If you find yourself walking through the Susquehanna Art Museum (SAM) on North Third Street in Harrisburg, you might be fortunate enough to hear the soft melodies of a grand piano resonating through the gallery.
The Yamaha C7, owned by the Central PA Friends of Jazz but stationed at the museum, is a striking feature in the space. The elegant instrument stands out, enhancing the atmosphere and leaving a lasting impression on visitors. However, few are aware of a hidden secret under the piano’s hood.
Ralph Diekemper, a seasoned musician, is one of the many artists who have had the pleasure of performing on this grand piano. Since 2017, Diekemper has graced the museum with his performances for a variety of events, including exhibit openings, life drawing classes, Third in the Burg gatherings, film screenings, and even meditative yoga sessions. He strives to tailor his performances to the space, intuitively gauging the mood of the crowd to create the perfect ambiance.
“I play what I would enjoy hearing if I were on the other side of the piano, taking in the gallery and the art experience,” Diekemper shared. “The reactions are always positive. People will linger, sit on the benches, or spend quiet time in solitude, soaking up the peaceful energy of the space.”
For a musician who appreciates the subtle nuances of acoustics and the elegance of a finely tuned instrument, playing on a grand piano is a rare treat. Grand pianos, like the one at SAM, are not only an exceptional musical tool but also a considerable investment—models of this caliber can cost over $100,000. Fortunately, the SAM piano is well cared for in the museum’s climate-controlled environment, which also happens to be ideal for the instrument. This makes for a harmonious pairing between art and music.
“This piano has a wonderful touch, top to bottom, with a smooth, even feel across the keyboard,” said Diekemper, a member of the Central PA Friends of Jazz. “So much of the sound an instrument produces depends on the environment and acoustics. I’ve often heard from listeners that the acoustics are excellent, and from my perspective, I couldn’t agree more.” Diekemper adds, “The Susquehanna Art Museum is one of our region’s finest gems, and I treasure being part of it.”
Steve Rudolph, a musician and co-founder of the Central PA Friends of Jazz, played a key role in securing the piano for the nonprofit organization back in 1989, purchasing it at a significant discount. For years, the piano traveled across the state, gracing various venues before settling into its permanent home at the museum in 2017.
“We held eight concerts each year at three-day festivals, and the piano was constantly on the move,” Rudolph explained. “It held up surprisingly well over time, but it was becoming clear that if we didn’t find a permanent home for it, the piano would start to show signs of wear.”
While many people have enjoyed the music this grand piano has produced, few are aware of the hidden secret beneath its lid. Dozens of signatures—written in ballpoint pen, Sharpie, and even pencil—are etched on the inner parts of the instrument, including the bridge, harp, and rim. These signatures belong to musicians who have played the piano over the past 35 years—both amateurs and professionals, and even world-renowned artists.
Among the names you’ll find are jazz legends like Monty Alexander, Kenny Barron, Bruce Barth, Richie Beirach, Reuben Brown, Dave Brubeck, John Bunch, Bill Charlap, Jody Christian, Freddy Cole, Bill Cunliffe, Eldar Djangirov, Bob Dorough, Tommy Flanagan, Hal Galper, Ray Golden, Jon Hendricks, Fred Hersch, Mike Holober, Ahmad Jamal, Hank Jones, David Kikoski, Diana Krall, Steve Kuhn, David Leonhardt, Phil Markowitz, Jay McShann, Mulgrew Miller, Danilo Pérez, Ted Rosenthal, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Hilton Ruiz, George Shearing, Horace Silver, David Torkanowski, Cedar Walton, Anthony Wonsey, and Rachel Z.
“We’ve hosted some of the greatest musicians in jazz,” said Rudolph. “It’s truly a collector’s item. We had the foresight to ask most of the pianists who performed at our Friends of Jazz concerts to sign the piano.”
As for the signatures that were written in pencil and are starting to fade, Rudolph laughs, “That wasn’t the best idea, but it’s a small flaw in an otherwise incredible story.”
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