By its very nature, live performances carry a sense of spontaneity and excitement that can never be replicated by even the finest home audio systems. But when music is paired with the beauty of nature, something even more magical happens. This is precisely the atmosphere that Flower Piano, an annual outdoor festival, creates. Co-founder Dean Mermell eloquently captures the spirit of the event when he says, “If I could completely describe it in words, it wouldn’t be as special, would it?”
The highly anticipated festival will return to the San Francisco Botanical Garden from September 13–22, promising a unique musical experience that celebrates community, nature, and art. Led by Mermell and Mauro Ffortissimo, co-founders of Sunset Piano, and presented by the Gardens of Golden Gate Park, Flower Piano has grown from a small, experimental event into a beloved tradition. The 55-acre Botanical Garden transforms into a live music venue where a dozen pianos serve as the focal points for both scheduled performances and impromptu playing, inviting professional musicians and casual visitors alike to share in the joy of music.
A Festival Born of Serendipity
Flower Piano began in 2015 with a modest grant and 12 pianos placed throughout the garden. “At the very first Flower Piano, we didn’t even have a printed program,” recalls Mermell. “We just put 12 terrible pianos in the garden to see how it would go.” The festival has since grown in both scale and stature, but its heart remains the same—creating a space for spontaneous musical moments and community connection.
One such serendipitous moment came early in the festival’s history when Steve Nieve, the renowned pianist for Elvis Costello, stumbled upon Flower Piano. Mermell had seen a video of Nieve playing piano in a garden and reached out to him via Facebook. To his surprise, Nieve responded, saying he was in town for a Steely Dan concert and would love to check out the festival. Nieve played for two hours, creating a magical experience for everyone present. “It was magnificent,” Mermell remembers.
An Impressive Lineup of Talent
This year’s lineup continues the festival’s tradition of bringing top-tier talent to the garden, alongside the opportunity for impromptu performances. In the Flower Piano Lounge, the festival’s only ticketed venue, attendees will be treated to performances by members of the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra (September 13), Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers (September 14), and Martin Luther McCoy with the Robin Hodge Williams Gospel Choir (September 21), among others. The lounge offers added perks such as food, beverages, and comfortable seating, enhancing the overall experience.
A special opening night event on September 12 will feature the Afro-Cuban charanga ensemble, Orquesta La Moderna Tradición. This lively and rhythmic performance will set the tone for the festival, combining the rich traditions of Cuban music with the serene surroundings of the Botanical Garden.
A Community of Returning and New Performers
One of the festival’s unique charms is its blend of returning favorites and new, up-and-coming talent. Regular performers such as pianists Tammy Hall, Sarah Cahill, and Kev Choice lend what Mermell calls “a family-reunion feel” to the event. At the same time, the festival’s curators are always on the lookout for fresh talent. “The process of curating takes months,” Mermell explains. “We try not to turn anyone away who wants to play and is really good and adds something.”
Sometimes, the most memorable performances come from unexpected places. Mermell recalls one such discovery from last year—a mysterious man with a “huge mane of frizzy hair” who dazzled audiences with his mastery of difficult Russian pieces like Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2. “He was marvelous,” Mermell says. “I never got back to talk to him, but it was typical of what happens at Flower Piano. I hope he shows up this year so I can offer him a spot.”
Curated Highlights and New Experiences
While spontaneity is a hallmark of Flower Piano, there are also carefully curated performances that push the boundaries of traditional music festivals. One such highlight is Soundcheck by Kennedy Verrett, a composition commissioned by Sunset Piano. The work, which Verrett previously performed in Joshua Tree National Park, features musicians scattered throughout a space, each playing their part of a composition. Audience members are invited to explore the environment, moving between musicians to experience the piece from different perspectives. “I was fascinated by how people orbited through the space,” Mermell says of the original performance.
Another standout this year is In a Landscape, a project by Hunter Noack that blends classical piano with the natural world. “He’s performed at the Botanical Garden before, but this is the first time we’ve had him for Flower Piano,” Mermell says. Noack’s approach to integrating the natural world into his music makes him an ideal fit for the festival. “He’s clearly in touch with the rhythm of the natural world,” Mermell observes. “I’m drawn to his approach, and I think audiences will be too.”
Music That Connects People
One of the most anticipated performances this year will come from Christian Tumalan of the Pacific Mambo Orchestra, who will perform on September 15. Tumalan’s dynamic Latin jazz has earned him acclaim, and Mermell is particularly excited about his return to the festival. “His music is mind-blowing,” Mermell says. “He channels the joy of music while still being a technical performer. He comes from a place of wanting to connect, wanting to make people happy.”
This sentiment of connection is at the heart of Flower Piano. Whether through high-level performances, spontaneous moments of music-making, or simply wandering through the garden and stumbling upon a beautiful melody, the festival creates an atmosphere where people can connect with art, nature, and each other.
In Mermell’s words, “Flower Piano is about creating communion between music, nature, and people. It’s fun, familiar, and focused, but it’s also filled with surprises.” Each year, new moments of serendipity emerge, blending high-level artistry with the simple joy of playing or listening to music in a beautiful natural setting. Flower Piano remains a one-of-a-kind experience that words can only begin to describe. The rest must be felt, lived, and shared.
