Biographical Data/performance History

Boise Queen is a rare and special kind of pianist. As a solo performer his popularity is gradually increasing,covering a four state span across the midwest portion of the U.S; especially within the Chicagoland area. Also known as (a.k.a) "Piano Q", Mr. Queen has been captivating a diverse populace of both classical and contemporary music listeners since 1975. Piano Q employs a rather "unique" blend of both classical and contemporary voicings to jazz and pop ballad standards of the late 40's,50's,60's,70's & 80's, era of music. Coupled with a dramatic yet entertaining presentation with that of a "spicey" syncopated rhythmic architecture he adopts in the lyrical phrasing of the music; makes Boise Queen a very rewarding and enjoyable listening experience. Boise Queen's romance with music began very early in life; when by the time he was just six years old, his parents realizing his "gift" to play by ear was exceptionally well advanced; introduced him to an old upright player piano. Their ear gifted prodigy "took off". By the time he was seven years old, Boise Queen had mastered being technically proficient enough at the piano to be invited to give solo recitals on a regular basis; improvising on pop standard tunes of the times. All without any prior formal music training. His composing ability started to flourish as well; making up melodies and adding the bass & treble clef chords on the piano simultaneously.

From 1962-1965 Boise Queen continued performing and was provided with a formal music education. Earning an associates degree, his educational background included studies at the Chicago School of Music, as well as various sources of private instruction. It was during this same period that "PianoQ" took an active enjoyment in listening and collecting classical music recordings from a variety of music period history. A very close and personal relationship would develop between some of the music exposure he was being aquainted with and his playing ability as a pianist. A relationship that continues to have a profound effect even to this very day. By1975, Boise Queen was performing publicly ona regular basis. He has been engaged to perform as guest pianist at such notable Chicago establishments as "Andy's", The Piano Man & The BackRoom.

PianoQ has made a number of regular appearances with popular based celebrities such as "Milt Trenier, vocal/impressionist Bill Acosta, singer actress Cloris Leachman" and a few others. PianoQ has performed as featured artist at several upscale Chicago based restaurants e.g McCormack & Schmicks Seafood Restaurant located in the heart of Chicago 's famed "

Rush Street area

Most of Boise Queen's performance engagements through the years has been contracted to perform for private parties, benefits, fundraisers,business and special events. Although some of the performances that has featured Boise Queen has had him billed as a "solo pianist"; he has performed on occassion with other quality musicians in the form of a trio or band and has had some experience in vocalist accompaniment. Despite Piano Q's performance technique he provides to song and jazz ballad standards; It's been revealed that his strongest creative strength can be found in his library of original compositions some dating as far back as 1975. These compositions include both semi-classical and "world jazz" works, many of which; are rather inspiring & pensively beautiful works for both solo acoustic piano and piano that's accompanied by "orchestral keyboard rhythm synthesizer."

The inspirational foundation for many of Boise Queen's original compositions has had it's origin developed out of his classical music relationship spoken of earlier. In fact; PianoQ received an engagement request to perform one of his more recent original compositions"Lament for Old Toy's and Broken Dreams", on April 25, 2004; at the BaHai' Temple in Wilmette IL. as a special memorial tribute. By coincidence, Boise Queen composed the work as a memorial to his own mother months earlier; who died of a long battle with Alzheimer at the age of 94 yrs. Her passing on Dec 26,2000 was further impacted by the death of his wife after a long illness the following feb 4, 2001 thus ending a ten year marriage and close supporting partnership.

The title"Lament for Old Toy's and Broken Dreams" has a special historical significance as to why it was titled that way; one of which, we won't belabor the point of discussion here. The only added comment about it is that unlke some of Boise Queen's other semi-classical original compositions; this piece is structurally very simple;yet embodies a "poetic" kind of "sweet sadness" with a melody that hounds you and stay's with you long after the music is over. With ever increasing demand for it; currently it's available only on audio cassette tape but will be available on CD by 2005.Other semi-classical original compositions by Boise Queen include: Seven Day's in May, Windsands Concerto and the searingly beautiful "Piano Prelude for Stage and Film", a composition recently submitted for evaluation for use as a motion picture soundtrack.

Most recently Boise Queen has just completed putting together what has turned out to be an extremely popular CD entitled,"Boise Queen plays,Classic Live". This is a composite collection of semi-classical as well as jazz classic standards and original works which include;piano and orchestra as well as,tenor sax accompaniment to both piano and synthesizer rhythm keyboard and solo piano.

The CD includes a strikingly beautiful adaptation of "Somewhere" from Leonard Bernsteins"Westside Story" of which Boise has done a fantastically fine job of arranging the score for both piano and full orchestra. A full track of this CD recording is now temporarily available by visiting www.gigmasters.com which is an online national musicians booking service. You can access Mr. Queen's presskit site where this and other numerous tracks from this album are available by clicking "solo musicians" then "click" solo pianists Illinois area and scroll down to Boise Queen and "click" to bring up his site.

A quicker way to access this site is to "CLICK" the "Gigmasters " pianists online booking logo link directly on the main"home" page of this site.

Boise Queen has also composed a number of original compositions in the "World Jazz Fusion" genre. Strongly influenced by such legendary piano virtuoso's as McCoy Tyner , Oscar Peterson along with classical masters as Rachmaninoff and Debussy; Boise Queen has put together a group of "world jazz" originals in his "Sun Voyage CD that bears out a strong resemblance to such influences. Although the CD consists of four tracks it consists of about 24 minutes worth of concert quality performance format. It opens up, presenting the listner with such title tracks as "Opus Judgment". Here, the listner is immediately catapulted from a serene almost dreamlike,"reflective" mood interchange dialogue between piano & synthesizer strings and double bass to a 0 to 60 latin jazz"takeoff" in 3.5 seconds. A very unique and interesting composition to listen to, it shares pretty much the same popular appeal as the "fresh open airiness " of its sister composition,"Savannah Wind".

Piano Q also has a 2nd CD available titled"Jazz Standards Live!" This is a 7 track CD presenting a solo piano assortment of jazz and pop ballad standard works by such legends as Cole Porter, Sammy Kahn and many others

In conclusion; Piano Q's performance history spans over 50 years of experience in music; which includes, 30 years of public performance experience. His credentials, seasoned earned as they may be; tells only half the story. It's the music that's going to speak for itself. To date, Boise Queen continues to perform & travel as a featured pianist for various private venues throughout Illinois , Wisconsin , Michigan and Indiana . He is involved also as a consultant to a number of aspiring young artists in various genres under Talent Aid Promotions Entertainment

Boise Queen continues also to be engaged in performing a series of "promotional performances for business and various "special events"that may engage his professional talents for various programs,e.g mentorship programs for gifted young talent etc.

(*PLEASE NOTE: THESE PERFORMANCE "WIDGETS" HAVE BEEN INSTALLED FOR

YOUR CONVENIENCE SO THAT YOU CAN BRING UP THE MUSIC WITHOUT

HAVING TO GO ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE "FREE MUSIC PAGE" HOWEVER

THE MUSIC IS LIMITED TO A MAX. OF 8MB. SO MUSIC PRESENTED THATS

OF ANY DURATION LONGER THAN 8MB. WILL HAVE A "TRUNCATED" OR ABRUPT

ENDING. FOR A LONGER "UNINTERRUPTED " PLAY OR TO HAVE THE ABILITY

TO "DOWNLOAD" A SONG; YOU MUST REFER TO THE "FREE MUSIC" PAGE

DIRECTLY.)