Pianist David Chown will share jazz, pop tunes at free concert
David Chown. Courtesy photo
By Barb Mosher, Contributing Writer
Jazz pianist David Chown believes the universal language of music is “a healing force that our crazy world needs.” And thanks to First Presbyterian Church’s free concert series, “Meet, Eat, Enjoy the Beat,” he’ll be sharing that force with the Elk Rapids community Friday, September 20, at 7 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Attendees will also enjoy complimentary gourmet hors d’oeuvres and sparkling punch.
“David is a very gracious performer,” said FPC’s community coordinator, Melanie Stoll. “People enjoy seeing someone perform who’s talented but humble. He knows what people like to hear, and he keys into that.”
Chown, a Williamsburg resident who describes himself as a gigging musician, performs at a variety of events in different venues throughout northern Michigan. He owns Lookout Music Productions and Studio where he records and produces music and teaches piano to children and adults. He is also an adjunct professor in the audio technology department at Northwestern Michigan College. His “Chown Town” jazz program is featured on WNMC (90.7 FM) every Friday from 8:30 to 11 a.m.
Chown will entertain the “Meet, Eat, Enjoy the Beat” audience with a selection of jazz standards with “some pop and classical interpretations” mixed in. “I like to improvise as I go,” he explained, adding that he often shares his personal music history — how he started piano lessons, why he stuck with music, and where in the world his career has taken him.
As FPC’s community coordinator, Stoll organizes programs and special events with the goal of bringing generations together to learn from and encourage each other. She initiated the “Meet, Eat, Enjoy the Beat” series this past winter and schedules performances every other month.
“I’m trying to bring in some bigger names, and David is the first of those,” Stoll said. “He reminds me a lot of (jazz pianist) Oscar Peterson — very classy.”
Stoll, an accomplished musician and music educator herself, teaches class piano and accompanies vocal performance classes at NMC. She also accompanies Elk Rapids school choirs and gives private lessons in voice, piano, guitar, and ukulele. In addition to her community coordinator responsibilities at FPC, she is the church’s contemporary worship leader.
“Music is kind of my thing,” she said. “It brings peace and joy. It’s a place to come together and relax, and I just love the fellowship factor of it all. David plays a lot from the 30s, 40s, and 50s, so senior citizens will really enjoy hearing their favorites.”
“Meet, Eat, Enjoy the Beat” is funded by an Elk Rapids Lions Club grant, FPC, the Presbytery of Mackinac, and private donations. For more information, call Stoll at 231-392-1862 or visit the Facebook page “Lighthouse Community Center of ER.”
Jazz pianist David Chown believes the universal language of music is “a healing force that our crazy world needs.” And thanks to First Presbyterian Church’s free concert series, “Meet, Eat, Enjoy the Beat,” he’ll be sharing that force with the Elk Rapids community Friday, September 20, at 7 p.m. in the church sanctuary. Attendees will also enjoy complimentary gourmet hors d’oeuvres and sparkling punch.
“David is a very gracious performer,” said FPC’s community coordinator, Melanie Stoll. “People enjoy seeing someone perform who’s talented but humble. He knows what people like to hear, and he keys into that.”
Chown, a Williamsburg resident who describes himself as a gigging musician, performs at a variety of events in different venues throughout northern Michigan. He owns Lookout Music Productions and Studio where he records and produces music and teaches piano to children and adults. He is also an adjunct professor in the audio technology department at Northwestern Michigan College. His “Chown Town” jazz program is featured on WNMC (90.7 FM) every Friday from 8:30 to 11 a.m.
Chown will entertain the “Meet, Eat, Enjoy the Beat” audience with a selection of jazz standards with “some pop and classical interpretations” mixed in. “I like to improvise as I go,” he explained, adding that he often shares his personal music history — how he started piano lessons, why he stuck with music, and where in the world his career has taken him.
As FPC’s community coordinator, Stoll organizes programs and special events with the goal of bringing generations together to learn from and encourage each other. She initiated the “Meet, Eat, Enjoy the Beat” series this past winter and schedules performances every other month.
“I’m trying to bring in some bigger names, and David is the first of those,” Stoll said. “He reminds me a lot of (jazz pianist) Oscar Peterson — very classy.”
Stoll, an accomplished musician and music educator herself, teaches class piano and accompanies vocal performance classes at NMC. She also accompanies Elk Rapids school choirs and gives private lessons in voice, piano, guitar, and ukulele. In addition to her community coordinator responsibilities at FPC, she is the church’s contemporary worship leader.
“Music is kind of my thing,” she said. “It brings peace and joy. It’s a place to come together and relax, and I just love the fellowship factor of it all. David plays a lot from the 30s, 40s, and 50s, so senior citizens will really enjoy hearing their favorites.”
“Meet, Eat, Enjoy the Beat” is funded by an Elk Rapids Lions Club grant, FPC, the Presbytery of Mackinac, and private donations. For more information, call Stoll at 231-392-1862 or visit the Facebook page “Lighthouse Community Center of ER.”
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