The Manchester Jazz Fest piano trail returns to discover the city’s hidden musical talents

The much-loved Manchester Jazz Festival piano trail returns to uncover the city’s hidden musical talent this week.

Running from Thu 18 Apr – Sun 26 May, the mjf piano trail is delivered in partnership with the iconic Forsyth Music Shop of Deansgate and Yamaha Pianos, and has become a key part of the wider ten-day festival.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “This city-region has music running through its veins, and helping connect people to new musical experiences and supporting talented musicians has always been so important to us. The mjf piano trail will take music back out onto the streets of Manchester, giving more people the chance to try their hand at playing and to encounter the vibrant music of our city in a really unique way.”

14 pianos have been scattered across the city, inviting anyone and everyone to stop by and play. Once again, there will also be a chance to win a Yamaha p145 piano and a selection of other prizes.

To be in with a chance of winning a prize, find one of the pianos in the trail, capture a short video of your performance, 2 minutes max, and post the video to your Instagram, Facebook or X account (*not as a story). The competition closes at midnight on Sun 26 May. Tag mjf @manchesterjazzfestival on Facebook or Instagram or @manjazzfest on X and use the hashtag #mjfpianotrail2024

The 14 piano locations are: Piccadilly Station, Manchester Arndale, Harvey Nichols, HOME, Victoria Station, Quayside MediaCityUK, Great Northern, Corn Exchange, Spinningfields, Royal Exchange Arcade, Central Library, Forsyth Music Shop, Trafford Palazzo and Factory International at Aviva Studios.

Alongside the piano trail itself, there will also be two bespoke piano trail walking tours available run by Free Manchester Walking Tours (FMWT) on Sat 18 and Sun 19 May (£10 per adult, children go free).

Live performances will be happening every Saturday afternoon in May on the Harvey Nichols in-store piano, with more pop-up gigs to be announced soon.

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 14 pianos to a growing number of venues 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.”