January 15, 2025
Origins of Dueling Pianos: From Ragtime to Showtime
How twin pianos in New Orleans became America's favorite interactive entertainment
The story of dueling pianos stretches back nearly two centuries, from the sheet music shops of Civil War-era New Orleans to the neon-lit stages of today's entertainment venues. Here's how it all began.
Setting the Stage (1854-1940s)
The roots of dueling pianos trace back to 1854, when Werlein's for Music opened on Canal Street in New Orleans, becoming one of the nation's largest publishers and sellers of sheet music. Over 150 years, Werlein's remained the cultural hub for New Orleans musicians, with a clientele that included Louis Armstrong, Fats Domino, Dr. John, and Harry Connick Jr.
After the Civil War (1865-1940), when men were scarce, Werlein's began hiring female sheet music players to demo songs for customers. Many men without pianos would buy sheet music merely for the opportunity to hear the ladies play.
"A lady should never be overtly eager to play the piano, but should accept an invitation gracefully. She should ensure her posture is correct and should avoid dramatic or whimsical tricks."
— American Heritage Book of Etiquette, c. 1900
In the 1920s-1940s, "cutting contests" became an attraction among ragtime, stride, jazz and blues pianists, including Fats Waller, Jelly Roll Morton, and Art Tatum. Pianists would compete for speed and musical supremacy. Although contests were held on one piano, they nevertheless suggest a precursor to dueling pianos.
Taking the Stage: The Birth of Dueling Pianos (1933-1968)
In 1933, Pat O'Brien and Charlie Cantrell opened Pat O'Brien's Place on Royal & Bourbon Streets—just two days before Prohibition ended. In 1937, after witnessing her impressive impromptu performance at the club's unused piano, the owners hired 32-year-old Mercedes LeCorgne to play piano and entertain. Her starting salary was $25 per week for 8pm-4am, 6 nights a week.
In 1938, Sue Wheeler took the stage with Mercedes at Pat O'Brien's Place, and together, they performed the first-of-its-kind "twin pianos" show. This was the birth of dueling pianos as we know it.
In 1942, Pat O'Brien's moved to its current location on St. Peter Street. Building on the success of their two-ladies piano show, the club bought three copper-plated grand pianos, angled two large mirrors behind them, and opened its new Piano Bar—running "twin pianos" entertainment 18 hours a day, 7 days a week.
During WWII (1942-1945), the Pat O'Brien's Piano Bar became a favorite "last night" send-off for sailors and servicemen shipping off to war. After 32 years of performances, Mercedes retired in 1968 at age 63.
Commanding the Stage: The Modern Era (1986-Present)
In 1986, Alley Cats opened in Dallas, Texas. Former Pat O'Brien's performers Connie Kaye and Cindy Chen provided show consultation. The founding performers at Alley Cats developed and codified the architecture, nomenclature, and pedagogies of modern dueling pianos.
"You are a host, singer, player, and cheerleader all at once. No one said this was going to be easy."
"There is clever and there is vulgar. Strive for the former."
"Requests cannot determine the pace of your show."
— Alley Cats performer wisdom
In 1990, Terry Cunningham and Jimmy Bernstein opened the first Howl at the Moon Saloon in Cincinnati. The term "Dueling Pianos" first appeared in print in The Cincinnati Enquirer (March 11, 1990), describing Howl at the Moon as a "New Orleans-style bistro with dueling pianos... featuring piano singalongs to the music of the '50s, '60s, and '70s... two baby grands manned by a pair of wild and crazy guys who spice old rock 'n' roll tunes with jokes dusted off from vaudeville."
From these roots in New Orleans and Dallas, dueling piano bars spread across America, evolving into the high-energy, interactive entertainment experience we know today.
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