Khalifa Snyder

Emeryville, CA

Generally $200 and up (per musician)

Travels up to 200 miles

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Sunday serving

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Khalifa's Performaces na APEC in San Francisco

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Brazilian songs on the piano

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Tico-tico no Fubá By Khalifa Snyder

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Jazz Demo

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Overview

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.


Reviews

9 reviews

Small thumbnail image for reviewer Lynne B.

Lynne B.

February 14, 2026
Verified review

Wonderful Additin to our Italian Night

Khalifa 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

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Khalifa Snyder

Thank you so much for the kind words, Lynne! It was great to play for your event!


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Michael M.

Michael M.

March 27, 2025
Verified review

Great Addition!!

We 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

Small thumbnail image for  Khalifa Snyder

Khalifa Snyder

Thank you so much, Michael! It was a pleasure to perform for your community!


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Bz P.

Bz P.

March 10, 2025
Verified review

Khalifa is super fun!

We 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

Small thumbnail image for  Khalifa Snyder

Khalifa Snyder

Hi BZ, Thanks so much for your review! I really enjoyed playing for you all!


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Priscilla R.

Priscilla R.

September 11, 2024
Verified review

Fantastic!

Khalifa & 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

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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!


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Sarah G.

Sarah G.

August 2, 2024
Verified review

Perfect Italian-style Accordian player for our celebration!

Khalifa 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

Small thumbnail image for  Khalifa Snyder

Khalifa Snyder

Thank you so much, Sarah! Playing at your event was so special. Thanks so much for hiring us!
~Khalifa and Amanda

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Booking information

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

What to expect

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.

About

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.

Additional booking notes

Basic sound equipment can be provided for an additional fee.

Past booked events

February 2026

12

Thursday

Dinner Party

6:30pm - 8:00pm

Folsom, CA

August 2025

29

Friday

Khalifa do Accordion

2:30pm - 4:00pm

June 2025

08

Sunday

Personal Occasion

4:00pm - 6:30pm

Belvedere Tiburon, CA

March 2025

20

Thursday

Campus Event

5:00pm - 6:30pm

Oakland, CA

February 2025

24

Monday

Nonprofit Event

10:00am - 10:15am

San Francisco, CA

December 2024

31

Tuesday

Cocktail Party

7:00pm - 8:00pm

Walnut Creek, CA

September 2024

10

Tuesday

Corporate Event

4:00pm - 6:00pm

San Francisco, CA

04

Wednesday

Corporate Event

4:00pm - 8:00pm

Fremont, CA

August 2024

01

Thursday

Bridal Shower

7:30pm - 7:45pm

San Ramon, CA

October 2023

21

Saturday

Birthday Party

4:00pm - 6:00pm

San Francisco, CA

September 2023

04

Monday

Dinner Party

3:30pm - 5:30pm

Oakley, CA

August 2023

12

Saturday

Baby Shower

2:00pm - 4:00pm

Redwood City, CA

Set list

*Brazilian forró, sertanejo, samba, MPB, and more
*Arrangements of popular music

Influences and inspiration

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.

Setup requirements

Speaker and microphone (optional)

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