Cherish by Kool and the Gang
I Have Nothing by Whitney Houston
Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now) by Phil Collins
After The Love Has Gone by Earth, Wind and Fire
Careless Whisper by George Michael
Playing at Red Horse Restaurant
Playing event at the Hay Adams in DC
Paul Playing John Lennon's Personal Piano
Paul Playing in Key West at the Little Room Jazz Club
Paul Warthen is a professional pianist who infuses passion, romance, drama, and elegance into popular songs. He truly enjoys bringing each note to life, giving each song a unique and personal touch. Paul has been playing in the MD, DC, and VA area for over 40 years, performing a repertoire that is filled with music that appeals to all ages. He loves to play songs from a variety of genres including pop, R&B, jazz, and rock. On any given night, you might hear him play songs by Kool & The Gang, Whitney Houston, Frank Sinatra and the list goes on. Paul is an expert at reading the room and playing to the mood, captivating his audience with songs they know and love, all with a modern jazzy twist.
2 reviews
Melissa L.
April 10, 2025Great upbeat music you recognize during a corporate group dinner event. Guests even wanted to have a sing along!
Hired as: Pianist
Paul Warthen Pianist
Thank you so much for having me perform at your event, it was truly a pleasure. And, thank you for the kind words and 5-Star Review! I'd be happy to play for any events you host in the future.
Tony R.
October 28, 2024Paul provided the music for our small gathering and he was great! He was engaging, professional, and very talented. He also has a great selection of songs to choose from. We will definitely book him again!
Hired as: Pianist
Paul Warthen Pianist
Hi Tony, Thank you so much for taking time to post a review. It was such a pleasure playing for your family. I'd be happy to come back anytime! All the Best, Paul
Price range: $150 and up
Languages: English
My repertoire is filled with popular music that appeals to people of all ages. I love to play songs from a variety of genres including pop, R&B, jazz, and rock. I strive to bring each song to life, giving it a unique and personal touch. Whether you’re planning a birthday or anniversary celebration, a cocktail or dinner party, or a corporate event, your audience will be sure to recognize and enjoy the songs I play.
As a high school senior, I needed one more class to fill my schedule, and I picked piano. As I started working on a song I was given to practice, I realized the first two notes sounded like something I’d heard on the radio. I was intrigued, so I continued to feel around on the keys until I heard the sound I recognized … it was the beginning of “Open Arms” by Journey. My passion was instantly ignited by this moment, and I began learning as many popular songs as possible.
The substitute teacher who’d taken over the class told me that not only could I read music, but that I could also play by ear. She knew because she shared the same gift. I didn’t know it at the time, but the ability to play by ear allows me to anticipate song melodies and learn pieces faster, and it also created a more intimate relationship between me and my piano.
As I began to improve, I started looking for places to play out. My first gig was at Bull on the Market in downtown Frederick. My #1 fan at the time, my mother, helped me secure this gig. From there, I started getting calls to play brunch at a local hotel, weddings, holiday parties, benefits events, political events, and more.
Over the years, I continued to play out on occasion. But my real estate business took up a lot of my time, and I wasn’t sure gigging was what I really wanted, so the piano stayed a beloved hobby. Music pulled back to the forefront for me when my mom passed away and I played “Memories” from Cats at her memorial. I began to transform, my passion reignited, and I felt like something awakened in my soul and I could hear the music better.
Today, I’m devoted to deepening my relationship with music and my audiences. I love to add passion, romance, and drama to popular music. On any given night, you might hear me play “Cherish” by Kool & The Gang, “I Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston, “Moon River” by Henry Mancini, “Bennie & the Jets” by Elton John, “Phantom of the Opera” … and the list goes on. I play to the mood. I love reading the room, getting a feel of the audience, taking a few requests, and from there, the magic happens.
Wednesday
Corporate Event
6:30pm - 9:30pm
•
Washington, DC
Friday
Birthday Party
7:00pm - 8:30pm
•
Middletown, MD
Adele-
Someone Like You
Aerosmith-
I Don't Want to Miss a Thing
Alicia Keys-
If I Ain't Got You
Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman-
Time to Say Goodbye
Andrew Lloyd Webber-
Music of the Night (Phantom of the Opera)
Andy Williams-
Where Do I Begin (Love Story)
Barbara Streisand-
Memories
Beatles-
Let It Be
Bee Gees-
How Deep is Your Love
Billy Ocean-
Suddenly
Billy Joel-
Just the Way You Are
Piano Man
She's Always a Woman
Bread-
If
Make It With You
Boz Scaggs-
Look What You've Done to Me
Burt Bacharach-
This Guy's in Love with You
What the World Needs Now is Love
Carly Simon-
Nobody Does it Better
Carpenters-
We've Only Just Begun
Celine Dion-
Because You Loved Me
My Heart Will Go On
To Love You More
Chicago-
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?
Hard to Say I'm Sorry
You're the Inspiration
(I've Been) Searching So Long
Chris de Burgh-
Lady in Red
Christopher Cross-
Arthur's Theme
Sailing
Coldplay-
Clocks
Viva la Vida
Commodores-
Still
Three Times a Lady
Dan Hill-
Sometimes When We Touch
Daniel Powter-
Bad Day
Eagles-
Hotel California
Earth, Wind and Fire-
After the Love Has Gone
Elton John-
Bennie and the Jets
Blue Eyes
Can You Feel The Love Tonight
Candle in the Wind
Crocodile Rock
Daniel
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues
I'm Still Standing
Rocket Man
Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
Tiny Dancer
Your Song
Elvis-
Can't Help Falling in Love
David Foster-
Love Theme from St. Elmos Fire
Enrique Iglesias-
Be with You
Eric Clapton-
Tears in Heaven
Wonderful Tonight
Erroll Garner-
Misty
Frank Sinatra-
Fly Me To The Moon
My Way
New York New York
Strangers in the Night
George Michael-
Careless Whisper
Gloria Estefan-
Don't Wanna Lose You
Grover Washington Jr.-
Just the Two of Us
Guns N' Roses-
Sweet Child O' Mine
Henry Mancini-
Moon River
Jamey Johnson-
In Color
Jeffrey Osborne-
On the Wings of Love
Jimmy Buffett-
Margaritaville
Jim Brickman-
Angel Eyes
If You Believe
In a Lover's Eyes
Lake Erie Rainfall
Looking Back
Valentine
Joe Cocker-
You Are So Beautiful
Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes-
Up Where We Belong
John Lennon-
Imagine
Josh Groban-
You Raise Me Up
Journey-
Don't Stop Believin'
Faithfully
Open Arms
Kenny Chesney-
Somewhere With You
You and Tequila
Kenny Rogers-
Lady
Kool and the Gang-
Cherish
LeAnn Rimes-
How Do I Live
Lionel Richie-
Hello
Still
Truly
Lionel Richie & Diana Ross-
Endless Love
Lonestar-
Amazed
Metallica-
Nothing Else Matters
Michael Bolton-
Said I Love You... But I Lied
Minnie Riperton-
Loving You
Neil Diamond-
Sweet Caroline
Neil Sedaka-
Laughter in the Rain
Norah Jones-
Don't Know Why
Patrick Swayze-
She's Like the Wind
Paul de Senneville-
Ballade pour Adeline
Peabo Bryson-
If Ever You're in My Arms Again
Peabo Bryson & Roberta Flack-
Tonight, I Celebrate My Love
Phil Collins-
Against All Odds
Queen-
Bohemian Rhapsody
We Are The Champions
The Police-
Wrapped Around Your Finger
Richard Marx-
Right Here Waiting
Roberta Flack-
First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
Killing Me Softly with His Song
Rod Stewart-
Have I Told You Lately That I Love You
Sade-
Smooth Operator
Shania Twain-
From This Moment On
Snow Patrol-
Chasing Cars
Tears For Fears-
Everybody Wants to Rule the World
Tim McGraw-
Live Like You Were Dying
Toto-
Africa
I'll Be Over You
I Won't Hold You Back
The Turtles-
Happy Together
Vanessa Carlton-
A Thousand Miles
Vangelis-
Chariots of Fire
Whitney Houston-
Greatest Love of All
I Have Nothing
I Will Always Love You
Saving All My Love For You
Pianist