More info at www.myspace.com/brianturnerpiano and www.brianturnerpiano.com. Brian Turner has been hailed as the “Pianist who doesn’t sleep” with a performance schedule average of 200 gigs a year. This versatile pianist plays many types of venues including restaurants, churches, weddings, receptions, bars, hotels, recital halls, and private events. As a soloist and collaborative pianist/keyboardist, he has shared the stage with many great national/regional artists and bands including: Allen Vizzutti, John Fedchock, Bernie Worrell, Bobby McFerrin, Jim Riggs, Spencer Bohren, Dino Kartsonakis, Vassar Clements, Eric Whitacre, The Slip, John Cowan Band, The Big Wu, Red Wanting Blue, Umphrey's McGee, Ekoostik Hookah, The Recipe, Freshwater Collins, Ray's Music Exchange, The Shantee, Plaid Iguana Project, Smokestack, Guest, Oval Opus, Grasshopper Pie, Swivel Hips Smith, , Freekbass, Ordinary Peoples, Homunculus, Woodside Quinn, Uncle Sam's, Dream Machine, Halias, Jiant, Colorwheel and Uncle Sam’s Dream Machine. Brian has performed for many distinguished patrons including: Singer/songwriter Eddy Arnold, Congressman Ted Strickland, Victor Pisano (film/TV/theater producer and co-owner/founder of the House of Blues), Judith Belushi Pisano (actress, Saturday Night Live writer, and sister-in-law of actor James Belushi), Wolfgang von Weiser (Las Vegas Bellagio Casino's Executive Chef) and Ohio University President's: Vernon Alden, Charles Ping, Robert Glidden, Roderick McDavis. Brian has performed at large venues including Akron’s Stan Hywett Hall (with members of the Akron Symphony and Chorus), John S. Knight Center, E.J. Thomas Hall, Quaker Square, Chapel Hill and Summit malls, Cleveland’s Allen Theater at Playhouse Square, Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals football games, New York City’s Symphony Space and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. He has performed on live television and radio through performances at the Akron Baptist Temple and has been a member of the Akron Youth Symphony. Brian received his Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance on a scholarship from Ohio University and is currently completing his Master’s Degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy on a graduate assistantship from the same institution. He has studied piano with Lois Ozanich, Pat Pace, and Richard Syracuse. He has studied composition with Andre Gribou and Mark Phillips and pedagogy with Gail Berenson. As a student, Brian has performed in numerous ensembles at the university and has been an active accompanist and teacher in group and private settings. He is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity and was pianist at the First United Methodist Church and assistant organist at Christ Lutheran Church. He is a recipient of the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award and has won the Tau Beta Sigma talent show. Brian was selected as the alternate pianist for the 2005 IAJE Ohio Collegiate jazz ensemble as well as auditioned and earned a spot in the U.S. Navy band, which he declined to pursue other interests. Brian has toured with the regional rock band Peach Melba with shows spanning Ohio and the surrounding states. He also has played keyboards as well as sat-in with many local jazz and rock bands including: Turner 3, Uncle Feely Hands, Greenleaf, Cranberry Sauce, David Hostetler Band, Athens Fusion Collective, The Ruminants , Side Project, Uptown Funk All-Stars , Slater Brothers Band, Dogtown , Boombox, Squidknuckle , Red Shift, The Anybodies, The Nobodies. Brian’s original piano compositions have drawn much attention regionally and worldwide via internet. He is currently recording his debut album of these pieces which will be released soon. Brian moved to Asheville, NC at the end of 2005 and continues to perform and teach private lessons. He is currently playing keys with nationally touring hip-hop/funk band GFE, the newly formed jazz trio "Q", wedding and party band Orange Krush, and is the organist and choir director at St. John's Episcopal Church.
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