Footnote: In the above interview, Jack mentions being the first in his family to hold his first grandchild, but it was actually his first granddaughter, who was his third grandchild.

 

TWO REALLY BIG PIANOS - TWO REALLY GREAT PIANISTS

Jack and his musical partner, Andy Launer, formed an extraordinary two-piano duo called "The Andrew Jackson Pianoforte." This act not only featured world class piano playing, but also incorporated humor. The following are excerpts from a concert recorded in 1996 so the quality is not great by today's standards, but it is certainly worth watching.

 

TV? SURE, WHY NOT?

Jack was a featured guest on the TV Show "The Piano Guy" with Scott Houston several times. Below are excerpts from some of his appearances on the show as well as an appearance with Andy Launer. Jack and JoEllen Harris Stearns appeared on WCLL Channel 19 in Columbus to not only perform, but to promote their newly released CD. The video is excerpts from that live broadcast on January 29, 1993.

 

A RARE VIDEO FIND

The Jack Widner Trio performs a very unique arrangement of "Autumn Leaves" at a local Columbus restaurant that was captured on video by a patron.

 

ONE PIANO, MANY HANDS

Jack always enjoys sharing the keys with others. Here he is with Andy Launer, and then, Jasianna Chaley & Andy. Thanks to Rev. Joanne Blum for the video.

 

ANY PIANO, ANYWHERE, ANYTIME

Its doubtful that Jack can walk by a piano and not play it. That was certainly true recently at the home of Joe Lambert and Rev. Joanne Blum. Thanks to Joe Lambert for the video.

 

85 YEARS YOUNG

A video tribute with photos provided by Lynn McDougle Photography. The background music is five different tracks from Jack's Clarmont Steakhouse CDs.

 

FIRST GRANDDAUGHTER TRIBUTE

Jack was the first person to hold his first granddaughter, Madeline. So he wrote a song about her.

 

AND FEATURING JACK WIDNER AS...

Jack was asked to play a role in a couple of different small films as well as an auto insurance company's commercial. Below are some outtakes and a test video for the commercial.

 

ON A SPIRITUAL NOTE

Jack performed with others at at least two different Unity Churches in the Central Ohio area. He and his trio performed with JoEllen Harris Stearns at Unity Church of Columbus for many years. Click on the image below to hear them together. He also performed with Louise Salvador at Unity Church of Delaware regularly. Below is a video with Louise and Jack peforming on January 23, 2022.

 

COLLECTIONS

Jack released many solo albums during his musical career. He also released albums with Andy Launer (The Andrew Jackson Pianoforte) and vocalist JoEllen Harris Stearns. To listen to a selection, simply click on the title. To download a selection, right-click on the title, then click "Save Link As" to place it on your device. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PHOTOS

Jack performs the lead role in the school play "Silas Marner," in the spring of 1954. He was a senior in high school and only 16 years old. Jack appears with co-workers at an Ohio Education Association staff meeting. He worked at the OEA for 20 years. Jack with his partner, Larry Knisley on the day of the interview, March 11, 2025. Various member of Jack's Family. NOTE: Julie, Jennifer and Mary are Jack's daughters. John is his son. Jack's very unique home was featured in the Columbus Dispatch on October 29, 1967.

 

Thank you for being so generous in sharing your story with the world, Jack.

 

 

If you have an older family member who would like to share their story, please contact me, Michael Kontras, at (614) 561-8577. Thank you!