When a friend suggested to Nathaniel T. Jones that he could perform a piano act at local venues, he initially balked at the idea.
“It came organically. We wanted to hang out and (drink) and I’d end up at the piano. We’d end up karaokeing and singing. He said, ‘People would want to do this too,'” said the performer of Ted Jones Piano Man monthly at Evil Horse Brewing Co. in Crete.
“I said, ‘No way. I don’t think anyone would care to come to that. After a year he convinced me to try. August 2020 was my first actual time as a piano man in Valparaiso at The Market Lounge. I played just there for a year and a half.
“Last summer was the first time I started branching out to different venues and actually went beyond that home base. It’s all fresh and new.”
Jones’ friend Jeff Webb books, hosts and manages The Market Lounge & Comedy Club and is the Indiana venue’s final act on Dec. 30, when he headlines a stand-up show.
“It is about to close. I just had my last piano bar there Dec. 10,” said Jones of Dyer, Indiana.
“It was definitely an emotional night. There are a lot of regulars out in Valpo. Being there every Saturday for the last couple of years, it’s been bittersweet for both of us. I know he’s hoping to find another venue.”
As Jones branched out to other venues, he began performing typically on the first Thursday of the month at Evil Horse Brewing Co. in July.
That monthly gig has shifted to generally the first Friday of the month in 2023, starting with his Jan. 6 performance at the craft brewery.
“I do a piano bar. It’s just me and the piano. I have a list that’s ever-growing that’s currently at 400 songs that people request off of, but I also have requests that people really like that maybe aren’t on the list. Sometimes I know them and sometimes I pull up the sheet music and sight-read the music,” Jones said.
“It’s a very casual atmosphere to sing along. It’s not meant to be a concert. The idea is that I’m singing what people want to hear and sing along with me so it’s a very communal kind of activity.
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“What makes it fun are the people who come and aren’t afraid to sing along and let me know what they want to hear and just have a fun night of music and beer.”
Jones’ repertoire includes piano bar staples such as “Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks, “Piano Man” by Billy Joel and “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond, as well as popular venue-specific requests.
“‘Purple Rain’ is a popular one at Evil Horse,” said Jones about the Prince song.
“‘What’s Up?’ by 4 Non Blondes is a popular one there. ‘Home Sweet Home’ by Mötley Crüe is also a staple that’s actually become Evil Horse’s theme. That’s how we end every piano bar now. That’s their local favorite.”
According to Jones, switching the day of his monthly Evil Horse Brewing Co. residency helps accommodate his job as choir and handbell director at his alma mater of Lake Central High School in St. John, Indiana, where he has worked since 2016.
“It is everything I wanted to do and sometimes surreal,” said Jones.
Jones started tickling the ivories during his freshman year of high school when his grandmother got a piano.
Approximately 15 years later he is building Ted Jones Piano Man’s live schedule, which has grown to include Shipwreck Bar & Grill in Griffith, Indiana, and Lake Shafer Boathouse in Monticello, Indiana.
“It’s a unique format. Every show is different and I don’t really know what the night will hold,” said Jones.
“It really has been a fun way to challenge myself as a musician.”
Ted Jones Piano Man
When: 7-10 p.m. Jan. 6, 2023
Where: Evil Horse Brewing Co., 1338 Main St., Crete
Tickets: free
Information: 708-304-2907; evilhorsebrewing.com
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.