COLLABS WITH PIANIST-COMPOSER JOHN BAYLESS
It is always miraculous watching the human spirit transcend great adversity. In these trying times we desperately need to be exposed to inspiring true stories. Watching internationally renowned concert pianist John Bayless overcome the challenges of his debilitating stroke—which in minutes brought his 30-year career to a screeching halt—is truly inspiring. John fought back where others might have capitulated—deciding his artistry has more life—and his life has more life! After a lifetime of playing with two hands, John has taught himself to play the piano with just his left hand and make it sound as if he’s playing with both.
People need to see this. To be motivated by his courage and determination. To see how far John can go and what he can achieve in his life’s second act. John shares his life’s journey in two inspirational new projects! They are:
Documentary Feature Film
The Story
At 25, Leonard Bernstein protégé, John Bayless, debuted at Carnegie Hall, performing “Rhapsody In Blue” with full orchestra. His jaw-dropping technical prowess at the piano initiated a 30-year-long concert and recording career as a solo pianist, composer, and improvisor, with John performing his chart-topping hits at major venues around the world. Then, at 54, his career as an artist ended abruptly when a left-brain stroke immobilized his dominant right side. Soon after, his husband Bruce, died of cancer. And the music stopped. John’s magical ‘first act’ disappeared.
Left Alone Rhapsody chronicles John’s amazing life journey from four-year-old Texas musical prodigy, playing the organ in his small-town Southern Baptist church, to his courageous journey ‘back’ from post-stroke paralysis. What might be called his life’s ‘second act.’ The question is: Can he have a ‘third?’
As neurologists discuss his brain, rabbis his Jewish conversion, and Yamaha’s representatives their amazing life-changing, state-of-the-art Disklavier piano technology, which might just allow John to play again with ‘two hands,’ John Bayless learns to become not just a one-handed pianist sounding like he’s using two, but also a storyteller. His determination for more life and more art begins a journey to share his music and his story through a brand new one-man show about his life—all in the hope that John can manifest a creative and successful ‘third act’ in his life. But will he? (Running time - 100 minutes)
status: on the film festival circuit
Best Feature Documentary
Awards for “Left Alone Rhapsody:”
LEFT ALONE RHAPSODY - Official Trailer
LEFT ALONE RHAPSODY - Original Sizzle Reel
Live One-Man Show
ONE HAND ONE HEART - Sizzle Reel
John Bayless – ONE HAND ONE HEART - My Life & My Music
A one-man show starring John Bayless
by John Bayless & Stewart M. Schulman
This new ‘one-man-one-hand only’ play—with music by Gershwin, Bernstein, Puccini, Mancini, Rachmaninoff, Rodgers, Legrand, and the world renowned concert pianist, John Bayless, himself—takes audiences on the journey of John’s remarkable life, as he shares the stories that inspired his unique improvisational mash-ups of pop and classical music. John talks openly about his highs and lows, and his determination to create a second act for himself as an artist.
The play begins with a 4-year-old John becoming a musical prodigy in his hometown of Borger, Texas, which sets him on a life-long adventure that takes him to NYC and Juilliard in the 1970’s, a musical mentorship with Leonard Bernstein, a debut concert in 1980 at Carnegie Hall, and a 30-year career as a concert pianist, which is tragically halted by a debilitating stroke.
John shares the hell he faced, post-stroke, trying desperately to journey back to life and to being an artist, and the spiritual awakening that led him to his unbelievable comeback, concertizing with his left hand all alone! This inspiring one-man show evokes laughter and tears, showcasing John’s astonishing musicianship, as he shares his amazing life-story.
**Check out my screenplays page to see more current projects!