some new requests specifically for this event, showcasing his versatility and adaptability as a musician. The smiles, laughter, and dancing from our guests were a testament to his ability to connect with the audience and create an incredibly joyful ambiance.
Without a doubt, I highly recommend Karey Nickel to anyone seeking a keyboardist and soloist who will exceed expectations. His exceptional talent, professionalism, and genuine enthusiasm make him an outstanding choice for any occasion. We feel fortunate to have had Karey grace our event, and I can confidently say that he contributed greatly to the success and enjoyment of the evening.
Jav Arreguin
Events Director
Château du Sureau & Elderberry House
Response from Karey Nickel:
Thanks Jav! I thoroughly enjoyed coordinating this with you and playing at your stunning venue!
Uptown band was amazing at our daughters Graduation party! They were entertaining, fun and excellent music that everyone enjoyed! We can’t wait to have another party to hire them again!!! We highly recommend them for wonderful music and bringing life to the party!!!
What can I say, Karey was fantastic for my wife and I’s wedding! Playing during our cocktail hour after the ceremony, Karey expertly gauged the audience he was presented with and in real time put together a performance with selections that not only grabbed the attention of the older guests but the attention of our younger 20 something’s as well. On top of that Karey also was very accommodating and agreed to play early for me and my wife’s “first look” and in turn added so much to the moment. As fantastic pianist with strong vocals, many friends of ours can by to sing their praises about him. Would definitely hire him again!
Response from Karey Nickel:
Thanks so much Thomas! Your wedding was fantastic - such a fun moment at the first look - your wife is a singer!! Thanks for the opportunity to be a part of it all!
I hired Karey to fill in for me on keys/band leader and lead vocals. He was very professional, responsive, and easy to work with. I look forward to hiring him again.
Response from Karey Nickel:
Thanks for the opportunity, Nathan!
Karey was very professional and easy to work with. He responded fast to our inquiries and came in time and prepared for the event. The guests enjoyed his performance of loved familiar songs during cocktail hour. Karey was kind enough tuyo step up in announcing the buffet serving intervals. Overall it was a great experience and I have recommend him for other events.
Response from Karey Nickel:
Thank you so much, Maria! I enjoyed working with you - you put on a fantastic event!
So many great things to say about Karey Nickel! I manage two different locations where we both do live music! Papa’s Place and On the Edge Coffee in Old Town Clovis. Karey is one of our absolute favorites. His music is always amazing, he engages with the crowd and they love singing along to his songs, love that he takes requests and our guests are always getting up to dance! Karey always gets up and talks with the guests during breaks. Karey is also a wonderful person and we are lucky to have the pleasure to work with him! We definitely recommend Karey! :)
Response from Karey Nickel:
Thank you Michelle! Always such a pleasure to work with you!
From the set list to the piano playing and his magnificent voice, Karey sets the highest standard of musicianship and we are always excited to have him play for us at our venue.
Karey is and will always be on our favorites list.
Price Range: $350 and up
Gig Length: 60 - 180 minutes
Languages: English
Karey has been performing as an actor, singer, songwriter, and pianist for several decades. After earning a masters degree in classical piano, Karey has performed all over the country and recorded over 25 CDs and recording projects. Among other awards over the years, he won First Place in the Vocal Duet division in the Gospel Music Association talent contest.
Karey has been seen as Harold Hill in a summer of performances of The Music Man at a local dinner theater, and has been a featured piano performer/entertainer for several years at the Fresno International Airport. Karey currently plays and sings at weddings, private events, restaurants, wineries, and piano bars, and teaches private piano in Fresno.
Karey fronts a pop band called Uptown, using keys and vocals to provide the essence of the Uptown sound, and also plays keys and provides vocals for a regional Fleetwood Mac tribute band, Stealing Nicks. He is known for the energy he brings, soaring vocals on power ballads and subtle nuances on softer tunes.
As a solo artist, Karey delights audiences with friendly smiles and banter, tasteful and powerful vocals, and keyboard chops.
July 02, 2023 • 11:30am - 2:30pm | Baby Shower |
April 23, 2023 • 8:30am - 11:30am | Nonprofit Event |
Joanne W. said “Ryan and Donny were a great choice for our annual fundraising gala event. Our crowd loved them and we heard nothing but positive feedback about them after…”
James D. said “He did every song request and had the crowd singing along and dancing all night! Definitely would recommend.”
Elizabeth B. said “The Jazz quartet played beautifully and the musicians were very polite. We will definitely be hiring again”
Miki said “I'd highly recommend hiring Vybe Society for a performance. Tasche performed at our company's virtual holiday party and he was amazing. Catherine…”