Jeff Lu

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

Where I've Played

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 on whatever instruments I can find, chasing new sounds, and trying to use music to navigate this crazy ride we call life. Thanks for joining me!

“A hit”

Mary ∙ Wedding Reception

“First-class”

Yu-Fahn ∙ Wedding Ceremony

“Breathtaking”

Vanessa ∙ Birthday Party

“Brilliant”

Giselle ∙ Wedding Cocktail Hour

Now Serving

Weddings

Starting at $350/hr

Proposals ∙ Pre-Ceremonies ∙ Ceremonies

Cocktail Hours ∙ Dances ∙ Receptions

Events

Starting at $250/hr

Corporate Events ∙ Parties ∙ Fundraisers

Galas ∙ Trade Shows ∙ Open Houses

Venues

Starting at $150/hr

Senior Homes ∙ Hospitals ∙ Hotels

Restaurants ∙ Cafés ∙ Churches

The Jeff Guarantee

Included in all bookings

Custom Setlist

Choose as many (or as few) songs as you'd like. I'll help with the rest.1

Professional Sound

Wireless setup including backing instrumentals and amplification.

Quick Communication

Get a response within 48 hours for any email/text before your booking.

Rehearsal Recordings

For key ceremony moments. Sent at least 30 days in advance.2

Vendor Insurance

General liability up to $1,000,000. Copy provided upon request.

Initial Consultation

An optional Zoom call for me to get to know you and your needs.

Additional fees may apply for travel time (as calculated from Glendora, CA), 1song requests outside of my repertoire, and 2live attendance at wedding/event rehearsals.

Repertoire

Modern (2000s – 2020s)

A Thousand Years, Christina Perri
All of Me, John Legend
Better Together, Jack Johnson
Bewitched, Laufey
Budapest, George Ezra
Cherry Wine, Grentperez
Die with a Smile, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
Drivers License, Olivia Rodrigo
Enchanted, Taylor Swift
Everything, Michael Bublé
Gravity, John Mayer
Haven't Met You Yet, Michael Bublé
Heart Attack, Wild Rivers
Hey Ya!, Outkast
If I Ain't Got You, Alicia Keys
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
Lover Girl, Laufey
Lucky, Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat
Manchild, Sabrina Carpenter
Marry You, Bruno Mars
Mr. Brightside, The Killers
My Love Mine All Mine, Mitski
Mystical Magical, Benson Boone
One Last Dance, Us the Duo
Opalite, Taylor Swift
Ordinary, Alex Warren
Parallel, Flatland Cavalry and Ashley Monroe
Perfect, Ed Sheeran
Pink Pony Club, Chappell Roan
Rock DJ, Robbie Williams
Royals, Lorde
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
Sweet Pumpkin, Samara Joy
Thinking Out Loud, Ed Sheeran
Turning Page, Sleeping At Last
Uptown Funk, Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
Valentine, Laufey
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 (1970s – 1990s)

Bennie and the Jets, Elton John
Bohemian Rhapsody, Queen
Can You Feel the Love Tonight, Elton John
Creep, Radiohead
Dancing Queen, ABBA
Don't Go Breaking My Heart, Elton John and Kiki Dee
Don't Stop Believin', Journey
Friends in Low Places, Garth Brooks
Gia ena Tango, Haris Alexiou
Hallelujah, Leonard Cohen
Honky Cat, Elton John
I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me), Whitney Houston
Love Shack, The B-52's
My Heart Will Go On, Céline Dion
September, Earth, Wind & Fire
She's the One, Robbie Williams
Take Me Home, Country Roads, John Denver
Time to Say Goodbye, Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman
Y.M.C.A., Village People
Your Song, Elton John

Traditional (1920s – 1960s)

At Last, Etta James
Beyond the Sea, Bobby Darin
Can't Help Falling in Love, Elvis Presley
Can't Take My Eyes off You, Frankie Valli
Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words), Frank Sinatra
Happy Together, The Turtles
Hound Dog, Elvis Presley
I Wish You Love, Laufey
It Had to Be You, Ray Charles
L-O-V-E, Nat King Cole
La Vie en Rose, Edith Piaf
Love in Bloom, Bing Crosby
My Way, Frank Sinatra
Save the Last Dance for Me, Michael Bublé
Somethin' Stupid, Nancy Sinatra and Frank Sinatra
Stand by Me, Ben E. King
Sweet Caroline, Neil Diamond
The Girl from Ipanema, Frank Sinatra and Antônio Carlos Jobim
The Way You Look Tonight, Frank Sinatra
What a Wonderful World, Louis Armstrong
When I'm Sixty-Four, The Beatles
You Are My Sunshine, Jimmie Davis
You Make Me Feel So Young, 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

Formula 1
Formula 1 Theme

The Godfather
Love 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

The 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
Would You?

The Sound of Music
Edelweiss

A Star is Born
Shallow

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

Titanic
Hymn to the Sea
My Heart Will Go On

Top Gun
Top Gun Anthem

Up
Married Life
The Spirit of Adventure

West Side Story
Maria
Tonight

Classical

Adagio in G Minor, Albinoni
Air on a G String, Bach
Bridal March (“Here Comes the Bride”), Wagner
Canon in D, Pachelbel
Capriccio in C Minor, Vieuxtemps
Clair de Lune, Debussy
Estrellita, Ponce
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Bach
Gigue (Cello Suite No. 1), Bach
Gigue (Cello Suite No. 3), Bach
Gigue (Cello Suite No. 6), Bach
Le Cygne (“The Swan”), Saint-Saëns
Meditation from Thaïs, Massenet
Nessun Dorma, Puccini
Nocturne No. 2, Chopin
O Mio Babbino Caro, Puccini
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
Wedding March, Mendelssohn
Zigeunerweisen, Sarasate

Holiday

A Holly Jolly Christmas, Burl Ives
All I Want for Christmas Is You, Mariah Carey
Auld Lang Syne, Guy Lombardo
Blue Christmas, Elvis Presley
Hallelujah, Leonard Cohen
It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, Michael Bublé
Jingle Bells, Michael Bublé ft. The Puppini Sisters
Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Michael Bublé
Silent Night, Frank Sinatra
White Christmas, Bing Crosby

Portfolio

A Thousand Years

Can't Help Falling in Love

Golden

Prélude (Cello Suite No. 1)

Can You Feel the Love Tonight

If I Ain't Got You

Singin' in the Rain

Love in Bloom

Sweet Pumpkin

Edelweiss

Beyond the Sea

L-O-V-E

Frequently Asked Questions

Bookings

How much do you charge?

I only name starting rates on this website because your exact quote may exceed this depending on a few factors (most often the location of your venue and the amount of custom song requests outside of my repertoire).

To get a personalized quote, please don't hesitate to reach out!

When/how do you collect payment?

Once we've agreed on a quote, I'll send over a contract, at which point a 25% deposit is required to confirm your booking. The remainder of your balance will be due by the start of the performance.

I accept payments through Venmo or Zelle.

What if I need to cancel or reschedule?

Your 25% deposit will be forfeited in the event of a cancellation.

I am happy to reschedule bookings at no cost, provided the new date and time still works for me.

How far in advance do I need to book?

I will gladly consider all bookings, regardless of how near or far into the future the occasion is! That being said, most bookings I accept tend to be made between 2–12 months in advance.

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 for gas, airfare, and/or lodging may apply.

How long can you play for?

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

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

Music

What's a viola (and why should I care)?

Great question! Imagine if the violin and the cello had a (way cooler) middle sibling. Due to the viola's unique construction, it resonates differently from other string instruments, resulting in a sound that carries the elegance of a violin and the warmth of a cello, all in one package.

Compared to many other instruments, there aren't a lot of us viola players out there, so booking one is a great way to make your wedding or event stand out! ;)

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 background music?

Yes! I use backing instrumentals to add more dimension to the music. This will be your choice of stripped piano/acoustic accompaniments or full instrumental tracks resembling the original song.

Can you play with a group?

Yes! I can play in a duet, trio, or quartet with other strings and/or a piano by request. Please be advised that this will come at a higher cost, and some songs in my repertoire may not be available.

Contact

You can reach me by email (hello@jeffviolist.com) or text (626-610-8788) for all bookings and inquiries. I look forward to working with you!

To receive a quote, please include your booking date, time (start and finish), venue, and requested services (e.g. "wedding pre-ceremony, ceremony, and cocktail hour" or "company party").

Get in touch