The hunt for the city's best street pianist is over! manchester jazz festival uncovers singer-songwriter Zoe Mulford in their piano trail competition

(Press release): Originally from Pennsylvania, but making her home in Manchester, transatlantic folk singer Zoe Mulford took to the streets of Manchester to fill the town with her original work entitled “Purple Piano". Before sharing a tender moment with another Manchester resident asking to play Hoagy Carmichael’s classic ‘Heart and Soul’, to which Zoe gladly obliged, encapsulating the community spirit at the heart of the trail. 

On receiving first prize of a Yamaha Digital Piano, generously donated to the competition from the company, Zoe remarked, “I only found out about the mjf piano trail during the last week of the festival. I dropped everything and went to scout out pianos, thinking I might get photos or video I could use to promote the EP. As I wandered from piano to piano, I realised that if I abridged "Purple Piano" a little, it would run just under 2 minutes - so I shot the video to submit to the contest.” And she went on to note that, “Purple Piano was inspired by a public piano that I encountered in Oxford Road station some years ago (part of an earlier piano trail?) It was actually on Platform 4 and I don't remember what color it was - but sometimes the sound of the words takes precedence over facts.” 

James Sargeant from Yamaha said, “We knew that the trail was going to unveil new talent from across the city, and of course we were not disappointed! Zoe’s wonderfully energetic, fun and luminous performance of her own song ‘Purple Piano’ captures the great spirit of the trail. What a great composition and performance from Zoe, congratulations.”  

The mjf piano trail, delivered in partnership with the world-renowned Forsyth Music Shop of Deansgate and Yamaha Pianos, was part of mjf2023, which took place at venues across the city from 19-28 May.  In total, 13 street pianos were placed around the city for passers-by to play in the build-up to this year’s jazz festival. Over 4000 pianists young and old brought the city alive with music, and the search to find Manchester’s best street pianist resulted in over 50 video entries.   

The trail was launched at Piccadilly Station by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham and celebrated Manchester’s best young talent, featuring performances from students at Chetham’s School of Music and last year's winner, 9-year-old Leo Cheung.   

The 13 pianos were located at The Arndale Centre, The Corn Exchange, Forsyth Music Shop, The Great Northern, Harvey Nichols, Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester Central Library, Manchester Piccadilly Station, Manchester Victoria Station, Quayside Media City UK, Royal Exchange Arcade, HOME Theatre and Spinningfields.  

Zoe’s performance can be seen here alongside 8 other prize winners. Among them was the inspiring, 12-year-old blind pianist, Chapman Shum.    

Emma Loat, Manager of Forsyth’s, said, “We loved watching and listening to a real variety of entries to this year's competition - but Zoe's performance particularly stood out because of the joy and life she brought to the music - making the most of the 'street' piano's potential. We also really liked her original composition with its fun and humour.”  

Steve Mead, manchester jazz festival’s Artistic Director, said: "It was inspiring to see so many people - of all ages, backgrounds and abilities – responding to our city-wide invitation to bring spontaneous music-making to public spaces across Manchester. Congratulations to Zoe for winning over the judges with her spirited and moving performance!”  

Alongside the piano trail itself, mjf presented two bespoke piano trail walking tours in collaboration with The Free Manchester Walking Tours and programmed piano performances at both Harvey Nichols and the Corn Exchange. Visit manchesterjazz.com/pianotrail to learn more.  

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