LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y., July 29, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Steinway & Sons announces a groundbreaking new concert series that brings the artistry of two groups together: the renowned pianists who perform on Steinway pianos, and the talented craftspeople who create them. The "Live from the Factory Floor" series kicked off this summer at the Steinway & Sons factory in Astoria. The quarterly series is a pioneering concept: it invites selected Steinway Artists to the factory for live shows performed for the entire Steinway factory production staff. The first concert, recently filmed in the second floor polishing department of the historic factory, featured Steinway Artist Jason Moran and showed some of the incredible mutual respect that exists between two key groups—creators and musicians—who love Steinway pianos.
"Magic happens at our factory every day but none of us will forget our day with Jason," said Michael Sweeney, President & CEO, Steinway & Sons. "Having our craftspeople and our artists come together is like a dramatic reunion of separated family members. It has long been our pleasure to bring all of these talented people together."
The series' first concert was performed by Jason Moran, a versatile performer called "the most provocative thinker in current jazz" by Rolling Stone . Moran was hand-selected to kick off the concert series; his energetic brand of jazz and improvisation had the audience of Steinway craftspeople looking on like proud parents. The concert also provided Moran with an opportunity to talk with production workers and better understand the diversity that infuses each and every instrument. The hand-crafting that goes into the piano by the factory's 300+ workers, Moran noted, is what makes each instrument unique."Each one of these instruments has characteristics that are unlike the cousin that sits right next to it. They are all from a family. They might look the same, but they talk differently."
Steinway & Sons will release a series of short video excerpts of the Jason Moran performance every Tuesday throughout the month of August. The video shorts will also feature a special behind-the-scenes look at the process of selecting a Steinway concert grand in the Steinway Factory Selection Room, and interviews with Jason Moran. The "Live from the Factory Floor" concert series will return in the fall and will bring a different Steinway Artist—in a wide range of genres—to the factory each season.
To view the current video short and future videos, visit and subscribe to Steinway's YouTube Channel at www.youtube.com/SteinwayOfficial . In the first video short, Jason Moran can be heard playing "Handful of Keys" by the legendary Fats Waller. His latest album on the Blue Note label, "All Rise: A Joyful Elegy for Fats Waller," will be released on September 16.
About Steinway & Sons
Since 1853 Steinway pianos have set an uncompromising standard for sound, touch, beauty and investment value. Steinway remains the choice of 9 out of 10 concert artists, and it is the preferred piano of countless musicians, professional and amateur, throughout the world. For more information, visit www.steinway.com .
Anthony Gilroy Steinway & Sons (718) 204-3116
