The Artful Accompanist w/Miguel de la Cerna
In this episode of Piano Tech Radio Hour, Ethan Janney welcomes Chicago pianist, arranger, and educator Miguel de la Ceran. A third-generation jazz musician, Miguel traces his roots to the legendary Chicago jazz lineage of his grandfather General Morgan, who played with Billie Holiday, and his aunt Gloria Morgan.
Miguel shares stories from his upbringing on the South Side of Chicago, early mentorship from gospel and classical teachers, and his eventual path to Oberlin Conservatory. He reflects on stage fright, his affinity for accompaniment, and his bread-and-butter life as a working musician across cabaret, jazz clubs, and international tours.
He dives into Chicago’s music history—Ramsey Lewis, Earth, Wind & Fire, Lil Hardin Armstrong—and the role of institutions like the Jazz Institute of Chicago. Miguel also treats creplisteners to live piano performances, including Billy Strayhorn’s Lotus Blossom and Thelonious Monk’s Crepuscule with Nelly.
The conversation explores the tactile magic of acoustic pianos, the realities of gigging life, and Miguel’s plans for new projects, including tributes to Dinah Washington and original works with younger musicians.
About Miguel de la Cerna:
Miguel de la Ceran is a Chicago-born pianist, music director, arranger, and educator. He represents the third generation in a distinguished family of jazz musicians, with a legacy tied to Billie Holiday, Henry “Red” Allen, and Gloria Morgan. Educated at Oberlin Conservatory and the American Conservatory of Music, Miguel has toured internationally across Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia. Known for his deep sensitivity as an accompanist, he has collaborated with jazz masters, classical ensembles, and cabaret performers. Currently based in Chicago, he continues to perform, teach, and create, with upcoming projects including original recordings and tributes to Dinah Washington.
𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐔𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐓❗❗
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Creators and Guests
Host
Eathan Janney
Eathan has 20 years of experience as a piano technician. He studied with Dave Miller, the staff piano technician for the Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University, New Jersey. Dave Carpenter, the inventor of the Verituner electronic tuning device, provided mentorship for Eathan in Chicago. Eathan also worked with Ken Eschete and Bill Schwarts, the staff piano technicians at Northwestern University in Chicago. In 2009, he founded Floating Piano Factory of New York, a company that allows piano technicians to move from Apprentice to Craftsman level while offering value pricing to clients as technicians progress toward mastery. In 2017 he founded Piano Technicians Masterclasses, an online project designed to offer cutting-edge instruction from piano industry masters to anyone on the globe with an internet connection.
Guest
Miguel de la Cerna
Miguel de la Ceran is a Chicago-born pianist, music director, arranger, and educator. He represents the third generation in a distinguished family of jazz musicians, with a legacy tied to Billie Holiday, Henry “Red” Allen, and Gloria Morgan. Educated at Oberlin Conservatory and the American Conservatory of Music, Miguel has toured internationally across Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia. Known for his deep sensitivity as an accompanist, he has collaborated with jazz masters, classical ensembles, and cabaret performers. Currently based in Chicago, he continues to perform, teach, and create, with upcoming projects including original recordings and tributes to Dinah Washington.