Talented Isle Of Wight Pianist To Star In Channel 4 Final

A talented Isle of Wight pianist will appear in the final of a Channel 4 program tonight (Wednesday).

Jay Eatwell has made it through to the final of The Piano - a talent show aiming to find the UK's best amateur piano player.

The show sees Claudia Winkleman present a unique talent search with a twist, celebrating the nation’s favourite instrument.

Passionate amateur musicians took to public pianos in train stations across the UK - but what the pianists didn’t know was that they were being secretly watched by two of the world’s most respected performers, Lang Lang and Mika.

Their search began in London at King’s Cross St Pancras station, and then onto stations in Leeds, Glasgow and ending in Birmingham.

Jay, 25, won in the first week at London’s King’s Cross St Pancras Station.

At the final concert at The Royal Festival Hall can Claudia Winkleman, Mika and Lang Lang get our four amateur pianists ready for the biggest performance of their lives?

Speaking ahead of the final, Jay told Channel 4:

"I still can’t quite believe it. I put all my energy into playing, performing is a natural high for me  - and the only drug I need.

"I would like to thank the judges for complimenting my music and getting me to the final.

"Music has always been a massive part of my life, and we used to have a piano downstairs in the family home. I was given a keyboard at about 13 and I never stopped playing it.  The piano has been a constant in my life, I play all the time, and as much as I can.

"I have always been self taught and at about age 11, my brother and I would rap together. I have always been writing music and songs from that time. I left school fairly young and went to a music school at 16. I chose piano as my main instrument and I must admit I missed a few lessons at college, but never piano lessons!"

Jay also took part in a Q&A session:

How did you feel meeting Claudia for the first time at St Pancras Station, were you nervous? Were you aware of how the crowd were responding to your performance? How did it feel when you heard the applause?

"Yeah I was a little bit nervous and a bit unsure at first who everyone was to be honest, I am not going to lie. Claudia put me at ease straight away and it felt really good to hear the applause and know that people were listening to my music and appreciating it."

Have you ever played the piano at a train station before? Is it the most unusual place you have played the piano?

"Probably the most unusual place for me was at a station, as I hadn’t played at one before. We were told we were going to be part of a documentary and I just went along with it, seeing how the day would go. I never imagined what we would be told at the end of that day!

How did you feel about being mentored by Mika ahead of your performance at The Royal Festival Hall?

"Obviously, Mika has got such a good background and acclaimed history in the music industry.  e also taught me some really good breathing exercises, and just to close my eyes sometimes and feel the music and not focus on what is going on around you. And most importantly, to play the piano gently!"

Were you nervous ahead of performing at The Royal Festival Hall or did the adrenaline take over?

"Yes!  We were all sat there pretending that we weren’t nervous. But I was the first one on, and I just thought boom, get out there. The nerves and adrenaline drive was incredible and I couldn’t focus on the audience as I stepped onto the stage, as I was just so blown away by the moment."

How were your fellow pianists ahead of performing, and were you all able to support each other?

"By that point we were all mates, and we kept encouraging each other to go out there and smash it, saying don’t be nervous, just go for it. I do bring a little bit of rap to the Royal Festival Hall, but that’s all I am saying."

Who of your family and friends were there to see you play on such a special night? And how proud of you were they?

"My mum, brother and some friends came up from the Isle of Wight and it was lovely to have their support on the night. My mum and brother were really proud and later that night I got loads of texts from my mates which was really nice."

Can you share a special moment that stands out for you from the evening?

"A special moment for me was walking out onto the stage, taking in all the surroundings, knowing that I would be playing at the Royal Festival Hall and its amazing acoustics. Another spesh was connecting with people on the night, some singing my song, and some even crying. I hope they were happy tears!"

When you turned up at St Pancras Station you didn’t know that Lang Lang and Mika would be watching or that someone would be chosen to perform at The Royal Festival Hall…

"It really did feel like one of those life-changing moments, and something I have never experienced before. It will always be something that I will remember and cherish."

Do you find playing the piano therapeutic and how does it help you?

"I would say the piano has taken me out of a lot of negative situations. Without music to turn to, I don’t quite know what or who I would be."

How would you describe your style?

"That’s a hard one, my style varies so much every day. One of my main styles of music would be a mix of classical piano, a bit of rapping and some singing."

Do you think this series will encourage people to learn to play the piano, and what advice would you give to any budding pianists?

"I think the series will definitely encourage people to play the piano, as it glorifies it in such a good way. It depends what you are into, but it’s never too late to learn an instrument. Whatever time you put into it, you get back so much more."

What do you hope is next for you? More music?

"It was a bit hard getting back to the reality of labouring and bar jobs, but I feel my life has been transformed by music and songwriting now. I would like to make a career out of it and totally focus on music.  I think the show has given me a new impetus to follow my dreams."

What does the piano mean to you?

"Music in general is such a massive part of my life, and a few years ago I did once actually have a vivid dream of playing a piano at somewhere like the Royal Festival Hall in front of a big audience.   When I play I put my heart and soul into it, and it’s just me and the piano."

Does playing the piano calm you and take you into another world?

"It completely does, it takes me away from any pressures in my life, it’s kind of like a form of musical therapy and very healing."

Being involved with The Piano – has this made you a different person musically and emotionally?

"Definitely. I feel I have learned so much and what I am now capable of. I feel I can cope with any pressures and could play anything thrown at me."

Speaking about Jay, Mika said:

"I found Jay really touching. There’s a certain kind of freshness to what he was trying to do. He’s a really, really, really good piano player, a really good storyteller and crazily able to write a catchy melody. And then, when you put it all together: his background, his job working on construction sites… his life is not easy. His life is not simple. Even to write music and to practice is a challenge with the amount of hours he works, how early he starts and how late he finishes. He doesn't even have a piano at his house. So, there was something really amazing about him. You felt: ’Well, if he's doing this against all odds, there must be a reason. He must need it. It must make him feel better.’ I love that. I love the idea it made him feel more powerful. It made him feel like he could express himself better. To hear that urgency when he's rapping, when he's playing his really well composed pieces. Music has been his saviour. It gave an urgency, a realness, to his playing and composition. I felt this amazing sense of gratitude towards the piano."

The Piano airs on Channel 4 at 9pm tonight.

You can catch up on episodes here - https://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-piano