Classical pianist John Nilsen to perform at Royal Church

ROYAL CITY - If you like world-class classical piano, then you should put Saturday, August 9, at the United Methodist Church on your calendar.

Renowned Northwest pianist John Nilsen, based in Portland, will give a noon concert that will last about one hour. The church will provide light refreshments and an opportunity for attendees to purchase Mr. Nilsen's CDs, said member Lee Irwin.

There will be no charge for the concert, but a free will offering will be accepted. The concert will take place in the sanctuary at 305 Royal Road.

This is a rare opportunity for the citizens of Royal. Nilsen is internationally known, but he makes time for small-town appearances. His father was a Methodist minister, and he is of the Methodist faith.

"He has a goal to perform at every Methodist church in the Northwest," Irwin said. "He performs at small towns when he's doing commercial work nearby."

Nilsen has appeared with such luminaries as Jose Feliciano, Jesse Colin Young, David Foster, Alex De Grassi and Kenny G. His recordings are featured on more than 40 musical collections and samplers throughout the globe.

Nilsen was born in Seattle in 1956. His family moved to Portland in 1960, and Nilsen began studying classical piano from his mother at age six.

Continuing his musical education, Nilsen began playing guitar at age 14. He moved to Ashland, Oregon in 1974 to attend Southern Oregon University. He graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts in English

Nilsen was honored by the institution in 1995 in recognition of his outstanding achievements and dedication in the field of the performing arts with the Distinguished Alumnus Award, the most prestigious award bestowed upon Southern Oregon University graduates.

Nilsen founded the Magic Wing recording label in 1987. The label has a catalog of fifteen successful titles, each with international distribution.

Before founding Magic Wing, Nilsen recorded three successful solo piano records on LA's, Eagle Records (1983-1985) and has had fifteen other CDs licensed in foreign countries, including Germany, Great Britain, The Philippines, Canada, Taiwan, Singapore, bringing reported total record sales to one million.

For nearly three decades Nilsen has had two hundred compositions and musical arrangements receiving radio, TV and digital royalties via BMI, Sound Exchange and other royalty paying groups world-wide.

Extensive radio play furthers Nilsen's ever-growing audience. As Chicago radio personality Rick O'Dell observes, "John is one of our show's most requested and talked about artists."