Billy "Gumbo" Murphy

Top Performer

Palmetto, FL

Contact for rates

Travels up to 200 miles

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Overview

Accordion performer, solo and band, specializing in Mardi Gras, Italian, German, Irish, and French music. Performing for fifty years, I've played all types of venues for all types of events, from the intimate to weekly senior shows to huge Oktoberfests, Italian festivals and Mardi Gras celebrations. Each show is crafted to provide your event a memorable and wonderful time; strolling, music for dining, or entertaining the audience, my shows provide the perfect musical ambiance to any event. As many clients have mentioned, music makes the party.
Edelweiss Oktoberfest Band, Benjamin Road and Gumbalaya Band.
This musical journey has led me to many wonderful people I hope to add you to my book!


Reviews

22 reviews

Small thumbnail image for reviewer Edmund M.

Edmund M.

February 22, 2026
Verified review

A True Professional That Made Our Event Shine!

Billy Gumbo, was just fantastic at our Italian American Event. Playing beautiful music and setting the atmosphere for our Carnivale event.

Thanks so much Billy.

Hired as: Accordion Player

Small thumbnail image for Billy "Gumbo" Murphy

Billy "Gumbo" Murphy

Thank you for the kind words, Ed, wow, what a party, best of the year! Everything was over the top wonderful. Thanks again!
Besides all the solo work I do (French, Irish, Mardi Gras, Cinco de Mayo, Oktoberfest, etc) I also have a show band that plays all the above plus a Fifties Show, Hippie Sixties, as well as several others. All of us are professional musicians for over 40 years.
Looking forward to another great party from your club, thank you!
Billy Gumbo


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Judy V.

Judy V.

October 27, 2025
Verified review

Great Entertainer

Billy "Gumbo" Murphy did an great job entertaining our guests at a private party. His talent, energy and passion for music captivated everyone from start to finish.
Judy Vobroucek

Hired as: Accordion Player

Small thumbnail image for Billy "Gumbo" Murphy

Billy "Gumbo" Murphy

Thank you so much, it was great fun for me. I especially want to thank you for welcoming me into your family party!


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Annie H.

Annie H.

September 24, 2025
Verified review

Billy “Gumbo” Murphy

The Accordion Player Billy”Gumbo” Murphy made are dinner event with family and close friends MOST SPECIAL! His talent shined through with his great playlist of favorite tunes. A personable touch among our dinner event celebrating my Mom’s history of 5 years passing brought positivity and good cheer to ALL. He brought smiles as we danced and sang along making the event most memorable.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

Hired as: Accordion Player

Small thumbnail image for Billy "Gumbo" Murphy

Billy "Gumbo" Murphy

Thank you so much for welcoming me, and the pleasure of sharing this moment of time with your family. It's another precious treasure piece to remember!


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Marc W.

Marc W.

May 31, 2025
Verified review

Billy is a Rock Star!

Well, actually he’s an accordion player…..but in my book, he’s a rock star. When you hire a musician….you never know what you are going to get. Billy was everything we could have hoped for. He was on time. He dressed for the occasion. He was professional in every way. And he was a GREAT musician.

These days, it’s so difficult to feel as if you’re getting real value for your money. I’ve been in the music business (on the business side—not as a musician) my whole adult life and I can tell you that Billy is a great and truly professional musician and it was a privilege to have him join our event.

Hired as: Accordion Player

Small thumbnail image for Billy "Gumbo" Murphy

Billy "Gumbo" Murphy

Thanks, Marc, that was an incredible party! Of the 3000 or so gigs I've played, yours is in the top 1%, it was a blast!
Billy Gumbo
Edelweiss Oktoberfest Band
Benjamin Road Band


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Beth D.

Beth D.

May 27, 2025
Verified review

Billy did a great job!

Billy did a great job capturing and reflecting our theme. He was prompt, prepared, and easy to work with

Hired as: Accordion Player

Small thumbnail image for Billy "Gumbo" Murphy

Billy "Gumbo" Murphy

Thank you Beth, Plymouth Harbor is a wonderful place, great staff, great people, it was a joy!

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Booking information

Price range: Contact for rates

What to expect

My show is an eclectic entertaining mix of a wide variety of music that reflect my repertoire. After 50 years of performing, I craft a specially tailored program for each show.
Several times, I've provided music for just 2 people on their special occasion. Another time I performed for the owners of Hammock Pine Resort and over 300 guests on a rooftop overlooking the Atlantic. For all these years too, I've had weekly shows at various senior centers. And other times I've been in front of a thousand singing people at an Oktoberfest.
Whether as a quiet mood music musician or as an entertainer, my show will always be respectful, hard-working, honest, authentic with a great deal of expert musicianship.

About

I've been performing for fifty years, as a soloist and a member of various bands. I accompanied an Italian singer for several years before joining the Edelweiss Oktoberfest Band in the 80's and we're still going strong. I also play with the Benjamin Road Band and the Gumbalaya Band. My specialties include Italian, French, Oktoberfest music, Cajun, Zydeco, Tex-Mex with a sprinkling of classical, bluegrass and general swamp music.
I've played in every German and Polish club on this coast, opened for many national touring bands, including Frankie Yankovic on several occasions, German and Polish restaurants, Maifests, Polka cruises, and house parties. I have the lederhosen outfit, still "fits" after 50 years!
I've strolled many Italian fests, such as the San Genaro, played many dinner (spaghetti!) parties and cafes.
French parties, Bastille Day, Cajun cafes, wineries and breweries. Some French gigs I've been invited to perform are the CalaVida Arts Festival. Waterworks of Sarasota Social Club, The Arlington of Naples, Ritz-Carlton of Sarasota.
As an accordion teacher and performer for a number of years, I've had the opportunity to travel and meet so many wonderful people, I hope to add you to my list!

Additional booking notes

I have my own sound system, and happy to plug into your system. All I need is one outlet. I use a wireless sound system for accordion and voice.
I can stroll your event too!
I have outfits for all my programs.

Past booked events

May 2026

23

Saturday

Quinceañera

5:00pm - 6:00pm

Tampa, FL

April 2026

21

Tuesday

Dinner Party

4:30pm - 5:30pm

Tampa, FL

March 2026

10

Tuesday

Dinner Party

5:30pm - 8:00pm

Bonita Springs, FL

February 2026

21

Saturday

Nonprofit Event

5:30pm - 7:00pm

Wimauma, FL

October 2025

26

Sunday

Festival

11:00am - 1:00pm

Sarasota, FL

25

Saturday

House Party

6:00pm - 10:00pm

Bradenton, FL

18

Saturday

Festival

4:00pm - 7:00pm

Mount Dora, FL

September 2025

23

Tuesday

Personal Occasion

6:00pm - 7:00pm

Sarasota, FL

08

Monday

Dinner Party

5:00pm - 7:00pm

Sarasota, FL

August 2025

26

Tuesday

Dinner Party

5:00pm - 7:00pm

Sarasota, FL

May 2025

30

Friday

Dinner Party

6:00pm - 7:30pm

Nokomis, FL

26

Monday

Cocktail Party

5:30pm - 7:30pm

Sarasota, FL

April 2025

11

Friday

Birthday Party

6:00pm - 7:30pm

Sarasota, FL

October 2024

26

Saturday

Cocktail Party

5:30pm - 7:00pm

Punta Gorda, FL

19

Saturday

Dinner Party

6:00pm - 9:00pm

Venice, FL

August 2024

25

Sunday

Surprise

1:00pm - 3:00pm

Clearwater, FL

July 2024

31

Wednesday

Dinner Party

5:00pm - 7:00pm

Sarasota, FL

13

Saturday

Corporate Event

11:30am - 2:30pm

Orlando, FL

June 2024

01

Saturday

Children’s Birthday Party

5:30pm - 7:00pm

St Petersburg, FL

April 2024

05

Friday

Fundraiser

10:30am - 12:30pm

Sarasota, FL

February 2024

25

Sunday

Dinner Party

2:00pm - 4:00pm

Dunedin, FL

January 2024

31

Wednesday

Cocktail Party

2:00pm - 4:00pm

Naples, FL

December 2023

08

Friday

Religious Celebration

5:00pm - 8:30pm

Clearwater, FL

October 2023

17

Tuesday

Cocktail Party

6:00pm - 8:00pm

Naples, FL

14

Saturday

Surprise

5:00pm - 5:30pm

Clearwater, FL

August 2023

12

Saturday

Birthday Party

6:00pm - 9:00pm

Winter Park, FL

11

Friday

Birthday Party

7:00pm - 7:30pm

Palm Harbor, FL

March 2023

25

Saturday

House Party

2:00pm - 6:00pm

Tarpon Springs, FL

October 2022

26

Wednesday

Birthday Party

6:00pm - 6:30pm

Indian Rocks Beach, FL

21

Friday

Dinner Party

6:00pm - 9:00pm

Bradenton, FL

16

Sunday

Nonprofit Event

2:00pm - 2:45pm

Dunedin, FL

15

Saturday

Dinner Party

6:30pm - 8:30pm

Hudson, FL

04

Tuesday

Retirement Community Event

2:30pm - 4:00pm

Seminole, FL

01

Saturday

Restaurant/Bar Event

7:00pm - 9:00pm

Haines City, FL

September 2022

17

Saturday

Dinner Party

7:00pm - 7:45pm

Seminole, FL

03

Saturday

Dinner Party

6:00pm - 7:00pm

Lutz, FL

August 2022

20

Saturday

Wedding Reception

4:00pm - 6:00pm

Clearwater, FL

July 2022

16

Saturday

Birthday Party

6:00pm - 7:00pm

North Port, FL

November 2021

14

Sunday

House Party

7:30pm - 9:30pm

Tampa, FL

October 2021

01

Friday

Dinner Party

8:00pm - 8:15pm

St Pete Beach, FL

August 2021

13

Friday

Corporate Event

6:00pm - 8:00pm

Palm Coast, FL

March 2021

27

Saturday

Personal Occasion

2:00pm - 6:00pm

Tarpon Springs, FL

October 2019

12

Saturday

Corporate Event

5:00pm - 8:00pm

Tampa, FL

September 2019

21

Saturday

Retirement Community Event

4:00pm - 6:30pm

Tampa, FL

19

Thursday

Dinner Party

5:00pm - 7:00pm

Tampa, FL

Set list

Oktoberfest Music, hours of traditional Bavarian oom-pah, popular Oktoberfest songs of today, Rocktoberfest songs, Czech, Polish, Tex-Mex polkas, all are fair game for fun!
Italian
International, Continental
French
Classical
Tex-Mex, Cajun, Zydeco
Originals
Louisiana Saturday Night
Devil Went to Georgia
Back Door
Bachelor Life
Mavericks: All You Do Is Bring Me Down, Rolling Along, Ride With Me
Sabre Dance
Cajun 2-Step
Eh Tite Fille
Cornbread
Zydeco Boogooloo
Zydeco Gris Gris
Iko Iko
Toot Toot
Jambalaya
Hey Good Lookin'
Dead Man's Party
Who Do You Love
All Going to Pot
Gotta Get Drunk
Drunken Sailor
Gilligan's Island
If I Ever Leave This World Alive
Uncle Bud
Paper In My Shoe
Dark Eyes
Close Together
Shame
Pine Grove Blues
Buddy Bolden Blues
Folsom
Orange Blossom Special
Ol' Joe Clark
Diggy Diggy Lo
Mardi Gras Mambo
Crazy Lil Mama
Shake Your Hips
Walkin' To New Orleans
Jai Vu Le Loup
Ain't No More Cane
Libertango
Ring of Fire
Catahoula
Adalida
Jalepena Lena
Back In the Saddle
You Are My Sunshine
Rt. 66
Bei Mir
Moondance
Light My Fire
Toccata in D minor
Let the Good Times Roll
Hey Bob A Ree Bob
Beer Run
Ya Ya
Canon in DM
Honky Tonk
Galway Girl
Free Beer
Grab Your Balls, We're Going Bowling

Influences and inspiration

Buckwheat Zydeco, Clifton Chenier, Boozoo Chavis, Mavericks, Flaco, Yankovich, Chardon, Brave Combo.

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