Meet the Players
Andy Salmonsen
Andy Salmonsen’s love for music started at just 5 years old when he first played his neighbor’s baby grand piano. That moment sparked a passion that has only grown over the years. For more than three decades, Andy has dedicated himself to his business, NRG Music and Productions in San Diego, and in 2024, he took his passion even further by acquiring Arizona's leading dueling piano company, AZ Dueling Pianos.
Whether he's playing piano, singing, or composing orchestral pieces for TV shows and movie trailers, Andy’s connection to music runs deep. His performances have taken him all over the world, from Tahiti to Dubai and countless places in between. As a solo and dueling piano artist, Andy brings an expansive repertoire to each performance, always aiming to connect with his audience and create lasting memories at every event.
Marty Gast
A love for music, singing, people, and a good laugh characterize Marty Gast. He naturally rises to become the life of the party. Fluent in many styles and idioms and full of surprises, Marty's presentation covers all of the most popular hits from the 50’s to today’s Top Ten.
Marty has been entertaining full-time for the past 25 years on land and sea. His job has taken him around the world from the piano bars of a Carnival "Fun" ship to the Regatta Bar on the luxury yacht “The World of Residensea”. He is a graduate of Toronto’s Humber College Jazz Performance program and the Harris Institute For The Arts. Marty currently performs as a Dueling Piano Entertainer in Las Vegas.
Joe Fladung
Collin Freestone
Collin Freestone is a Tempe-based singer, pianist, and high-energy entertainer known for his work in the dueling piano circuit. With a performance style built around crowd requests, quick improvisation, and audience interaction, he turns every show into a fully engaging, one-of-a-kind experience.
In addition to his dueling piano performances, Collin fronts multiple live music projects including “Girl and a Guy” and “Yoga Pants,” bringing a versatile repertoire that spans pop, rock, country, and classics. His ability to read a room and keep the energy up makes him a standout performer in any setting.
Andrew Williams
Born Lee Andrew Williams in West Plains, Missouri, he trained in improvisational jazz, classical voice, musical theatre, and composition. At 18, he was selected for the United States Navy Music Program, where he served for 20 years as a contemporary and rock vocalist and keyboardist. That experience established a strong foundation in adapting to any audience, style, or setting.
Now based in Phoenix, Aqareo performs regularly throughout the Southwest in both high-energy and upscale environments. His venue experience includes The Italiano, JW Marriott Camelback, The Global Ambassador Hotel, The Ashley Castle, The Wrigley Mansion, Duelies Sports and Piano Bar, Twin Arrows Casino, and The Westin Kierland Resort.
His self-titled album features thirteen original tracks, all written, performed, and produced by Aqareo. The project was recorded at Imperial Audio in Tempe, Arizona, in collaboration with engineer Alejandro Gordillo, and features a group of established Phoenix-based musicians.
In a dueling piano setting, Aqareo is known for strong musical command, a broad repertoire, and the ability to read and lead a room. He focuses on delivering a clean, engaging performance that keeps the audience involved from start to finish.
James Brown
James Brown isn’t just a dueling pianist — he’s a powerhouse entertainer who elevates every room he steps into.
A former Entertainment Director of the renowned Shout House Piano Bar in Glendale’s Westgate District (home to the Arizona Cardinals), James brings a level of skill, showmanship, and audience engagement that is simply unmatched.
With a commanding voice, masterful musicianship, and the rare ability to read and move a crowd in real time, James transforms any event into a high-energy, interactive experience. Whether he’s leading a full sing-along, trading licks in a dueling piano battle, or delivering a soulful solo moment, James consistently leaves audiences raving.
Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Joe Fladung began playing the piano by ear at the age of 4. Before long, he was performing at weddings and Church festivals while studying classical music and jazz. A few misguided years of law school threatened to detour Joe's pursuit of professional musicianship. However, it wasn't long before he was performing in Nashville and honing his skills as an entertainer and musician.
Joe has been working full-time as a dueling pianist and solo performer since 2014. While his career and personal life have landed him in sunny and dry Phoenix, Arizona, he lives to travel and entertain. With a repertoire consisting of everything from Sinatra to Wheeler Walker Jr, and an ear that allows him to learn almost any song in seconds, Joe loves to take requests and bring joy with his music. Whether it's a first dance or the background music for a drunken night out, Joe's musical abilities and passion for entertainment are evident in each note he plays.
