Chase Garrett is an example of using the gift of musical talent to make one’s own fate.

The 22-year-old musician started his career on the local music scene quietly. Simply sitting down at the pianos located downtown and playing tunes reminiscent of a bygone era. The passion he put into these impromptu performances did not go unnoticed.

Soon, people from the Iowa City area were making trips downtown to see Chase perform. Passersby would stop and listen in awe as the young man played every tune with full force.

Garrett was tickled by the positive reaction he received from his audiences as well as professionals in the piano world.

Then he jumped at an opportunity to host his very own show.

The musician raised thousands of dollars with help from local donors to rent the Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., and put on his first Blues and Boogie-Woogie Stomp in 2010.

Tickets for the show sold out, and the theater was standing-room only. Garrett exceeded his own expectations as well as the expectations of many in the community. But it wasn’t enough.

He continued traveling to piano festivals and workshops around the globe, demonstrating his love for the music and improving his skill on the ivories.

This fall he hosted the second Blues and Boogie-Woogie Stomp, which was even more successful than the previous concert. The show welcomed icons in the field including ________ and ___ people attended the event.

Garrett is this year’s best local act because of his passion for music and his ability to turn a dream into a reality with creativity and determination.

— by Hannah Kramer