Live entertainment
Scott Berry
Singer · Pianist · Entertainer
Scott Berry is a versatile pianist and vocalist whose career has taken him from Bourbon Street in New Orleans to off-Broadway in New York and, for more than 40 years, across Orlando’s music scene. With a repertoire of roughly 1,500 songs spanning jazz, Broadway, rock, country, blues and more, Scott is known for reading the room, taking requests and bringing a light, polished touch to every performance. At Christner’s, he sees his role as complementing the dining experience—creating the kind of music that makes guests look up, smile and sometimes sing along.
I’m not the star of the show. People come to Christner’s for a wonderful meal and to spend time with each other, and I’m the piano player in the background. I’m there for them; they’re not there for me. My job is to gently draw them into the music without demanding their attention.— Scott Berry
In his own words
Q&A with Scott
How would you describe your style of music in three words?
“Whatever they want. I play a little bit of everything—swing and jazz from the ’20s and ’30s, rock and roll, Broadway, country, blues. I’ve learned that if you want to connect with all kinds of people, you have to be willing to get outside your own genre.”
Is there a song you love playing because guests always sing along, smile or request it?
“I call those the moneymakers. ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ by Elvis is one of them. ‘New York State of Mind’ by Billy Joel is another, and ‘Unforgettable’ by Nat King Cole. Those are songs people know the minute you start playing them, and they’re timeless.”
If someone is visiting Christner’s for the first time, what song do you hope they’ll hear you play?
“I’d love for them to hear me play the theme from ‘The Godfather.’ Everybody knows that melody, and there’s something beautiful about what happens to the room when I start playing it. You can almost hear the conversations getting quieter. People stop for a moment and listen.”
What’s your favorite item on the Christner’s menu?
“The ahi tuna is fantastic. They really do a wonderful job with it. And honestly, order almost any steak and you’re there. I haven’t tried the lobster yet, but I can smell it coming out of the kitchen, so one of these days I’m going to have to.”
What’s your favorite part about performing at Christner’s?
“The people. The family is so darn sweet, and that feeling extends through the whole restaurant—from the dishwashers and waiters to the managers and owners. Everybody really does feel like a family. You walk into Christner’s and it’s almost like somebody’s arms are already around you.”
I’m always looking around and trying to get a sense of who’s in the room. If I see somebody dripping with jewels, I might think, ‘Oh, Broadway.’ If I see somebody in a plaid shirt, I might think, ‘Probably Willie Nelson.’ I’m there for the guests, so I try to read the room and find the music that connects with them.— Scott Berry
More About Scott
With a repertoire of around 1,500 songs, how do you decide what to play on any given night?
“I try to keep the genres moving and pay attention to what gets a reaction. I have a three-page list of song titles in front of me, and that’s only about a third of what I know. I might go from a Broadway song to Patsy Cline to the Beatles and just keep mixing it up until somebody picks their head up and looks at me or starts mouthing the words. Once that happens, I know I’ve found something they like.”
How do you read the room and tailor the music to the guests at Christner’s?
“I’m always looking around and trying to get a sense of who’s in the room. If I see somebody dripping with jewels, I might think, ‘Oh, Broadway.’ If I see somebody in a plaid shirt, I might think, ‘Probably Willie Nelson.’ You never know if you’re right, but that’s part of the fun. I’m there for the guests, so I try to read the room and find the music that connects with them.”
Years ago in New York, a guy told me, ‘Kid, learn 100 songs and you’ll get work. Learn 1,000 songs and you’ll work all the time.’ I eventually understood what he meant. To learn that many songs, you have to get outside your genre. That advice helped me build a repertoire of around 1,500 songs.— Scott Berry
Live music at Christner’s
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A talented lineup bringing warmth, music, and personality to the dining room.
