๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐ฃ๐ถ๐ฎ๐ป๐ผ ๐๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ถ๐ณ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐บ๐ฒ ๐๐ฐ๐ต๐ถ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ was presented by ๐ง๐ฎ๐บ๐บ๐ ๐ง๐ฎ๐ป๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ to ๐๐๐ป๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฎ โ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ฑ๐โ ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ป.
CINDY CHEN'S LIFE WAS A SYMPHONY OF MUSIC, GENEROSITY, AND UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS.
Cindy is a New Orleans legend whose artistry, generosity, and spirit shaped countless musicians and communities far beyond Louisiana. Cindy started in solo piano bars in 1983 and was at Pat O'Brien's (1989) in the beginning days, then was the first female to join the Dallas Alley Catsโtwo iconic stages that helped shape the modern piano bar movement. She gave so much of herself to us all as a friend and mentor. Before she passed, she recorded 95 minutes of teaching and wisdom which weโre honored to distribute to our Piano Ladies this year.
In lieu of a fiscal prize, ๐ฃ๐ถ๐ฎ๐ป๐ผ ๐๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ and ๐๐ถ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐ด๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ are making a donation to an elephant-protection charityโone of Cindyโs greatest passions.
Musicianship & Legacy
A Force of Musical Nature
- Pioneering female dueling pianist admired for her powerful stride left hand and classical background.
- Known for her signature style and dramatic endings, including her legendary โProud Maryโ finish.
- Revered by colleagues as a mega-talent, class act, and inspiration to players across generations.
Kindness & Mentorship
A Generous Mentor and Friend
- Remembered for her kindness and warmth, especially toward newcomers in the dueling piano community.
- Freely shared her knowledgeโteaching piano techniques, offering performance advice like โtell the audience to sing,โ and helping aspiring musicians secure gigs.
- Inspired countless performers to pursue their craft and built bridges within the industry.