Verified Bookings

One of the most outstanding members on The Bash for 2018!

Best of 2018

One of the most outstanding members on The Bash for 2017!

Best of 2017

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania

BEST OF GIGMASTERS AWARD WINNER 2017 & 2018!

I'm an old-school, two-fisted piano player with a strong 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 G. 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!  

Professional Testimonial from Ashley G., 9/10/13
"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


Education and Experience:

Moravian College, 1987-'91
Bachelor of Music degree with a concentration in Jazz Studies

Professional Pianist/Keyboardist and Vocalist -  soloist and with bands. 1989 - Present

Private Instructor of Piano and Voice.  1997 - Present

Director of Instrumental Music. 1993-'94
Germantown Academy, Ft. Washington, PA

CJ was amazing. Everyone at the party commented about how amazing he was.  He played everything we requested and entertained our guests all thru the night and into the morning. We didn't want to let him leave. Can't wait to have him back for an encore!!  

CJ was amazing!!  Talented, fun, energetic and professional!  He was able to "read the room" and include everyone in the fun.  CJ was a pleasure to work with and I HIGHLY recommend him for any party!

We are very happy that we hired CJ for our wedding reception.  We wanted a "piano bar/sing-a-long" reception and it could not have gone better.  CJ was incredibly accommodating -- we had to move the wedding to a location 2.5 hours from the original place and he was willing to make the trip, he knew or learned all of our special songs including a very important song written by my husband's father, and he put up with all manner of random requests from guests all night without missing a beat.  Most importantly, he is a really talented entertainer - amazing vocals and keyboard and a wonderful rapport with the guests.  Everyone had a great time (no one wanted to leave!)  

Party with CJ Steinway!

Cocktails with CJ Steinway

Caravan by Duke Ellington

Cocktail Piano- Medium & Up Tempo

Cocktail Piano- Ballads

New York State of Mind

Standards with vocals

Pop medley

From Me to You - The Beatles

Singing Pianist

Piano

Jazz Piano

The Gershwins, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, etc.

Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, Louis Armstrong, Nat "King" Cole, etc.

Sinatra & the Rat Pack

Great Broadway Shows

The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Eagles, etc.

Billy Joel, Elton John, Ray Charles, Bruce Springsteen, etc.

Lady GaGa, Robin Thicke, Katy Perry, Duran Duran... even a little Old School Rap!

Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Fats Domino

Great for Sing-Along Parties!

I hired CJ to play at a retirement party and he was FANTASTIC! He is an incredibly talented performer who is also professional and accommodating. Everyone loved his music and he made the event special and fun.  I would definitely ask him to play at future events and would recommend him to anyone planning a party! 

CJ Steinway Reviews

26 Reviews for CJ Steinway