Jeff Lu

Violist and multi-instrumentalist based in Los Angeles.
Now booking for weddings and events worldwide!

Violist and multi-instrumentalist based in Los Angeles. Now booking for weddings and events worldwide!

Past Performances

Biography

When I was eight years old, my mom decided that I should pick up either the violin or the piano. I didn't know what either of those words meant, so I went with the one I heard first. Thanks, mom!

After years of classical training, I grew fond of the violin, but along the way I fell in love with a dream much greater: learning every instrument I could. Since then I've picked up the violin, viola, cello, double bass, trombone, and piano, and it's been the greatest gift of my musical career—especially taking the plunge and switching over to viola.

Somehow one thing led to another, and I started traveling the world performing in places like Costa Rica's National Theater and Taiwan's Presidential Office Building. Back at home in Los Angeles, I've played in everything from short films and Broadway musicals to string quartets and symphony orchestras.

But at the end of the day, I still feel like that same eight-year-old kid at heart: noodling around, chasing new sounds, and trying to use music to navigate this crazy ride we call life. Thanks for joining me!

"He truly knows how to make that instrument sing."

— Samuel

The Jeff Guarantee

A Unique Sound

Compared to our violinist counterparts, there aren't a lot of us viola players out there. That makes booking a violist a great way to make your wedding or event extra special! Our signature sound carries both the elegance of a violin and the richness of a cello, all in one package.

A Well-Rounded Background

Learning multiple instruments in a variety of settings has put me in a unique position to perform a wide range of music, from big band hits to musical numbers. No matter what you've got in mind, I'm happy to work with you to create a fully customizable setlist for your wedding or event!

A Seamless Process

Thanks to my experience event planning for the LA creative community and my day job as a graphic designer, you can rest easy knowing I have the communication and attention to detail that go into pulling off a vision as singular as yours. Plus, it means I'll probably show up in a great outfit.

An Affordable Quote

I've been a longtime advocate for the democratization of music education, and I think the same should go for quality music entertainment. That's why I'm proud to offer price matching with proof of another musician's quote for comparable services!

Repertoire

Modern Pop

A Thousand Years, Christina Perri
All of Me, John Legend
Better Together, Jack Johnson
Budapest, George Ezra
Counting Stars, One Republic
Die With A Smile, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
drivers license, Olivia Rodrigo
Enchanted, Taylor Swift
Everything, Michael Bublé
Friends in Low Places, Garth Brooks
Gia Ena Tango, Haris Alexiou
Gravity, John Mayer
Haven't Met You Yet, Michael Bublé
Heart Attack, Wild Rivers
I'm Yours, Jason Mraz
In My Blood, Shawn Mendes
Just Give Me a Reason, P!nk ft. Nate Ruess
Just the Way You Are, Bruno Mars
Light My Love, Greta Van Fleet
Lover, Taylor Swift
Lucky, Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat
Mr. Brightside, The Killers
My Love Mine All Mine, Mitski
Perfect, Ed Sheeran
Royals, Lorde
One Last Dance, Us the Duo
Ordinary, Alex Warren
Save the Last Dance for Me, Michael Bublé
Shallow, Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper
Shut Up and Dance, Walk the Moon
Sign of the Times, Harry Styles
Somewhere Only We Know, Keane
Story of My Life, One Direction
Thinking Out Loud, Ed Sheeran
Uptown Funk, Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
Viva la Vida, Coldplay
Wildest Dreams, Taylor Swift
Yellow, Coldplay
You Belong With Me, Taylor Swift
You're Gonna Live Forever in Me, John Mayer
Yours to Keep, grentperez

Classic Pop

Bennie and the Jets, Elton John
Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen
Creep, Radiohead
Dancing Queen, ABBA
Don't Stop Believin', Journey
Hallelujah, Leonard Cohen
Hey Ya!, Outkast
Honky Cat, Elton John
I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me), Whitney Houston
Love Shack, The B-52's
Sweet Caroline, Neil Diamond
When I'm Sixty-Four, The Beatles
Your Song, Elton John

Traditional Pop

At Last, Etta James
Can't Help Falling in Love, Elvis Presley
Can't Take My Eyes off You, Frankie Valli
Fly Me to the Moon, Frank Sinatra
La vie en Rose, Édith Piaf
L-O-V-E, Nat King Cole
Love in Bloom, Ralph Rainger
Somethin' Stupid, Nancy Sinatra and Frank Sinatra
The Girl From Ipanema, Frank Sinatra
The Way You Look Tonight, Frank Sinatra

Movies/TV

Beauty and the Beast
Be Our Guest
Beauty and the Beast
Belle

Bridgerton
Main Title

Cinema Paradiso
Love Theme
Main Theme

The Greatest Showman
A Million Dreams
Come Alive
From Now On
Never Enough
Rewrite the Stars
The Greatest Show
The Other Side
This Is Me
Tightrope

KPop Demon Hunters
Free
Golden

La La Land
A Lovely Night
Another Day of Sun
Audition (The Fools Who Dream)
City of Stars
Mia & Sebastian's Theme
Someone In The Crowd

The Lion King
Can You Feel the Love Tonight

Lord of the Rings
Concerning Hobbits
May It Be

The Phantom of the Opera
All I Ask of You

The Prince of Egypt
When You Believe

Ratatouille
Le Festin

Schindler's List
Main Theme

Singin' in the Rain
All I Do Is Dream of You
Finale
Make 'Em Laugh
Singin' in the Rain

The Sound of Music
Edelweiss

Tangled
I See the Light
I've Got a Dream
When Will My Life Begin?

Titanic
Hymn to the Sea
My Love Will Go On

Up
Married Life
The Spirit of Adventure

West Side Story
Maria
Tonight

Classical

Adagio in G Minor, Albinoni
Air on a G String, Bach
Allemande (Cello Suite No. 1), Bach
Bridal March (“Here Comes the Bride”), Wagner
Canon in D, Pachelbel
Capriccio in C Minor, Vieuxtemps
Clair de Lune, Debussy
Courante (Cello Suite No. 1), Bach
Estrellita, Ponce
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Bach
Gigue (Cello Suite No. 1), Bach
Le Cygne (“The Swan”), Saint-Saëns
Largo (Symphony No. 9 “From the New World”), Dvořák
Meditation from Thaïs, Massenet
O Mio Babbino Caro, Pucinni
Pas de Deux (The Nutcracker), Tchaikovsky
Prélude (Cello Suite No. 1), Bach
Prélude (Cello Suite No. 3), Bach
Prélude (Cello Suite No. 6), Bach
Romance in F Major, Bruch
Salut d'Amour, Elgar
Träumerei (Kinderszenen), Schumann
Viola Concerto in D Major, Stamitz
Wedding March, Mendelssohn
Zigeunerweisen, Sarasate

Frequently Asked Questions

Logistics

How much do you charge?

I don't list any prices here because your quote will depend on a few factors, primarily performance length, travel time, and amount of custom song requests.

That being said, I want to work within your budget as much as possible, which is why I'm proud to offer price matching with proof of another musician's quote for comparable services!

Once we've agreed on a quote, a 25% deposit is required to confirm of your booking. I typically handle payments through Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal.

What's your cancellation/rescheduling policy?

Your 25% deposit will be forfeited in the event of a cancellation, unless proof is provided of an emergency which prevents your event from happening altogether.

I am happy to reschedule bookings at no cost, provided I can attend the new date and time.

Are you willing to travel?

Yes! I'm based in Los Angeles, but I'm happy to go wherever on the planet your event takes us. An additional fee may apply for anything past an hour of travel.

How long can you play for?

I don't have a strict minimum or maximum length!

That being said, for bookings 2 hours or longer, I reserve the right to take a short 5-10 minute break after each hour of playing, during which I'll play canned music through my sound setup.

Do you have vendor insurance?

Yes! I have general liability insurance up to $1M, and am happy to provide a copy if your venue requires it.

Do you have your own sound equipment?

Yes! I have my own sound setup, which includes the option to amplify both my instrument and my backing tracks.

What will you wear?

I dress cocktail attire for most performances, but if your dress code calls for something else, I'm happy to oblige!

Music

Can you learn a song for my event?

Yes! If you don't see what you're looking for in my repertoire, I would be happy to learn any and all songs you'd like. A small additional fee may apply.

Can you help me choose songs?

Yes! If you'd like some help topping off your setlist, or if you just have a general vibe in mind, I'd be happy to work with you to fill in the gaps based on my recommendations.

Do you use backing tracks?

Yes! I use backing tracks to add more dimension to the music. Depending on the song and on your event needs, this will either be the full instrumental track from the original song, or a stripped piano/guitar/strings track.

Can you play with a group?

I can play in a duo, trio, or quartet with other strings and/or a piano by request. Please be advised that some pieces in my repertoire may not be available with groups.

Can you play a different instrument?

I can play violin, electric 5-string violin, or cello by request. Please be advised that some pieces in my repertoire may not be available on these instruments.

Contact

You can reach me at hello@jeffviolist.com for all bookings and inquiries. I look forward to working with you!

To expedite the booking process, please include the performance date, start/finish time, location, and type of event.

Get in touch