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.
John's performance at our wedding was incredible. Many of the guests were talking about how good he was. Thank you John!
Response from Spanish Guitar:
Hi Gabriel, I had a wonderful time playing for everyone at your wedding! Thank you for your review.
John 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.
Response from 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
John was exceptional - He truly made our wedding ceremony and cocktail hour memorable. He is an amazingly talented artist who took our song requests on short notice and played them perfectly, with a touch of his own style on spanish guitar. From setup through to wrap-up, he was engaged with us, the wedding coordinators and the crowd. He enjoys what he does and this passion shines through his music. He had our wedding guests captivated. We recommend John to anyone for any event.
Response from Spanish Guitar:
Ni Nicole, Thank you for the wonderful review and choosing me to play for your wedding. Best wishes! John
John was awesome!!! We held a social corporate event at a winery and John was exactly what we had hoped for! Courteous, on time, friendly and came with ALL he needed to set up and play! He even had speakers for the outside patio which really enhanced our evening! John's sounds was just perfect, and the guests feedback was all great! Everyone enjoyed the evening with the sounds of John and his guitar! It made our evening complete! We would def recommend John!
Thank you so much John for helping make our evening Fantastic!
Response from Spanish Guitar:
Hi Nicole Thank you for the wonderful review!
As musicians we were a little hesitant about making the right choice. John was exactly the right decision. Talented, professional, punctual, with beautiful melodies.
Our only regret was that we didn’t get to listen to each and every piece he performed.
And there will definitely be a next time!
Response from Spanish Guitar:
Hi Jen, So wonderful to hear everyone enjoyed my performance and thank you for leaving such a nice a review. Looking forward to playing for you again sometime in the future, John Gilliat
We had John play at my birthday party with around 30 guests. His totally masters his repertoire and his music is beautiful! But what we liked even more is that John is not a prima donna who wants to be the star performer: despite him being a top pro, he’s happy to play in the background and provide atmosphere. He made my party complete without imposing himself and everybody was very impressed.
Response from Spanish Guitar:
Hi Luli, Thank you for your review! It was so nice to have played for all your wonderful guests and hear that everyone was impressed by my performance.
We invited him to perform for our seniors in our long term care home and everybody loved him! Very versatile and energetic.
Response from Spanish Guitar:
Hi Kristal, I really enjoyed my time performing for all your wonderful residents. You guys sure know how to create an exciting and memorable event for all everyone!!
Thank you so very much for hiring me to play and taking the time to post this review.
All the very best, John G.
I have know John G from around 2007 or so when he came recommended from another industry colleague. I have since booked John for several welcome receptions/private dinners in various locations around Vancouver & Whistler.
John is quick with his responses and punctual on site especially with some complex load-in areas like the Roundhouse in Whistler etc. He is easy to work with and very professional with clients and the guests.
I love his calm approach and his music is definitely soothing and entertaining. I have also worked with John & Rossi as a duo, they definitely compliment each other and provide a great atmosphere for an intimate group.
He can also kick it up a notch when required which is a special talent.
John is my first go-to for any event that requires background music.
John played the guitar for my residents at the Weinberg Residence in Vancouver and everyone enjoyed his music a lot! He has a wide variety of songs and he is amazing at what he does. Residents have already asked me to bring him back.
John provided elegant flamenco styled guitar music for my wedding reception. It added something unique and special to our wedding day and helped create a very classy atmosphere. He was professional, and provided all his own equipment. I had many guests compliment on how amazing John's skills are! I would highly recommend him to anyone of my friends!
Over five years of being involved with raising money for childrens hospital we have had the honor of having John and Rossi perform at our fundraiser. They would arrive at our venue and play acoustic music during our serving of supper that all guest could not seem to get enough of. They would be accompanied at times by Rossi playing the steel drums with John on acoustic guitar. John and Rossi are fabulous musicians and two people that are highly professional and I consider friends that I hope last a lifetime .
I have owned Taverna Gorgona for the past 12 years and John and Rossi have played for us many times since the beginning. The most amazing sound and artist. Most of all they are wonderful human beings and always a pleasure to have them play for all our guests.
Response from Spanish Guitar:
Thank you Franco for your review, Rossi and I both love performing at Taverna Gorgona. The staff, atmosphere, and food is absolutely amazing!!!
From our earliest days the West Fine Art Show has presented John Gilliat on guitar.
Art show guests are always enthralled and artists adore him.
John’s Flamenco Jazz and Latin Rumba blend passionately and soothingly into the broad canvas of our showscape and as a result he has truly become one of our most popular featured artists.
John was excellent. His set up, professionalism, skill and sets were exactly what we were looking for. We had 300 people through an open house style event and they all commented how great he was. I highly recommend hiring him for your event!
Price Range: Contact for rates
Gig Length: 60 - 300 minutes
Languages: English
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.
| August 19, 2022 • 6:00pm - 7:30pm | House Party |
| August 18, 2022 • 6:30pm - 10:00pm | Corporate Event |
| August 10, 2022 • 3:30pm - 6:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| June 11, 2022 • 6:30pm - 7:30pm | Anniversary Party |
| May 14, 2022 • 8:00pm - 8:45pm | Birthday Party |
| July 17, 2021 • 5:00pm - 6:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| August 15, 2020 • 8:00pm - 10:00pm | Birthday Party |
| December 14, 2019 • 10:00am - 12:30pm | Corporate Event |
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.
Nashville, TN 
Singing Guitarist 
255 Verified Bookings Steve T. said “We hired Austin to sing two songs during our elopement ceremony and to then play our favorite songs at a downtown bar following the wedding. Everything…”
Vancouver, BC
Acoustic Band
47 Verified Bookings Vicky P. said “We hired them for our employee awards gala. The music was lovely. Everyone enjoyed it and raved about it. They added a touch of class to the evening”
Pitt Meadows, BC
Singing Guitarist
1 Verified Booking Carolyn R. said “We hired Mike to play our wedding ceremony in the summer of 2019, and we are so incredibly happy we did!! Mike met with us prior to our wedding day to…”
Vancouver, BC
Guitarist Lauren C. said “I've hired him on multiple occasions to play live music in an outdoor setting. He is so kind and professional - not to mention extremely talented!”
List your services
Log In
