INSPIRATION

Welcome to the 'Inspiration' page of the 1000Pianos! This page is dedicated to highlighting the incredible artists, musicians, and activities that have inspired and influenced our street piano project. From street performers to musical activists, we have gathered a collection of videos, links, news reports, and other resources that showcase the power of music to bring people together and make a positive impact on the world.

‘Play Me, I’m Yours’ - Luke Jerram

‘Play Me, I’m Yours’ was first commissioned by the Fierce Festival in Birmingham, UK in 2008. With 15 pianos located across the city for three weeks it is estimated that over 140,000 people played or listened to music from the pianos. Since then artist Luke Jerram and his team have installed more than 2000 street pianos in 70 cities worldwide, which have been played and listened to by more than 20 million people.

"‘Play Me, I’m Yours’ created a beautiful and worthy moment for our city, by bringing the Street Pianos to our city’s parks and public spaces. It’s things like this that make me extra proud to be a New Yorker, and the endless possibilities represented in these streets.”
Alicia Keys on New York Street Pianos

Play Me I'm Yours!

Two Week Piano Fest for Pros and Wannabes - New York Post

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Play Me, I'm Yours

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Playing the piano to riot police in Ukraine - #BBCTrending - BBC News

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Davide Martello (Klavierkunst)

Davide became famous for playing his grand piano in various public spaces, including war zones and crisis zones, as a form of therapy and emotional support for those affected. He gained widespread recognition for his performances in 2013, during the refugee crisis in Europe, when he set up his piano at the Keleti railway station in Budapest, Hungary and played for refugees who were stranded there. The video of his performance quickly went viral and was widely shared on social media, bringing attention to the refugee crisis and inspiring others to use music as a form of compassion and comfort in times of crisis.

In June 2020, he played in Minneapolis, Minnesota during protests after the murder of George Floyd.

In March 2022, he played at the Ukrainian-Polish border with refugees from the Russian invasion.

Davide Martello

Davide Martello (Klavierkunst) playing piano 13.06.2013 @Taksim Square - Gezi Parkı istanbul

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Klavierkunst - Davide Martello Live auf dem Domplatz in Erfurt High Quality

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Pianist Davide Martello plays for Ukrainian refugees at the Polish border

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Davide Martello, is playing his Piano in Medyka, while refugees from Ukraine are entering to Poland.

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Sing for Hope Pianos

From the Bronx to Beirut, the Sing for Hope Pianos is a global arts initiative that produces artist-designed pianos; places them in public spaces for anyone and everyone to enjoy; then transports and activates them year-round in permanent homes in schools, hospitals, transit hubs, refugee camps, and community-based organizations. Sing for Hope has provided more pianos for under-resourced public schools than any other organization in the world.

The Sing for Hope Pianos is the country’s largest annually recurring public arts project, placing artist-designed pianos in parks and public spaces for anyone and everyone to play. Sparking impromptu music-making and connections, they create spontaneous moments of joy and community, bringing people together.

And here’s the best part: the Sing for Hope Pianos are YOURS!
They are free and open for all of your jam sessions, student performances, musically accompanied yoga sessions, dance-offs, workshop/classes, music videos, livestreams, and more. Your Sing for Hope Pianos’ creative opportunities are as boundless as your imagination.