Mr. Gelfond performs classical violin, traditional fiddle, swing band music and music for contra dance. He offers wedding musicians for hire and traditional music groups for dances and events in Asheville, NC. He offers a variety of music for weddings including ceremony, prelude and dance music in Asheville. Contact Mr. Gelfond if you are looking for wedding music and to hire his bands.
He performs on fiddle/violin, mandolin, guitar and banjo playing classical, Irish and Scottish music, tangos,country, swing, cajun, ragtime, Scandinavian, bluegrass, gypsy and Klezmer music to name a few. He often creates musical arrangements of songs requested.
Welcome...Click on a file below to listen to music samples
CELTIC MUSIC with Irish or Scottish fiddle
Swallowtail Jig
Fanny Power
Mason's Apron
Julia Delaney
Marie's Wedding
Give Me Your Hand
OLD TIME Fiddle and Banjo
John Henry the fiddle tune
VIOLIN with CLASSICAL GUITAR
Trumpet Tune - Purcell
Wedding March - Wagner
Wedding Recessional - Mendelssohn
VIOLIN SOLO
Tenderly
Tico Tico
HARP & VIOLIN
Cannon in D by Pachelbel
Trumpet voluntary
Jesu Joy
Captain Sudley
La Cumparsita
FLUTE, VIOLIN & CELLO TRIO
Allegro Moderato, Hayden London trio
Andante, Hayden London trio.
Finale Vivace, Hayden London trio.
BLUE HEAVEN SWING BAND
Love
Buckets of Rain
Autumn Leaves
CLASSICAL STRINGS (quartet, trio, duo, solo)
Brandenburg 3, Allegro_ Recessional
Pachebell's Cannon in D
Handel Water Music Processional
Bach - Jesu Joy of Man's Desire
Ave Maria
Bach Air
One Hand One Heart
SCREECH OWL SERENADE, Bluegrass, country duets & ragtime
Yes Sir That's My Baby
Beaumont Rag
I'm Satisfied with You
Turn Back the Years
Some Pumpkins
Blue Eyes Cryin' in the Rain
BLUEGRASS & CAJUN
Back up and Push
Ashokan Farewll
Old Joe Clark
Gardenia Waltz
_Salt Creek
Diggy Liggy Lo
KLEZMER
Der Badkhen Freylach (The Prankster)
Kozatski
Hevenu Shalom
My background:
I have been a performer violin teacher and fiddle teacher, dance caller and independent booking agent for 35 years instructing students at the Greyfox Bluegrass Festival Academy for kids, teen arts workshops and privately. Playing since 8 years old and performing professionally since 23 on violin/fiddle, mandolin, fiddle and guitar now teach and perform in North Carolina. I worked for The Encore Entertainment Agency in partnership with Richard Stillman performing school assemblies and workshops. I have studied classical viola with teachers from the Philadelphia Orchestra, Boston Symphony and Manhattan School of music and played fiddle music at festivals and workshop all over the country.
I did a transition from accomplished violist to fiddle player in 1974. I've been studying all kinds of violin and fiddle playing since then. I have attended workshops from Ashokan, NY with Jay Unger to the Swannanoa Gathering with Richard Green and Any Stein. First of all you gotta love the fiddle and I do. Second you have to reach out and capture tunes and be willing to take the time to take them apart and put them back together. And finally you have to play all the time. It becomes a joyful part of you.
I was part of a group of bluegrass and old time musicians for years In the Philly area around Media, PA known as the "Rural Rhythm String Band" and attended “Thursday Night” sessions in Chads Ford, PA for the love of old time music. I have lived and played in Richmond, VA where I won talent competitions and performed at VCU, U of Richmond and local clubs. I was fiddler/mandolinist in country rock band "Freewheelin’" in New Jersey playing a mix of country rock and bluegrass. I played in the Colorado mountains with "Go For Broke" formerly “Gopher Broke”on the Western Slope at clubs in Vail, Steamboat Springs, Aspen and many more. We were the house band at the Glenwood Springs Hotel in Glenwood Springs, Colorado for a while. I toured France twice, giving over 50 concerts and leading dance clog dance workshops. Oh, and I flew to Japan to play fiddle and call dances at my friend Paul’s wedding. That was amazing as well as a short hop to England one afternoon to play on board a Virgin Airlines flight for a promotion. What a day that was.
A few references
Comments:
"A very special evening"
"Let me thank you for such a professional and entertaining performance"
"Everyone had a great time"
Recent performances:
The Inn at Biltmore, Asheville, NC
Vista Lawn of the Biltmore Hotel
Biltmore Winery
Biltmore Dear Park
Grove Park Hotel
Richmond Hill Inn, Asheville, NC
Homewood
Highlands NC (various churches and private parties)
Haywood Park Hotel Ballroom
Balsam Mountain Inn near Waynesville, NC
Crest Center, Asheville, NC
Malvern Hills Pavillion, West Asheville
“On Broadway” Broadway Arts Building, downtown Asheville.
Hidden River Events, Swannanoa, NC
Lake Eden outdoor wedding site
Chimney Rock Park, Lake Lure, NC
The Swag, Waynesvill, NC
Graystone Inn, Lake Toxaway, NC
Fairview Community Center, Fairview, NC
Camp Plieades, Bakersville, NC area (near Spruce Pine)
Botanical Gardens, UNC, Asheville
Highland Lake Inn, Flatrock, NC
Balsam Mountain Inn near Waynesville, NC
Woodfield Inn, Flat Rock, NC
Pinebrook Manor, Flat Rock, NC
High Vista Country Club, Arden, NC