Bayou Keys, Downtown Nashville’s dueling piano bar, brings high-energy shows every Thursday through Sunday.
If you’ve had the pleasure to experience one of these shows, you have likely come across the very talented Kyra Leon. With a range that can do anything from classical music to pop hits, Kyra brings the energy to the stage.
Kyra’s music journey started long before Nashville. Originally from Florida, Kyra grew up in a household surrounded by music. Her grandmother’s piano playing left a lasting imprint, “She had this old-school elegance about it,” Kyra recalls, “and my mom was always singing around the house. Music was always kind of woven into family life, so it felt natural to carry it forward.”
Her grandmother was also the reason she first sat down at the piano, where she trained rigorously in classical music. Think scales, metronomes, and Chopin influences. “Chopin is who made me fall in love with piano,” she shares. But singing? “Singing was something I just kind of taught myself, experimenting and figuring out what worked. Lots of trial and error.” She also mentions she has drawn inspiration from Mariah Carey, Carole King, and Hazel Scott.
Kyra recalls her first experience performing for a live audience. Like many performers, when her first recital didn’t go exactly as planned, she learned to be resilient. Those lessons from early on stayed with her as she dabbled in dueling piano bars, cover bands, and even working at Disney. Each stage taught her how to read a crowd, think on her feet, and bring the energy into the room. “I started out focusing on just playing the notes right, but over time I realized performance is its own art. Now it’s about creating a whole experience — using humor, interaction, and emotional highs and lows to make it memorable. People will always remember how you make them feel.”
Her connection to Bayou Keys happened almost by accident. A simple sit-in during a Nashville trip turned into a regular spot. “The rest just unfolded from there,” Kyra says.
The Bayou Keys stage sitting in the center of the action sets the room up for an ideal blend of performance and connection with the crowd. “You’re not just performing at the crowd, you’re right in the middle of them, and that makes everything more interactive and fun.”
With a new crowd each night, no two shows are the same. The improv element is something that Kyra thrives on as she is often faced with exciting challenges, like faking her way through a song she doesn’t know or testing out new songs and comedy bits. From curveball requests to late night energetic crowds, she leans into the unexpected.
Her go-to crowd-pleasers include Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” and ABBA’s “Dancing Queen.” A personal favorite that doesn’t get enough love is “I Try” by Macy Gray. And yes, she admits, after the thousandth request, “Great Balls of Fire” has lost some of its spark.
As for the crowd throughout the night “Early evening is more chill. Lots of country requests and a more conservative vibe. Late night? It’s a full-on party!” She also mentions “a night at Bayou Keys isn’t complete until someone twerks between the pianos.”
For Kyra, music isn’t just about notes or lyrics, it’s about connection. “I love figuring out the crowd’s personality as a whole and taking them on a ride with me. When you crack the code, it’s exhilarating.”
Next time you step into Bayou Keys, keep an eye out for Kyra Leon on the stage. Whether she’s belting out Mariah, jamming through “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”, or laughing through a wild audience request, one thing is certain: she’ll leave you feeling something unforgettable.
Make a reservation HERE.
