I'm an old-school, two-fisted piano player with a strong tenor voice for all styles of popular music. Life-of-the-party or background music; swingin' standards like Harry Connick, Jr. or rock and soul Piano Man-style like Elton, Billy, Ray, Jerry Lee, Dr. John and Fats Domino. I want to get the whole room swingin', dancin' and singin' along and I'm always happy to hand off the mic to a guest singer... after all, IT'S YOUR PARTY!
I've played piano bars, restaurants, wedding receptions and cocktail hours, corporate events, casino lounges and private parties from the Pocono Mountains to the Jersey Shore, and from Maryland to Connecticut for more than 20 years. I know how to "read the room" and play appropriately for whatever the moment calls for, which is SOMETHING YOU CAN ONLY DO WHEN PLAYING COMPLETELY LIVE... WITHOUT PROGRAMMED OR RECORDED BACKGROUND TRACKS! Like I said, "I'm old-school".
I play songs you know by heart in a style that is accessible and danceable, and maybe just different enough from the recordings we all love to be interesting and fun. I love to mix a great swingin' standard with rock, soul, and blues... and I can also make a rock 'n' roll classic swing. Check out my videos and you'll hear what I mean. I also like to take a new song from an unexpected place and fit it into my style. As long as I can make it rock or swing, I'll give it a shot.
For a bigger sound, let me call upon some of my swingin' sidemen and vocalists to turn up the heat! For a little bigger show with a sweet and elegant touch, I work with several excellent female vocalists, including the lovely Ashley Godshall who can croon the standards of the 1920's through Today with me. Want even more?... How about an upright bass and/or drums?... Maybe a sax or trumpet or jazz guitar! You get the idea. Just tell me what you want for your event and I can put together the right combo for any occasion.
I pride myself on professionalism and I am always punctual and courteous. You could hire anyone, so I want to earn your future business and your enthusiastic referral to everyone you know! I never lose sight of the fact that your affair is special for you and your guests, perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime event, so I ALWAYS BRING MY "A" GAME! I love to play and I show it with every song!
VIDEO
CJ Steinway Covering "I Only Have Eyes For You"
CJ Steinway Covering "Nice Work If You Can Get It"
CJ Steinway Covering "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby"
CJ Steinway Covering "Since I Fell For You"
CJ Steinway Covering "Still Crazy After All These Years"
TESTIMONIALS
"I've had the opportunity to work with CJ Steinway on many occasions. He is a consummate professional with impeccable piano and vocal skills, a dapper style, and an unmatched ability to get the crowd swinging along! In my career as a professional vocalist, CJ is one of my favorite musicians with whom to work. He is always punctual, receptive to requests, and when I'm sorting through the sea of hired musicians to choose from in the area, his talent and energetic love of music stands out above the rest!"
Ashley, Philadelphia, PA
"CJ recently played for my 50th birthday party and he was awesome! He was hired to play from 8-10pm but fortunately showed up at 6pm. The sound system I had set up for cocktails and dinner wasn't working, and CJ stepped right in and, and without being asked, started to play some recorded music over his own system. He saved the night. I am a professional musician and I am pretty picky about other musicians. CJ has a great style, with a warm, mellow sound, similar to Harry Connick Jr. He was gracious and professional. Tons of complements from my guests, many of whom are musicians. You will not be disappointed."
Deborah S
"CJ Steinway "made" our Valentine's party epic! From his ultra cool attire to his incredible vocals, he played songs that everyone wanted to hear. There wasn't one request he couldn't fill. He encouraged everyone to sing along and just have fun - which they did! CJ is beyond talented and we felt super lucky just to have him in our home playing for our party. He came early, set up easily and went to town - performing everything from standards to contemporary songs that all of our guests loved. He was so much fun and truly made the night a blast! Friends have been texting me like crazy asking for his name and number for their upcoming parties... He was THAT great!"
Joy B