People I've prepared pianos for over the years
Posted: Sun Sep 26, 2010 7:04 pm
Being a piano technician I have gotten to work with and prepare instruments for some interesting and famous people over the years. Having grown up in a small Canadian town (pop. 10,000) I am easily star struck. Walking down a street in Vancouver about five years ago I saw:
Robin Williams!
...and was speechless. It's ridiculous I know, and my wife (big city girl) just laughed at me. It's like I didn't realize these people really exist and must put their pants on one leg at a time just like the rest of us.
I've been wanting to put a current list together for some time so thought I would just post their pics here. Some of these artists I had the opportunity to meet and chat with. Most of them I didn't meet although I probably could have if I could only have thought of something intelligent to say. I have little stories for most of them. Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement by the artist, only that they played at a venue which they trusted/required to provide a top notch, properly serviced and tuned piano for their event and that venue trusted me to do it. No complaints and in one instance the artist thanked me personally from the stage.
***
Little Richard
--
Anita Bryant
--
Sandi Patty
--
Josh Groban
--
Itzhak Perlman
--
Dave Brubeck
--
Marie Osmond
--
Lou Rawls
--
Chick Corea
--
Bobby McFerrin
--
Gregory Hines
--
Lee Greenwood
--
Dianne Reeves
--
George Winston
--
Wynton Marsalis
--
Jim Brickman
--
Kenny G.
--
Randy Newman
Note says: "Darrel -- thanks for a great job! Love, Randy Newman"
--
Martin Short
--
Arturo Sandoval
--
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
--
Alicia Keys (with a very nice Yamaha C7 grand)
--
Manhattan Transfer
--
Asleep at the Wheel
--
Hiromi Uehara
Check out this sample clip of her playing a Tom and Jerry bit. And also I've Got Rhythm.
--
Tony Bennett
--
Sir James Galway
--
Garrison Keillor
--
Jason D. Williams
--
Ramsey Lewis
--
Harry Connick Jr.
--
Sarah McLachlan
--
Dr. John
Robin Williams!
...and was speechless. It's ridiculous I know, and my wife (big city girl) just laughed at me. It's like I didn't realize these people really exist and must put their pants on one leg at a time just like the rest of us.
I've been wanting to put a current list together for some time so thought I would just post their pics here. Some of these artists I had the opportunity to meet and chat with. Most of them I didn't meet although I probably could have if I could only have thought of something intelligent to say. I have little stories for most of them. Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement by the artist, only that they played at a venue which they trusted/required to provide a top notch, properly serviced and tuned piano for their event and that venue trusted me to do it. No complaints and in one instance the artist thanked me personally from the stage.
***
Little Richard
--
Anita Bryant
--
Sandi Patty
--
Josh Groban
--
Itzhak Perlman
--
Dave Brubeck
--
Marie Osmond
--
Lou Rawls
--
Chick Corea
--
Bobby McFerrin
--
Gregory Hines
--
Lee Greenwood
--
Dianne Reeves
--
George Winston
--
Wynton Marsalis
--
Jim Brickman
--
Kenny G.
--
Randy Newman
Note says: "Darrel -- thanks for a great job! Love, Randy Newman"
--
Martin Short
--
Arturo Sandoval
--
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
--
Alicia Keys (with a very nice Yamaha C7 grand)
--
Manhattan Transfer
--
Asleep at the Wheel
--
Hiromi Uehara
Check out this sample clip of her playing a Tom and Jerry bit. And also I've Got Rhythm.
--
Tony Bennett
--
Sir James Galway
--
Garrison Keillor
--
Jason D. Williams
--
Ramsey Lewis
--
Harry Connick Jr.
--
Sarah McLachlan
--
Dr. John