Beloved NorthPark pianist celebrates 18 years of performance for mall shoppers

Shoppers of all ages pass through the main area of NorthPark Center on July 23. Amid the laughter and sporadic conversation, Julia Andersson’s “Svävar” ricochets through the tall, open ceilings. 

With his eyes partially closed, pianist Brad Hanson sways back and forth on the bench positioned in front of a black Steinway piano, serenading shoppers with the song’s soft melody, stopping some shoppers in their tracks. 

The live music brought Brittany Doreen to tears, forcing her to take a seat on a nearby bench. Tears streaming down her face, she said she’s a songwriter who had a traumatic childhood, so hearing music like this means everything to her.

“Stirring an emotion in somebody means the most to me,” Hanson said. “That level of impact is cool for me because that’s how it makes me feel. I get emotional listening to music, and I want to replicate that and be someone who can purvey that kind of experience.”

Beloved by shoppers and employees, Hanson is celebrating 18 years as NorthPark’s resident pianist in August. He was unsure of the job at first, but has since become an admirable figure in the mall and someone people call a friend.

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Growing up with two parents as church musicians, Hanson’s journey as a pianist began as a child playing at Park Central Baptist Church in Dallas every Sunday. He later played in a worship band at Criswell College, but “never dreamed it would go beyond that.”

Billy Hines, NorthPark’s longtime general manager, was a church member and recruited him to play at the mall at 22-years-old. Hines, who has since passed away, enjoyed Hanson’s music and was looking for another pianist for the mall after the previous one left.

The nationally-known mall has long prioritized displaying art for shoppers through landscaping, art collections and musicians such as Hanson.

“NorthPark is a beautiful place to be because of all these small touches and things that we’re able to provide for our customers,” said Shelby Foster, NorthPark director of communications. “The surprise and delight of coming by on the weekend and seeing Brad here, doing his thing and playing the piano, it just makes it a nice, lovely place to meet.”

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Hanson began his residency at the mall after much convincing from his wife, he said. He doubted his ability at first.

“I really had no idea what I was doing except playing the things I loved like Jurassic Park and ‘The Dance’ by Garth Brooks,” Hanson said.

When he started  his residency, Hanson played radio hits from artists like Adele and Taylor Swift until that started to feel empty, he said.

Hanson wanted to develop his technical skills and play music with more depth, so he began playing neoclassical music from composers such as Ludovico Einaudi and Yann Tiersen.

“I’ve gotten darker, I’ve gotten older too, a little tired-er,” Hanson said. “So I’m playing more moody, darker stuff. I think it resonates with people, honestly. It’s emotional.”

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While Hanson has certain pieces he likes to play, he’s also open to requests. He says people usually ask him to play songs like “Rush E” by Sheet Music Boss and “Golden Hour” by JVKE, or music from the Interstellar and Charlie Brown soundtracks. He adores playing Christmas music, but despises jazz.

When NorthPark was forced to close during the pandemic, Hanson felt lost and depressed, he said, so he found a way to connect with shoppers virtually through livestreaming at-home concerts.

“The emotions of joy, peace, calm or comfort – that’s the best thing to create,” Hanson said. “I just imagine someone sitting here closing their eyes and just feeling it. I love that because that’s what I like to do.”

From NorthPark employees and regulars to mailmen, people go out of their way to not only hear Hanson’s music, but also catch up with him.

Jane Beaver is from Dallas and has been going to NorthPark since it opened in 1965. She calls the mall “her neighborhood.” She uses it as her walking route four days a week, always stopping to say hello to Hanson, sometimes even teasing him, she said. “When he’s not there, I miss it,” she said.

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Cassandra Hoblitz works at Byerdo, a perfume store behind Hanson’s piano. When she started at Byerdo a few months ago, she said she was starstruck by Hanson, but now describes him as a kind, patient friend.

“[Hanson’s music] really allows [shoppers] to get into flow and calmly explore all the fragrances we have on the floor, and then we just love him as a person,” Hoblitz said.

Eighteen years later, Hanson said his residency has taught him how to play for long periods of time, develop his repertoire and mature while interacting with shoppers.

Hanson hopes to get back into writing his own music after taking a break since releasing his album Christmas in 2014. He said he’s working to create a more intimate listening experience outside of NorthPark.

“I really am honored for NorthPark to support me this whole time and have me come back,” Hanson said. “It’s been a great experience – just keeps getting better – so I’m looking forward to another 18 years.”