Dueling pianos · Northern California · Reno · Tahoe
Two pianists, two pianos, full sound and lights, and a set list written entirely by your guests. Modern Dueling Pianos turns corporate events, weddings, fundraisers and private parties into the night everyone talks about.
What we do
We know the most songs, we're extremely engaging with any crowd, and we bring top-notch pianos and sound. We play what you tell us to play, nothing else.
Two pianist-singers face off at two pianos, trading songs, harmonies and jokes. Every song is a request, from jazz and classical to country and rock, all in one night.
Holiday parties, team celebrations, client nights and conference evenings with two pianos, all requests and nonstop crowd interaction.
Cocktail hour to last dance: live piano, sing-alongs and a packed dance floor your guests will talk about.
Paddle-raise energy, sponsor shout-outs and songs that keep donors in the room and in a giving mood.
Birthdays, anniversaries, backyard bashes, wineries and festival stages. Full sound, lights and both pianos.
About us
After countless shows at the top piano bars in California, we came together to bring the show to private and corporate events. We know songs... like, a ton of songs. Current hits, classic jams, country, rap, rock and everything in between. At our shows the focus is on you: you pick the music, and our job is to play it in a fun, engaging, professional way that gets you clapping and singing along.
JMD is the former organist for the San Jose Sharks and a longtime regular at San Francisco's classic Lefty O'Doul's. He knows thousands of songs and can figure out almost any request in minutes. Solo shows: jamesmichaelday.com.
A fixture for years at Johnny Foley's Dueling Piano Bar in San Francisco, Jason has the experience to light up any party. His soulful rock voice soars from Def Leppard to Celine Dion (no joke), and he heads the dueling piano show at Mäksē in Vacaville.
Warm, approachable performer, a great dueling piano player and soloist, and a member of the popular local band Weekend at Jimmy's. A natural fit for wineries, outdoor gatherings and interactive crowds.
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Longtime KJ and host with hundreds of public and private shows. Also a keyboard player and music producer. Out of the East Bay.
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An excellent pianist and entertainer with an old soul, cranking out everything from Elvis to Bruno Mars. A fixture at top dueling clubs in California, New Mexico and Nevada, with shows at Lincoln Center and the SF Symphony.
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Leader of a popular yacht rock band and one of the most in-demand players in Northern California.
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Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area; plays anything from soft rock to metal and adds power and dynamics to any dueling show.
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Artist and entertainer based in Los Angeles.
See us LIVE
Come see Modern Dueling Pianos in action. Private events aren't listed.
Video
Moments
Reviews
5.0 stars on GigSalad, where Modern Dueling Pianos books as Jason Marion Entertainment.
“It was so much fun watching them work the room... People were singing and dancing along for hours. In a post-event survey, many of our guests noted the Dueling Pianos was a highlight for them. A Modern Dueling Pianos show is just pure fun.”
“It was an absolute blast. They played every song you know every word to and months later I'm still sore from dancing. Hire them! Nicest, most professional people and so talented.”
“This is the second time our elementary school has used Jason & co for dueling pianos! Jason is easy to work with before the event and very crowd pleasing! He is able to read the crowd and keep things interesting the whole show.”
Service area
We bring the full production to venues, wineries, resorts, ballrooms, backyards and festival grounds across the region.
FAQ
Two pianist-singers on two grand pianos trade songs, harmonies and jokes, and the whole set list comes from your guests' requests. Modern Dueling Pianos plays current hits, classic rock, country, hip-hop, Motown and everything in between, so the room decides what happens next.
A full production: two grand piano shells with professional keyboards, a complete sound system with subwoofer, stage lighting, and an extra microphone for toasts and announcements. You provide the space and access to power; we handle the rest.
Yes. We often start with lighter background music during cocktails or dinner and build into the full interactive show when the room is ready.
Corporate events and holiday parties, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, fundraisers and non-profit galas, music festivals, wineries, golf and country clubs, Rotary, Lions and Elks clubs, casinos, 55-and-over communities, HOAs, bars and clubs.
Modern Dueling Pianos is based in Northern California. We regularly play Fresno, Sacramento, San Jose, San Francisco and the Peninsula, Napa and Sonoma, Reno and Lake Tahoe, and we travel for the right event.
Most events book two to four hours of continuous entertainment. We will recommend a timeline that fits your program, speeches and dinner service.
Modern Dueling Pianos was co-founded by James Michael Day (JMD), former organist for the San Jose Sharks, and Jason Marion, longtime Johnny Foley's dueling pianist and head of the dueling piano show at Makse in Vacaville. Michael Roy Gutierrez (piano and vocal), a dueling piano player and soloist who also plays in the popular local band Weekend at Jimmy's, is part of the core team, and a roster of seasoned dueling players joins them when needed.
Yes. For smaller rooms or tighter budgets, James Michael Day offers solo piano and vocal shows through jamesmichaelday.com, and we can scale to a single player with the same request-driven approach.
Yes. Liability insurance is available if you or your venue requires it.
Send your date, city or venue, approximate guest count and the type of event through the form below, call or text (408) 203-5563, or email [email protected]. Every quote is tailored to the date, location and production needed.
Book us
Tell us your date, city or venue, guest count and the kind of event. We'll reply with availability and a tailored quote.
Prefer a solo pianist? Visit jamesmichaelday.com. Need a bigger lineup or other acts? JMD Entertainment books it all.
From the blog
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The room changes the second someone hears their song. A guest who planned to stay seated starts singing. A table that barely knew each other is sudden…