Nicolai Tanev

Atlanta, GA

$200-2000

Travels up to 90 miles

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Promotional video thumbnail 1 for Nicolai Tanev

Air on a G string by J.S.Bach

Promotional video thumbnail 2 for Nicolai Tanev

Air On A G String Nicolai Tanev

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Nuages ( Clouds) by D.Reinhardt

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The Girl From Ipanema Nicolai Tanev

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Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars by A.C.Jobim

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Nicolai Tanev at the Atlanta Art Institute

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Nicolai Tanev at the Inn at Serenbe

Gallery photo 6 of Nicolai Tanev

Nicolai Tanev performing at the Art Institute of Atlanta

Gallery photo 7 of Nicolai Tanev

Nicolai Tanev performing for CNN at the Inn at Serenbe

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Gallery photo 9 of Nicolai Tanev
Gallery photo 10 of Nicolai Tanev

Overview

Classical, Flamenco and Jazz Standards instrumental guitar music for weddings,rehearsal dinners, clubs, restaurants, all kind of private and corporate events or acoustic blues with (link hidden)itar lessons available too- all styles and levels are welcome!

Nicolai has released 4 albums and his composition "Sofia Blues" won the Runner-Up Award of IAMA 2007 ( International Acoustic Music Awards).

"Nicolai is very professional and easy to work with. Great communication! We hired him for our wedding ceremony and it was perfect. I would recommend to anyone who is looking for a classical guitarist. We had a wonderful experience!
Lauren, former client"


Reviews

14 reviews

Small thumbnail image for reviewer Rikki M.

Rikki M.

December 21, 2025
Verified review

Excellent

Nicolai gave our wedding reception a classic touch. Definitely would recommend.

Hired as: Classical Guitarist


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Mike H.

Mike H.

April 17, 2018
Verified review

Exactly what we wanted

Nicolai Was on time (early Actually), and provided great music for the ceremony and cocktail hour.

Hired as: Classical Guitarist

Small thumbnail image for Nicolai Tanev

Nicolai Tanev

Thank you, Mike.The pleasure was mine.


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Tinkle

Tinkle

April 15, 2017
Verified review

Beautiful Music!

Nicolai added great ambience and class to our 7 year Anniversary event for our business! Lovely music and very professional!!

Hired as: Classical Guitarist


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Vann M.

Vann M.

December 14, 2016
Verified review

Great job

Great job

Hired as: Classical Guitarist


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Chris P.

Chris P.

November 18, 2016
Verified review

A Modern Day Master

Nicolai was great! He really made our event stand out. Very professional, on time, and he was a good player to boot.

Hired as: Classical Guitarist

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Booking information

Price range: $200-2000

Languages: English, French, Russian, Bulgarian

Gig length: 60 - 180 minutes

What to expect

Mix of light Classical, Brazilian, Jazz Standards, Flamenco and Acoustic blues instrumental music creating a pleasant, calm and very suitable for your private parties or corporate events atmosphere.
Wedding repertoire subject to discussion with the client(s).
Music requests available at no extra charge.

About

Nicolai Tanev have been playing guitar since he was (link hidden) 1990 the Bulgarian Ministry of Culture issued Mr.Tanev certificate which gives him the right to perform as a stage artist and in 1995 he got his certificate for guitar teacher.He' s been teaching and playing many clubs and restaurants in Sofia for many years.

In 2007 he was given the status of Alien of Extraordinary Ability and has moved to Atlanta, GA, where he became one of the most sought-after wedding and party (link hidden)e same year Mr. Tanev's composition "Sofia Blues" won the Runner-Up Award of IAMA ( International Acoustic Music Awards) in Florida, U.S.A.

Mr. Tanev have been teaching guitar at Draisen-Edwards Music School in Marietta, GA for 2 years and a half.

He was also the guitarist in residence for the Oglethorpe University Museum of Art in Atlanta, GA for about 5 years and keeps on working regularly with UGA Gwinnett Campus providing live music for their Coffee & Culture regular event.
He speaks English, French,Russian and Bulgarian.

Discography:
"Cocoa Beans"- Brazilian guitar music, 1997
"Tribute to Robert Johnson" -acoustic blues, 2003
" Romantic Guitar Serenade" - classical, 2007
"Latin 'Scapes" - latin american music, duets with flutist Teresa Lemaire, 2008

Additional booking notes

Amplification provided by me.

Services offered

Past booked events

December 2025

20

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

11:30am - 12:30pm

Atlanta, GA

November 2022

13

Sunday

Birthday Party

2:30pm - 4:30pm

Atlanta, GA

April 2018

14

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

4:00pm - 6:00pm

Atlanta, GA

February 2018

20

Tuesday

Corporate Event

5:30pm - 7:30pm

Alpharetta, GA

May 2017

13

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

5:30pm - 7:30pm

Marietta, GA

April 2017

08

Saturday

Anniversary Party

3:00pm - 7:00pm

Atlanta, GA

December 2016

04

Sunday

Personal Occasion

2:00pm - 4:00pm

Atlanta, GA

November 2016

14

Monday

Corporate Event

6:00pm - 7:30pm

Atlanta, GA

October 2016

01

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

3:30pm - 4:30pm

Palmetto, GA

June 2016

04

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

4:30pm - 5:30pm

Norcross, GA

February 2016

27

Saturday

Dinner Party

6:30pm - 9:00pm

Atlanta, GA

November 2015

14

Saturday

Cocktail Party

5:30pm - 7:00pm

Atlanta, GA

11

Wednesday

Cocktail Party

5:30pm - 7:30pm

Atlanta, GA

October 2015

31

Saturday

Wedding Reception

9:30pm - 11:00pm

Atlanta, GA

August 2015

29

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

6:00pm - 7:30pm

Atlanta, GA

Set list

This is a non-exhaustive list of wedding songs most requested by former clients:
However, every song you might request will be arranged for classical guitar and played as long as it sounds good on guitar solo.

Air on a G string by Bach
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring – (link hidden)ch
Here Comes the Bride ( Wedding march from Lohengrin)
The Wedding Song by Paul Stookey
Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles
Canon in D by Pachelbel
Prelude from Cello Suite # 1- (link hidden)ch
Ave Maria – F. Schubert
Ave Maria - Bach- Gounod
Wedding march – F. Mendelssohn
Ode to Joy – L. Beethoven
Wonderful Tonight – E. Clapton
Can’t Help Falling in Love
All You Nedd Is Love - Beatles
In my Life - Beatles
Moon River - H. Mancini
Waltz op. 39 #15 – J. Brahms
Dreams of love – F. Liszt
Trumpet Voluntary by Clarke
Trumpet Tune by Purcell
Air from “Water Music” – G. Handel
La Rejouissance – G. Handel

Influences and inspiration

John Williams,David Russel, Paco de Lucia, John Mc Laughlin, Al di Meola, Joe Pass, Joao Jilberto, Antonio Carlos Jobim

Setup requirements

Nothing but an armless chair

Testimonials

I cannot thank you enough for being a part of it and playing your beautiful music! You are amazing!!!

– Carrie, bride

Your music is mesmerizing!!! Love it, love it, love it! Got chills while listening

– Kathy, mother of the bride

Thank you, you were lovely. Here is my testimonial: Working with Nicolai was a delight.He was punctual, and played beautifully for a party we had.His music is great for a party ambiance or for a true concert.We will use Nicolai again and I highly recommend him!

– Ashley Patterson

Nicolai, We want to thank you for playing such wonderful music at our wedding; everyone enjoyed it very much.The guitar was a perfect compliment to a beautiful day.We appreciate your profesionalism; being on time and appearance were as we had hoped.Please feel free to use us as a reference anytime. Best regards, Karen and Will

– Karen & Will

We enjoyed your music immensely.It was warm and beautiful to hear.The tone of the instrument was lovely and you played it expertly and sensitively.

– Teresa Raetz, Director of students affairs for extended campuses

Nicolai added a wonderful performance in our theatre lobby to the opera performance inside on our 30th Anniversary Opening Night. He made patrons feel very welcome with his warm and beautiful playing.

– Mary K. Roarabough

Thank you for being such a wonderful part of our wedding.The music was absolutely perfect, we couldn't have been more pleased!

– Katie & Josh

Thank you so much for everything this past weekend.It was very lovely and we received many compliments on the music.It was perfect!

– Germaine Hieber, Snelville, GA

Nicolai added so much to my wedding ceremony and reception.His talent is outstanding.I got many compliments on my choice of Nicolai as my guitarist and would recommend him for any kind of wedding or other event.He was perfect!

– Katie Rozar, Atlanta GA

I was very pleased with the music at the wedding.You were very prompt and professional.You listened to wat I wanted.I am extremely happy as is my daughter, the bride.

– Jane Williams, Atlanta GA

Nicolai did an otstanding job providing beautiful background music for our engagement party.He was on time, professional and played fabulous music.I would recommend Nicolai for any party or wedding ceremony.He also looked very formal and professional, and his equipment took very little space which was great. Thank you, Nicolai!

– Mollie J. Allen

For our wedding, we wanted ceremony music that was both classic and unique.We found Mr.Tanev and got exactly what we hoped for. The music was beautiful, and he was friendly and professional. We received positive comments on his skillful and heartfelt playing and how it accented our ceremony. It was a delight having Mr. Tanev play at our wedding.

– Noah & Rhonda

Mr.Tanev, From myself and the entire Sulzer staff, thank you so much for your wonderful music. It was so beautiful and it created such a warm, relaxed and pleasant atmosphere for our evening. Everyone enjoyed it very much. We would love to have you play again for upcoming events.

– Kristi Leming, Sulzer Pumps

Dear Nicolai, On behalf of the Alpha Art Guild I would like to thank you very much for your generous help last Saturday with our event Art Beyond Borders. Your music created the perfect warm atmosphere,encouriging folks to linger and enjoy at Jittery Joe's. We received much positive feedback from visitors, and several artists made sales or received leads on commissioned work. We also recruited several new members for our group and raised awareness of the wealth of local artistic talent in our community. We could not have done it without you! In this season of thanksgiving,the Alpha Art Guild is thankful for you!

– Dianna Smeal, President of Alpha Art Guild

I highly recommend Nicolai without reservation.Not only is he an amazing musician but he is the consummate professional.He arrived exactly when he promised and made our intimate dinner party so special.Everyone there( including the creative director for the Atlanta Opera)was delighted with Nicolai's performance.Do not think twice about hiring him for your next event - call him now!

– Marie-Paule Peacock, Owner, Designing Lifespaces

On the whole, this is a very enjoyable album ( "Tribute to Robert Johnson" - Guitar Nick&Blue Al).You are both fine musicians and very restraint.

– Bruce Iglauer

His musical interests are very wide and spread from music for classical guitar till blues, flamenco and bossa nova.

– Press release from Riva Sound Ltd.

Knowing Mr. Tanev's musical abilities in the fields of blues and classical guitar, I have the pleasure to recommend him as a musician and guitar teacher

– Philippe Beke, Ambassador of Belgium in Bulgaria, former client

I have come to the conclusion that Mr. Tanev is indeed an artist of extraordinary ability.His recordings have met with positive critical acclaim.

– Laura Kaminsky

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