ASTORIA, NY (September 8, 2020) – On Wednesday, September 9, Steinway & Sons, maker of the world’s finest pianos, will release a very special video performance in honor of Gospel Music Heritage Month, featuring Steinway Artist Davell Crawford (“The Prince of New Orleans”) along with The Davell Crawford Singers in a powerful arrangement of the spiritual “Down by the Riverside.” The video, shot pre-pandemic on location in New Orleans, is part of Steinway & Sons’ Music & Vision series, which delivers performances across musical genres in wide-ranging, unexpected locations and features pianos crafted by world-renowned Steinway & Sons.

“Down by the Riverside” depicts a crossing of the River Jordan to reach the Promised Land, and holds a rich history dating back to the early American South. It has been restoked as an anti-war protest song through the years and has been performed and recorded by dozens of artists, including Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole, Jimmy Durante, Mahalia Jackson, Etta James, Elvis Presley, Pete Seeger, and Van Morrison.

“You can feel the story of the river crossing passed down through the ages, and it is tremendously meaningful to have the opportunity to interpret that story in my own New Orleans.”

In Crawford’s respectful, energetic arrangement, Crawford and The Davell Crawford Singers fill the sun-bathed cathedral of New Orleans’ historic Hotel Peter & Paul with joyfully layered vocals and the unmistakable tone of a Steinway Model D Spirio | r concert grand piano. Spirio | r is the world’s finest high resolution player piano capable of live performance capture and playback. The “Down by the Riverside” performance video was directed by Christopher Haney, a film producer from New Orleans and co-founder of The Greenhouse Collective.
 
“The heritage of this deep spiritual, the beautiful setting of the historic church, the joyful voices of the singers, the rich tone of the Steinway—all of these elements together provided inspiration and vision as we performed ‘Down by the Riverside,’” said Davell Crawford. “You can feel the story of the river crossing passed down through the ages, and it is tremendously meaningful to have the opportunity to interpret that story in my own New Orleans.”

“I am very happy we are able to release this new video, which I find to be so inspirational. It shares the generous gift of gospel music arranged and performed by Davell and his incredibly talented fellow artists,” said Eric Feidner, Senior Vice President of Music, Technology and Media at Steinway & Sons. “Seeing and hearing this group and the Steinway resonate in the cathedral is just so moving. I think it’s a great time to share this.”
 
The video’s world premiere will take place on Wednesday, September 9 at 2 pm EDT at Steinway’s YouTube Channel.

About Steinway & Sons

Since 1853, the Steinway has set an uncompromising standard for sound, touch, beauty, and investment value. Because of a dedication to continuous improvement, today’s Steinway remains the choice of 9 out of 10 concert artists, and is the preferred piano of countless musicians, professional and amateur, throughout the world. For more information, visit www.steinway.com.

Media Contact:

Steinway & Sons
Anthony Gilroy
agilroy@steinway.com
718-204-3116