John Kissane
On Sunday June 9, 2013 pianist John Kissane hosted his first ever CD release party for his album “Off Rhythm Road.” He composed all of the works on his keyboard on Mackinac Island during the winter of 2012 and with the help of award winning audio engineer Chuck Alkazian at Pearl Sound in Canton, MI – his new CD is ready. Friends and fans joined him at the 1852 Grill Room of the Island House Hotel for this momentous occasion.
John grew up in St. Johns, Michigan and lives on Mackinac Island with his family, Shelly Mclean and their son Mason. He is the son of Bill and Judy Kissane of St. Johns.
After graduating from MSU, he moved to Mackinac Island. He has been performing nightly at the Island House Hotel for the past three summers and was the house pianist at Mission Point Resort for 11 years. He also serves as the pianist at Ste Anne’s Church on Mackinac Island.
You may listen to tracks from his album on http://mackinacislandlilacfestival.org/index2.php and may order his CD for $15 by calling the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau (800) 454-5227.
From the Mackinac Island Town Crier:
Mr. Kissane has lived on the Island year-round since 1997. He began playing the piano when he was six years old and is primarily self-taught. He also plays six other instruments including the violin and Irish tin flute. He was born legally blind and plays everything by ear. His styles lean toward classical, modern and new age.
He does not have a song list for his performance, Mr. Kissane said, but he prefers to choose songs on the spot based on interacting personally with the audience. He also tries to correlate the music with some of his life experience.
“I get inspired by the crowd and that gets me to be creative,” he said. “The crowd dictates where I go with my music.”
The unplanned nature of his performances makes them unusual, he said.
“You never know what’s going to happen, and that’s a good thing,” he said.
At times, he said, his concerts have brought people laughter, tears, and feelings of awe, and he hopes that his concert Sunday will have the same affect as his last.
“People just got a sense of reflection on their own music in their own lives,” he said. “I hope they come away with an appreciation for all styles of music rock, classical, new age and hopefully I can do that.”
Mr. Kissane was born in Seoul, South Korea, and attended Michigan State University. He plays piano at various venues on Mackinac Island and shares his music at church services during the winter. He has performed at numerous group meetings, weddings, and special events. He continues to focus on piano and is working to pass down his musical interests to his son.