‘Native Son’ to make ivories sing

     (NWPR-OH) – Somewhat a different version of a saying could be, “A family that stays together, plays together,” and in this case, Jai Jeffryes, who is a pianist, another son of James and Ruth Jeffryes is the feature artist in the Troy-Hayner Cultural Center’s fifteenth annual Homecoming Concert on Sunday, November 28 at 2:00 pm. Jai’s brother Lee is a percussionist, who also performed at this annual event years earlier.

     The concert, which is free and open to the public, will also include local pianists, Mary Ann Cornell and Mary Blauser, whose goal “has been to bring former Trojans back to their home community to perform and to encourage all young musicians.” Both have been piano teachers in the Troy, including performing solo as well as duet, as well as organists and accompanists.

     As a young musician, Jai appeared as soloist with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. He also received the national first prize in the Music Teachers National Association Young Artist Competition and a full scholarship at Arizona State University. In addition, as a prizewinner of the Joanna Hodges Piano Competition, Jeffryes debut at the Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena, California in a solo recital, whereas the Los Angeles Times wrote, “Jai Jeffryes has as rounded a sound and as variegated a palette of tone as any pianist around.” He also earned a Master of Music degree from Texas Christian University.

     Professionally, Jai was a music director and orchestral keyboardist for musical theatrical productions and conducted shows in Berlin, Paris and Tokyo, as well as worked with Broadway touring companies that appeared throughout North America, Europe and Japan, including productions of “A Chorus Line”, “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Annie Get Your Gun.” Today, he is a database administrator and Assistant Vice President for Hudson Insurance Group.

     On a personal note, he resides in New York City, is an avid dancer of Argentine Tango, which led to his marriage to his photographer wife, Jan La Salle – www.lasalleshoot.com

     For more information, see www.troyhayner.org or call 339-0457.