Piano bar aims to hit key note

This Wednesday, the normally quiet streets of Kinsale will echo to an unusual musical happening as a “Battle of the Pianos” takes centre stage at a local restaurant.

In a town renowned for its culinary attractions, a different dash of music will be added to Kinsale’s cultural stock pot with the opening of Crosbie’s Piano Bar at Crackpots restaurant.

The brainchild of Billy Crosbie, who will tinkle the ivories in competition with fellow key wizard Dave Murphy, the evening kicks off what is hoped will be a novel addition to the town’s activities over the coming tourist season.

“We actually began the piano bar on a trial run on Friday nights over the winter months to a really great response from locals and visitors alike,” says Billy. “The idea of coming in for a meal or a bottle of wine with some swing and jazz era music really struck a chord with people.

“The whole thing took off even better than we expected, and we would expect it to get an even bigger response during the summer when we will be doing it three nights each week.”

Bringing a touch of Casablanca to the town, with visitors able to sit at a specially designed counter complete with built-in piano, Billy believes the timeless compositions from the era of swing still hold a powerful appeal today.

“Artists like Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Benny Goodman never go out of fashion. And we always mix it up with the great songs of Sinatra, Michael Bublé, Andy Williams, Burt Bacharach, Roy Orbison, and the Rat Pack.”

Having been involved with the entertainment scene for many years through his founding involvement with the Cork City Jazz Band and the Kinsale Fringe Jazz festival, Billy, in partnership with Derek Davis, has also helped raise over €300,000 for the RNLI and charities.

“People need a happy, mellow evening away from the cares of the world,” he says, “especially today”.