Bruce Jones to play free concert in Riverside on cherished piano

By L.J. Gambone
For the Apple Valley Review

Life is full of surprises, and earlier this year, Apple Valley-based piano player Bruce Jones received a delightfully unexpected one on a play date with his grandsons.

Jones had taken the boys to the Riverside Library, where he discovered a vintage Steinway Model B in the building’s auditorium. He said he knew it was the find of a lifetime and the sound of it literally brought him to tears.

“I’m pretty sure this piano was made in the 1930s or '40s,” Jones said, who will perform on the Steinway in a free concert beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at the Riverside Library Auditorium, 3581 Mission Ave., Riverside.

“Steinway makes fine pianos every year but just like good wines, they have exceptional years. I played a few notes on it and I wept because it sounded so beautiful. No new piano sounds like this one, not even a new Steinway."

According to Jones, who performs under the name ONEPIANOMAN, the Steinway was donated to the library by the late Anne Taylor. He said after doing a bit of research on the instrument’s history, he offered to do a free concert for the community.

“The people at the library asked me why I would do this and I explained that I raised my five children in Riverside and that my two sons are raising nine of my grandkids there now,” said Jones, author of the book “An Adequate Musician.”

“I want them to be a part of things like live music. Also, piano teachers and UC Riverside students have used the piano for recitals but the library has never given 'The Lady' a chance to showcase herself to the community.”

Jones said his concert will include everything from classical pieces from Beethoven to Chopin to songs by Barry Manilow and Lady Gaga.

“It will be Lady Gaga like you’ve never heard her before,” Jones said.

Jones grew up in Pocatello, Idaho. He began studying piano in his youth and got his first big break in the music business in the 1960s working as a rehearsal pianist for Las Vegas shows.

He went on to earn a BA in music/piano performance at Cal State Long Beach and has held teaching positions at Southern California universities, including Pomona College, Cal State Long Beach and Cal Poly Pomona.

Jones also frequently performs solo shows around the High Desert and recently completed a 17-month stint as the pianist for Hi-Desert Center for Spiritual Living in Apple Valley.

“I used to sit and play piano for hours on end when I was a kid,” said Jones. “Little did I know I was developing a highly marketable skill called sight reading. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked on stage and sight read a concert on the spot. It’s really been my niche.”

Along with his show at the Riverside Library, Jones will perform in a hymn festival at 7 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Hesperia Stake of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 10862 Maple St. The event is free to the public.

In addition, Jones will be featured as the pre-show entertainment in “Hello Gorgeous,” singer Rebecca Clark’s tribute to Barbra Streisand, on Dec. 2 and 3 at Hi-Desert Center for Spiritual Living, 18575 Corwin Road in Apple Valley. Tickets are $29 and can be purchased by calling 760-684-9622 or 760-242-2302.