My New Piano

Yesterday, my new Fandrich and Sons upright piano was delivered to my music room at home!  It's a moment I've waited my entire life for--a brand-new piano, never used by anyone else.  It wasn't handed down to me, or borrowed.  It was something I looked for (it was a search that spanned many years), and I knew I wanted something unique, something that no one else had.

About 15 years ago, I studied jazz piano and improviation with David Christie, a well-known jazz artist and teacher here in Seattle.  He has two Master's degrees from Cornish School of the Performing Arts in Seattle, and I had over two years working with him, learning from him, and collaborating on a jazz curriculum with him.

David was always speaking about Darrell Fandrich, who at that time, had a small piano shop in Lake City.  Darrell is a Mechanical Engineer, and he developed what he called a 'vertical action' piano, creating a small piano that sounds like the finest concert grand.  His patent is in the Smithsonian Institute.

We made an appointment last week to meet Darrell and his wife Heather at their home and business in Stanwood, a small town 40 minutes north of us. I had the chance to explore and play all of the pianos in his showroom.

After looking at every piano, I finally made my choice.  I now own a Fandrich and Sons 122 Traditional Action piano, hand-built by Darrell.

Here are a few pictures I took last evening.