Learning to play an instrument is a challenge in and of itself, but try learning to play having been blind since birth, most would say it is impossible. It wasn’t impossible for Iola’s latest addition, Todd East. EAST moved to Iola in October so he and his wife, Denise, could be closer to her family.
East will be performing at Sidelines, Saturday at 8 p.m. for its ugly Christmas sweater night.
East, originally from Rochester, N.Y., has been in Iola since October, but has played around the city several times, at Scooters, for Thrive Allen County and the Allen County Country Club.
East started on the drums at age 5, but picked up piano at age 16.
While in college, East explored other music genres and instruments but found it wasn’t for him, and has since made the piano and its soulful music his staple.
“I went to Nazareth College in Rochester, and at 22 went on the road and played in casinos in Atlantic City,” East said.
East used to learn to play music by reading Braille sheet music, but found it cumbersome.
“If I am reading then I can’t play,” East said. “If I hear a song two or three times I can memorize it and play it.”
When East was five he was tested for pitch and found he had perfect pitch.
“You can play any note and I can tell you what it is,” East said.
In the 28 years he has been playing music he has been able to travel the world.
“I have been all over the world, Europe, Asia,” East said. “I have been able to go to places because of music that I would otherwise never have been able to go.”
East said his most memorable performance was in Paris when he and six musicians from his band at the time, Prime Time Funk, went to play with musician Sherman Robinson at the Le Meridien Hotel.
East tried out for TV shows, such as America’s Got Talent, a couple of times but didn’t make it.
“I am a straight-laced piano player,” East said. “I guess I could have gone in there and played up the blind thing as a media stunt, and maybe I should have, but I’m just me. I went in and played and stayed true to myself. It’s worked out for me so far.”
Some of East’s inspirations have been Elton John, Billy Joel and Stevie Wonder — East said not because he is blind but because he connects with Wonder’s type of music.
While in Kansas, East will be looking to make a market for himself in Kansas City and Wichita.
Music has always been part of his life, but East used to be a body builder and a trainer. After sustaining some injuries to his shoulders he decided to give it up.
“If something happens to my shoulders I wouldn’t be able to play,” East said.
East will be traveling to Los Angeles in February and March to record with musician Greg Manning.
Pianist not dissuaded by vision impairment
