Piano Concert with John Nilsen

Come and enjoy a free afternoon concert of classical, folk, and jazz piano music by American pianist John Nilsen, a Yamaha Piano Artist and inductee of the Oregon Music Hall of Fame. Born in Seattle in 1956, Nilsen began studying classical piano at age six and guitar at age fourteen, before studying at Southern Oregon University, who awarded him the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1995 in recognition of his outstanding achievements, dedicated efforts and leadership in the field of the performing arts. Nilsen recorded three solo piano records on LA's, Eagle Records from 1983 to 1985 before founding the Magic Wing record label in 1987. He has had fifteen other CDs licensed in countries including Germany, Great Britain, The Philippines, Canada, Taiwan and Singapore bringing reported total record sales to well over one million copies sold. John Nilsen has two hundred and fifty of his compositions and musical arrangements receiving airplay royalties. Foreign Films was released August 23, 2019 and emphasizes Nilsen's hypnotic melodic piano compositions with orchestral backing. Several piano solos sit alongside others with a string quartet providing backing. The newest Nilsen release is titled, Two Stories. Two Stories, is with Nilsen's band, SWIMFISH. Nilsen's 22nd CD was released in summer 2025. Nilsen has performed in all fifty U.S. States and on four continents. Nilsen splits his performances between touring internationally as an in demand pianist combining elements of classical, folk, jazz and rock, performing with the John Nilsen Trio, featuring Jeff Leonard/bass and Jason Moore/percussion, and with John's guitar/vocal rock band, John Nilsen & SWIMFISH, featuring Dave Captein/bass, Mike Snyder/drums, percussion, Bob Logue/guitar, vocals and Don Woodward/guitar, mandolin, harmonica, vocals. Nilsen has been a member of Ten Grands since its inception in 2001 and through 2025. He has given back to his community by teaching songwriting residencies and speaking to students in schools throughout the country, and locally including every school in the West Linn/Wilsonville School District over the past twenty-five years.