Redefining the Street Musician: "Play Me, I'm Yours" Comes to Cincinnati

Cincinnati, Ohio
Anna Bentley | The News Record


Beginning August 9th, people of the Greater Cincinnati area will have an opportunity to expand their musical realm to the streets thanks to an interactive art installation called "Play Me, I'm Yours". Started by British artist Luke Jerram in 2008, "Play Me, I'm Yours" is a project in which artfully decorated street pianos are being installed in cities all over the world for any member of the public to play. The project was developed by Jerram in an effort to build communities and to provide an instrument to people who do not have the opportunity to own one. As of today, Jerram has installed pianos in over 10 different cities, including New York City, London, Barcelona, and his hometown Bristol.

In celebration of the anniversaries of Cincinnati radio stations 90.9 WGUC, 91.7 WVXU, and 88.5 WMUB, 35 pianos have been installed throughout Greater Cincinnati in parks, libraries, streets, and squares. The installation lasts until September 17th, when the pianos will be removed from the streets and donated to local art centers.

To view a map with locations of the installed pianos, click here.

The kickoff event for the "Play Me, I'm Yours" installation, held at Fountain Square on August 9th, brought both professional and amateur musicians downtown to celebrate the start of the street piano installation. People of all ages gathered and waited for their turn to play the two pianos that have been placed at opposite ends of Fountain Square.


View audio slideshow here


Joy Burch of Hamilton encourages spectators to sing along as she plays a piano at Fountain Square for the kick-off of the "Play Me, I'm Yours" installation.


Maya Stockman, 12, of Oakley plays "Notturno" at Fountain Square on August 9 during the kickoff event for the "Play Me, I'm Yours" piano installation.

Suzanne Bona of WGUC plays the flute while Sandra Rivers of CCM accompanies her on one of the "Play Me, I'm Yours" pianos at Fountain Square.

Businessmen and women who chose to spend their lunch break at Fountain Square on Monday, August 9 got a pleasant treat while they listened to local musicians play the "Play Me, I'm Yours" pianos at the kickoff event for the installation. One musician, Suzanne Bona of WGUC, even brought her flute to play.
Dean Herron plays The Beatles' "Lady Madonna" on one of the "Play Me, I'm Yours" pianos at Fountain Square during the kickoff event on Monday, August 9. So far Herron has played at least 10 of the 35 pianos that have been installed in Cincinnati and he hopes to play at least 15 before they are removed from the streets in mid-September.

Nathaniel Grogan, 7, of Northern Kentucky plays "The Lonely Traveler" at the kickoff event for the "Play Me, I'm Yours" piano installation on August 9th at Fountain Square.

A little boy pauses while reading a book to listen to a song being played on one of the "Play Me, I'm Yours" pianos at Fountain Square.

Beth and Steve Hofferber of Springfield Township perform Billy Joel's "Piano Man" at the kickoff event for the "Play Me, I'm Yours" piano installation at Fountain Square on August 9.

Cincinnatians gather at Fountain Square on Monday, August 9 for the kickoff event for the "Play Me, I'm Yours" piano installation.

Local Blues/Jazz pianist Ricky Nye plays "Summertime" on one of the "Play Me, I'm Yours" pianos at Fountain Square while spectators sing along.