Musicians for Your Special DayPerfect Music for Weddings presents the most accomplished string players and accompanists in Los Angeles. They are graduates of some of the finest music conservatories in the country and they love to perform weddings! Read more about our fantastic musicians below:
Chris Murphy, Artistic DirectorViolin/Mandolin/FiddleChris is a graduate of New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. He has played professionally since 1993. He has studied classical violin with Peter Kaman of the Seattle Symphony, jazz violin with Matt Glaser and Julie Liberman, and Indian violin with L. Shankar. He is a composer and session musician, has eight solo albums of original music exploring jazz, bluegrass, blues, and ethnic violin music. In 2002 Chris started The Wine and Roses Wedding Band and has performed hundreds of successful weddings with that ensemble.
 Edgar Sandoval |
Edgar Sandoval received his Bachelors of Music from California State University Northridge and has been studying the violin since age 11. His most influencial teachers are Anita Thomason (Culver City), North Wood (Pasadena), Ludmila Adzhemova (West Hollywood), Barry Socher (Beverly Hills), Mary Kim (Northridge), Michael Ferril (Northridge) and Assa Drori (Hollywood). A native of Los Angeles, Edgar has been fortunate to get immediate attention from local orchestral and recording contractors after only 2 years of playing the violin. Alongside his gigging experience he has been featured on Disney’s 2002 reality television show “Totally in Tune” expressing the lives of students in a high school orchestra at a premiere music academy. Edgar’s orchestral experience includes: The American Youth Symphony with Kent Nagano conducting at Royce Hall (May 2005), Debut Orchestra with John Williams conducting at the Beverly Hilton (October 2004), Debut Orchestra with Michael Tilson-Thomas at Walt Disney Hall (January 2005), Pasadena “Pops” Orchestra, Santa Monica Symphony, Torrance Symphony at the Armstrong Theater, Southeast Symphony, Golden State Pops Orchestra at the Warner Grand Theater, Riverside County Philharmonic, San Bernardino Symphony at the Redlands Bowl, and tours with MESTO (Multi-Ethnic Star Orchestra). Edgar is an acclaimed chamber musician as well a composer for film and serious works. His most recent movie score credits include “Amercian Crude” with Rob Schneider and “The Book of Tomorrow.” |
 Kenny Klein |
Kenny Klein is a violinist, fiddler, mandolinist, guitarist and singer. Originally from New York, Kenny studied Appalachian fiddling in the mountains of that state, West Virginia and Pennsylvania; Jazz fiddle in Brooklyn; and Gypsy violin in Europe.Kenny has performed at renaissance festivals, Pirate festivals, Country bars, Irish pubs, weddings and cultural events for over two decades. He has several CDs of his music available. |
 Bob Applebaum |
Bob Applebaum is a nationally recognized mandolinist with over thirty five years professional experience in stage, recording, television and film work. He has performed and recorded with many of the Nation’s greatest acoustic musicians including Bela Fleck, Tony Trischka, Byron Berline, John Fogerty, Mason Williams, and Sam Bush. In addition to Bluegrass he is accomplished in Celtic and a variety of American folk styles as well as Swing and Bebop and has been a film coach for several world class actors including Nicolaus Cage and trained mandolinists performing in several famous Rock and Pop acts. Since 2002, he has also been a member of the Middle Eastern/World Music Orchestra, Mesto under the direction of Dr. Nabil Assam.Throughout his 35 year career he has assembled small ensembles centered around the mandolin to bring unique and memorable music to accompany both the ceremony and celebration of weddings of every size and complexity. Bob’s most recent Bluegrass CD project “All the Way Home” was highlighted in the February 2001 Bluegrass Unlimited review section and praised “...Applebaum and company have created the contemporary bluegrass album of the year...” He is the coproducer along with Marty Cutler of The Bluegrass Band Program for PG Music and coauthor with Fred Sokolow of Fretboard Roadmaps for Mandolin published by Hal Leonard. |
 Tom Corbett |
After years of earning respect from peers and audiences for playing behind better-known artists, noted mandolinist/guitarist Tom Corbett stepped into the spotlight as bandleader and songwriter with his warmly received 2001 solo album Upstairs at Charlie’s. Since then, while remaining a popular sideman, he’s become a frequent presence as frontman of his own well-regarded trio on the coffeehouse, listening room and house concert circuits. Now, with his second album, Cloudless Blue Sky, he’s further establishing himself as one of the most versatile acoustic artists on the West Coast Americana scene. |
 Benedikt Brydern |
Benedikt Brydern is an award-winning composer and performer. His scores have been featured in film, television and on the concert stage in the United Sates and internationally. From the Miramax documentary “Rhyme & Reason” to independent films like “Dunsmore,” directed by Academy Nominee Peter Spirer, from Jon Voight’s children tale “The Tin Soldier” to the mysterious “Outpatient” (starring Justin Kirk), whether using traditional orchestral or electronic techniques. He contributed music to USA’s mini-series “Spartacus” and worked on blockbusters like “Entrapment” and “Urban Legend” with composer Christopher Young.Having been a violin child protégé since age 6 he now holds a masters degree in performance and performs regularly with local symphony orchestras and chamber ensembles. He has concertized and recorded with Leonard Bernstein, Sir Georg Solti, Etta James, Sinead O’Connor, and many others. He specializes in old time jazz and swing and performs on a historic 1910 Stroh-violin, introducing music from the 1910s, 20s and 30s to new audiences. He also pays tribute to the genuine music of legendary guitarist Django Reinhardt. Performances include shows with folk legend Jim Kweskin and British hit-singer Ian Whitcomb. His love for Argentinean tango manifested in engagements with Dino Durand, Coco Trivisonno, Esther Segovia, Jose Luis “Pepe” Motta for various tango shows in the Los Angeles area. As an arranger, orchestrator and producer he has worked with John O’Hurley (“Seinfeld,” “Dancing With The Stars”), violin stylist David Wilson, electric cellist Marston and many others. |
 Alan Busteed |
Alan Busteed studied violin at the Manhattan School of Music with the emminent Raphael Bronstein. He was professor at the Academia Nacional Superior de Orquestra in Lisbon, Portugal, from 1994 until 2001. Having performed as a violinist with the Pacific Symphony, as guest principal violist for the San Diego Chamber Orchestra, he has also served as visiting concertmaster for the Orquesta de Baja California in Mexico. He is an artist faculty member at the Orange County High School of the Arts and violinist for the Los Angeles based Trio Del Mar, a piano trio. His jazz study at UMASS Amherst was with Yusef Lateef and Billy Taylor and he currently performs with the Odyssey Tango Trio. |
 Hope Easton |
Hope Easton — Cleveland Institute of Music (preparatory college); New England Conservatory (B.M.); Fulbright Scholar (U.K.), Royal Northern College of Music). Currently performing and recording in Los Angeles. Working with bands such as Bitter:sweet, Al Stewart and many others. Cellist, Singer, Songwriter, Teacher. |
 Emily Moore |
Emily Moore, originally from San Diego, has been playing violin for 12 years. She started violin lessons as a four-year-old, studying classical music during the school year and learning fiddle tunes over the summer. Three years later, Emily discovered Valley of the Moon Fiddle School in California and has since continued to explore traditional fiddle, rock, and groove-based music using her classical technique as an increasingly solid foundation.Although an avid fiddle player, Emily continued to study classical music and was admitted into the Thornton School of Music at USC as a Violin Performance major in 2004. She has performance experience with a number of groups including the San Diego Civic Youth Orchestra, the San Diego City Ballet performing “The Nutcracker” and “A Midsummer’s Night Dream” and opening for the Chiara String Quartet as a member of the California Institute of Music String Quartet. |
 Aubrey Richmond |
Aubrey Richmond’s musical career began when she was very young, playing violin at the age of five and piano by age seven. Her interests diversified from classical training when she discovered the world of fiddling and had the opportunity to study with some of the most well-known and respected players in that field. By age twelve, she was even teaching her own students. Playing competitively until she was fourteen, Aubrey won both State and Regional titles and placed second at the National Old Time Fiddle Contest.At Chapman University in Orange, CA, Aubrey was a member of both the music program’s Choir and Chamber Orchestra. At the same time, she was singing and touring with the Young Americans, a non-profit performing arts organization. A rewarding early group experience around that time was playing violin on the worship team at her church. In 2005 Aubrey settled in Los Angeles to play fiddle with a country duo and by then was also playing guitar and composing her own songs. She has recorded and performed with many different artists including The Ramblin’ Fools, The Mary White Band, Vibrasol, Kimberly Jean, and most recently, the Rachel Stacy Band. Her range of styles is eclectic, spanning genres such as bluegrass, old-time fiddle, classical, country, rock/pop and Celtic. With these groups, Aubrey has performed at many respected Los Angeles venues, for the US military, at the Sturgis Bike Rally, and opened for major recording artists such as Eric Church, Joe Diffie and Alice In Chains. Throughout her career, Aubrey has entertained all over the world including Hawaii, China, Australia, Germany, and Cuba. |
 Jason Myers |
A native of New Jersey, Jason Myers has played music since early childhood. In his teens he switched over from piano and percussion to playing guitar as his main instrument. After studying with guitarist John Carlini (of the David Grisman band), he went to CalArts to earn a BA in music. A versitile player, he has found himself performing everything from jazz & popular music (Al McKibbon, “Tootie” Heath, Al Martino, Dave Carpenter, et al), zydeco (Kenny Menard), african highlife (Jimmy Fotso), hawaiian (King Kukulele), to funk and soul (the Electones). Myers also plays solo acoustic guitar and has an eclectic array of arrangements for the instrument, including early ragtime, eastern european folk, and Beatles tunes. He also plays the ukulele, banjo, lap steel guitar, and the cuatro. Teaching music is also a specialty, and he can be found at the Silverlake Conservatory of Music teaching guitar and ukulele. |
 Josh Jones |
Josh Jones plays the acoustic upright bass as well as the electric bass guitar. Originally from North Hollywood, California, Josh has lived and performed all over southern California, including Los Angeles, San Diego and Ventura counties. He is currently living in the city of Ventura. He studied jazz at San Diego State University and the California Institute of the Arts. Over the last fifteen years he has worked professionally with many different groups, playing a wide variety of musical styles including jazz, rock, blues, folk, and country. Currently he can be seen playing regularly with violinist Chris Murphy as well as country rock band 29 Mules. |
 Erik Kertes |
Erik Kertes is a freelance bass player in LA, upright and electric bass all styles. He also likes to play other instruments and write songs. Erik is a graduate of the Thornton School Of Music of USC, where he studied jazz with John Clayton. Erik has recorded and toured with jazz singer Sara Gazarek, pop singer Josh Kelly and canadian crooner Michael Buble. |
 Ryan Feves |
Ryan Feves was born and raised in Pendleton, Oregon. He began playing the violin when he was 3 years old, but later switched to upright and electric bass. It was in Portland, Oregon, during its era of jazz luminaries Red Mitchell, Leroy Vinnegar, and Andrew Hill, that Ryan first discovered Jazz and improvisational music. In 1995 Ryan moved to Los Angeles to attend California Institute of the Arts and studying jazz bass performance under the direction of Charlie Haden. Since Graduating from CalArts in 2000 with a B.F.A. in music performance, Ryan has performed extensively throughout North America and Europe while remaining in high demand for his work as a producer, musician, educator, and music engineering and technology consultant. Some of his most recent work includes appearances on recent albums by Eleni Mandell, Money Mark, and Joe Firstman. Mr. Feves is also a regular member of the house band on the NBC late night program “Last Call with Carson Daly.” |
 Donald James Bonebrake |
Donald James Bonebrake (yes, that is his real name) grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley. He began drumming at the age of 12 and studied classical and traditional music while playing in various rock n roll bands. DJ entered the Los Angeles underground music scene in the mid-1970’s when Charlotte Caffey and Joe Ramirez saw his band, Rocktopus, at Immaculate Heart College. They asked him to join their group, The Eyes, and it wasn’t long before members of X caught The Eyes playing at the Masque and asked DJ to be X’s drummer. After several years of touring and recording X took a brief hiatus and DJ began earnestly building his reputation as a talented and dependable live performance and session musician, playing drums, percussion, and mallet instruments with a variety of musicians and music groups. Today, in addition to playing drums, DJ is gaining a reputation as a talented vibraphonist, playing in both jazz and rock and roll settings. |
|  A Few Of Our Many Testimonials...“We love our wedding musicians! Their playing really made our wedding special. The music was incredible and kept the guests dancing all night long. The band and their management were wonderful to work with, and we will be sure to recommend them to all our friends!” —Jon & Holly Brody, married June 20, 2004, Middle Ranch, Lake View Terrace, CA “Our wedding was wonderful and the music was beautiful! Thanks so much for all your help — you were great! I am still hearing how everyone loved the music at the ceremony, and I am still wishing we had hired them for the reception during dinner as well.” —Julie & Donny Rudd, married Jan. 7, 2006, Mission Inn, Riverside, CA “We had a great time at our wedding! You played such a big part in making the evening fun and bringing our families together for the best night of dancing we’ve ever had. We could not have imagined better musicians for our wedding.” —Matt & Ruth Franklin, married June 28, 2003, Catalina Country Club, Catalina Island, CA “Our wedding music was really great. Justin and I didn’t get to choose most of the details of our wedding, but we did choose your musicians, and they really made the whole day special for us. Thanks, you are wonderful!” —Justin & Lynelle Shears, married June 25, 2005, Mission Viejo, CA “Our wedding musicians went above and beyond my greatest hopes and really made the evening memorable. My husband and I will absolutely use your services again in the future. Thanks!” —Jennifer & Scott Hunter, married Dec. 17, 2005, St. John’s Presbyterian, Camus, WA “Everything went really well at our wedding, and the music was great! The violinists got many guests out on the dance floor, setting a cheerful and fun mood, and we received compliments about them all day long.” —Chris & Sarah Stone, married Aug. 14, 2005, Cal Tech Institute, Pasadena, CA “What a fun way to celebrate our wedding reception! The band played the perfect music to soothe my nerves during dinner, helped in making our Entrance, the Wedding Party, and all other traditional announcements, and then kept my guests dancing all night long!” —Maria Emerald Caruz and Michael Patrick Carroll married July 14, 2007, San Pedro, CA “Your musicians did an amazing job at my wedding. They were easy and fun to work with and most importantly, the violin music was incredible. Everyone was talking about how beautiful the music was and what an impact it had on our big day. Thank you!” —Cory Asrilant & Erin Royer-Asrilant, married Nov. 11, 2006, Middle Ranch, Los Angeles, CA “Our violinists were very professional and really set the tone for the whole event. The selection of music could not have been more perfect, and the ease of working with you was the icing on the cake. I look forward to using you again at a future event.” —Sandra Collier, Holiday Party, Dec. 18, 2005, Duarte, CA  Our Wedding BandsAs a starting point, we offer 6 different ensembles, each with a unique focus:  An exciting and entertaining musical dance band featuring singers, horns, and strings Playing your favorite songs from the 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s!Click here for info » Bluegrass - Country - Irish - Celtic - Cajun - Folk The violin sings, but the fiddle dances!Click here for info » |
