Every now and then a true gem emerges from the rich pool of musicians the Northwest is famous for.  Enter pianist and composer Jolinda Creery.  With the timeless grace of an angel, and a brilliant sense of composition, musical emotion and a pure and honest performance style, Creery, is a moving entertainer.  

 

 

    It could be enough that Creery blends classical and popular style and melody and truly inspires people with her music.  But there is a great deal more to Creery.  Not only is she an inspiring artist but throughout her performance Creery proves to be an inspirational speaker.  In 2003, Creery was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a potentially devastating disease affecting the nervous system.  In the back of her mind, given MS has no cure, Creery knows there may come a day when her  heart and soul may be willing but her hands may no longer respond to the keyboard.  Creery makes lemonade out of these lemons, serving up an incredible show of her original work and additional songs that make up her unique repertoire with no sorrow, only strength and faith in the music and its connection to her audience.

 

    Creery’s executive producer Bill Brayer, who also has MS and is the President of MS Helping Hands -MSHH, a non profit organization (see www.mshelp.org), discovered Creery.  He was so moved by her music that he offered to support her career.  Brayer connected Creery with an entertainment producer to produce her first album and help her develop her repertoire for performance.  The result is exquisite.    

 

    Now Brayer is producing a series of benefit concerts for his MS related organization called Northwest Showcase "The SnowFlakes" and is handling booking and promotion for Creery.  Creery performs solo piano.  Says Creery “Despite getting MS, I am so very blessed to have so many people supporting me, from Bill and his wife Carol, to my husband, my musical producer, all my fans, my church community and the greater community of people concerned with MS.  What is most interesting is the music is an important part of my performance but my ability to talk to my audience about what I am going through in a positive light seems to connect with people as much as my music.”

 

     Jolinda may have a year or 50 years to write, record, and perform depending upon the disease, Multiple Sclerosis. Her style is like listening to what a renaissance painting might sound like, colorful and lush with a compelling sense of peace.

 

    Jolinda comes from a musical family. Her mother is an accomplished concert pianist who tours across the United States and has sold many CD’s. Her mother started teaching piano to Jolinda and her sister but mom and Jolinda decided that, for her, family shouldn’t teach family. They still joke about that to this day. Her sister is a wonderful and influential piano teacher in the Puyallup valley area. Her dad even confesses that when he was in high school, he played trombone and harmonica – that’s his musical contribution to the family. When Jolinda was younger, she remembers her dad being a music pastor, her mom was the pianist and organist and most importantly, they would sing together as a family at their church. Music was a very intricate part of their individual as well as family life. Jolinda laughs and says, “I tried to get away from teaching piano and being an artist, but it is in my blood and core to who I am so why fight it?”

 

    Her debut CD, “Waterfall” is available for $10.00 - shipping and handling included

Item in stock, will be mailed within 24 hours

To order:

Make checks payable:

    Bill Brayer

    9792 Edmonds Way, #229

    Edmonds, WA 98020

 

    E-mail: wbrayer@mshelp.org