About the Pianist...
					Gary E. Protain, ("G.E.P."), THE POET OF THE PIANO, whose music is highlighted on this new CD/Cassette released early in 2001, keeps up a hectic solo piano schedule in the Chicago/suburban area. His special brand of music, in the "Romance at the Keyboard" series, can be heard regularly at his Hotel, Country Club and Supper Club appearances in central Illinois since he moved there in late '98. Classically trained, with Diplomas from Trinity College of Music, London, Gary owes his musical education to Grenada's distinguished music teacher, the esteemed Mrs Sarah Knight, and to the loving encouragement and supportive inspiration of his mother, Mrs Gert Protain, M.B.E., and his father, the late Errol Protain. Since the late 90's, Gary's three contract engagements have been: Resident Pianist at the Naperville Country Club, at Nordstrom luxury department store's Performance Area in Oakbrook, and at the Palm Court Supper Club in Arlington Heights. In addition, he plays wherever beautiful piano music is required, including the Chicago Sheraton, Hyatt, Westin and Omni Hotels, the Harold Washington Library Auditorium, the Oak Lawn Hilton, Oak Hills Country Club, The Plaza Club, the Newberry Library, The Cheyney Mansion, the River Forest, Oak Lawn and White Eagle Country Clubs, the Chicago Women's Athletic Club, and The Carlisle. Gary recently performed at his first out-of-state engagement at the Old County House, in Crown Point, Indiana. Gary Protain was the Featured Pianist at the Illinois Lieut Governor's Millenium Gala at the Chicago Westin Hotel, and continues to be in demand at IL Wedding Receptions, Fund-raising Charity Galas, Fraternity Celebrations, and Corporate, Convention and Anniversary Events. After 3 interesting years with Miami's Carnival Cruise Lines as Solo Pianist on their 'monster' Flagships, the M/S "Fascination" and the M/S "Inspiration", doing seven day Caribbean cruises from Santo Domingo to Aruba and La Guaira, Gary needed to be back on dry land, and moved to the leafy Chicago suburb of Naperville, IL, where he lives with his wife, Diane, R.N. As the Master of the M/S "Inspiration", Captain Luigi Piovano, wrote recently: "We have been privileged to have on board an entertainer and a keyboard maestro of excellent standard, Grenada's Gary Protain. His musicianship and talent have brought us many happy evenings of listening and appreciation. Besides this, he's a fine gentleman and a true Ambassador of the Line. We've been very happy to have had Gary playing for our hundreds of guests in our "Chopin Room" aboard the "Inspiration", and wish him Bon Voyage in his new life in Illinois. Keep making Music, Maestro, please!...." After hearing him play in Toronto, his former home for two decades, keyboard legend Roger Williams, (Gary's childhood piano hero,) said: "Gary Protain is a true artist at the Piano". His first recording, "THE POET OF THE PIANO - A Sentimental Journey", a collection of 27 romantic ballads, Love Songs, and Broadway showtunes, recently released by Romance Works Productions, is being distributed by mega publishers Barnes & Noble, Music Division, in Naperville, IL., and CD sales figures have been on an upward arc in 2001. Also available at sales outlets in Grenada, Barbados, Trinidad, Jamaica, N.Y., Toronto, Long Island, Wash. D.C., and upcoming this spring: St Kitts, St Lucia, Miami, London, Dublin and the Continent, among other locations. Recorded in the purity of Digital Sound, "THE POET OF THE PIANO" covers an eclectic range of popular and romantic selections, "from his heart to yours", including Unforgettable, Black Orpheus, Memory, When I fall in Love, Misty, My Funny Valentine, Someone to Watch Over Me, If I Loved You, Exodus, Phantom of the Opera, My One and Only Love, If, Yesterday When I Was Young, many others... Gary is the subject of a lengthy Personality profile in the April 27, 01 issue of the Naperville "SUN" - entitled "Where the Music Takes Him... Well-traveled pianist finds fulfilling Life, Work in IL." A quote from an audience member, Robert Scott of Westchester, at one of his recent Oakbrook performances reads: "Gary's wonderful - he's one of the best piano players I've ever heard. His arrangements are just beautiful". A former PR Mgr of CBC-TV/Radio inToronto; Grenada Ambassador to the U.N. in N.Y.; and Dir. of Government Information Services in his native Grenada, the "Spice Island" of the Caribbean, Gary Protain is earning a reputation as an artist of uncommon sensitivity at the Steinway Concert Grand, and a true "POET OF THE PIANO". Finally, a quote from Mrs Mary Seguidon, Founder of the Salt Creek Ballet of Illinois, aptly sums up this 'new' musical find: "This Pianist is a real musician - remember his name: Gary E. Protain. You should hold on to him...." Contact Gary at: gary@pianopoet.com and once you've heard him play, Live or thru his recordings, enter your Comments in this Website's Guest Book.                                                           You'll be glad you did....   |   Home   |   About the Pianist  |   Testimonials   |   How To Order   |   Contact Us   |   Sign Guestbook   |   Search   |   Listen   |   Link To Us   |   Start Here   |