John Bayless is a Pianist, Composer, Recording Artist, and Teacher. Born in Texas, he started playing the piano by ear at age 4. At 15 he studied at the Aspen School of Music with the legendary Adele Marcus, and at 17 was off to New York’s Julliard School of Music for further study with Ms. Marcus, who shaped his musical gifts and encouraged his extraordinary ability in improvisation. Invited to join the inaugural class of NYU’s Musical Theater Masters Degree Program as a composer, he studied with Leonard Bernstein, Julie Styne, Arthur Laurents, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green. Maestro Bernstein was particularly impressed with John’s talent at improvisation and composition, and a lifelong friendship ensued. His performing career has afforded him the great opportunity to appear in some of the World’s most famous concert venues and with some of the most prestigious orchestras. They include: Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, Tanglewood, Wigmore Hall (London), The Academy of Music (Philadelphia), Suntory Hall (Tokyo), The Hollywood Bowl, Vigado Hall (Budapest), Davies Hall (San Francisco), Barbican Center (London), The Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Boston Pops, New York Pops, London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, and many others. He has toured extensively in the United States, Europe, and Asia. His numerous recordings have been at the top of the charts since the mid-80’s and many are still available. He has conducted Master Classes at Juilliard, Kent State, Dennison University, University of Houston, Chapman College, and at London’s Royal Academy of Music. Mr. Bayless is currently the Artistic Director of The Waring International Piano competition in Palm Desert. He loves having “hands on” involvement in helping shape the future and careers of young and aspiring pianists. In the works at present for Mr. Bayless is a new one-man show titled John Bayless: One Hand, One Heart, My Life and My Music; and Act Two, a documentary about his amazing true story.
