Sometimes I get food and drink, but that’s already covered by the airline. Your layover sets can last for hours - no charge? But in the U.S., many hotels have retired their pianos, and they’re harder and harder to find. In 2019, I upgraded to captain on the Airbus 320 and now fly North American routes. I flew international for much of my career.
What are some of the most exotic places you’ve played?
I started playing for the crew and wound up playing happy hour. We arrived early at the hotel, the rooms weren’t ready, and there was this beautiful piano in the lobby. It started on a long-haul in 2005, New York to Frankfurt. How did this fly-and-play routine come about? The following are excerpts from conversations with Mr. And he loves talking about his two passions. His style features a flashy right hand and plenty of bounce but no sheet music. His sets are a rambling mix of jazz, blues, classical and show tunes. And he’s fallen in love with the Bar at Palm Court, a soaring Art Deco venue in the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza: “The piano area reminds me of the Titanic’s ‘grand staircase.’ ” He still has the occasional gig back home - his house piano is a Yamaha Grand - but gets most excited about playing on the road for his crew and strangers. Brant flies domestic routes from his homebase in Denver to the likes of Madison, Wis. A regular performer now at many of his layover hotels, Mr.
