Specializing in Brazilian forró, Khalifa plays many styles of accordion music, piano/keyboard music, and even bass guitar, that are great for any celebration or event.
Khalifa began his performance career at age 11 in his hometown of Areia de Baraunas in Brazil. He soon became a respected musician playing the regional music of northeastern Brazil, and has worked with many great names of Brazilian music.
He is currently the accordionist and producer of the band Veesh Maria, which mixes Brazilian forró with the tunes of California, creating a unique new sound. He also frequently performs at weddings, birthday parties, and other celebrations, playing keyboard, accordion, or bass guitar.
9 reviews
Lynne B.
February 14, 2026Khalifa was a wonderful addition to our Rotary Italian Night. His music brought smiles to the guests faces and it warmed my heart to see so many people tipping him. The music he played during the Pizza Toss contest was absolutely perfect. He drove 3.5 hours from the bay area to be at our event. We can't thank him and recommend him enough. You won't be disappointed!!
Hired as: Accordion Player
Khalifa Snyder
Thank you so much for the kind words, Lynne! It was great to play for your event!
Michael M.
March 27, 2025We had him out for a family wine night at our memory care community and he was a hit! I would hire him again!
Hired as: Accordion Player
Khalifa Snyder
Thank you so much, Michael! It was a pleasure to perform for your community!
Bz P.
March 10, 2025We had Khalifa play for our staff meeting via zoom and we will have him back again. Great musician, great guy. He really shares joy with his music.
Hired as: Accordion Player
Khalifa Snyder
Hi BZ, Thanks so much for your review! I really enjoyed playing for you all!
Priscilla R.
September 11, 2024Khalifa & the other musicians made our event so special! They are all super talented and put on a great show for my corporate event. We have a pretty shy group of employees but Khalifa and the crew had us all dancing. Highly recommend!
Hired as: Brazilian Entertainment
Khalifa Snyder
Thank you so much, Priscilla! We had a blast playing for you all and so happy to hear you enjoyed it just as much as we did!
Sarah G.
August 2, 2024Khalifa was exactly the vibe we were hoping for! We were throwing a last-minute celebration for friends' engagement celebration. The Fiance is from Italy, so we wanted to add an Italian twist. Even though Khalifa plays all different kinds of music, he knew some Italian traditional songs...and also learned their favorite Luther Vandross song for us in just 1 day! Him and Amanda were great from booking all the way through, super communicative, early, professional, and best priced! I would highly recommend!!
Hired as: Accordion Player
Khalifa Snyder
Thank you so much, Sarah! Playing at your event was so special. Thanks so much for hiring us!
~Khalifa and Amanda
Price range: Generally $200 and up (per musician)
Languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish
Gig length: 10 - 180 minutes
Insurance: $1,000,000 - Liability insurance can be provided as needed, per event, and for an extra fee
Khalifa offers a wide repertoire of music, specializing in Brazilian music on the accordion, keyboard, piano, or bass guitar. He has experience at playing American, classical, and other types of music, and learns new styles easily.
He is also able to accompany other musicians or singers, and to contract other musicians as needed.
Sets can be just a single song or two, or longer performances to fill an entire evening.
Khalifa was born in the northeastern Brazilian state of Paraíba, where he started learning accordion at a young age. His first performance was at just 11 years old. He soon became an in-demand musician and has worked with many great names of Brazilian music. Since early 2022, he has performed across the Bay Area, throughout California, as well as Florida, New York, and elsewhere as a premiere Brazilian accordionist.
A skilled and talented musician, Khalifa offers performances playing accordion, piano, keyboard, and bass guitar.
Performances can be solo, or as part of a band / other musicians. He works with a network of skilled musicians including percussionists, guitarists, singers, and more.
Khalifa played keyboard at the opening reception of the APEC CEO Summit in San Francisco in November 2023 at the Asian Art Museum. Through Gig Salad inquiries, he has also played keyboard/piano throughout the Bay Area at birthday parties, wedding receptions, a Labor Day party, and even a baby shower. At these events, he plays jazz, MPB (Brazilian Pop Music), American pop songs, and more. He even takes song requests in advance of the event when you need that special song played.
He is currently the accordionist and producer of the San Francisco band Veesh Maria, which mixes Brazilian forró music with the tunes of California, creating a unique new sound. In addition, he is the musical director of the Brazilian community mass at St. John the Baptist Church in El Cerrito, CA, as well as the organist at Oakland Bible Church in Oakland, CA. He also performs frequently under his own musical project, Khalifa do Accordion, where he plays Brazilian tunes with a rotating cast of talented musicians.
Basic sound equipment can be provided for an additional fee.
Thursday
Dinner Party
6:30pm - 8:00pm
•
Folsom, CA
Friday
Khalifa do Accordion
2:30pm - 4:00pm
Sunday
Personal Occasion
4:00pm - 6:30pm
•
Belvedere Tiburon, CA
Thursday
Campus Event
5:00pm - 6:30pm
•
Oakland, CA
Monday
Nonprofit Event
10:00am - 10:15am
•
San Francisco, CA
Tuesday
Cocktail Party
7:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Walnut Creek, CA
Tuesday
Corporate Event
4:00pm - 6:00pm
•
San Francisco, CA
Wednesday
Corporate Event
4:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Fremont, CA
Thursday
Bridal Shower
7:30pm - 7:45pm
•
San Ramon, CA
Saturday
Birthday Party
4:00pm - 6:00pm
•
San Francisco, CA
Monday
Dinner Party
3:30pm - 5:30pm
•
Oakley, CA
Saturday
Baby Shower
2:00pm - 4:00pm
•
Redwood City, CA
*Brazilian forró, sertanejo, samba, MPB, and more
*Arrangements of popular music
Much of his learning comes from Mestre Dominguinhos, one of the best accordionists on the planet, a reference as a musician and composer in Brazil. Another strong name that served as an inspiration is the eternal Luiz Gonzaga, called the King of Baiao by many.
Speaker and microphone (optional)
Accordion Player
