Bio
Musical Style: Contemporary solo piano, and piano-style rock and modern eclectic instrumental, with a variety of moods. Neil’s musical influences include Elton John, Keith Green, Tori Amos, Andrew Peterson, David Lanz, Journey, Kansas, Genesis and Rush, as well as the great pianist/composers of the past, including Chopin, Debussy, J.S. Bach, and Satie.
Bio:
Neil Patton is a multi-award-winning pianist/keyboardist, singer, songwriter, and performer working in Eugene, Oregon. He is a featured artist on the popular Whisperings Solo Piano Radio broadcast (solopianoradio.com). His 2024 release, The Small Hours was nominated as Album of the Year on Whisperings Radio. His 2022 album, Holy Ground was awarded Christian/Spiritual Album of the Year and was nominated for Album of the Year at SoloPiano.com. His 2015 album, Between Shadow and Light (#13 on Zone Music Reporter Airplay Charts), was named Album of the Year at MainlyPiano.com, and was awarded 3rd place for Album of the Year “Solo Piano” at One World Music Radio. His single Water of Life (from his debut album, Impromptu) was one of 16 tracks included in the popular Whisperings Vol I: Music to Quiet Your World CD sampler released in 2011. Clockwork, the duet he composed and recorded with legendary pianist David Nevue, was released on Nevue’s critically acclaimed album, Winding Down in 2015, and was named Song of the Year, 2015 at MainlyPiano.com. (For a full listing of Neil's awards and nominations, click here.) Neil is also a featured guest artist on acclaimed UK guitarist Dave Brons’ 2026 album, The Fellowship.
Neil studied classical piano from the age of five through college. Graduating with honors from the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance in 1994, he has since maintained his residence in his birthplace, Eugene, Oregon. In 1996 Neil began to work full-time as a musician in various capacities. He opened a private piano teaching studio in 1997, and now teaches around 32 students. He recently retired as Pastor of Worship Arts at Emerald Bible Fellowship after serving for 27 years. In his leftover time, he freelances, playing parties, concerts, and other special events, while also composing and arranging, and sometimes helping to arrange and produce music for other local artists. Neil performs regularly with his wife, Cathy, an accomplished flutist. They have been married since 1996 and have two grown children.
Neil has released seven solo piano collections: Impromptu (Dec. 2007), Hammer & Wire (May 2012), Between Shadow and Light (Oct. 2015), Solitaire (Mar. 2018), Holy Ground (Dec. 2022), The Small Hours (Oct. 2024), and Gloria (Nov 2025). His first CD of original vocal music, Horizon, was released in Nov. 1998. More projects are in development for release in 2026 and beyond.