Jake Byers is a Jazz Pianist with a unique background influencing his music. At an early childhood age he was determined to become a professional musician and quickly rose to the top of Oregon’s competitive clarinet scene.

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Halfway through his junior year at the Conservatory, Jake was wrongfully hit by a car failing to yield while riding his bicycle in a crosswalk. He was supposed to die and was then told he might never regain movement in his left side. As a musician, this was not an option. 

 

Luckily, during his time spent at inpatient rehab after the coma Jake would find a new drive— playing the piano down the hall hiding in the rec room. Having yet to regain most of his motor functions at the time, this was a struggle. But his interest in the piano, stemming initially from years of childhood lessons and keyboard skill classes at the conservatory, was ignited. He kept at it every day which helped lead to a miraculous recovery.

 

Jake Byers is now studying Jazz performance finishing his undergraduate degree at the University of Oregon and teaching private Jazz and Classical Piano lessons.