Rich Gordon: Your Complete Guide to Scotland's Most Versatile Saxophonist, Piper & Guitarist

Most solo musicians for hire do one thing well. Rich Gordon does three — seamlessly, often in the same event. A saxophonist since 1999 and a bagpiper since 1995, Rich has become one of Scotland's most in-demand solo acts, with 19 five-star reviews and a client list that includes Aston Martin, Moët & Chandon and Bacardi UK. Here's everything you need to know before booking him.

Who is Rich Gordon?

Rich Gordon is a St Andrews, Fife-based multi-instrumentalist — saxophonist, bagpiper, guitarist, composer, and even a qualified celebrant — available for hire across Scotland for weddings, corporate events and private parties. He's been playing saxophone since 1999 and bagpipes since 1995, and has performed at events ranging from intimate ceremonies to major corporate functions for brands including Aston Martin, Moët & Chandon, Tesco, Morrisons, Heineken UK, Bacardi UK and Rigby Gunmakers, as well as the Universities of St Andrews, Edinburgh and Dundee.

Beyond live event work, Rich is a self-published composer who has recorded his own albums and worked with musicians internationally, and has performed alongside artists including Texas. He's also a member of live band The Smoking Jeffreys, and — a genuinely unusual string to his bow — a qualified independent celebrant, able to lead non-legal ceremonies such as vow renewals, elopements and funerals, with musical accompaniment built in.

The seamless sax-to-pipes switch

What sets Rich apart from most solo hires is his ability to move between instruments across a single event — piping guests into a ceremony, then switching to saxophone for the drinks reception, and picking up a guitar later in the day. Reviewers repeatedly mention how seamless this transition is: several say they assumed they'd booked two separate musicians, not one, until they realised it was Rich the whole time.

That same versatility is what makes him a strong fit for corporate events specifically — one performer who can shift tone across a whole evening, from welcome drinks through dinner to a full-energy set later on, without needing to bring in separate acts for each stage.

What kind of music does Rich play?

His repertoire is split into distinct sets depending on the moment you need him for:

Gentle set (ceremonies, drinks receptions): What a Wonderful World, Perfect (Ed Sheeran), A Thousand Years, Take Five, Cantaloupe Island

Upbeat set (evening energy): Uptown Funk, Happy, Careless Whisper, Billie Jean, Sax (Fleur East)

Club set (a full Ibiza-style sax set): Freed From Desire, Titanium, Levels, Mr Saxobeat

World set: Tum Hi Ho, and a nod to home with Dougie MacLean's Caledonia

He's also known for happily learning couples' specific favourite songs ahead of the day, on top of an already extensive set list.

Does Rich play bagpipes too?

Yes — piping is one of his core skills, and it's regularly booked alongside saxophone for the same event, particularly for wedding ceremonies where pipes lead guests in and sax carries the drinks reception. Rich's dedicated bagpipes profile covers that side of his work in more detail.

What do reviewers say about him?

Across 19 five-star reviews, a handful of things come up again and again:

• The sax-and-pipes switch amazes guests. Multiple reviewers describe guests being convinced they'd booked two different performers.
• He learns requested songs. Several couples mention Rich learning their specific favourites ahead of the day, on top of his existing set list.
• He's exceptionally easy to work with. "Nothing was too much bother" and similar phrasing recurs across reviews, including from overseas couples booking remotely.
• He reads the room. Reviewers repeatedly note how well he judged the mood and music choices for each stage of the day.
• Repeat bookings are common. More than one review mentions booking Rich again after a first event, including from guests and even a wedding videographer who saw him perform.

Where does Rich perform?

He's played at venues across Scotland including Murthy Castle, Thirlestane Castle, Cluny Castle, Balbirnie House Hotel, Cornhill Castle, Achnagairn Estate, Cambo House, Mar Lodge (Braemar), and Trump Turnberry, along with private parties and corporate functions in Edinburgh and beyond.

What's included when you book?

Rich provides his own PA system and carries public liability insurance with PAT-tested equipment. Standard bookings are quoted for a 2-hour daytime drinks reception on saxophone, with add-on options including a 1-hour ceremony, a 1-hour evening Ibiza-style sax set, and a full-day package that can include bagpipes alongside saxophone. Alternative timings are available on request.

Instant online quotes are based on a standard 2-hour saxophone drinks reception; for bagpipes, full-day packages, or bespoke combinations across the day, the Hireaband team will put together a tailored quote.

How do you book Rich Gordon?

Rich is managed exclusively by Hireaband. You can get an instant online quote for a standard saxophone booking, or contact the team directly for a bespoke quote covering bagpipes, a full-day package, or any combination of his skills. Every enquiry is handled personally by an experienced human booking team, not an automated chatbot.

Frequently asked questions

What instruments does Rich Gordon play? Saxophone, bagpipes and guitar, often across a single event.

Can he play both saxophone and bagpipes at our wedding? Yes — a full-day package covering both is available; contact the Hireaband team for a bespoke quote. Although incredibly talented, he still hasn't figured out how to play both at the same time.

Will he learn our favourite songs? Yes, he regularly learns specific requests ahead of a booking, on top of his existing set list.

What's a standard booking? Instant quotes are based on a 2-hour daytime saxophone drinks reception, with ceremony, evening and full-day add-ons available.

Is he a qualified celebrant too? Yes, Rich is a qualified independent celebrant for non-legal ceremonies such as vow renewals and funerals, available with musical accompaniment.

Ready to check your date? Get an instant quote and availability for Rich Gordon through Hireaband — every enquiry handled by real human experts who know the act and the venues inside out.