Latin Jazz Solo Guitar for a Winery Wedding

The beauty of weddings is that they are never just about two people. They’re about families, cultures, and communities coming together to celebrate life, love, and the power of connection. At a recent winery wedding, I had the honor of bringing those worlds together through music — from tender processional songs drawn from the indie folk world, to fiery Latin jazz guitar that honored the bride’s heritage and energized the cocktail hour.

This wedding was more than just another gig for me. It was a reminder of why I do what I do: to create moments that resonate, to bridge cultures through sound, and to give people an experience they’ll never forget.

The Couple’s Personal Soundtrack

The setting was rustic and elegant, with rows of vines rolling into the distance, guests chatting as the golden hour sunlight stretched across the landscape. The couple wanted their music to reflect who they were — not just in genre, but in spirit. They chose a mix of songs that were deeply personal, and I was tasked with arranging them for solo guitar.

For the ceremony, they requested:

• “American Mouth, Flightless Bird” by Iron & Wine for the wedding party processional
• “Strawberries” by Caamp for the bridal processional
• “Snow Shoes” by Caamp for the recessional

Adapting these songs was a creative joy. My process is simple: I sketch out each piece in Roman numerals and intervals only — no chord symbols, no standard notation. This way, I’m working with the skeleton of the song rather than getting bogged down in one key too early. Then I select the ideal key for guitar, one that lets the voicings ring naturally and gives me access to the colors I want. Finally, I build the arrangement, making sure it preserves the song’s essence while flowing effortlessly on the instrument.

The result was music that sounded both faithful and fresh, perfectly tailored for the moment. You can hear one of these pieces here: Snow Shoes – Solo Guitar Performance.

Switching Guitars: Ceremony and Cocktail Hour

To reflect the different moods of the evening, I used two guitars. For the ceremony, I played acoustic, keeping the sound intimate, organic, and warm. For the cocktail hour, I switched to my Gibson 335, which brought out the resonance and bite that Latin jazz demands.

That simple shift in instrument mirrored the arc of the wedding itself: from vows spoken in hushed tones to the lively energy of a family celebrating together.

Latin Jazz as the Heartbeat of the Cocktail Hour

The cocktail hour was when the bride’s cultural roots came to life. She had first discovered me through my solo guitar video of Sabor (watch here), and that was exactly the sound she wanted: solo Latin jazz guitar, raw and expressive.

I curated a set that included fiery pieces like Mongo Santamaría’s Come Candela (sample here), romantic classics like Sabor a Mí, and other tunes from the Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz traditions.

When I played Sabor a Mí, something beautiful happened. The bride’s father approached me, touched by the song’s beauty, and began explaining the meaning of the lyrics. Even though I wasn’t singing, the melody spoke for itself, and in that moment, music became a bridge between generations, languages, and cultures.

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Guest Reactions

One of the most touching moments of the night came from a Mexican girl of about 12 or 13. After the set, she came up to me with a huge smile and said, “I really enjoyed your concert.”

That phrase — concert — struck me. It meant that what I had played wasn’t just background music to her; it was an experience. That’s exactly what I hope for when I perform at weddings: that the music feels personal, alive, and memorable.

Her words also reminded me of something I wrote about in a blog last year called Uniting Cultures at Weddings Through Music. Music has the power to create common ground, even across differences in language, culture, or age. Having a “gringo” guitarist like me play salsa, bachata, merengue, bolero, and Afro-Cuban music like we do in our band Sunset Salsa meant the bride’s Mexican family could feel at home, while the rest of the guests discovered something new and exciting.

Other guests — particularly some of the men who played guitar — came up afterward to compliment my technique and artistry. Guitarists notice the little things: the way I voice chords, the subtle use of dynamics, the rhythmic precision.

But while I appreciated their kind words, the moment that stuck with me most was the little girl calling it a concert. For me, that’s the true measure of success at an event: not just impressing musicians, but touching hearts in a way that feels universal.

Why Latin Jazz Works So Well for Weddings

Latin jazz has a unique versatility that makes it perfect for weddings.

• It can be romantic and lyrical (like Sabor a Mí or a gentle bossa nova).
• It can be lively and rhythmic (like Come Candela or Caravan).
• It can flow seamlessly between background sophistication and attention-grabbing performance.

Most importantly, it brings people together. The rhythms are infectious, the melodies timeless, and the atmosphere it creates is one of joy, elegance, and cultural richness.

My Approach to Crafting a Wedding Soundtrack

Every wedding is different, which means every setlist and arrangement is customized. I don’t just recycle a stock repertoire. Instead, I listen to the couple’s vision, sketch out their chosen songs in Roman numerals and intervals, and adapt them in a way that feels natural on the guitar.

This process lets me move effortlessly between genres — from indie folk to jazz standards to Latin classics — while keeping the music cohesive and true to the moment.

And switching between guitars — acoustic for warmth, 335 for richness — gives me a tonal palette broad enough to tell the whole story of a wedding day.

Reflection

Walking away from this winery wedding, I felt deeply grateful. Several guests thanked me personally, the bride’s family shared meaningful words about the songs, and the little girl reminded me that what I do can be more than accompaniment — it can be an experience that resonates.

That’s why I play: not just to fill the air with sound, but to make moments unforgettable.

Looking Ahead – Myrtle Beach and Beyond

Although this wedding took place at a winery in upstate New York, my life is now taking me in a new direction. As I relocate to Myrtle Beach, I am thrilled to bring this kind of musical experience to couples and families in the Carolinas.

There are wonderful wineries, vineyards, and coastal venues in the Myrtle Beach area, and I look forward to filling them with the sounds of bossa nova, Latin jazz, and personalized solo guitar arrangements. Whether it’s an indie song arranged for acoustic guitar during a processional, or a fiery Latin jazz set during cocktails, I believe music has the power to make a wedding day even more extraordinary.

Final Thoughts

This winery wedding will always stand out in my memory: the indie songs reshaped for solo guitar, the switch from acoustic to 335, the joy of playing Latin jazz for a bride’s Mexican family, and the smiles and kind words from guests both young and old.

It reminded me once again that music is not just sound — it is connection, culture, and memory woven together. And it is my honor to bring that to weddings, wherever they may be.

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