John Gilliat Duo
John Gilliat Solo Live Zoom Performance
Music by Carumba - John Gilliat guitar and Rossi Tzonkov Caribbean steel drum and guitar
John Gilliat Solo Guitar
John Gilliat Carumba Trio with Steel Drum
John Gilliat Fiery Instrumental Rumba Flamenco, Latin, Jazz, Classic Rock
John Gilliat Fiery Instrumental Rumba Flamenco, Latin, Jazz, Classic Rock
John Gilliat Live Solo Performance
CARUMBA - John Gilliat & Rossi Tzonkov
John Gilliat and Rossi Tzonkov Guitar Duo
Spanish Guitar - Award winning instrumental guitarist available to play a beautiful blend of rumba flamenco, pop, and Latin jazz. From Spanish to contemporary. Perfect for your next corporate reception, wedding or private party. "Thanks John, for an absolutely wonderful performance! People are still raving about it, and that makes us look good!" (Harrison Festival Society)
Also Available - Caribbean Steel Drum and Spanish Guitar, with John & Rossi Tzonkov. The ultimate choice when it comes to having something different in terms of entertainment yet subtle and classy. From weddings to corporate events this wonderful duo will provide you with top quality service to suite your specific needs.
17 reviews
Tracie K.
October 26, 2025I had the pleasure of listening to John Gilliat's music (in a guitar duo with Rossi) via a live-streamed fundraiser for the TinyKittens Society in Ft. Langley, B.C. His music was perfect for the event and was fun to listen to while we watched the festivities online. There were more than 1500 viewers of the event world-wide, and we were unanimous in our love of John's music. Everyone wanted to know where they could buy the CD! If you want to add world-class entertainment to your event, you'll be happy you chose John!
Hired as: Guitarist
Sam C.
August 22, 2024We recently had the pleasure of having John perform at our wedding, and we couldn't be happier with our choice. From the moment we booked him, John was incredibly professional and accommodating. Despite some unexpected rain, he played outside during our ceremony and inside for the cocktail reception afterwards adding a special touch to our big day.
John is extremely talented, the music was perfect, and many of our guests commented on how much they loved it and wished it could go on all night!
We highly recommend him to anyone thinking about having live music at their event!
Hired as: Guitarist
Spanish Guitar
Hi Sam, Congratulations and thank you so much for the wonderful review!
Tyler C.
August 4, 2024I worked with John at a wedding at Sea to Sky Gondola and wow! This mans skills are next level. I have been in the music industry for 20+ years and can honestly say John is one of the most talented guitarists I have worked with. He somehow makes these very complex songs look easy to play!
Hired as: Guitarist
Gabriel C.
September 4, 2022John's performance at our wedding was incredible. Many of the guests were talking about how good he was. Thank you John!
Hired as: Classical Guitarist
Spanish Guitar
Hi Gabriel, I had a wonderful time playing for everyone at your wedding! Thank you for your review.
Kelsey G.
August 19, 2022John was a delight to work with. Exceeded expectations, his music made our event very special- he is extremely talented. The ambiance was wonderful, highly recommend.
Hired as: Guitarist
Spanish Guitar
Hi Kelsey, Thank you very much for your review. It was such a pleasure working with you and playing for all your guests! All the best, John
Price range: Contact for rates
Languages: English
Gig length: 60 - 300 minutes
Unions: AFM
John is an experienced professional who is easy to work with. He shows up early with all the necessary equipment and creates the perfect musical experience for each individual event paying special attention to the client and audience. John uses QSC sound for the very best in live audio and will tailor the performance for a beautiful ambient backdrop to a networking event or kick it up for an exciting festival engagement.
If pre-arranged John can provide the following extras...
- microphones for speeches
- additional sound systems for multiple performance locations
- play as a duo, trio or quartet
- lighting for the performance
- special song selections
John has dedicated himself to a fiery, world beat fusion of Rumba Flamenco and Latin Jazz. This Westcoast Music Award Nominee has toured throughout North America and Japan. Performance highlights include representing Canada at Japan's 2005 Expo, performing at Canada's 2010 Winter Olympics and performing for Canada's former Prime Minister Jean Chretien. John's recordings have been used for radio, documentaries, TV and film in North America, Japan, Ireland and the UK.
In 1995, John won "Best Acoustic Guitar Performance" in the Music West Star Frets Competition. He won Vancouver's Unplugged Competition in 1996, in 1997 he became a finalist in Vancouver's Global Star Quest and in 2009 competed at the Montreal Jazz Festival winning the Grand Prize at the BOSS Loop Station 2009 Championship National Finals.
As an electric and acoustic 'guitarist for hire', John performed with the Vancouver Playhouse, Hinder, Jimmy (link hidden)ne, Ben Woods, Tomas Michaud, Itamar Erez, Radio Europe, Alyssa Nielsen, Gypsalero and opened for such notable artists as Cirque du Soleil, Mae Moore, and acoustic guitar masters Strunz and Farah.
In May of 1999 John released his first independent instrumental CD titled "Freedom". A showcase for his considerable guitar talents, Freedom embraced world beat musical elements of Rumba Flamenco, Pop and Latin Jazz.
CD’s to follow were Peace (2001), Christmas (2003), a wonderful collection of holiday classics played on flamenco guitars, accompanied by bass and percussion, Beyond Boundaries for North America and Japan (2004), Winter Strings (2009), and How to play Fiery Rumba Flamenco Guitar (DVD – 2005).
"When John Gilliat holds his acoustic guitar he holds technique and emotion in melodic balance and holds his audience in the palm of his hand." Cal Koat - (link hidden)
Performance location to be within 25 feet from a standard power outlet.
Wednesday
Retirement Community Event
1:30pm - 2:30pm
•
Vancouver, BC
Monday
Wedding Ceremony
3:30pm - 5:30pm
•
Squamish, BC
Wednesday
Retirement Community Event
2:00pm - 3:00pm
•
Vancouver, BC
Friday
House Party
6:00pm - 7:30pm
•
North Vancouver, BC
Thursday
Corporate Event
6:30pm - 10:00pm
•
North Vancouver, BC
Wednesday
Wedding Ceremony
3:30pm - 6:00pm
•
Whistler, BC
Saturday
Anniversary Party
6:30pm - 7:30pm
•
Vancouver, BC
Saturday
Birthday Party
8:00pm - 8:45pm
•
Vancouver, BC
Saturday
Wedding Ceremony
5:00pm - 6:30pm
•
Langley, BC
Saturday
Birthday Party
8:00pm - 10:00pm
•
Port Moody, BC
Saturday
Corporate Event
10:00am - 12:30pm
•
Langley, BC
Here is just an example of some of the many selections John has performed at live events.
Pop Tunes:
Hotel California – Eagles
Wish You were Here – Pink Floyed
Space Oddity - David Bowie
Fields of Gold – Sting
Every Little Thing She Does is Magic - The Police
Roxanne - The Police
Samba Pa Ti - Carlos Santana
Oye Como Va - Carlos Santana
Moon Flower - Carlos Santana
No Woman, No Cry - Bob Marley
Rumba Flamenco:
Alegria - Gipsy Kings
Djobi Djoba - Gipsy Kings
Faena - Gipsy Kings
Ritmo De La Notche - Gipsy Kings
Michael - Gipsy Kings
Barcelona Nights - Ottmar Liebert
When I’m with You - Ottmar Liebert
Heart Still Beating - Ottmar Liebert
Santa Fe - Ottmar Liebert
Snake Charmer - Ottmar Liebert
Tempest - Jesse Cook
Tres Notas Para Decir - Vicente Amigo
Mediterrainean Sundance - Al DiMeola & Paco De Lucia
Latin & Jazz Classics:
Black Orpheus
Tequila
Besame Mucho
Ceresa Rosa
St. Thomas
Sabor A Mi
Guantanamera
Sway
Miserlou
Caravan
Song for my Father
Jazz & Swing:
Minor Swing - Django Reinhardt
Limehouse Blues - Django Reinhardt
Sweet Georgia Brown
For Sephora - The Rosenberg Trio
Weddings:
Canon in D (Pachelbel’s Canon)
Bridal Chorus
The Wedding March
Can’t Help Falling in Love
Christmas examples:
Walking in a winter wonderland
Angels we have heard on high
Deck the halls
Feliz Navidad
Jingle bells
Little drummer boy
First noel
White Christmas
Blue Christmas
Jingle Bell Rock
Have yourself a merry little Christmas - & many others...
Also original compositions from John's albums, Freedom, Peace, Beyond Boundaries
Christmas and Winter Strings
Rumba Flamenco, Latin, Jazz & Classic Rock all contribute to John's Fiery Live Guitar Performances!
Enjoy classic rumba flamenco by the Gipsy Kings, Ottmar Liebert, Jesse Cook, Paco De Lucia, Vicente Amigo
as well as pop selections from artists/bands such as Sting, The Police, The Eagles, and Carlos Santana!
Also, you will enjoy fiery Latin / jazz classics such as Caravan, Django Reinhardt's Minor Swing, or how about a fiery rumba flamenco version of the Italian classic Sway! and so much more...
One power outlet within 25 feet of the performance location.
Guitarist