Robert Brown was a performer from an early age. Inspired by Chuck Berry and James Burton, he began taking guitar lessons at age 12. At 15, he became a soloist, singing and playing guitar at teen dances. Swept up, like others his age, by the advent of rock and roll, Brown was determined to play in bands. He recalls practicing so much he “practically slept” with his guitar.

Brown later formed his own band and eventually signed with an agent, performing regularly for venues throughout the Midwest until his early 20s. He then embarked on a series of careers, most notably as a technician and consultant for motion picture theater owners. 

When he heard that Eskenazi Health had two locations with pianos available for public use, Brown began playing piano — his second instrument — at both the downtown campus and the Eskenazi Health Thomas & Arlene Grande Campus. The quality of both instruments motivates Brown’s visits, especially the Yamaha C7 grand piano, donated by local pianist and philanthropist Marianne Tobias, at the downtown campus. He describes it as a “beautiful piano,” appreciating its warm sound and quick action. Playing it, he says, is “just exquisite.”

Although he still enjoys playing the tunes he once performed on his guitar from the ’50s and beyond, Brown says he is now “partial to the music of the ’20s, ’30s and ’40s,” describing this period as “the golden age of pop music.” These are the songs he plays most often for visitors to Eskenazi Health.

Brown practices on his piano every morning, but it is not his only artistic endeavor. His work in film led him to black and white photography. Photographs he shot in Europe and the United States have been honored with awards and juried exhibits. He sees parallels between the music, film and photography that have motivated his careers and interests. “Whether you’re dealing with music or whether you’re dealing with images, it’s all about rhythm, isn’t it?” he says. 

Attentive listeners have fueled Brown’s returns to the two Eskenazi Health locations with public pianos. He says he’s received “the warmest response from patients that come up to me at both of those [locations] when I’ve played.” Performing for patients and other visitors is a “very gratifying experience,” he says, “a way of giving back to the community.” 

Brown stresses that his experience with thankful patients is not an isolated one. “Anybody that comes in there and takes the time to play — I’m sure they all appreciate it,” he says. He hopes other musicians will be inspired by his example and share their art with Eskenazi Health visitors, finding as he has, that they can “brighten their day” by doing so.

The Yamaha grand piano on the Eskenazi Health downtown campus and the Yamaha baby grand piano, purchased through the Marianne Tobias Music Program Endowment Fund, at Eskenazi Health Thomas & Arlene Grande Campus are available for public use during all open hours, except during scheduled performances. Eskenazi Health Thomas & Arlene Grande Campus holds occasional performances for staff, patients and visitors. Weekly live performing arts experiences are held most Wednesdays at 12 p.m. in  the Eli Lilly & Company Foundation Concourse at the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital. Concerts at the hospital are broadcast live to all televisions on the downtown campus, including patient rooms, and viewable on channel 17. These free public performances at both campuses are hosted by the Marianne Tobias Music Program at Eskenazi Health.