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Artist Profile — Pianist David Bryan

www.davidbryan.com   www.bonjovi.com    iTunes Downloads    Amazon.com

The Life and Times of Accomplished Pianist David Bryan

Written by: Tara N. Wilfong

David Bryan (photo credit: Olaf Heine)

David Bryan performing for children in Los Angeles (photo courtesy Staples Center Foundation)

Bon Jovi L to R: Richie Sambora, Tico Torres, Jon Bon Jovi and David Bryan
(photo credit: Olaf Heine)

Undoubtedly, most music fans have heard of the mega-popular rock group Bon Jovi, but piano enthusiasts, especially those interested in classical scores, are familiar with the group for a much different reason. David Bryan, keyboardist and founding member of the band, is also an accomplished pianist who began his studies at age 7 in Edison, New Jersey, where he was born. Under the tutelage of his father, a jazz trumpeter, and Emery Hack, the late NBC bandleader who gave him classical training for 13 years, Bryan polished his musical skills.

Developing an enviable style and an ear for rhythm and harmony, Bryan enrolled at Rutgers University, where he continued his musical education. With years of training and practical education under his belt, he auditioned to attend the prestigious Juilliard School of Music in New York City.

After learning he had been accepted to the world-renowned performing arts school, Bryan received a call from his friend Jon Bon Jovi saying a record company called and offered their band a record deal. Bryan was faced with a tough dilemma: to pursue his classical training or to embark on a rock 'n' roll career. In the end, the decision was simple, and in 1983, Bon Jovi (the band) was born.

Throughout his tenure with Bon Jovi, Bryan, like the other band members, has ventured out on his own to create solo projects that resonate with his unique roots. Embarking on a side career as a composer and lyricist of musicals, Bryan co-wrote Memphis with theater veteran Joe DiPietro. The musical chronicles the first disc jockey to ever play "race" music in the South, and it opened to critical and popular acclaim at North Shore Music Theatre outside Boston and at Theatreworks in Palo Alto, California. In addition to his musical theater outlet, Bryan has also written and released a solo record entitled Lunar Eclipse, which is a collection of instrumental pieces highlighted by a single vocal bonus track that pays homage to all aspects of his training and influences, including blues, classical, jazz, and rock 'n' roll. "Piano playing is a dying art," Bryan says. "I love the fact that I can be one guy with one instrument evoking an emotional and musical experience." A Steinway owner for many years, in early 2003 David Bryan officially became a Steinway Artist. "I could spend an entire day wandering around playing all the great pianos..." he has said about his visits to the Steinway Hall showroom in New York City.

With the world literally at his fingertips for the past 20-plus years, Bryan almost saw an end to his career just a decade ago. After suffering a home accident that nearly severed one of his fingers, Bryan lost the use of the finger — making it impossible to play piano — for an entire year. Thanks to an extensive rehabilitation program, Bryan, finally regained use of the finger three years after the accident. While his injury sidelined him for several years, it did open his eyes to the children's charity Only Make Believe. As an honorary board member, Bryan and the organization's founder, Dena Hammerstein, spread Only Make Believe's mission, which is to introduce children living with chronic illnesses and disabilities to the magical world of theater and open their eyes to a world of possibilities, not disabilities.

With an affinity for children's charities and causes that promote active musical training for today's youth, Bryan has also become a spokesperson for VH1's Save the Music Program, which is dedicated to improving and restoring the quality of musical education in public schools nationwide. Prior to a recent sold-out Bon Jovi show at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Bryan spent his afternoon talking and sharing his musical experiences with fourth, fifth and sixth graders from LA-area schools. He also surprised the lucky students with a solo piano performance on a Steinway Model D concert grand to showcase his classical training. Traveling across the country to schools and producing a video to be used in the schools he cannot personally visit, Bryan helps to raise awareness of the importance of music participation for our nation's youth.

David Bryan is currently on tour with Bon Jovi, wrapping up a world tour in support of their latest album "Have a Nice Day" (on the Island Def Jam label.) Capping off a long stint on the road, the band will play its last concert of the tour on July 29 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, proving once and for all that sometimes, you can indeed go home.