Dan DeSandro - Pianist

Opelousas, LA

$250-$2000

Travels up to 150 miles

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Overview

I am a jazz pianist now based in Opelousas, LA. I have over 40 years of stage experience working as a soloist and with my trio (piano, bass, drums/percussion). I've played the Gulf Coast upscale club, lounge, restaurant, and private market for over 35 years.

I incorporate several styles of music into any given song -- I do not work on a set list -- I'll just say that whatever the event calls for I play it. My presentation and style is my own, but I do reference latin jazz and modern jazz artist and play the long lasting songs of the greats and the jazz idiom.

Willing to go to where the work is. Please review my live music samples of my trio.


Reviews

8 reviews

Small thumbnail image for reviewer Kylie B.

Kylie B.

June 24, 2025
Verified review

Trio

We booked the trio for my mom and dad's 50th anniversary party and they were great! The perfect addition to our event!!!

Hired as: Pianist


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Kelley O.

Kelley O.

June 3, 2023
Verified review

Wonderful!!!

Wonderful pianist - He made our event exceptional
5 stars!!!!!

Hired as: Pianist


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Christina H.

Christina H.

July 16, 2014

AWESOMISIMO!!

If I had to choose one word to describe Dan and his band I'd have to say simply AWESOMISIMO!!
Some musicians play great music. Dan and his band not only play great music they gave a soul to my party. Thanks Dan :)

Hired as: Latin Jazz Band


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Stephen M. M.

Stephen M. M.

December 13, 2012

Most Excellent!!

I have known Dan for a number of years, both professionally and personally. He is by far one of the most talented musicians I have ever had the pleasure of performing with. I hired him to play for the grand opening of my new office, and he was a huge success. His vast repertoire of tunes runs from Latin Jazz, pop, standards, ballads, to the music of today. I highly recommend him for your next gathering.

Hired as: Jazz Band, Pianist


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Sharon M.

Sharon M.

December 11, 2012

Great night!

Dan played for a surprise birthday for Curtis The music was great They can play anything,

We also had a lot of fun interacting with the musicians Great night!

Hired as: Caribbean/Island Music, Easy Listening Band, Jazz Band, Latin Jazz Band

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Booking information

Price range: $250-$2000

Languages: English, Spanish

Gig length: 60 - 220 minutes

Unions: Independent

What to expect

I put my own touch on every tune I play. Original ideas and original improvisatonal approach to jazz, latin, and traditional jazz. Even standards as they are wrongly called work if you approach them for what they are -- songs that have long outlived their composers -- and you play them in an up to date manner that reflects your skills.

About

I am a career musician with 40 plus years of stage, recording and performance experience. My forte is modern and latin jazz piano -- as a solo artist, working a duo (Bass/Piano or Piano/Guitar) or with my trio (piano, bass, percussion). I also work as a musician for hire in blues and jazz groups.

My education started with private lessons as a youngster. I have honed my chops on stage and have more years than I can count as a student of improvisation and music theory (no musician can claim there is nothing new to learn and apply).

Stylistically, I don't emulate any given artist -- I've worked hard at trying to be original in my approach to improvisation and interpretation of songs -- But I do admire the piano work of Chestnut, Silver, the Valdes family, the great arrangers like Harlow, Grusin, and Puentes and use the compositions of the great American song writers on my gigs..

Local press on my playing:

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Additional booking notes

For solo it s preferred to the customer provide an acoustic piano -- if not available I will play an electric. The trio requires only a small stage area to perform - not a lot of equipment to move in or out -- and we are self contained for the most part.

Past booked events

June 2025

14

Saturday

Anniversary Party

6:00pm - 9:00pm

Rayne, LA

June 2023

02

Friday

Dinner Party

6:30pm - 9:00pm

Natchez, MS

May 2023

11

Thursday

Corporate Event

2:00pm - 4:00pm

Rayne, LA

Set list

I do not work a set list per se. I play what is needed for the audience we are performing for -- and what the event calls for. A song list is a stock presentation -- but since I do not play any music like its original form -- there is not a lot of logic in presenting a tune only to be played far differently than the original.

Influences and inspiration

Cyrus Chestnut, Chucho Valdes, Horace Silver, the great orchestrators and arrangers - Puentes, Grusin, Harlow

Setup requirements

Basic 120VAC power access - 20amp circuit

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