As pianist and music director, Nolan has a long and celebrated history of producing highly professional and entertaining shows in a wide variety of musical realms: from rock to jazz to Broadway to classical and beyond. Whether for public, private, or corporate events, Nolan tailors each show to the vision / themes desired by the producers or organizers—combining rich repertoire with stellar performances and enlightening background and musicological insight. Given his vast contacts, Nolan is able to call upon a wide stable of supremely talented vocalists and instrumentalists—providing unforgettable and unmatched musical events.

To discuss hiring Nolan as pianist and/or music director, including suggestions of potential programs and featured performers, contact: inquiry@nolangasser.com  

Nolan is a consummate and eclectic pianist, composer, arranger, conductor, and music director; as such, he can assemble programs in virtually any style or based on any theme—the more specific and nuanced the better in fact, as Nolan can bring to bear his musicological skills to fashion cohesion and historical relevance to a program that at first blush might seem random. Inevitably, Nolan’s audiences leave moved, entertained, and enlightened.

Thanks to Nolan’s inherent eclecticism and the broad and virtuosic roster he can draw from, the range of musical styles and approaches available to clients is vast—and can be assembled in a manner as narrow or broad stylistically as requested. A sample of the musical styles and performance formats available under Nolan’s direction include:

Musical Styles (sample)

• Pop / Rock: 1950s to present
• R&B / Soul: 1960s–80s
• Broadway: 1940s to today
• Jazz: New Orleans, Swing, Bebop, Hard Bop, Latin Jazz, Smooth Jazz, etc.
• Classical: Baroque to Contemporary—instrumental, vocal, operatic, etc.
• World music: Celtic / Irish, Italian, French, North African, Indian, World fusion, etc.

Performance Formats (sample)

• Piano solo
• Vocalist(s) + Piano
• Vocalist(s) + Piano + Violin (or Horn, etc.)
• Small Instrumental Ensemble (e.g., Piano, Horns, Guitar, Rhythm section)
• Vocalist(s) + Small Instrumental Ensemble
• Large Instrumental Ensemble (Horns, Strings, Rhythm Instruments, etc.)
• Vocalist(s) + Large Instrumental Ensemble
• Choir (a cappella)
• Choir + Small or Large Ensemble

Nolan has deep experience working in tandem with event coordinators and venue personnel to properly define program flow (main show & background components)—including the arrangement of sound, lighting, instrumental rental (backline), and stage installment. A list of private, corporate, and organizational references are available upon request.