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Ananda Vaughan

Ananda Vaughan

Top Performer

Sacramento, CA

$400 and up (depending on location and size)

Travels up to 200 miles

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Overview

Available solo or with larger ensembles, Ananda sets a relaxed yet energetic mood with his music. With a diverse background including folk, jazz, blues, and world music, his set can be easily tailored to your needs. Consider your event in professional and experienced hands with him in the musical seat. Perfect for galas, weddings, and receptions.
"Ananda is more than just a skilled and professional performer, he works with you creatively to customize a beautiful musical experience. Ananda took my glimmer of a vision and pieced together an unforgettable and totally unique backdrop."
"His graceful musical stylings were a beautiful addition to our cocktail hour and reception."


Reviews

8 reviews

Small thumbnail image for reviewer Robin P.

Robin P.

October 20, 2025
Verified review

Ananda played for a party of mine last weekend. He played my playlist, but his own written music is very beautiful and would make for a wonderful addition or central piece for any event.

Hired as: Guitarist


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Asavari K.

Asavari K.

August 10, 2025
Verified review

We are so happy we found Ananda and he was available for our party.
The guests really enjoyed him.
I look forward to watching our videos so o can listen to him again without any guest interruptions

Hired as: Guitarist

Small thumbnail image for Ananda Vaughan

Ananda Vaughan

Thank you so much Asavari! I'm glad you were happy with everything.


Small thumbnail image for reviewer George P. J. C.

George P. J. C.

June 13, 2024
Verified review

Ananda was an excellent choice for our private "C-suite" corporate cocktail hour. He was exceptionally responsive during the planning process, and patient when needed. He was able to provide and set up/strike all of his own equipment quickly and efficiently. His acoustic guitar skills are exceptional, he was able to keep our executive guests entertained and the vibe of the evening constant. He even had recordings of his own that made any water breaks completely seamless. The word that kept coming to mind while working together was professional. Thank you, Ananda for helping make this a great event!

Hired as: Guitarist

Small thumbnail image for Ananda Vaughan

Ananda Vaughan

Thank you so much! I'm glad you were happy with everything. The event was a great success.


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Bethanee T.

Bethanee T.

June 10, 2024
Verified review

Incredibly sweet and genuine people, loved their vibe and energy. Incredibly talented, spoke with some of our students about their music process and took requests, just super fun to hang out with!

Hired as: Acoustic Band, Guitarist, Sound Technician, World Music

Small thumbnail image for Ananda Vaughan

Ananda Vaughan

Thank you so much, Bethanee. We're super glad you were happy with everything. I appreciate you choosing to work with us!


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Jennifer O.

Jennifer O.

October 10, 2023
Verified review

Ananda was wonderful. Learned new songs the bride and groom wanted and played flawlessly.

I would highly recommend him

Hired as: Guitarist

Small thumbnail image for Ananda Vaughan

Ananda Vaughan

Thank you so much! The wedding was very beautiful. I'm glad the music was a good fit.

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Booking information

Price range: $400 and up (depending on location and size)

Languages: English

Gig length: 20 - 210 minutes

What to expect

Expect ease. Ananda has a professionalism and personality that make working with him a very pleasant experience. His musicianship is highly refined. He has a very in-tune sensitivity to the needs of the gathering, while being relatively self contained in his own needs. Also, he is a very easeful person to talk to/negotiate with. He brings a perfect balance of artistry and work ethic to the job.

Depending on the size of the gig, his musical set up can fit your needs without being a burden. He simply needs connection to power, and a sound system (for larger groups). Ananda can also provide any size sound system as well. Other than that, he'll sit there and get in the groove! He has a lot of joy in what he does, and that joy tends to ripple out into the room.

Again, Ananda has a very diverse musical background, so don't hesitate to ask specifically for what you need? Particular genre/song requests? Do you want the energy to shift into something more upbeat? Do you want vocals or other instruments involved? He will work with you and your budget to create what you desire.

About

Ananda is a gigging musician/teacher residing in Nevada City, CA.
He has studied and performed in many genres and settings, finding a great groove with his solo guitar performance. After intensive immersion in the University of Oregon Jazz Studies program, he has gone on to incorporate many genres into forming a sound of his own.

Gigging in Nevada County, Sacramento, the Tahoe area, and on the road, he works steadily as a solo performer, as well as a side man on lead and accompanying guitar, and also co-leads an acoustic duo (BrightSide Blue) with his partner, talented vocalist Lindsay Bellows. His day time work includes teaching guitar and bass at the Nevada City School of the Arts, teaching as a private instructor, and producing music in his home recording studio. He loves the forest and river setting of Nevada County, and enjoys traveling for his work and play.

Diverse, fluid, and melodic are great words to describe his sound. With the inclusion of looping technology in his solo sets, he is able to perform with multiple guitar sounds simultaneously, and even include multiple instruments (mandolin, bass, percussion), while keeping it very tasteful. Due to his diversity in working projects, he can easily help adjust your needs to almost anything you want - from solo ambience to acoustic band concerts to full band dance party entertainment.

Additional booking notes

Ananda's sound needs are simple.

He can bring a sound system for a gathering of any size. He simply needs access to a power supply near his performing area.

If the sound system is provided, he will need two 1/4" inputs, in addition to his power supply needs.

Past booked events

October 2025

18

Saturday

Birthday Party

7:30pm - 9:00pm

Fair Oaks, CA

August 2025

03

Sunday

Birthday Party

2:00pm - 2:30pm

Sacramento, CA

December 2024

14

Saturday

Corporate Event

10:30am - 2:30pm

Roseville, CA

November 2024

07

Thursday

Corporate Event

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Reno, NV

June 2024

09

Sunday

Dinner Party

5:00pm - 6:30pm

Angwin, CA

04

Tuesday

Cocktail Party

6:00pm - 8:00pm

San Francisco, CA

October 2023

07

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

3:30pm - 5:30pm

El Dorado, CA

July 2023

07

Friday

Birthday Party

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Elk Grove, CA

November 2018

20

Tuesday

House Party

5:30pm - 7:30pm

Fair Oaks, CA

June 2018

08

Friday

Live at Matteo's

6:00pm - 9:00pm

May 2018

15

Tuesday

Live at Matteo's

6:00pm - 9:00pm

09

Wednesday

Live with Jerry Grant

6:00pm - 9:00pm

02

Wednesday

Live at Matteo's

6:00pm - 9:00pm

April 2018

08

Sunday

Live at Matteo's

6:00pm - 10:00pm

06

Friday

Live at Matteo's

6:30pm - 10:00pm

01

Sunday

Private House Concert

7:00pm - 9:00pm

March 2018

16

Friday

Live at Matteo's

6:30pm - 10:00pm

Set list

Ananda offers a mostly original set, with instrumental covers by artists such as Stevie Wonder, Van Morrison, Paul Simon, as well as jazz standards. Specific cover songs can be incorporated by request.

Influences and inspiration

Tommy Emmanuel, Leo Kottke, Wes Montgomery, Kenny Burrell, Charlie Byrd, Pat Metheny, Ali Farka Toure, Kaki King, John Williams, Lionel Loueke, Paul Simon, Dave Matthews, Andres Segovia.

Setup requirements

Access to a power supply near his performing area.