May 2022 - Manchester Jazz Festival

manchester jazz festival and Forsyth’s music shop are on the hunt for Manchester’s most entertaining street pianist as a trail of 13 street pianos are placed across the city this week.

From May 6 – 29, the mjf piano trail will see pianos dotted throughout Manchester available for all passers-by to play.

And for those who think they can give Elton John a run for his money, a competition to find Manchester’s best street pianists will also run with a whole raft of prizes up for grabs including a Yamaha P-45B piano, return ticket for 4 anywhere on the Northern Rail Network, a gift package and vouchers worth over £100 from Quayside Media City UK and a £30 Wagamama voucher for each prize winner.

Technical talent or formal training is not necessary, and the competition is open to all from concert pianists to the occasional ivory tickler.

The mjf piano trail, delivered in partnership with the world renowned Forysth’s Music shop of Deansgate, is part of mjf2022 which will take place at venues across the city from May 20 – 29.

From May 6, pianos will be located at The Arndale Centre, The Corn Exchange, Forsyth Music shop, Great Northern, Harvey Nichols, Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester Central Library, Manchester Piccadilly Station, Quayside Media City UK, Royal Exchange Arcade, Spinningfields, The Trafford Centre, and Manchester Victoria Station.

Emma Loat, Manager of Forsyth’s Music, said: “For many years, we’ve had a street piano at the front of the Forsyth’s shop on Deansgate so we know that Manchester and the surrounding areas is full of talented musicians and those willing to have a go.
“We’re really excited to supply 13 pianos for the mjf piano trail and we’d urge all those budding performers to come forward, have a go and be in with a chance of winning some fantastic prizes.”

To be in with a chance to be named one of Manchester’s best street pianists, simply find one of the pianos in the trail, capture a short video of your performance and post the video to your Instagram, Facebook or Twitter account, tagging in @manchesterjazzfestival / @manjazzfest and using the hashtag #mjfpianotrail
Whether you play professional jazz or have never touched a note before there are no rules regarding who can apply, what kind of music you play and what your performance involves.
At the end of the piano trail mjf and Forsyth’s will select 9 winners based on who showed the most creativity, ingenuity and gave the best performances.

The prizes up for grabs are:
– Yamaha: Yamaha Digital Piano P-45B
– A £30 Wagamama gift voucher for all winners
– Doner Haus: Meal for up to 4 including pre/post drink
– Lion’s Den, Deansgate Mews: £50 bar tab
– Manchester Art Gallery: Afternoon Tea for two
– Jenny Jones: a pair of saxophone cufflinks or a soul stone necklace
– 20 Stories: Afternoon tea for two with a glass of fizz
– The Lawn Club: A complimentary pod booking and a bottle of Prosecco, for up to six people.
– Northern Rail: Four tickets at any time to anywhere on Northern rail network
– Quayside MediaCityUK: prize package includes:
• 2 x £25 Quayside Gift Card
• Two lots of two tickets to Vue Cinema
• Copy of Salford Edition Monopoly
• Two lots of two tickets for ITV Jungle Challenge