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Services
I am a Santa Barbara-based singer, pianist, and guitarist available to perform in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, and Los Angeles counties and beyond for wedding ceremonies, cocktail hour and receptions, anniversaries, bar/bat mitzvahs, corporate events, fund raisers, wine tastings, memorials or any special occasion.
I am also available for Holiday and New Years Eve parties, as a soloist, duo, trio, or with my full band for dancing.
Music is my life work and passion. I have loved music all my life and have been performing since I was in my early teens, professionally for the last 20 or so years. I sing and play (solo or with other musicians) in a
variety of styles from jazz standards (Great American songbook; the
repertoire of Tony Bennett, Sinatra, Diana Krall, etc.), as well as
more contemporary styles (60's to the present) from smooth jazz, classical, rock,
blues, funk, latin, Brazilian, New Age, Broadway, country, and
traditional and contemporary folk songs including Irish and Spirituals. As a performer I hold myself and the musicians I work
with to the highest professional standards and always put my heart and
soul into everything I do.
Give yourself the gift of live music; the warmth, passion,
energy and excitement of living music played by real musicians in real time. Let me and the musicians I work with provide the soundtrack to make your wedding , party or other event a treasured memory.
I also teach piano, voice and guitar (click on 'Lessons' in upper left menu).

Recent client feedback:
From a recent wedding at the Canary Hotel, Santa Barbara:
"You absolutely can't go wrong with this very excellent and professional performer. His music hit the perfect note for our ceremony and celebration. We were so happy with the vast array of possible songs and instrumentals and our guests had many compliments for the music."
"Larry's
mastery of the keyboard is unquestioned, with a subtle rhythmic touch
that delights the listener. But his real strength is his smooth-as-silk
voice, which naturally floats to cover a wide range of both pitch and
emotion."
"His music
enlivened me and inspired me to dance and feel a mood of celebration.
He is an obvious master in his field. I love how versatile and eclectic
his music is! Thanx Larry!"
“Larry
was just a delight to have come to entertain my family and friends
during
my recent birthday celebration! He is extremely talented, flexible,
and VERY
accommodating as he played (and sang) many of my favorite songs
on a moment’s
notice. I highly recommend Larry Duff for your events!
More client feedback in 'Testimonials' (upper left menu)
If you're looking for music for your WEDDING, click on 'Weddings' in the upper left menu.
For Mp3 music samples click on 'Music Samples' (upper menu on the left)
or directly from the links on the left - 'Standards', Wedding Ceremony Music', 'Wedding Ballads', etc.
My 'Song Lists' are accessed from the menu on the upper left.
For a list of past and upcoming private and public performances scroll down to 'Performances'.
I have a new ongoing gig here in Santa Barbara at Hob Nob Restaurant every Wednesday night. Scroll down to see details under 'Performances' (blue type).
Also, Saturday, June 5, 11a.m. - 2 or 3 p.m., I will be performing at the El Rancho Market in Solvang, possibly future Saturdays (details below)
As a SOLOIST:
- with my keyboard I can sound like a band with vocals, keyboard bass and drum sounds
- just piano (yours, or my keyboard, with or without vocals) playing jazz standards and/or contemporary styles (contemporary jazz , pop, New Age, blues, etc.)
- vocals, piano (or keyboard), guitar
- vocals, guitar
As a DUO, TRIO, OR LARGER ENSEMBLE
I can play with:
- Jon Crosse, long time music director and multi-instrumentalist (soprano, alto, or tenor saxs, trumpet, clarinet, flute) with Paul Anka's big band (seen on The Tonight Show and in Vegas playing tunes from their hit album 'Rock Swings')(depending on availability) - www.joncrosse.com -
google for credits, reviews
- sax player (tenor or alto)
- trumpet (Jeff Elliott - jazz, latin, all styles -
google for credits, video)
- electric guitar (jazz, rock, blues, latin)
- flute (jazz, New Age, classical)
- violin (classical, jazz) www.tomtally.com
- bass/flute (Ruben Martinez - jazz, latin jazz, Salsa - acoustic, electric bass)
- bass (Pablo Perez - www.jnpabloperez.com)(stand-up acoustic or electric)
- drums
- harmonica - for a more blues and rock feel, or jazz/blues
- hand percussion - congas, latin percussion (Benito - toured with War, Tower Of Power)
- or combine myself on keyboard bass and/or keyboard drum sounds and other musicians
For dancing usually a live drummer is best, but people have had a great
time dancing to the drum sounds from my keyboard (heard in these
recordings) which sound great through my sound system.
If you prefer a traditional jazz sound I can stay with a
traditional older
style sound ('Standards' - left menu), or mix it up
with more contemporary beats and sounds ('Contemporary' - left menu).
For live performance I use two new Bose sound systems (with
their
innovative advanced
technology) that provide what is widely
considered by far the clearest, cleanest live stereo sound available,
and are unlike anything you've heard. They sound great in a small room, large hall, or outdoors. My sound
system can also be used for your event announcements, etc.
I play
the latest Yamaha keyboard which I chose especially for it's great
acoustic grand piano sounds, as well as other great sounds which you
can hear on these recordings. The sounds you hear in the music
samples: piano, electric piano, organ, strings, solo instruments: flute, soprano sax, electric guitar, acoustic and electric
basses, drums and percussion were played from my keyboard (with a few
exceptions: some drums in 'Standards', acoustic guitar and alto sax).
I am also able to perform for an outdoor ceremony (wedding, memorial, or other) without electrical power (on the
beach, etc.), either unamplified vocals with acoustic guitar
or with battery powered amplification for vocals and acoustic guitar.
If you want me to learn a special song, or songs not in my repertoire, I can usually do that, given enough advance notice.
- Weddings, Parties, Anniversaries, Corporate Events, Fundraisers
- Piano, vocal, guitar lessons
- Accompanist for singers, instrumental soloists
- House Concerts
- Film Score
- Commercial, Industrial, PSA Music
- CDs (coming)
Performances (partial list):
(upcoming public events highlighted in blue - check date)
(daytime retirement community gigs not listed)
If you would like to be notified of upcoming public performances contact me on the 'contact' page and leave your email address
2011
Wednesday, Feb. 16
Valentine's Day concert - Santa Barbara Woman's Club
Santa Barbara, Ca.
2010
Sunday, October 10
wedding ceremony - string trio
Forest Lawn - Glendale
cocktail hour/reception - jazz combo
Toluca Lake Country Club
Saturday, Sept. 18
wedding - University Club
Santa Barbara, Ca.
Saturday, Sept. 4
wedding - Granada Theater
Santa Barbara, Ca
Friday, September 3
concert - Jameison Hall- 6:30-7:45
Friendship Manor
Isla Vista, Ca.
Sunday, July 23
singing National Anthem
Santa Barbara Polo Club
Santa Barbara, Ca.
Friday, July 23
Jazz concert
Camarillo, Ca.
Saturday, July17
wedding - Unitarian Church
Santa Barbara, Ca.
Saturday, July17
jazz duo concert
Camarillo, Ca.
Saturday, July 3
private party
Santa Barbara, Ca
Saturday, June 19
private party
Thousand Oaks, Ca
Saturday, June 12
wedding
Zenaida Cellars Winery
Paso Robles, Ca.
Saturday, June 5, June 26, July 4, July 10 (possibly ongoing)
El Rancho Market
Lawrence Duff Group
www.elranchomarket.com 2886
Mission Drive
Solvang, CA 93463
(805) 688-4300
Wednesday, June 2, June 9
Hob Nob Restaurant and Tavern - 7 to 9 P.M.
21 W. Victoria St.
Santa Barbara, CA
T. 805.564.7100
www.hobnobsb.com
Lawrence Duff trio playing jazz and other contemporary songs (vocals and instrumentals)
Saturday, May 29
private party
Camarillo, Ca.
Thursday, April 29
Friendship Center - donor fundraiser
Montecito, Ca.
Saturday, April 25
Anniversary party (private)
Santa Barbara
jazz combo
Friday, April 23
concert
Friendship Manor
Isla Vista, Ca.
Easter Sunday, April 4
Free dinner for homeless and public
Santa Barbara, Ca.
jam with blues/rock band
Sunday, Feb. 14, Valentine's Day
wedding
Camarillo, Ca.
Saturday, Jan. 30
wedding
Granada Theater
Santa Barbara, Ca.
Tuesday, Jan. 26
Coral Casino, Biltmore Hotel
Santa Barbara
Corporate function
Lawrence Duff jazz quintet
Friday, Jan. 22
concert
Friendship Manor
Isla Vista, Ca.
Sunday, Jan. 10
private party
Santa Barbara
2009
Thursday, Dec. 31
New Years Eve party
Valle Verde retirement community
Saturday, Dec. 19
barmitzvah
Monday, Dec. 14
Christmas party
Valle Verde retirement community
Sunday, Dec. 13
private party
Tuesday, Dec. 8
Christmas party
University Club - Santa Barbara
Friday, November 27
wedding - Camarillo, Ca.
Friday, November 13
concert - Friendship Manor
Isla Vista, Ca.
Thursday, October 8
Woodbury University, Los Angeles
Lawrence Duff jazz trio
Friday, September 25
wedding - Santa Barbara
Friday, September 11
concert - Friendship Manor
Isla Vista, Ca.
Saturday, August 22
private birthday party
Sunday, August 16
wedding - Santa Barbara
solo - ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, reception
Saturday, August 8
private party - Santa Barbara
Thursday, July 30
private party - Santa Barbara
Sunday, June 28
wedding - Goleta, Ca.
Saturday, June 20
wedding reception - Santa
Monica
Lawrence Duff Group jazz band
Sunday, June 14
Friendship Center - Montecito
donor party
Saturday, June 6
wedding - Templeton, Ca
Monday, May 25
Friendship Manor - Isla Vista
concert - Lawrence Duff Jazz Trio
Sunday, May 24
wedding - Kingsburg, Ca
Saturday, May 16
Anniversary party - Los Angeles
Saturday, May 2 3 - 5 P.M.
Art On The Mesa
Mesa shopping center (Albertson's) Cliff Dr. SB 93109
A fine arts and
crafts fair featuring a variety of local artists and
crafts people with live music featuring myself and others. Glen Taylor will be sitting in on sax.
Wednesday, April 22
Friendship Center, Montecito, Ca.
party for donors
Friday, April 17
private party, Santa Barbara
Saturday, April 4
Jensen Music MainStage Concert
7 P.M. (or soon thereafter)
2905 De La Vina St. (across from Taco Bell, down from Trader Joe's)
Jensen
$6 cover
myself and:
- John Lyle (www.JohnLyle.net), singer/guitarist/composer
- Pat
Milliken, (www.myspace.com/patmilliken)
finger
style guitarist/composer
- Cormac O'Brien, singer/guitarist
Tuesday, Feb. 24
Concert - Friendship Manor - Isla Vista
2008
Wednesday, Dec. 31
private News Years Eve party
Friday, Dec. 19
private holiday party
Tuesday, Dec. 9
private holiday party
Monday, October 27
Corporate Event - Alaska Gold Rush (solo piano)
Four Seasons Biltmore, Santa Barbara
private
Saturday, October 11
Private
memorial service
(guitar and vocals)
Thursday, September 4
Emilios Restaurant
5:00 - 7:00
324 W. Cabrillo Blvd.
SB 93101
Friday, August 29,
Saturday, August 30 - solo piano - Oaks Mall Grand Opening
5 - 7 P.M.
The Oaks Shopping Center
350 W. Hillcrest Dr., Thousand Oaks, 91360
Friday, August 8
private birthday party
Saturday, August 2
private party
Sunday, July 20 - Oak Park (1 til dark)
Concert/dance jam/potluck barbecue
(see 'Music News' for follow up)
Monday, July 14
private party
Saturday, May 17 - Bay Cafe
6:30 - 9:30
131 Anacapa St.
Santa Barbara
Sunday, May 11 Mothers Day - Montecito Country Club
11:00 - 2:00 P.M.
(private)
Sunday, March 23
Anniversary party
Friday, Feb. 29, Benefit for Hospice Santa Barbara
1st Annual Sadie Hawkins Social
Carriage and Western Art Museum - Castillo St. (near Pershing Park)
6 - 7p.m. VIP Reception - music by Lawrence Duff
7 - 11 dance
Tuesday, Jan. 29, Aldo's Restaurant -- 1031 State St. (between Carrillo and Figueroa)
6 - 9 P.M.
Benefit for Hospice Santa Barbara sister Hospice in Kenya
-10% of proceeds go to benefit AIDS and malaria patients and 130 AIDS orphans
Monday, Jan. 7, Biltmore Hotel
private birthday party (solo piano)
2007
Saturday, Dec. 15, (holiday party)
Saturday, Nov. 24, (private party)
Sunday, Oct. 14, Wedding
Friday, Oct. 5, Ojai Film Festival - filmmakers party
Saturday, Oct. 6 Ojai Film Festival - Gala VIP party (private)
Sunday, Sept. 9 (private party)
I am a member of the Screen Actors Guild. My work as an
actor; resume, pictures, and actors reel can be viewed at:
www.nowcasting.com/lawrenceduff
or click on this link in 'Links'
For more on acting projects, upcoming TV, film, or theater performances , click on 'Music, Acting News' (upper left menu), scroll down
A few favorite quotes:
"Creativity is a collaboration between God and man. The more God does the better"
"New lands can only be discovered when one is willing to lose sight of the shore for a very long time"
"An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind" - Mahatma Gandhi
"I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves
me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. . . .
corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption
in high places will follow, and the money power of the country
will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices
of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands
and the Republic is destroyed." -
Abraham Lincoln - letter from Lincoln to (Col.) William F. Elkins,
Nov. 21, 1864.
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