String Combos

Guitar and violin compliment one another wonderfully because the guitarist can provide a robust chordal accompaniment to support the violinists expressive melodies. Sam Irvin will always be the guitarist and works with just a few trusted colleagues (like the wonderful Kate Bryant, the excellent Hanako Hjersman or the charming Linda Kendall Fields) so the performers are always familiar with one another and the varied repertoire. This ensures a consistently light, fun and sophisticated performance whether it’s a wedding (rehearsal dinners, ceremonies, cocktail hours, light receptions, etc.), a corporate event or anywhere else! The expansive repertoire covers a variety of traditional classical standards (think Bach, Beethoven, Debussy…) and modern jazz/popular selections (from classics to now, bossas and swing, top 40, country, world folk… more!). Check out the song-list below! Any atmosphere is within reach! Add cello or double-bass for a string trio to achieve an even fuller sound.

Audio samples performed by Linda Kendall-Fields with Sam Irvin and engineered at Echo Mountain Recording.

Reviews:

Recently, Sam and Kate played as a guitar and violin duet at our wedding ceremony and cocktail reception. Our experience working with them was fantastic! Initially, Sam and I had a phone conversation to talk through my partner and my thoughts on the music. Sam was patient walking through various options and showed genuine excitement for our wedding and wanting to make it special! He created arrangements for various songs that we wanted played during the ceremony including Coldplay’s “Yellow” which my wife walked down the aisle to. Their arrangement was perfect, and it made such an important moment even meaningful for me, my wife, and our families and friends. During the cocktail hour, Sam and Kate played a number of arrangements of popular songs that our guests loved! I really enjoyed working with them. They were a big piece of making our wedding special! -Adam C. 

Sam Irvin Music Studio made the event planning task a pleasure. Sam's communications were stellar and the performance quality was top notch. Will certainly be calling him again in the future. A+++ -Je G. 

I had the best experience with Sam and Kate at my brunch wedding. They were easy to work with and reliable. They were also affordable and well worth their value. They learned Mariah Carey for me along with a few other songs and just did an excellent job.

All of my guests complimented the music!

I would highly recommend them! -Katie A. 

Sam and Kate were absolutely phenomenal and incredibly easy to work with leading up to our big day.  They brought an amazing musical element that was perfect for both during and after our ceremony.

We highly suggest you use Sam and team for all your event musical needs - they are the best. -Chris W. 

Sam and his team of musicians [guitar/violin/cello trio] are absolutely outstanding. For my wedding on 9/17/2021 they composed 3 songs of our choice to be included in our processional and recessional, and it was stunningly beautiful. It was truly what we envisioned for our ceremony music. Then they kicked it up a notch for lively music during our cocktail hour, and made it so much fun. I highly recommend Sam and his team! -Holly H. 

Sam and Kate were an indispensable element to the magic of our wedding. They not only played a beautiful set that we specifically arranged from their list of songs, but they impeccably learned four additional songs that have special meaning for me and my (now) wife--and the music of which was not all easy to find! They took the time to understand our ceremony schedule and play the special requests at their specific times--offering us a spiritual experience and gift that will remain in our hearts forever and brought special power, sublimity and endurance to the ceremony and vows. I have immense gratitude--wish we could do it again! But alas--for a once in a lifetime event--you can rely on these two to take care of you and create something beautiful. -Jordan F. 

One of the best decisions I made for my wedding day!  Sam and the Irvin Music Studio were incredibly communicative, helpful and professional in the lead up to the big day! I received rave reviews from my guests, and we were all so pleased with the quality of the music. It helped make our special day even more wonderful! [Guitar/Violin Duet] -Chloe B. 

Sam and Kate were the absolute perfect choice for our wedding ceremony and cocktail hour music! They played a beautiful mix of classical, jazz, folk, and more. Their music added an element of elegance and pure joy to the day's festivities. They have such a deep library of songs that they can play, and even took special requests for songs that they learned in advance of our big day! Not to mention they are both super genuine, nice people and super easy to work with. Thanks so much for everything! -Michael M. 

Sam and Kate were phenomenal! They exceeded our expectations in every way imaginable. We live in central NC and needed Asheville-based musicians to play for our wedding ceremony. Finding Irvin Music studio was simply terrific luck. They were: quickly responsive to our inquiry, made the process so easy, very flexible, charming, and extremely talented. They showed up early (they were set up before we even arrived) and played a beautiful repertoire of subtle music for even longer than we had hoped while our guests arrived before and mingled after the service. I really can't say enough to give them and their music proper respect. We both agreed that Irvin Music Studio may have been the best money we spent on our wedding. -Wesley S. 

Sam and Kate provided beautiful live music for our wedding ceremony and celebration afterwards.  These 2 are majorly talented, and even rearranged their schedules to stay longer for us.  They were gifted on the violin and guitar, and learned to play a special song for us in 2 days.  We were thrilled to have live music, and lucked out with having Sam and Kate! -Paul J. 

Dreamy Mountain Wedding: We cannot thank Sam and Kate enough for their performance at our wedding! They made our day even more special. Sam was so great and easy to work with. They had a great selection of songs for us to choose from that was exactly what we were looking for. We loved having them so much that we decided to extend their time an extra hour at the wedding! Thank you again for a day we will always remember! -Jean A. 

My husband and I hired Sam (on guitar) and Kate (on violin) to perform at our daughter’s small wedding in the NC mountains. The combination of their professionalism, musical talent and passion for their craft created a perfect background to the beautiful location and the joys we will long remember associated with this day!

We would readily hire them again in the future; very punctual, flexible and easy to work with! Mariela C. 

Our wedding ceremony was perfect with this touch of classical play! As the bride, waiting to come out, hearing the violin and guitar was heart warming and truly special! I would hire Samuel and his wife again in a heartbeat! Thanks for making my day extra special! -Melissa B. 

Sam and Kate were the absolute perfect choice for our wedding ceremony and cocktail hour music! They played a beautiful mix of classical, jazz, folk, and more. Their music added an element of elegance and pure joy to the day's festivities. They have such a deep library of songs that they can play, and even took special requests for songs that they learned in advance of our big day! Not to mention they are both really genuine, nice people and super easy to work with. Thanks so much for everything! -Lina R.