State Rep. Stan Jordan (right) and Teresa Foster (not pictured), of Teresa’s Piano Gallery, presented local pianist Pat Jones (left) with a brand new Kawai piano Thursday following Jones’ successful attempt at breaking the Guinness World Record for longest keyboard playing marathon by an individual. In November, Jones played continuously for 65 hours, breaking the previous record of 64 hours.
The upright Kawai piano is valued at $6,000, and Foster said Kawai has also offered to provide a grand piano wherever Jones performs publicly in the U.S.
“It’s an honor for our community to have the record here,” said Jordan, a former teacher of Jones who was with Jones for much of her record-breaking performance. “When she finished, my ears were out of breath.”
Jones said her fingers are finally back to normal and then played a little “Chopsticks” with Jordan, whom she credits with inspiring her to pick up piano in the first place.
“To me, he’s like my American Idol,” said Jones. “He’s the one I thought about when I started all this. He’s the instigator.”