What began as a cringe-worthy airport performance turned into a viral act of musical kindness for one determined pianist.
Josiah Jackson, a self-proclaimed “Piano Doctor,” once faced his most embarrassing moment at Chicago O’Hare International Airport — but years later, he returned to transform that memory into a harmonious win. Jackson first spotted the public piano near Gate C17, adjacent to the Beaudevin Wine Bar, during a layover with friends. “It was a public piano and anyone could play it,” Jackson said.
But when the then-18-year-old prodigy — who’d played since age 4 — tried a tune, he quickly realized the instrument was beyond redemption. “It was absolutely the worst piano I have ever played,” he said. “It was embarrassingly bad — the keys were sticky and every note sounded terrible.” Embarrassed, Jackson vowed, “One day, I’m going to come back to the airport to tune this piano for free and redeem myself.”
Josiah Jackson lifts out a piano’s keys and action before a cleaning and tuning at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Photo courtesy of Jackson
That chance arrived as Jackson planned a humanitarian trip to Guatemala. Spotting a Chicago layover option for his return flight, he declared, “I decided this is it — I’m going to tune that piano.” After coordinating with HMSHost, the airport’s food services provider, he shipped his tools ahead and scheduled an eight-hour layover. “Everyone was all in on me tuning the piano, but even though I was just taking the basics, I didn’t want any problems going through security,” Jackson explained.
Upon arrival, the piano’s condition stunned him. “As soon as I saw the piano, I knew I was in for a long day. It looked even worse than before,” he said. The roped-off Kimball baby grand was caked in dust, with keys glued shut by a mysterious gunk. “It was in very rough shape — dust was everywhere, and there was a gluey substance under the keys that prevented them from working,” Jackson said. “I’d never seen anything like it.” Blaming nearby bar spills, he added, “It was definitely the biggest challenge I’ve ever had.”
Josiah Jackson cleans and tunes a piano at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Photo courtesy of Jackson
Armed with a vacuum and damp cloth, Jackson spent seven hours scrubbing each key. Racing against his flight, he performed a speedy tuning, then tested the piano with “Pirates of the Caribbean” — the piece that first inspired him. “Even with a quick tuning, the piano actually sounded really good,” he said, leaving a funny sign: “No drinks near piano, please!”
His YouTube video documenting the restoration, now with more than 1.3 million views, drew heartfelt responses. Travelers and airport staff shared stories of newfound joy at Gate C17. One commenter wrote, “Thank you for bringing new life to the piano!” Another recalled playing it overnight after a missed flight, calling it a “lifesaver.”
For Jackson, now 21 with 724,000 YouTube subscribers, the project was a labor of love. “I’m thrilled that people are playing the piano again,” he said. “It was just a cool community thing to do.” And if you find yourself at O’Hare, maybe play a few keys for Jackson. Afterall, from sticky disaster to musical oasis, Jackson’s tune-up proves that sometimes, the best endings start with a few sour notes.
Sources: The Washington Post | UpWorthy
