Josh Skaja

Serves Naperville, IL

35244

Hired 15 times

1 employee

19 years in business

Not yet available

5.0

This pro accepts payments via Apple Pay, Cash, Check, Venmo, and Zelle.

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Credentials

Background Check

Joshua Skaja
Completed on 11/2/2023

Introduction

THE NON-STOP HUMAN JUKEBOX Hi! I'm Josh. I don't take breaks. I know A LOT of songs. My show is a collaboration with the audience. I customize the playlist in real time—either by reading the room, or taking requests via text message. Is it ok if I brag for a minute? 👉 PBS filmed FOUR of my band's live concerts ... 👉 I played guitar & drums in the Chicago production of Jersey Boys... 👉 and I toured with Million Dollar Quartet’s Brandon Bennett. 👉 I’ve played a Bat Mitzvah on a horse farm... 👉 a Christmas party at George Washington’s Mt Vernon estate... 👉 and at a private party for Hillary Clinton. 👉 I’ve played legendary venues like The Greek and Wolftrap... 👉 with world-class symphony orchestras (Nashville, Detroit, Cleveland, Utah, etc)... 👉 and I maintain a residency at the historic Drake Hotel in Chicago. 👉 I’ve been hired by Fortune 500 companies like CDW & Deloitte... 👉 I’m a preferred vendor at several country clubs & yacht clubs... 👉 and I’ve played thousands of shows in swanky rooms & seedy dive bars alike. Enough about me. Let’s talk about you. You’re planning an event. You’d like there to be music. But it’s hard to choose. Are these acts any good? I'll let you in a little secret: A lot of performers just go through the motions. Not me. Musical talent is useless without an emotional connection. Which is why every show I play is a collaboration with the audience. I love to customize the playlist in real time—either by reading the room, or by using my Text Request Line™️. My repertoire features songs from artists like... The Beatles, Tom Petty, Paul Simon, Elton John, The Eagles, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, Hall & Oates, Sublime, Pearl Jam, Jack Johnson, The Chicks, Chris Stapleton, The Killers, Oasis, & Counting Crows. Please ask for my full song list! I'd love to provide a price quote for your event. Solo acoustic is my specialty, but I also offer duos, trios, etc, all the way up to a six-piece band.

Q&A

What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?

I have a minimum fee of $750.

What is your typical process for working with a new customer?

I want to be sure I have the right information to make the event a success. Usually that means a brief phone call to make sure we're on the same page.

What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?

Music has been my only job for twenty+ years. I've been playing private events for seventeen+ years.

How did you get started doing this type of work?

I was fortunate to have a mentor! He was the one who introduced me to the idea of playing private events.

What types of customers have you worked with?

Businesses like Deloitte & CDW, Events like TEDx & Flannel Fest, Hotels like Drake Hotel & The Langham, Clubs like Shoreacres Country Club & Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club, Breweries like Crystal Lake Brewing & Topsy Turvy, and so so so so many families & individuals who've hired me to play their birthdays, engagements, weddings, anniversaries, block parties, festivals, work events, & holiday celebrations.

Describe a recent project you are fond of. How long did it take?

A few days ago I played a 50th birthday that was a Chicago block party. It was an unusual setup, but I was able to use a battery-powered speaker to make the logistics work best for their party vibe. The guests RAVED about the performance, the hosts said it MADE the party, and it's lead to several inquiries for private events & street festivals.

What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?

Don't automatically trust highly polished demo videos. You want someone who sounds good even in an unedited iPhone video. (Because that's what they actually sound like.)

What questions should customers think through before talking to professionals about their project?

Are they the right fit for your event? Are they professional? Are they talented AND enthusiastic onstage? Are they flexible enough to adapt to the unexpected?