Overview
Eldon Sully is a seasoned professional guitarist and a great fit for weddings, seasonal parties and social events. His wide-reaching repertoire stretches from classical to pop, traditional and contemporary jazz to country, rhythm and blues to gospel, highlighting the works of artists like The Beatles, Faith Hill, Duke Ellington, J. S. Bach, and George Benson. His solo style sets the perfect atmosphere for any event as he imparts energy and passion into each performance with the goal of producing the highest quality musical product.
Reviews
32 reviews
Kelvin B.
October 5, 2017Smoother than Smooth Jazz!
We had Mr. Sully play some welcoming tunes for the arriving guest for our wedding as well as the Bridal party walk down the aisle. He set the mood perfectly and then there was this special request... If you haven't heard MJ's "Smooth Criminal" on the guitar you're missing out! You had to be there! I've got nothing but respect for the talent and professionalism of Mr. Sully. If you're looking for someone to make your event uniquely special... Look no further!
Hired as: Jazz Guitarist
the M. F.
September 15, 2017A Performance Of A Lifetime
On Saturday, September 9, 2017, Mr. Eldon Sully performed an assortment of jazz selections for the Marlow-Barnes Wedding, which provided a calming and intimate atmosphere for arriving wedding guests. Prior to the ceremony, Mr. Sully captivated the audience with his amazing renditions of selections by outstanding artists such as George Benson, Larry Carlton, Four Play; and Mr. Sully's very own specialties. His version of the Wedding March was quite unique; and the Bride could not have been more pleased. After the ceremony, Mr. Sully's array of selections was a performance that left you wanting more; and the wedding guests are still tweeting about his performance. He is one of the most humble, personable and dynamic artist whom anyone would feel honored to have perform at their special event. Mr. Sully, thank you for taking our guests on a captivating musical journey.
Hired as: Jazz Guitarist
Debra L. Q.
October 5, 2016Simply Amazing - a must hire!
I count myself extremely lucky to have happened on the site that listed Eldon as a guitarist in the area. His talent, professionalism and kindness FAR surpassed any of my expectations. Eldon played in my home for my daughters wedding and he was a joy to work with. His talent far exceeded our small affair of 43; however, you would have never known it. He gave our event the attention and professionalism that he would have given a wedding of 500. My husband described him as a class act and we had MANY positive comments from our guests. He set the tone as guests arrived, played for the processional and continued that wonderful vibe following the ceremony as guests had drinks and appetizers. I appreciate so much his sharing his talent with us and it is with much enthusiasm that I recommend Eldon for any event or genre you may have in mind. I can only hope that I have an opportunity to work with Eldon again in the future.
Hired as: Guitarist
Andrew
December 18, 2015I'd use this guy again.
Mr. Sully performed for me on short notice when another performer cancelled at the last minute and did so during the busy holiday season. He is a professional and a smooth operator.
Hired as: Guitarist
Thomas L.
September 23, 2015The Whole Package
From the initial meeting with Eldon, we were impressed and comforted to know that our event's entertainment would be in great hands. Start to finish, he seamlessly integrated into our plans and schedule without reluctance. Eldon’s arrangements are meticulous and his range is great, making him a perfect fit for large and small gatherings. He’s prompt, performs effortlessly, and even provides entertainment during his breakdown. He made our social absolutely perfect, all that we envisioned, and the talk of the town. The guests gave repeated compliments about his performance and the atmosphere that his music created. It was all that we envisioned.
Hired as: Classical Guitarist, Guitarist, Jazz Guitarist
Booking information
Price range: $300 - $700
Languages: English, Spanish
Gig length: 30 - 240 minutes
Unions: AFM
About
Eldon Sully is a native of Leonia, New Jersey and is currently a resident of Portsmouth, Virginia. He has over 40 years of international professional musical experience. He performs on electric and acoustic guitar, mandolin, banjo, and ukulele. He is well-versed in many musical styles to include jazz, rock, pop, country, Celtic, traditional and contemporary gospel, and inspirational music. He has considerable performance experience as a solo guitarist and as a member of Worship bands, small combos, big bands and musical theater orchestras.
He was awarded Bachelor Music Education and Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies degrees from Howard University in Washington, DC, graduating magna cum laude and Masters degree in Music from Norfolk State University. He has also taken additional undergraduate and graduate coursework at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ and Hampton University in Hampton, VA. He started his musical journey under the tutelage of Alan Gramkow and continued his studies with classical guitarists John Marlowe and Frank Bahus, and jazz guitarists Joe Pass, John Baboian, Charles Chapman, and Ted Dunbar.
Eldon has a broad range of musical experience. He has performed as a musician in numerous national tour and local musical theater productions. Some of them are Chicago, Legally Blonde, All Shook Up, Hairspray, Bruce Hornsby's "Stranger", The Last Five Years, Dreamgirls, Man of La Mancha, The Civil War, Smokey Joe's Cafe, Grease, West Side Story, Fiddler On The Roof, Raisin, Annie, Bye, Bye, Birdie, Matilda, The Full Monty, Sister Act, The Addams Family, How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, Mame, and Godspell. He performed and assisted in the production of a live double compact disc project entitled "The Power of His Presence" while attending International Family Church in Winchester, Massachusetts. He has performed Antonio Vivaldi’s Concerto for Guitar and Strings on classical guitar. Perfomances for former President Bush, Secretaries of Defense and Air Force, and numerous other government officials as well as entertaining our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Coast Guard, and Airmen in forward deployed and domestic regions of the world were the highlight of his 28-year career as an Air Force bandsman.
He also performs popular music shows with symphony orchestras across the US and Canada as guitarist with Windborne Productions. These productions feature the music of blockbuster artists such as Queen, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, Whitney Houston, The Eagles, Michael Jackson, Journey, Tom Petty, David Bowie, and Prince.
In 2010, Eldon was awarded first place in Roland Corporation's Guitar Synthesizer Challenge for his original composition entitled "Modal Madness." The video can be seen on his YouTube page.
<a href="https://www.gigsalad.com/external/redirect/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cueW91dHViZS5jb20vd2F0Y2g%2Fdj14TlhrUHlHX240WSZsaXN0PVJEeE5Ya1B5R19uNFk%3D">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNXkPyG_n4Y&list=RDxNXkPyG_n4Y</a>
He has released two self-produced CDs entitled "First Things First" and "Back 2 Basics." These musical offerings feature his talents as producer, composer, arranger, and guitarist. Eldon currently performs as a free-lance musician with variety bands and a solo artist throughout the Hampton Roads Area.
Services offered
Set list
Playlist – Eldon Sully
Pop
A Thousand Years – Christina Perri
All Of Me – John Legend
Always and Forever – Heatwave
Amazed – Lonestar
And I Love Her – Beatles
At Last – Etta James/Beyonce
Besame Mucho
Blackbird - Beatles
Bless The Broken Road – Rascal Flatts
Breathe – Faith Hill
Bubbly – Colbie Caillat
By The Time I Get To Phoenix – Glen Campbell
Crush – Dave Matthews
Crystal – Stevie Nicks
Danny Boy
Do You Want To Know A Secret – Beatles
Don’t Know Why – Nora Jones
Easy – Lionel Richie and The Commodores
Every Breath You Take – Sting
(Everything I Do) I Do It For You – Bryan Adams
Fire and Rain – James Taylor
From This Moment On – Shania Twain
God Bless America
God Bless The USA – Lee Greenwood
God Gave Me You – Blake Shelton
Happy Birthday
Have You Ever Loved A Woman – Bryan Adams
Here Comes The Sun – Beatles
I Do – Colbie Caillat
I Hope You Dance – Lee Ann Womack
I Never Told You – Colbie Caillat
In My Life – Beatles
Just Breathe – Pearl Jam
Killing Me Softly With His Song – Roberta Flack
La Bamba – Richie Valens
Love Story – Taylor Swift
Lovely Day – Bill Withers
Make You Feel My Love – Adele
Mama’s Song – Carrie Underwood
Marry Me - Train
Moon River
More Than Words - Extreme
Open Arms – Journey
Quizas, Quizas, Quizas (Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps) – Latin
Saint Joseph’s – Avett Brothers
Saving All My Love For You – Whitney Houston
Something – Beatles
Somewhere Over The Rainbow - IZ
Songbird – Eva Cassidy
Spooky – Classics IV
Sway - Latin
Tears In Heaven – Eric Clapton
10,000 Words – Avett Brothers
Three Times A Lady – Lionel Richie
‘Til Kingdom Come - Coldplay
Time After Time – Cyndi Lauper
Today Was A Fairytale – Taylor Swift
What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
What I Did For Love
White Sandy Beach - IZ
Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton
Yesterday - Beatles
Your Song – Elton John
You’ve Got A Friend – Carole King
Classical
Adelita – Tarrega
Afro-Cuban Lullaby – Jack Marshall
Air On The G String – Bach
Ave Maria – Schubert
Be Thou My Vision
Bridal Chorus – Wagner
Canon In D – Pachelbel
Cello Suite Prelude – Bach
Fur Elise – Beethoven
Greensleeves
Guardame Las Vacas
Hornpipe – Handel
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring – Bach
Lagrima – Tarrega
Largo – Vivaldi
Malaguena
March – Bach
Minuet – Bach
Ode To Joy – Beethoven
Romance De Los Pinos
Scherzino Mexicano – Ponce
Spring, First Movement – Vivaldi
Trois Gymnopedies – Satie
Trumpet Voluntary – Jeremiah Clarke
Wedding March – Mendelssohn
Country
Always On My Mind – Willie Nelson
Are You Lonesome Tonight?
Blue – LeAnne Rimes
Breathe – Faith Hill
Can’t Help Falling In Love
Crazy – Patsy Cline
God Bless The USA – Lee Greenwood
I Fall To Pieces – Patsy Cline
King of the Road
Love Me Tender
Rhythm and Blues
Cruisin’ – Smokey Robinson
For The Love Of You – Isley Brothers
Friends and Strangers – Ronnie Laws
Human Nature – Michael Jackson
Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
Minute By Minute – Michael McDonald
Mornin’ – Al Jarreau
Never Can Say Goodbye – Michael Jackson
Never Too Much – Luther Vandross
One Hundred Ways – James Ingram
Only For One Night – Luther Vandross
So Amazing – Luther Vandross
What’s Goin’ On – Marvin Gaye
You Are Everything – Stylistics
Contemporary Christian/Gospel
Goin’ Up Yonder
How Great Is Our God – Chris Tomlin
I Give You My Heart – Hillsongs
Mighty Fortress – Christy Nuckols
Shout To The Lord – Hillsongs
10,000 Reasons – Chris Tomlin
The Lord’s Prayer
Jazz Standards
A Foggy Day
Affirmation – George Benson
Always There - Ronnie Laws
Autumn Leaves
Breezin’ - George Benson
Cantaloupe Island – Herbie Hancock
Caravan – Duke Ellington
Come Fly With Me
Corcovado – Jobim
Do You Know What It Means (To Miss New Orleans)
Early AM Attitude – Lee Ritenour
Gentle Rain
Georgia On My Mind – Ray Charles
Girl From Ipanema – Jobim
Green Dolphin Street
Harlem Nocturne
Here’s That Rainy Day
I Left My Heart In San Francisco
In The Name of Love – Grover Washington, Jr.
Last Train Home – Pat Metheny
Latin/Bossa Nova
Maputo – Bob James/David Sanborn
Mister Magic – Grover Washington, Jr.
Misty
Moonlight In Vermont
Morning Dance – Spyrogyra
My Favorite Things
My Funny Valentine
My Romance
Once I Loved – Jobim
Polka Dots and Moonbeams
Prelude To A Kiss – Duke Ellington
Satin Doll – Duke Ellington
Sophisticated Lady – Duke Ellington
Soulful Strut – Grover Washington, Jr.
Stardust
Sugar – Stanley Turrentine
Sunny
Take Five – Paul Desmond
The Way You Look Tonight
This Masquerade – George Benson
Till There Was You
Triste – Jobim
Unforgettable
Wave – Jobim
What Are You Doing For The Rest Of Your life
Winelight – Grover Washington, Jr.
Setup requirements
Straight back chair with no arms
Two electrical outlets within 5 feet of performance area
4' x 4' minimum performance area
I also have a battery powered system designed to accommodate beach or outdoor weddings/events where no electricity is present.