Ellesmere Port’s Whitby Studios opened its doors to some of the best local musicians along with their students for a piano salon this month.

“We intend to run Piano Salon every two months or so,” said studio boss Ian Lewis, one of the most accomplished jazz organists in the North West.

“It enables professional keyboard players and their students to exchange musical ideas and is giving our town’s talent another forum for artistic excellence.”

Lifelong Ellesmere Port resident Ian ran Tone Deaf Records in the town before opening Whitby Studios on Whitby Road in 1994.

Since then thousands of artists have recorded music spanning all genres from classical to pop.

Among the recent major recording projects at the studio are Soundwall’s Charity Rap Track, Buenos Aires band The Omlettes’ latest single and young local singer-songwriter Johnny B’s Incubo album.

Chester writer, musician and director of Soundwall, Catherine Harrison, led the session.

She has recently located her teaching and recording work to Whitby Studios.

Repertoire in the salon included Bach, Debussy, Nyman, Grieg, Widor, Schumann, Chopin, Billy Joel.

Another piano salon is planned for late September.