Jazz Violinist for Hire in New York City and Long Island
Julie Schatz is a jazz violinist and pianist based in Brooklyn. She plays cocktail hours, dinners, galas and private parties across New York City and Long Island, on her own or with a pianist or DJ.
Solo jazz violin for a private event starts at $725 for up to an hour in NYC and $825 for most of Long Island. Sound is included.
What a jazz violin set sounds like
The violin takes the part a singer or a horn would: the melody, played with room to stretch. A typical set moves between jazz standards, soul and R&B, and current pop songs played in a jazz style, so guests keep recognizing what they hear without having to stop talking.
A few titles from the repertoire:
- Fly Me to the Moon
- The Way You Look Tonight
- Autumn Leaves
- Summertime
- Misty
- Cheek to Cheek
- L-O-V-E
- At Last
These come from a list of 255 songs across 13 styles. You can see the full 255-song repertoire and send requests with your inquiry.
LiveViolin, piano and vocals from one musician.
Where it fits
- Cocktail hours. Music people can talk over that still gives the room some life.
- Dinners. Jazz piano or violin at conversation level for private and client dinners.
- Gallery and restaurant events. A small setup that does not take over the space.
- Corporate receptions and galas. See corporate events for how those are quoted.
Solo violin, violin and piano, or DJ and live violin
Solo violin is the simplest booking: one musician and a compact speaker. It suits rooms of most sizes because every booking includes a sound system scaled to the space.
Violin and piano gives you two textures. Julie plays both and can switch between them through the event, or you can book the two-musician Soul Shades duo when you want both at once.
DJ and live violin is for the part of the night when people want to move. The DJ runs the set and the violin is played live over it. If that is the sound you are after, see hip hop violin with a live DJ.
Pricing
Private events use the published rates below. Corporate engagements begin at $3,000 and are quoted individually.
| Service | Zone 1 Under 20 mi | Zone 2 20 to 40 mi | Zone 3 40 to 60 mi |
|---|---|---|---|
| ViolinUp to 1 hour | $725 | $825 | $925 |
| PianoUp to 1 hour | $875 | $975 | $1,075 |
| Violin2 hours | $1,025 | $1,125 | $1,225 |
| Piano2 hours | $1,175 | $1,275 | $1,375 |
| DJ and live violin4 hours, sound and lighting included | $4,500 | $4,700 | $4,900 |
Zones are measured in miles from Brooklyn. Each additional hour is $300 for violin or piano and $500 for DJ and live violin. Beyond 60 miles is quoted individually. Full details on the pricing page.
New York City and Long Island
All five boroughs are Zone 1, so there is no travel charge in New York City. Most of Long Island is Zone 2, including Garden City and Huntington. The Hamptons and the North Fork are more than 60 miles out and are quoted individually. Planning a wedding? See wedding musicians on Long Island or the NYC wedding violinist page.
Questions
How much does it cost to hire a jazz violinist in NYC?
For a private event, solo violin is $725 for up to one hour in New York City and $1,025 for two hours. Most of Long Island is Zone 2, which is $825 and $1,125. Each additional hour is $300. Corporate engagements begin at $3,000 and are quoted individually.
Do you play jazz piano as well as violin?
Yes. Julie plays both. Jazz piano for a private event is $875 for up to one hour in NYC. She can also switch between violin and piano during the same event.
Do you bring your own sound system?
Yes. Every booking includes a sound system scaled to the room: a wired setup indoors and battery-powered amplification for lawns, terraces and rooftops.
Can you play modern songs in a jazz style?
Yes. Alongside the standards, the repertoire covers soul, Motown, R&B and current pop, and those can be played in a jazz style for a cocktail hour or dinner. Up to three requests from the repertoire are included with every booking.
Where on Long Island do you travel?
Across Nassau and Suffolk. Most of Long Island falls in Zone 2, which adds a flat $100 to the New York City rate. The Hamptons and the North Fork are more than 60 miles from Brooklyn and are quoted individually.
How far ahead should we book?
Saturday dates in peak season are often taken 6 to 12 months out. Weeknight and off-season events can usually be booked on a shorter timeline. Julie replies to every inquiry within 24 hours.
Tell Julie about your event.
Date, venue, guest count and the feel you want. She replies within 24 hours with availability and a quote.
Get a quote →