Fred Yacono is one of the premier wedding and event pianists in Minneapolis, St. Paul and outstate. He brings the very best in beautiful piano music to any event!
Fred will delight your guests with his dynamic repertoire of over 1,000 songs which is a virtual hit parade that covers all decades of great songs from the best bands, orchestras and vocalists of our time.
Your wedding is one of the most memorable, romantic events of your lifetime! Fred will create a magical musical memory for your wedding day.
Fred is prepared to go that extra mile to make you and your guests talk about his services fondly for years to come. He will crown it with the very best in beautiful solo piano music!
21 reviews
Benjamin P.
December 8, 2025Fred was amazing! He arrived early to check out the space and familiarize himself with the setting - he was very flexible and open to requests. His arrangements were beautiful, I had many guests compliment both him and the event planner on his playing!
One big thing I really appreciated was, whenever we asked that the music stop for speeches, Fred would perform a small 1-2 measure closer to what he was playing to help notify people that speeches were about to start. I've worked with too many pianists who just flat out stop, which is still great, but I really appreciated Fred going the extra mile to help convey information via music.
If you need background music, or even something more performative, Fred is your guy!
Hired as: Pianist
Pianist for Events, Fred Yacono
Thank you Benjamine for your splendid review. It was a privilege and a pleasure to play for your beautiful Christmas and Holiday event.
Fred Yacono,
Pianist for Events.
Kari M.
December 3, 2023Fred played all the holiday songs we enjoy! Friends really enjoyed his playing and live entertainment!
Hired as: Pianist
Pianist for Events, Fred Yacono
Thank you, Kari, for your kind words. I, as always, enjoyed playing for you, your family and guests. Thank you also for your warm hospitality. You and Scott made me feel very welcomed. The entire atmosphere was festive, warm, and welcoming. I especially enjoyed the sing along that we did. Again, thank you folks so very much and a very Merry Christmas!!
Fred
Amy B.
September 24, 2023My family and I gathered to celebrate my Mom’s 90th Birthday and Fred played through our social hour, which set the tone for a beautiful evening. Fred was responsive from start to finish and extremely easy to work with. We loved it. Thanks for a great experience!!
Hired as: Pianist
Pianist for Events, Fred Yacono
Thank you Amy.
It was an honor to play for your Mom's birthday dinner social hour. I spoke with her and was very impressed. She is certainly a very fine lady. Again, thank you so much.
Maggie K.
September 18, 2023He was most professional and kind. He played at our Father's funeral, on the piano and did an amazing job. Our family and quests had kind comments also. I would defiantly ask for him again, anytime! I'd like to say, Thank you very much !
Maggie & Dan Kersey
Fridley, MN
Hired as: Pianist
Pianist for Events, Fred Yacono
Maggie and Dan, thank you for your kind words. Funerals are never happy occasions, but it was a pleasure for me to provide music for your Dad's memorial service. Clearly, he was a much beloved man. Thank you for selecting me to honor him with my music.
Fred
Carolyn Z.
January 23, 2023Fred was wonderful - played the music my 90-year-old Dad requested for his birthday. Quickly pivoted to speeches/Happy Birthday songs when we needed, etc. He even took the time to scout out the location so that he could find it easily the day of the event. Greatly appreciated his preparation and talents!
Hired as: Pianist
Pianist for Events, Fred Yacono
Carolyn, thank you for your very nice review. It was such a pleasure to play for your Dad's 90th birthday celebration. You and your siblings certainly did terrific job in honoring him. Every aspect of Butch's birthday was classy! I was very happy to be a part of this joyous occasion. Fred Yacono
Price range: $300 and up
Languages: English
Gig length: 60 - 300 minutes
Insurance: Yes
You and your guests will truly enjoy Fred's masterful arrangements and improvisational talents. Originally from New York, Fred's classy and elegant piano styling has brought rave reviews from all around the country.
Fred can work with you to design, in detail, a playlist that perfectly complements the theme of your event and pleases you and your guests. Fred is always happy to accommodate any special requests you may have.
Fred will delight you and your guests in all of the phases of your wedding celebration–your rehearsal dinner, the ceremony, and also the cocktail hour and reception. Fred meets with each couple and provides a complimentary planning session where together he helps them select the music that they love. If he is not familiar with a particular song request, Fred is happy to research the request, get the music, learn it and commit it to memory. He also consults with the couple, their officiant and wedding planner throughout the planning phase to make sure that every detail of their music is seamless and perfect! Fred has several wedding packages which are designed to save money for his clients. He has a very special discount for all members of the United States Armed Forces and veterans.
Live piano music is a huge hit at corporate events and Fred has many happy corporate clients who call him back for repeated performances! His music is a great ice breaker and creates an atmosphere which puts your guests in a fun, relaxed, and festive mood, adding a special flair to your celebration and leaving a lasting impression on everyone! Guests will always remember the music and how much fun they had!
The secret to successful party entertainment is versatility and Fred knows that. He is well-equipped with hundreds of songs from every decade that your guests will love to listen to and even sing along with. Fred has memorized all of the music he plays which allows him the freedom of expression to perform each piece of music with great sensitivity and creativity, very often composing and improvising as he plays and interacts with the guests.
One of life’s most difficult times is the loss of a loved one. Music is powerful and important to many people at this time, and it can help make the memorial service or funeral particularly meaningful and personal. Fred is very sensitive to the families and their friends as he helps to comfort the bereaved with his music which honors their loved one in an environment of peace and compassion.
Fred was classically trained in New York City and is a graduate of New York University where he majored in piano performance and music education. He has played piano since the age of five. At the graduate level, he pursued studies in music composition and theory with such renowned composers as, Karl Korte, Arnold Franchetti, Joseph Wilcox Jenkins, and a workshop with Aaron Copland. As a student, he taught at the Julliard School of Music, Preparatory Division. He furthered his graduate studies at The Hartt College of Music of the University of Hartford, Duquesne University, and the University of North Carolina, among others.
As Director of Bands for Currituck County, North Carolina Public Schools, Fred was coordinator between secondary school students and the U.S. Combined Armed Forces School of Music at the Amphibious Naval Base in Norfolk, Virginia. While living in the southern United States, Fred founded and established Coastal Music Connections, a music education consultancy, which designed and implemented music curricula for private, primary and secondary schools. He employed a staff of 42 music instructors. Concurrent with teaching in public education, he also taught privately all throughout his career.
In addition to his solo piano performances as an event and wedding pianist, Fred can also provide additional performers and instruments upon request, such as male and/or female vocalists, violin, harp, guitar, cello, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone and drums.
If a piano is not available, Fred will supply your event with one of his state of the art digital pianos and sound equipment. He also has a silent portable generator if an electricity source is an issue.
The unique artistry and outstanding customer service of Fred Yacono makes a truly unforgettable and lasting impression for you and your guests...your one-stop shop for most any kind of live music event!
Early in the planning stages, Fred will check with the venue to ensure that there is a piano and that it is well-tuned. You can expect Fred to always arrive 30-60 minutes early. If there is no piano, Fred will supply one of his digital pianos and sound system. In that case, he would need a minimum of an hour to set up. If the venue permits, he will often set up earlier in the day to make sure that there are no late surprises.
Friday
Christmas Party
5:30pm - 8:30pm
•
Eden Prairie, MN
Sunday
Funeral/Memorial Service
12:00pm - 2:00pm
•
Minneapolis, MN
Friday
Christmas Party
6:30pm - 8:30pm
•
Minneapolis, MN
Saturday
Birthday Party
6:00pm - 7:00pm
•
St Paul, MN
Friday
Funeral/Memorial Service
10:00am - 11:00am
•
Minneapolis, MN
Wednesday
House Party
6:30pm - 8:00pm
•
Edina, MN
Saturday
Birthday Party
6:00pm - 8:00pm
•
St Paul, MN
Tuesday
Corporate Event
4:00pm - 6:00pm
•
Minneapolis, MN
Friday
Christmas Party
6:00pm - 8:00pm
•
St Paul, MN
Tuesday
Christmas Party
11:30am - 1:30pm
•
Minneapolis, MN
Friday
Christmas Party
6:30pm - 8:00pm
•
Minneapolis, MN
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
3:30pm - 6:00pm
•
Shakopee, MN
Friday
Corporate Event
6:30pm - 8:30pm
•
Minneapolis, MN
Saturday
Nonprofit Event
4:00pm - 6:30pm
•
Woodbury, MN
Friday
Christmas Party
5:00pm - 7:00pm
•
St Paul, MN
Saturday
Christmas Party
6:30pm - 9:00pm
•
Minnetrista, MN
Saturday
Nonprofit Event
6:00pm - 8:00pm
•
Columbia Heights, MN
Sunday
Wedding Reception
4:00pm - 5:00pm
•
Stillwater, MN
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
4:30pm - 6:30pm
•
Minneapolis, MN
Wednesday
Retirement Community Event
3:00pm - 3:45pm
•
Savage, MN
Saturday
Funeral/Memorial Service
4:00pm - 5:00pm
•
St Paul, MN
Friday
Funeral/Memorial Service
11:00am - 1:00pm
•
Minneapolis, MN
Tuesday
Wedding Ceremony
5:30pm - 7:00pm
•
Minneapolis, MN
Sunday
Christmas Party
8:00am - 10:30am
•
Wyoming, MN
Sunday
Worship Service
8:30am - 11:30am
•
Arden Hills, MN
Tuesday
Christmas Party
6:00pm - 9:00pm
•
Eden Prairie, MN
Saturday
Birthday (Adult)
1:00pm - 2:00pm
•
Coon Rapids, MN
This is just a sampling of some of the more popular tunes and requests that Fred can provide. If he is not familiar with any of your desired selections, Fred can easily and quickly learn them. He is always looking for new music to add to his already huge repertoire.
A Fine Romance
A Foggy Day in London Town
A Taste of Honey
A Whole New World
Ain't Misbehavin
Air on a G String
All I Ask of You
All of Me
All the Things You Are
All the Way
All You Need is Love
Almost Like Being In Love
Always
Amazing Grace
An Affair to Remember
Angel Eyes
Anniversary Waltz
Answer Me My Love
April in Paris
Around the World in 80 Days
Arthur's Theme
As Long As He Needs Me
As Time Goes By
At Last
Autumn in New York
Autumn Leaves
Ave Maria (Bach)
Ave Maria (Schubert)
Baby Come to Me
Baubles Bangles and Beads
Beauty & the Beast
Because of You
Begin the Beguine
Besame Mucho
Bewitched Bothered and Bewildered
Beyond the Sea
Blue Bayou
Blue Moon
Blue Skies
Blueberry Hill
Blues in the Night
Body and Soul
Book of Love
Born Free
Both Sides Now
Bridal Chorus
Bridal March from Lohengrin
Bridge Over Troubled Water
But Not for Me
Bye Bye Blackbird
Bye Bye Love
California Here I Come
Call Me Irresponsible
Canadian Sunset
Candle in the Water
Can't Get Used to Losing You
Can't Help Loving That Man of Mine
Can't Take My Eyes Off of You
Catch a Falling Star
C'est Si Bon
Chances Are
Chapel of Love
Charade
Chariots of Fire
Chattanooga Choo Choo
Cheek to Cheek
Cinema Paradiso
Claire de Lune
Climb Every Mountain
Close to You
Come Fly With Me
Come Rain or Come Shine
Come Saturday Morning
Copacabana
Count Your Blessings
Crazy
Dancing in the Dark
Dancing Queen
Danny Boy
Days of Wine and Roses
Deborah's Theme (I Knew I loved You)
Deep Purple
Desafinado
Do That To Me One More Time
Don’t Stop Believin’
Don't Blame Me
Don't Cry for Me Argentina
Don't Get Around Much Anymore
Don't Know Why I Love You
Downtown
Dream A Little Dream of Me
E Flat Major Sonata
Ebb Tide
Eclipse
Edelweiss
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
Embraceable You
Endless Love
Evergreen
Every Day
Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime
Fanfare for the Common Man
Fascinatin' Rhythm
Fascination
Feather Theme
Feelings
Fly Me to the Moon
From This Moment On
Fur Elise
Gentle on My Mind
Gigi
Glory of Love
Gone With the Wind (Tara's Theme)
Gonna Fly Now
Good Morning Starshine
Goody Goody
Granada
Green Leaves of Summer
Greensleeves
Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry
Hawaii Five-O
Heart and Soul
Hello Young Lovers
Here Comes the Sun
Hero
Hey Jude
Hold Me in Your Arms
Home to Stay
House of the Rising Sun
How Deep is the Ocean
How Deep is Your Love
How Do You Mend a Broken Heart
How High the Moon
Hymne
I Can Only Imagine
I Can See Clearly Now
I Can’t Give You Anything But Love
I Can't Stop Loving You
I Don't Know Why I Love You Like I Do
I Feel Pretty
I Get A Kick Out of You
I Have Dreamed
I Hear Music
I Just Called to Say I Love You
I Left My Heart in San Francisco
I Love Paris in the Springtime
I Only Have Eyes For You
I Say a Little Prayer for You
I Want to Hold Your Hand
I Wish You Love
I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter
I’m in the Mood for Love
I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing
If I Loved You
If
I'll Be Seeing You
I'll Never Fall in Love Again
I'll Remember April
I'm in the Mood for Love
In the Mood
In the Still of the Night
In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning
Infinite Joy
Innamorata
Intermezzo
Isn't it Romantic
It Had to Be You
It Might as Well be Spring
It Was a Very Good Year
It’s All Right With Me
It's Only a Paper Moon
It's Still Rock and Roll to Me
I've Got a Crush on You
I've Got Rhythm
I've Got the World on a String
I've Got You Under My Skin
I've Grow Accustomed to His Face
Jealousy
Jean
Jeepers Creepers
Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring
Joy to the World
Joyful Joyful We Adore You
Just in Time
Just One of Those Things
Just the Way You Are
Killing Me Softly
King of the Road
La Vie En Rose
Lady Be Good
Lady
Lara's Theme
Laura
Lazy River
Leaving on a Jet Plane
Legend of 1900 Theme
Let it Be
Let's Fall in Love
Let's Forget About Tomorrow
Linus and Lucy
Lola
Long Ago and Far Away
Longer
Looks Like We Made It
Love Affair
Love Boat Theme
Love is a Many Splendored Thing
Love Me Tender
Love on the Rocks
Love Story
Lover
Lucille
Luck Be a Lady
Lullaby of Birdland
Lullaby of Broadway
Mack the Knife
Makin' Whoopee
Mambo Italiano
Man From La Mancha
Maria
Meditation
Memory
Michelle
Misty
Mona Lisa
Moon River
Moonglow
Moonlight in Vermont
Moonlight Serenade
Moonlight Sonata
More Than You Know
More
Morning Has Broken
Mrs. Robinson
Music to Watch Girls By
My Blue Heaven
My Cherie Amour
My Favorite Things
My Funny Valentine
My One and Only Love
My Romance
My Sweet Love
My Way
Never My Love
New York New York
Night and Day
Night Train
No Other Love Have I
Nocturne
Non Dimenticar
O Mio Babbino Caro
O Solo Mio
Ode to Joy
Oh What a Beautiful Morning
Oklahoma
Ol' Man River
Old Cape Cod
On a Clear Day
On the Street Where You Live
On the Sunny Side of the Street
Once in Awhile
One Hand One Heart
Our Love is Here to Stay
Over There
P.S. I Love You
Pachelbel's Canon in D
Pennies From Heaven
People Will Say We're in Love
Phantom of the Opera
Piano Man
Poinciana
Portrait of My Love
Put a Little Love in Your Heart
Rainbow Connection
Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head
Return to Me
Return to Sender
Reunited
Reverie
Rhapsody in Blue
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Sabbath Prayer
Salut D' Amour
Satin Doll
Secret Love
Send in the Clowns
Sentimental Journey
September Song
Serenade in Blue
Serenade in F Major
Shabbat Prayer
She's Always a Woman to Me
She's Out of My Life
Singing in the Rain
Sixteen Going on Seventeen
Smile
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
Softly As I Leave You
Some Enchanted Evening
Somebody Loves Me
Someone to Watch Over Me
Something
Something's Gotta Give
Somewhere in Time
Somewhere My Love
Somewhere Out There
Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Somewhere
Song of Sorrento
Sophisticated Lady
Sound of Music
Spanish Eyes
Spanish Harlem
St. Louis Blues
Star Wars Theme
Stardust
Stella by Starlight
Stormy Weather
Stranger in Paradise
Strangers in the Night
Strike Up the Band
Summer Me Winter Me
Summer Wind
Summertime
Sunny
Sunrise Serenade
Sunrise Sunset
Sway
Sweet Caroline
Take Me Home Country Roads
Take the 'A' Train
Taking a Chance on Love
Tangerine
Teach Me Tonight
Tenderly
Tennessee Waltz
Thanks for the Memories
That Old Feeling
That's Amore
That's the Glory of Love
The Continental
The Entertainer
The Fool on the Hill
The Four Seasons Largo from Winter
The Girl from Ipanema
The Glory of Love
The Godfather Theme
The Impossible Dream
The Lady is a Tramp
The Last Time I Saw Paris
The Lion Sleeps Tonight
The Longest Time
The Look of Love
The Lord's Prayer
The Man I Love
The Most Beautiful Girl in the World
The Music of the Night
The Odd Couple TV Theme
The Pink Panther
The Place Where We Belong
The Point of No Return
The Prayer
The Rose
The Second Time Around
The Shadow of Your Smile
The Sound of Music
The Very Thought of You
The Way We Were
The Way You Look Tonight
The Wedding Song
Theme from "The Apartment"
Theme from Cheers
Theme from Love Story
Theme from Romeo and Juliet
There's A Kind of Hush
These Foolish Things
They Can't Take That Away From Me
Think of Me
This Guy's in Love With You
This Nearly Was Mine
Three Times a Lady
Through the Years
Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Ole Oak Tree
TijuanaTaxi
Tonight
Top of the World
Traumerie
Trumpet Voluntary
Try a Little Tenderness
Turkish March
Twilight Time
Unchained Melody
Unforgettable
Valse
Vincent (Starry Starry Night)
Vivaldi Four Seasons
Volare
Walk Right In
Water Music
Wedding March
Wedding Processional
We've Only Just Begun
What a Wonderful World
What Kind of Fool Am I
What the World Needs Now
What'll I Do
What's New
When I Fall in Love
When I'm 64
When Sunny Gets Blue
When the Saints Go Marching In
When You Say You Love Me
When You're Smiling
Where is Love
Where or When
Wichita Lineman
Willow Weep for Me
Wind Beneath My Wings
Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again
With a Song in My Heart
Working My Way Back to You
Wouldn't it Be Loverly
Yellow Bird
Yesterday
You and the Night and the Music
You Are My Sunshine
You Are So Beautiful
You Are the Sunshine of My Life
You Do Something to Me
You Don't Bring Me Flowers
You Light Up My Life
You Raise Me Up
You'll Never Know
You'll Never Walk Alone
Young at Heart
Younger Than Springtime
Your Cheating Heart
You're Breaking My Heart
You're Nobody 'Til Somebody Loves You
The Masters, Broadway, George Gershwin, Ennio Morricone, Jerome Kern, Cole Porter, Rogers & Hammerstein, Beegie Adair, The Beatles, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Steven Sandheim, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, The BeeGees, The Silver Screen, Jazz, Pop, Classical and Opera.
If Fred needs to supply a portable piano and keyboard, he would need an electrical outlet and a 6 X 6 area in which to set up. If there is a piano onsite, it must be in tune.
Pianist
