TWO COSMIC PEAS IN A
FAR OUT POD
Meet Papi & PJ—the unstoppable duo behind The Big Ivory Ticklers. With unmatched chemistry, lightning-fast fingers, and razor-sharp wit, these two piano powerhouses have lit up stages across the country and around the world. Papi & PJ turn every performance into a wild, interactive, laugh-out-loud party where no request is off-limits and no audience stays seated.
Big Ivory Ticklers was founded by Papi Sorrels, a former stand-up comedian turned full-throttle entertainer, whose career in Dueling Pianos began in 1999 with a 30-day crash course in piano and a one-way ticket to Rumbay in Colorado Springs.
From there, he never looked back.
In 2005, he created Big Ivory Ticklers — and by 2006, the show earned its first major accolade: Best of 2006 from the Colorado Springs Independent. What started as a local gig quickly evolved into a national phenomenon.
Papi’s journey has taken him around the globe — from performances across the Caribbean and Amsterdam, to an ambitious mission that no other Dueling Piano player has completed:
He has performed in all 50 states.
That journey brought him face to face with the best in the business. It also showed him what was missing — the heart, grit, and magic of the golden era of Dueling Pianos.
Now, Big Ivory Ticklers is a national touring team of elite, hand-selected veterans performing in theaters, casinos, and showrooms throughout the Midwest, West, and now Florida. With performers stationed in key markets and a touring model that prioritizes crowd connection and spontaneous energy, the Big Ivory experience is truly coming to a town near you.
As the operation has grown, Papi has strategically expanded the leadership team by bringing on longtime Howl at the Moon veteran and former active-duty U.S. Marine, PJ Gartrell, who now resides in Des Moines, IA, to serve as Regional Entertainment Director.
With over two decades of stage experience, PJ is not only a seasoned performer but also a respected leader in the live entertainment industry.
Widely recognized as one of the most talented multi-instrumentalists performing today, PJ's versatility spans across keyboards, guitar, drums, bass, and vocals—often switching between instruments seamlessly within a single song.
Since joining Big Ivory Ticklers, PJ’s artistic vision and high performance standards have become a defining force behind the brand’s continued growth and reputation. His contributions are helping to shape a new era of elite-level entertainment, ensuring that every Big Ivory performance delivers not just music, but an unforgettable experience.