Jim Perona - Wedding Guitarist Interview with CBS News
Jim Perona - A Message to Wedding Couples
Instrumental Pop/Rock Sampler
Flamenco Guitar Sampler
Classical Guitar Sampler
Greenhouse Loft in Chicago, IL
Hotel Baker in St. Charles, IL
Danada House in Wheaton, IL
Dixon Stage Left in Dixon, IL
Naperville Riverwalk in Naperville, IL
Danada House in Wheaton, Photo by Captured by Elle
My name is Jim Perona & thank you for visiting my GigSalad page! Music is my passion & my profession. I've been performing at weddings, corporate parties, restaurants, & private events FULL-TIME for over 12 years now & my clients have spoken - I am amongst the top-reviewed* solo guitarists in the country!
*Although relatively new to GigSalad, I have over 500 verified client reviews on multiple sites.
My repertoire covers every era of music, from Bach to Beatles! I also possess a unique ability to take any song and arrange it for solo guitar. This means that I can accommodate ALL musical requests, making your music options virtually limitless!
I can't wait to be a part of your event!
11 reviews
Carol O.
September 10, 2018Jim Perona played guitar music for a brunch for OrganTransplant Support, a non profit organization on Sept 9. He arrived on time & set up & was ready to play before the guests arrived. Everyone loved the great variety of songs he played, and the music added a festive feeling to this brunch. He was seated on the other side of the room from the podium, but Jim was alert for cues to stop the music when we needed to make announcements. Jim was a professional, and we are so happy that he played guitar for our event.
Hired as: Guitarist
Fran S.
December 5, 2017Jim did an excellent job. Mindful of the music selection for our "Holiday Party" and his playing was beautiful. Would recommend highly.
Hired as: Classical Guitarist
Jennifer S.
July 28, 2017We loved Jim's performance at Fountain Park Chautauqua! His skill with the guitar was amazing.
Hired as: Guitarist
Kyle L.
July 8, 2017Jim is a wonderful talent! His music danced through the air of my mother's graveside service. He played classical and contemporary pieces magnificently. Everyone in attendance remarked about how lovely his music was.
But there is so much more than just talent when you chose an artist for an event. Jim is gracious, reliable and amenable . He cared about us. I couldn't be more pleased.
Hired as: Guitarist
Kathy P.
June 10, 2017Jim provided the music for our daughter and new son's open house to celebrate their recent marriage. He was the perfect fit for the venue and to provide beautiful music to add ambiance to the evening! Several of our guests commented how much they enjoyed his music. He is polite, professional and wonderful to work with / highly recommended
Hired as: Classical Guitarist
Price range: $500 and up
Languages: English
Gig length: 45 - 300 minutes
***WINNER OF "TOP NATIONAL GUITARIST" ON GIGMASTERS, "BEST OF WEDDINGS" ON THE KNOT & "BRIDE'S CHOICE AWARD" ON WEDDINGWIRE!****
My name is Jim Perona and thank you for visiting my Gig Salad page! Music is my passion, my profession, and I can't wait to share more about it with you! I've been performing at weddings, corporate parties, restaurants, private events, & much more FULL-TIME for over 3 years now & the clients have spoken - I am amongst the top-reviewed solo guitarists in the country!
What makes me stand out from the other performers is my unique ability to take any song and arrange it for solo guitar. This means that I can accommodate ALL musical requests, making your music options virtually limitless!
Additionally, my versatile performance repertoire spans over 500 years of music covering the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical and Romantic eras as well as hits from the past 60 years. From Bach to the Beatles, I play it all. Just listen for yourself as I skillfully turn any song into an instrumental guitar piece by retaining its familiar melody and harmony while gaining a charming elegance that is beautifully suited for any occasion!
Because of the versatility in my repertoire, my act is compatible with virtually every type of event. I am enthusiastically ready, willing and able to perform at any event: Weddings, cocktail hours, receptions, civil unions, rehearsal dinners, retirement home recitals, birthday parties, anniversaries, seasonal holiday parties, wine tastings, and more! Any time, any place, you name it and I will be there!
***MY MUSICAL JOURNEY***
I was born to be a musician. As the youngest of 6 kids in a very musical family, I was completely mesmerized watching my older brothers play in their bands. In fact, on the days they had a gig, I'd scramble to finish my homework so I could have the chance to see them perform. After being a mini-roadie for many years, I decided it was time to be a part of the action. I started taking guitar lessons and, at the age of 11, found my calling and developed a deep passion for guitar. In 2008, I earned a Bachelor's Degree in Classical Guitar Performance from Northern Illinois University, where I had the incredible opportunity to study with modern guitar virtuoso Fareed Haque, the 2009 award recipient of "Best World Guitarist" from Guitar Player Magazine. In 2010, I received my Master's Degree in Classical Guitar Performance from New England Conservatory, where I had the amazing fortune of studying with world-renowned guitarist Eliot Fisk (winner of the 1980 International Guitar Competition, founder of the Boston Guitarfest and close friend and student of classical guitar great Andres Segovia). I feel so blessed to have been mentored by some of the best in the world and truly believe they have fully educated me to become one of the most versatile, accomplished guitarists around!
***TOP 10 REASONS TO HIRE JIM PERONA***
10. VOLUME CONTROL - The volume of my music is guaranteed to be loud enough to hear and enjoy, yet soft enough to have a comfortable conversation from 10 feet away!
9. PORTABILITY - Just me and my guitar (and usually some amplification, too), which means I can move from room to room with ease!
8. AFFORDABLE - Say good-bye to cutting hefty checks split among quartets and big bands and hello to me, myself and I!
7. DEDICATED - Above and beyond service with a smile. Will do just about anything to ensure you and your loved ones have the time of your lives. The sky's the limit!
6. PASSIONATE - Plenty of heart and drive. I respectfully treat you with the upmost care and will be there for you moment-by-moment!
5. HARD WORKING - Your happiness is number one in my book and I will work around the clock in order to create a flawless performance custom-made just for you!
4. RELIABLE - You can always count on me to be prepared, show up early to events and return all correspondence in a timely manner.
3. TRUSTWORTHY - No surprises when it comes to me! I will honestly and ethically communicate with you every step of the way!
2. PROFESSIONAL - My vast experience and friendly persona will erase all the stress so commonly experienced from an event.
1. VERSATILE/UNIQUE - You deserve nothing but the best and it's my goal to give you the highest-quality service possible. I eagerly accommodate ANY and ALL musical requests and will masterfully turn it into a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable solo guitar performance of a lifetime!
Thank you so very much for visiting my profile. It is greatly appreciated. I would love to be a part of your next event, so please feel free to contact me at any time and I will be more than happy to accommodate your every need!
All the very best,
Jim Perona
Tuesday
House Party
4:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Clarendon Hills, IL
Saturday
Restaurant/Bar Event
6:00pm - 10:00pm
•
Wilmington, IL
Sunday
Anniversary Party
10:30am - 1:00pm
•
Naperville, IL
Sunday
Christmas Party
1:00pm - 2:00pm
•
Geneva, IL
Thursday
Concert
3:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Remington, IN
Friday
Funeral/Memorial Service
10:30am - 11:30am
•
Libertyville, IL
Saturday
Personal Occasion
5:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Elgin, IL
Saturday
Corporate Event
5:30pm - 8:00pm
•
Lake Zurich, IL
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
2:30pm - 3:30pm
•
Bloomington, IL
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
3:00pm - 5:00pm
•
Galena, IL
Sunday
Wedding Ceremony
10:30am - 12:00pm
•
Lisle, IL
Saturday
Wedding Reception
4:30pm - 10:30pm
•
Woodstock, IL
Saturday
Wedding Reception
12:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Naperville, IL
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
11:30am - 12:30pm
•
Oregon, IL
RENAISSANCE:
My Lady Hundson's Puffe (John Dowland)
Fantasia X(Alonso Mudarra)
SEASONAL:
Silent Night, Holy Night(Franz X. Gruber)
O Christmas Tree (Traditional German)
What Child is This? (Greensleeves) (Traditional English)
Joy to the World (George F. Handel)
Angels We Have Heard On High (Traditional Latin)
Jingle Bell Rock (Joseph Carleton Beal & James Ross Boothe)
O Come, All Ye Faithful (Traditional Latin)
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (Felix Mendelssohn)
Jingle Bells (James Pierpont)
Deck the Halls (Traditional Welsh)
The Twelve Days of Christmas (Traditional English)
We Wish You a Merry Christmas (Traditional English)
SACRED/WEDDING MUSIC:
Ave Maria (Franz Schubert)
Canon in D (Johann Pachelbel)
Bridal Chorus (Richard Wagner)
Wedding March (Felix Mendelssohn)
Prelude from Cello Suite No. 1 (Johann Sebastian Bach)
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (J.S. Bach)
Prelude No. 1 from The Well-Tempered Clavier (J.S. Bach)
Air on the G String (J.S. Bach)
Sheep May Safely Graze (J.S. Bach)
Sleepers, Awake (J.S. Bach)
Bist Du bei Mir (J.S. Bach)
BAROQUE:
Suite BWV 995 (J.S. Bach)
I. Prelude & Presto
II. Allemande
III. Courante
IV. Sarabande
V. Gavottes I & II
VI. Gigue
Bourree in e minor from Suite BWV 996 (J.S. Bach)
Prelude in E Major from Suite BWV 1006a (J.S. Bach)
Prelude from Suite BWV 998 (J.S. Bach)
SPANISH-ROMANTIC/LATIN/CLASSICAL:
Romanza(Traditional)
Recuerdos de la Alhambra (Francisco Tarrega)
Estudio Brillante (Tarrega)
Capricho Arabe (Tarrega)
Adelita (Tarrega)
Lagrima (Tarrega)
Asturias (Isaac Albeniz)
Tango(Albeniz)
Sevilla (Albeniz)
Romance de los Pinos (Federico Moreno Torroba)
Un Sueo en la Floresta (Agustin Barrios)
Danza Paraguaya(Barrios)
Canco del Lladre (Miguel Llobet)
El Colibri (Julio Sagreras)
Canarios (Gaspar Sanz)
El Humahuaqueo (Edmundo Zaldivar)
Estudio 5 (Fernando Sor)
Etudes #1, #2, #3 (Heitor Villa-Lobos)
Etude #3, #25 (Matteo Carcassi)
Cavatina (Stanley Myers)
FLAMENCO:
Guajiras de Lucia (Paco de Lucia)
Punta y Tacon (Sabicas)
Sevillanas (Traditional)
Farruca (Traditional)
Fandangos de Huelva (Traditional)
Alegrias (Traditional)
CONTEMPORARY (Solo guitar arrangements):
Eight Days a Week(The Beatles)
Here Comes the Sun(Beatles)
While My Guitar Gently Weeps(Beatles)
Here, There and Everywhere(Beatles)
I've Just Seen A Face(Beatles)
She Loves You (Beatles)
With A Little Help From My Friends(Beatles)
Blackbird (Beatles)
All You Need Is Love (Beatles)
Yesterday(Beatles)
Something(Beatles)
In My Life (Beatles)
Let It Be (Beatles)
Hey Jude (Beatles)
Eleanor Rigby (Beatles)
I Saw Her Standing There (Beatles)
Across the Universe(Beatles)
Drive My Car (Beatles)
You've Got To Hide Your Love Away(Beatles)
If I Fell (Beatles)
Imagine (John Lennon)
My Valentine (Paul McCartney)
Your Song(Elton John)
Tiny Dancer (Elton John)
Can You Feel the Love Tonight (Elton John)
Hotel California (Eagles)
Love Will Keep Us Alive (Eagles)
Don't Stop Believin' (Journey)
Wildflowers (Tom Petty)
Truly, Madly, Deeply (Savage Garden)
Sweet Child O' Mine (Guns 'n' Roses)
Bless the Broken Road(Rascal Flatts)
Whatever It Is(Zac Brown Band)
Brown Eyed Girl(Van Morrison)
If I Ain't Got You(Alicia Keys)
At Last (Etta James)
Make You Feel My Love(Bob Dylan, in the style of Adele's version)
I Can't Help Falling In Love (Elvis)
It's Now or Never (Elvis)
Hawaiian Wedding Song (Elvis)
Stand By Me (Ben E. King)
More Than Words (Extreme)
Change The World (Eric Clapton)
Wonderful Tonight(Eric Clapton)
Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Green Day)
Something In The Way She Moves(James Taylor)
Happy Together(Turtles)
Passionate Kisses (Lucinda Williams)
The Wind (Cat Stevens)
Tonight You Belong To Me (Patience & Prudence, from the film "The Jerk")
Making Memories of Us(Keith Urban)
Feels Like Home(Chantal Kreviazuk)
Nothing Else Matters (Metallica)
End of the Road (Umphrey's McGee)
You Were Meant For Me (Jewel)
Margaritaville (Jimmy Buffet)
I'm Yours(Jason Mraz)
Comfortably Numb(Pink Floyd)
Better Together (Jack Johnson)
Angel (Jack Johnson)
Wild Horses (Rolling Stones)
Harvest Moon(Neil Young)
September (Earth, Wind and Fire)
Somewhere Over the Rainbow(Israel Kamakawiwoʻole version)
The Book of Love (Peter Gabriel)
Falling Slowly (Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová, from the film "Once")
Everything (Michael Bubl)
You're My Best Friend (Queen)
As Time Goes By (Herman Hupfeld, from the film "Casablanca")
How Deep is Your Love?(Bee Gees)
(I've Had) The Time of My Life (Franke Previte, John DeNicola, and Donald Markowitz, from the film "Dirty Dancing")
Just Breathe (Pearl Jam)
Better Man (Pearl Jam)
I Only Want To Be With You(Dusty Springfield)
Home(Phillip Phillips)
Landslide(Fleetwood Mac)
Iris (Goo Goo Dolls)
Wonderwall (Oasis)
Always (Atlantic Starr)
You and Me (Dave Matthews Band)
This Year's Love (David Gray)
What a Wonderful World (Louie Armstrong)
A Thousand Years (Christina Perri)
Under the Bridge (Red Hot Chii Peppers)
Kokomo (Beach Boys)
Marry Me (Train)
I Could Not Ask For More (Edwin McCain)
From This Moment On (Shania Twain)
Rainbow Connection (Paul Williams & Kenneth Ascher, originally from "The Muppet Movie")
The Way You Look Tonight (Jerome Kern & Dorothy Fields)
You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' (Phil Spector, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil)
Billie Jean (Michael Jackson)
My Hero (Foo Fighters)
Glycerine (Bush)
3-prong electrical outlet
Reasonable weather conditions for outdoor gigs
Classical Guitarist
