Felix and Fingers Dueling Pianos
- Chicago, IL
- Dueling Pianos
Marina G. said “The entire experience with Felix and Fingers was terrific. We couldn't have asked for a better performer than Calvin, who is so talented and was…”
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I love to play shows where I play piano and sing but I am happy to play instrumental background music as well. I love playing pop/rock and jazz! I have my own keyboard and as much amplification and equipment as I am likely to need, but if you have good equipment at your venue I'm happy to use it. I'm also happy to travel outside my travel distance if I can get a little extra money to cover the travel expenses. I am often hired to play dinner/lounge music at banquets, to play for wedding ceremonies, birthday parties, funerals, corporate events and to accompany vocalists, instrumentalists and choirs.
Thomas was great, with an impeccable performance kept us entertained until the last minute. He took songs requests and even had an extra microphone for the ones, including me who dared to sing! I would definitely recommend him!
We found Thomas just a couple of weeks before our event when our original pianist canceled. I'm so glad that he was available and he did a wonderful job of entertaining our guests during our cocktail hour and lunch. He accepted requests and was able to play a variety of music. Many of our guests complimented me on his performance. He was very easy to work with.
Thomas took what we asked him to play and made it into something even more beautiful and emotional than I could ever hope. He was wonderful and easy to communicate with and I would recommend him to any ceremony looking for the perfect piano music.
Response from Thomas Pibal:
Thanks so much Caitlin! Sorry we didn’t get more of a chance to talk-I had to get on the road to the next gig! If you ever need anything else you know how to get in touch. Congratulations to you both! I’m so glad you appreciated my work and I hope your new union is blessed with many years of peace and joy!
After having to postpone our wedding several times due to Covid-19, we turned to gigsalad to book last minute. Thomas responded so quickly, arrived to our wedding prepared, and was so responsive. We would 100% work with him again. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
Response from Thomas Pibal:
So glad I could help and glad you were satisfied with my work, thanks again for the gig and thank you for the review! Congratulations to you both!
Thomas, did an excellent job playing the piano and organ for our wedding ceremony. He was very professional, easy to work with, and maintained great communication. Thanks Again Thomas!
Response from Thomas Pibal:
I’m so glad I could help with your special day! Thanks so much and congratulations!
Thomas showed up on time, set up easily and quickly, provided excellent background music (some with vocal, some without) for our cocktail hour/dinner/networking event. You should hire him!
Response from Thomas Pibal:
Thanks! I enjoyed meeting you and was happy to be a part of your event!
Thomas was our ceremony pianist the weekend of 9/3/16. He was so great prior to the big day, as we were in constant contact making minor changes to the music we wanted him to play. It also meant so much that he took the time to be present for our rehearsal dinner the day before. Initially we had received a lot of contact from other pianists who would not also attend the rehearsal. Thomas was present with piano and all to help us practice the following days' events.
Response from Thomas Pibal:
I am happy that you were satisfied with my work and I appreciate the review!! Congratulations on your big day!
We hired Thomas for our wedding ceremony about two weeks before our wedding held on June 20 at the Botanical Gardens in Green Bay, Wisconsin. With such a short notice, Thomas was able and willing to learn any music that we wanted him to play during our ceremony. He even mentioned that if he was not familiar with something we wanted he could get the music and learn it for the wedding. His playing was beautiful and exactly what we were looking for. He is very talented, extremely professional and we will definitely be recommending him to anyone looking for a pianist. Thank you Thomas!
Response from Thomas Pibal:
You are most welcome! And thank you! I'm extremely pleased that I was able to meet your expectations and add something special to your wedding day. Best of luck, and congratulations!
Thomas's performance was a highlight of our wedding! He did such an amazing job. He learned, played and sang two songs that are not "typical" wedding songs and he did an excellent job. Our only regret was not having him sing and play more.
I would hire Thomas for any event and I cannot tell you what a professional he was. On time, prepared and courteous. He was just such a nice person and put us at ease that he would perform, and he exceeded our expectations. We recommend him for any event you have.
Thank you so much Thomas!
Price Range: $200-$600
Gig Length: 5 - 180 minutes
Languages: English
When I'm hired to play a show, an audience member may hear songs they are very familiar with, they may hear songs they are unfamiliar with. They may laugh, they may cry, and if they don't at least they will be entertained and intrigued. In my opinion, if someone walks away from my show thinking "same old stuff, I've seen that before" I haven't done my job well.
When I'm hired to play lounge music an audience member can expect to hear delightful, pleasant music playing in the background of the event. If I'm playing at a wedding, they can expect to be impressed by the elegance of the music and touched by the ceremony. I am a professional dedicated to serving the needs of my clients and entertaining my audience.
I always try to arrive at the venue with plenty of time to set up and get everything set up and ready, usually about 2-3 hours if I have to set up a lot of equipment. I am able to bring my own instrument and amplification.
Pronounced: "Pie-Ball" (Like something you might use in a food fight)
“We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion.” -Robin Williams as John Keating, Dead Poet’s Society
“Thomas Pibal is a young man of character who strongly holds to his principles. He is unique almost to the point of vagabond; he detests mornings, he is steadfast, and his communication style is short and to the point.” -Dr. Arthur Johnson, Thomas’ piano teacher of 8 years
Thomas Pibal eats, breathes and lives music, although sometimes he eats bacon and breathes air, too. Thomas plays 26 instruments, has a different hairstyle every day and lives to connect with, edify and inspire people through the amazing and transcendent art of organized sound.
Thomas has worked as the staff accompanist at Lakeland University and Silver Lake College, the rehearsal accompanist for the Sheboygan Symphony Chorus, the choir director at the University of Wisconsin - Fond Du Lac, band and choir director at Sheboygan Lutheran High School, interim choir director at Kiel High School and lounge pianist in residence at the Hotel Retlaw of Fond Du Lac.
As a student, Thomas was a co-recipient of Lakeland College's "Outstanding Overall Music Student" award. While a member of Appleton based band “The Electra Color,” they were nominated for the Wisconsin Area Music Industry's "Best New Band" award in 2015. Thomas was nominated for the WAMI's "Keyboard Player of the Year" award in 2016. While he was a member of Unity the band during (phone number hidden)1 the band received the WAMI award for “Artist of the Year 2020.” While a member of Suzie and the Detonators they were nominated for “best cover band people’s choice” in 2023. In 2017 Thomas wrote and produced his first soundtrack for a short film that was part of the Madison 48 hour film festival. The writing, recording and editing for the score all took place in the space of one day. The film received the award for "Best Original Score" and was runner up for the title of best overall film at the local festival.
In 2011 Thomas released his first album of original music and he continues to write, record, produce and release music from his home studio. Thomas is a former treasurer of the Michibago Music Teachers Association and teaches private piano, voice, guitar, bass, percussion and ukelele lessons in the Sheboygan area and at the Holy Family Conservatory in Manitowoc, WI. Thomas performs regularly as a solo entertainer and lounge pianist, performs with his band The Thomas Pibal Trio: (link hidden) and is also the drummer for the jazz combo Jive Safely: (link hidden) and bass player for Suzie and the Detonators. Thomas also works as a freelance accompanist for various clients including high schools and theatre companies, and has also filled the role of rehearsal accompanist, music/vocal director, pit director and sound designer for several musicals.
Thomas began his musical journey at age six at the piano and his first piano teacher, Kathy Fee, told his mother that he was one of the fastest-learning students she had ever taught. After several years of piano lessons, Thomas decided he wanted to quit studying music. Fortunately his frustration with method books swiftly led him to discover the music of Scott Joplin and soon after learning pieces like "The Entertainer" and the "Maple Leaf Rag" around the age of thirteen, Thomas realized music was a part of his life that he couldn't live without.
Thomas Pibal is an eagle scout and when he was fourteen years old his scoutmaster was in an accident where he lost his right arm. Thomas rallied together musicians from the community whom he met playing at an open mic and networking around the area for a benefit concert that raised over $11,000 for his scoutmaster's family.
Around the time of the benefit concert, Thomas developed tendonitis in one of his thumbs from over-practice. It was at this time that he began studying piano with Dr. Arthur Johnson who was a professor at the nearby Lakeland University (then Lakeland College). Dr. Johnson forced Thomas to abandon all piano practice save one or two mind-numbing and very exacting technique exercises for a period of nine months in order to completely re-train his piano technique. Thomas studied with Dr. Johnson for 8 years and also studied piano, voice, guitar and percussion with a significant amount of instruction from Glenn Zeinemann, Brian Augustine, Heidi Kroll, Karen Schmall, Mike Slupski, Michael Ammons, Joelle Barrett, David Hein, Janet Herrick and Dan Fee.
Thomas was homeschooled for much of his childhood but also attended multiple public schools and graduated from a public charter school in Sheboygan, WI. After graduating from high school Thomas attended Lakeland University pursuing a degree in music. Thomas graduated from Lakeland College (Now Lakeland University) on May 4th, 2014 with a bachelor of fine arts degree with an emphasis on vocal performance and pedagogy.
As of this writing Thomas is 32 years old. Thomas’ daughter Eleanor was born in 2017 and son Arthur in 2023. Thomas lives in Sheboygan, Wisconsin with his wife Justina, daughter Eleanor, son Arthur, their two cats and enjoys spending any time he is not making music watching movies, going on walks and having deep conversations with his family and friends.
If I need to provide my own keyboard I will need somewhere to plug it in. If you need me to perform in a larger venue I also need an outlet to plug in an amplifier. For shows in larger venues like theatres I just need a monitor for my voice.
July 20, 2024 • 4:00pm - 6:00pm | Wedding Reception |
December 27, 2023 • 2:00pm - 3:00pm | Birthday Party |
April 22, 2023–April 23, 2023 • 8:30pm - 12:00am | Birthday Party |
March 10, 2023 • 8:00pm - 11:00pm | Restaurant/Bar Event |
February 05, 2023 • 2:00pm - 2:45pm | Nonprofit Event |
October 08, 2022 • 12:30pm - 2:00pm | Bar/Bat Mitzvah Party |
July 01, 2022 • 9:00pm - 10:30pm | Restaurant/Bar Event |
March 07, 2022 • 4:30pm - 6:00pm | Corporate Event |
May 08, 2021 • 12:30pm - 2:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
December 30, 2020 • 2:00pm - 3:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
October 24, 2020 • 10:30am - 12:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
January 18, 2020 • 2:00pm - 3:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
September 06, 2018 • 5:30pm - 10:00pm | Cocktail Party |
August 06, 2017 • 3:00pm - 6:00pm | Concert |
September 03, 2016 • 3:30pm - 5:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
May 01, 2016 • 11:00am - 12:00pm | Worship Service |
September 12, 2015 | Wedding Ceremony |
June 20, 2015 | Wedding Ceremony |
December 14, 2013 | Wedding Ceremony |
There is quite a bit of variety in the setlists that I use for different gigs because it depends on what the client is looking for, but here is a master setlist that is in progress and by no means comprehensive to give you at least an idea of what to expect:
Swingin tunes
-don’t know why
-ain’t misbehavin
-central avenue drag
-take 5
-birdland
-linus and lucy
-don’t get around much anymore
-night train
-watermelon man
-parisan thoroughfare
-night in tunisia
-puttin on the ritz
-spain
-blue moon
-allen’s alley
-quasimodo
-all too soon
-autumn in new york
-black coffee
-jordu
-on the sunny side of the street
-there will never be another you
-what a wonderful world
-when sunny gets blue
-bernie’s tune
-little sunflower
-ruby, my dear
-afternoon in paris
Singin tunes
-Piano Man
-Tiny Dancer
-Rocket Man
-Oh Blah Di Oh Blah Dah
-Don’t Ask Me Why
-Lady Madonna
-Lean On Me
-Imagination
-Missing You
-hallelujah
-great balls of fire
-100 years
-short people
-new york state of mind
-movin out
-croc rock (jazz book?)
-my life
-your song
-honesty
-fly me to the moon
-drops of jupiter
-I’m yours
-scenes from an italian restaurant (later if it’s cool)
-thinking out loud
-she’s got a way
Jazz pop
-bridge over troubled water
-california dreamin
-every breath you take
-god only knows
-happy together
-Imagine
-just the way you are (Billy Joel)
-Lean on Me
-Moondance
-Red red wine
-stand by me
-time after time
-all you need is love (jazz book)
-blackbird
-bennie and the jets (elton jazz book)
-let it be (jazz book?)
-hey jude (jazz book)
-Georgia on my mind
-somewhere over the rainbow (jazz version)
-fields of gold
-I shot the sheriff
-It’s too late
-rainy days and mondays
-sunny
-don’t let the sun go down on me
-rocket man
-tiny dancer
-blindfolded maple leaf rag
I grew up listening to the oldies station-60's and 70's classic rock, motown etc. I love blues, jazz and rock and I have a great appreciation for classical music as well.
While I love a lot of different music, here are some artists that I consider strong creative influences on my own writing and that I strive to emulate in some aspect:
-Ben Folds Five
-Billy Joel
-Tim Minchin
-Bo Burnham
-Jukebox the Ghost
-Lake Street Dive
-Cake
-Sara Bareilles
-Pomplamoose
-Bill Bailey
-They Might be Giants
-Randy Newman
-Jamie Cullum
-Harry Connick Jr.
-Vulfpeck
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