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Courtesy PhotoImage
Bach-like tribute to Elton John, 2008
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John Bayless and Rich Ridenour, two acclaimed pianists, will share the stage for a remarkable North Platte concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 18, at the North Platte High School Performing Arts Center. Bayless will perform his fourth concert in North Platte. He has always delighted audiences with his wit, improvisations, outstanding technique, and his ability to communicate with the audience, said Phyllis Swigert of the community concert association. Bayless began his recorded music career in 1985 will an album named "Bach Meets the Beatles." In just four seasons, Bayless played more than 175 concerts, performing in such cities as New York, Boston, Philadelphia, London, Rome, Florence, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Tokyo, Minneapolis and Washington D.C., in addition to North Platte. He has also appeared at Carnegie Hall and in three sold-out concerts at the Hollywood Bowl. Bayless suffered a stroke that has impaired his right hand and is diligently rehabilitating and making progress toward full recovery. In order to keep his concert commitments, he is traveling with Ridenour who will perform individually and with Bayless in a duet — three hands on one piano. Bayless will play his original piano essay for left hand, “In Search of Lost Time.” Like Bayless, Ridenour has appeared in North Platte before. In November 1999, he was accompanist for Patrick Sheridan in “Tuba Lollipops.” Ridnour has built a career performing concerts of great piano favorites, from classical masterworks to American ragtime, jazz and rock and roll. His recent symphony engagements include Bravissimo Festival of Guatemala City, Detroit and Grand Rapids, Mich.; Tucson, Ariz.; Evansville, Paducah, Kentucky; Jacksonville, Fla; Cleveland, Ohio; San Antonio, Texas; and Greensboro, N.C. Ridnour serves as pops conductor for the Elgin, Ill. and Dearborn, Mich. symphonies each season. This past season he performed 52 concerts across America with his oldest son Brandon, the youngest trumpet member of the Canadian Brass. A letter from Allied Artists, the concert association’s booking agent, said, “The audience will not be seeing a typical John Bayless concert, but they will be seeing a great performance by two excellent pianists,” according to the agents. “And, they will be seeing how one person is overcoming the challenges of a stroke with determination, hard work, patience, grace, and a bit of levity.” The corporate sponsors for the concert are Bill’s U-Save Pharmacy; Bob Spady Buick, Pontiac, GMC; and Family Medicine Associates: Drs. Lamberty, Bernard, & Gosnell. Admission to the concert is with membership in the North Platte Concert Association. With the purchase of a new membership, an individual or family may attend this concert and “Home Free Acapella” on April 27, along with six concerts in the 2010-2011 season. If purchased before June 1, memberships are $45 for adults, $15 for students; and $90 for families.
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