Arts & Entertainment

Final Act on Old Breidert Green Stage was 16-year-old PCHS Musician

Frankfort's Breidert Green stage was torn down but not before it spotlighted John Narcissi, a 16-year-old musician and budding songwriter from Mokena.

The Breidert Green stage was torn down to make room for a new one this week in Frankfort. The final act on the historic stage was 16-year-old John Narcissi of Mokena.

A multi-instrumentalist, singer and budding songwriter, Narcissi took the stage at 6 p.m. Sept. 22, performing renditions of favorite blues singers along with a song or two of his own creation, including his favorite, "Thank You."  

A junior at Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox, he's already been playing for 10 years. On stage he plays acoustic electric and electric guitar and lends his bass baritone to enliven the lyrics. He hasn't yet named his act. He simply goes by John Narcissi. His music is a mix of blues, rock, country and alternative. "It's a subgenre mixing all genres. …It's my way of expressing myself openly.

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"It's speaking my mind in a way that no one else can take from me," he said. A finalist in the 2011 and 2012 Rialto Idol Jr., singing competition, he performs at summer festivals and even private parties.

READ: Breidert Green Could Use Some Renovations

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"I perform cover tunes from great artists including Elvis, Hank Williams, The Beatles, Cold Play, Mumford and Sons, Jason Mraz, Tom Petty, Blake Shelton and many others."

His biggest musical influence was the Beatles, especially the "White Album" because it exemplified their growth and willingness to change, he said. "I love the harmony."    

Narcissi is primarily a solo artist, but whenever possible he invites guest performers. "I have been writing music for three years and was inspired into songwriting after I attended a student songwriting workshop when I was in 8th grade at Lincoln-Way Central High School hosted by Jim Peterik. I usually perform locally but have also performed in Nashville."

His friend, Hannah Gleason from PCHS,  Antonio Penaherrera, a freshman at L-W Central and guitar teacher, Kev Wright of the "Righteous Hillbillies" are regularly perform with Narcissi.  

When he's not working on his career, he's busy in the choir at PCHS and in the marching band.  

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