The man at the piano.
Full-time piano man, based near York. Weddings, birthdays, dinner parties, shoot parties and anniversaries. He plays for everyone and anyone.
Full-time Finn-esse.
Finn has never been one for playing to the back of a room. For him, the best bit of any booking is getting up from the piano, pulling up a chair and asking your guests what they want to hear.
So that is what he does. On the interval he does the rounds, chats to everyone from the flower girl to the great uncle, and collects a small mountain of requests. Then he sits back down and plays every one of them, bent to suit the room. A jazz lilt over dinner, a singalong once the prosecco has landed.
It does not matter what the song is or where it came from. Finn will turn almost anything into a piano piece, in his own interpretation.
Ahead of a wedding, you get on a video call and brainstorm with Finn at the piano. Play him thirty seconds of the song you want to walk down the aisle to, and you will hear a wedding version of it before we hang up.
On the day he arrives early, dresses sharply, sets up quietly and keeps your venue in the loop. In short, he takes the pressure off your hands and puts it into his fingers.
- 1920s to 2020s a century of popular hits, plus blues and cocktail jazz
- 50 to 60 requests collected on a typical interval walk
- Up to 50 venues a year, many of them again and again
- 2-hour sets no break and no gaps between songs
Finn at the keys.
Rooms Finn knows well.
- Allerton Castle
- Howsham Hall
- Carlton Towers
- Newby Hall
- Sledmere House
- Birdsall House
- Duncombe Park
- Hazlewood Castle
- Goldsborough Hall
- Ravenswick Hall
- The Priest’s House
- Danby Castle
- Rossington Hall
- Norwood Park
- Cave Castle
- Rise Hall
- Riseborough Hall
- Merchant Taylors’ Hall
- Merchant Adventurers’ Hall
- The Grand Lodge at Oaklands
- Thirsk Lodge Barns
- National Centre for Early Music
- Holmfirth Vineyard
- The Normans
- Lazaat Hotel
- Bosun’s, York
- Hackness Grange
- The Farrier, Cayton
- Gosford House
- Bowcliffe Hall
- The Grand at Trafalgar Square
- Burtonfields Hall
- Wynyard Hall
- Rushpool Hall
- Easby Hall
- Sandburn Hall
- Hidden River Barn
- The Oakwood at Ryther
- Ellingham Hall
- Le Petit Château
- Hodsock Priory
- Roundthorn Country House
- The Beverley Barn
- Whitworth Locke
- The Tithe Barn
- The Castlefield Rooms
- Branston Golf and Country Club
- 315 Bar and Restaurant
- Rudding Park
- Sneaton Castle
- Bunny Hill Weddings
- Sandhole Oak Barn
- Riverlands
- Dine
- St Julians Club
- Cripps and Co
- And lots of private dos
“Whether he likes it or not, he is family to everyone that was there that day.”
I think everyone that day will remember the moment in which we all caught on to Finn playing Abba during dinner, and couldn’t help but all come together in song together.
“The best decision ever was booking Finn Barnaby.”
All of the pieces were so beautiful and so fitting, especially when Finn played Ludovico Einaudi.
“After being let down quite late he stepped in and did a fabulous job!”
The outdoor setting was elevated by the piano sound. When I hear a piano now it really takes us back to our wedding day.
“Has a calming nature (which helps those flustered couples!)”
He is on our recommended suppliers list and we love hearing him play at Thirsk Lodge Barns!
“Finn also went above and beyond and played his own piano version of an Arctic Monkeys song we had requested for our exit music.”
All our guests commented on how beautiful his music was.
“Thank you Finn for an amazing two evenings of entertainment, it really made the event.”
Lots of our guests commented on the great piano playing which was nice to hear.
“Everyone complimented how perfect the ceremony was which was credit to your wonderful skills.”
Able to accommodate music requests too which was very much appreciated.
From the archive.
What a Wonderful World, played in the middle of a field one bright winter morning. Filmed back in 2017, and still a favourite.
The reassuring small print.
- Hitched Wedding Awards, Winner
- Top 10 booked musician of 2023, Encore Musicians
- Customer Choice Award, Alive Network
- Top 10% of highest rated pianists, Alive Network
- “Saved the day” badge for a booking at under 24 hours’ notice
- £1 million public liability insurance, PAT tested kit
Packages from £245. Based near York, playing nationwide.
Questions
Does Finn bring his own piano?
Absolutely. A smart, compact electric piano with a built-in stand and a felt cover, plus an amplifier suitable for any occasion, large or small. All he needs is a two-metre by one-metre spot and a single plug for electricity.
Can Finn play outside?
Yes, happily. Garden ceremonies, lawns, terraces and woodland clearings are all fair game, and Finn can move from indoors to outdoors between sets. All he needs is a single plug for electricity.
What does Finn need to know about the venue?
Just a postcode for an initial quote. After that Finn always touches base with your venue to cross-check timings and logistics, so you don’t have to.
Can Finn play the venue’s piano instead?
As long as it is in good condition and in tune, of course. There are few things nicer than a proper grand in a big old hall.
Can we choose the songs?
Choose as many or as few as you like. For ceremonies we pick the aisle walk, the signing and the exit together on a video call while Finn sits at the piano. Everything else, you can leave to him and your guests.
What if our song isn’t in his repertoire?
If it is a popular hit from the last hundred years, the chances are Finn already plays it. If not, send it over and he will learn it. Couples have had Aerosmith down the aisle and Arctic Monkeys on the way out.
How long can Finn play for?
Anything from thirty minutes to six hours. Each set runs up to two hours without a break, so there is never an awkward silence.
How long does set-up take?
About fifteen minutes. Twenty-five if you catch him for a chat.
Does Finn travel?
Finn is based near York and plays nationwide, from Kent to East Lothian. Travel is priced by distance.
How far in advance should we book?
Anywhere from a year to a day. Finn has stepped in the day before a wedding more than once, but popular summer Saturdays go early.