Tuesday, September 1, 2020

The auction of a
Steinway-designed Boston 126E upright piano signed by
Alicia Keys generated $35,000 for the
MusiCares COVID-19 Relief fund.
Auction winner
Andy Nahas is donating the piano to
Avenue Blackbox Theater in Rochester, N.Y., which will launch an expanded music learning program for inner city youth and adults.
“We expect this autographed piano will inspire and motivate many people to make music creation an important part of their lives,” said Nahas, a singer who has performed in nursing homes for more than 25 years and set up the charity
MusicPower.
Keys played the piano in her home for three months and featured it on her social media posts and during an Amazon livestream event.
"This auction was even more successful than we initially anticipated," said
Ron Losby, President and CEO of Steinway & Sons. "We have Alicia Keys and her stunning musical spirit to thank. What's more, the generosity of the winning bidder is simply staggering.”