Rio Clemente, jazz pianist, with guest Rob Paparozzi, in Morristown, April 25

Rio Clemente, the 'Bishop of Jazz.'
Rio Clemente, the 'Bishop of Jazz.'
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Rio in Yellow Coat

Abendmusik, the concert series sponsored by Music@MUMC, concludes its 2014-2015 30th Anniversary season with a concert on Saturday, April 25, 2015,  at 7:30 pm, featuring Rio Clemente, “The Bishop of Jazz,” along with guest artist, Rob Paparozzi, on harmonica and vocals.

Suggested donation: $20 for adults and $15 for senior citizens.  Advance tickets are available ($17 adults/$12 seniors) 03 Rob Paparozzi IMG_1541by calling 973-538-2132.  Students with ID are admitted free.

A reception follows the concert.  It will be presented at the Morristown United Methodist Church, 50 Park Place (on the Green). Our facilities are handicapped accessible. Please visit our website for more information: www.morristownumc.com.

Anyone who has listened to Rio Clemente play piano, comes away in awe. This master pianist mixes a strong classical background with a rich knowledge of jazz history, then adds an amazing sense of creativity and interpretation. The result is music that is different from others, and nearly always produces a standing ovation and cries for “more.” When reviewers stumble for words to describe his work, it’s because words fail to convey the rich depth of character, nimble facility of play and ease with which his music is crafted and performed. The man brings something very special and decidedly unequaled to the piano.

Rio’s career began with a BMI scholarship for musical theatre and subsequent studies at Julliard School of Music. A grant from Broadway Tomorrow for new composers followed. Along with his classical training, Rio developed a style embracing a diversity of music that makes him one of the most expressive and versatile pianists anywhere.  After several television appearances, Rio advanced professionally to playing at the JVC Jazz Festival, Newport Jazz Festival, Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center. He has entertained audiences in Europe, Bermuda, the Virgin Islands and Antigua. He has performed at the United Nations and has appeared with the Jefferson Symphony in Golden, CO, with the Livingston (NJ) Symphony and with ensemble groups like the Morris Choral Society and Orchestra. He has performed from coast to coast for senators, governors, mayors and other dignitaries. He has played jazz clubs from Manhattan to Cape Cod and from Florida to California.

A native of Morristown, NJ, Rio is a member of its Hall of Fame. He’s been named Professional Artist of the Year by the Arts Council of the Morris Area, New Jersey Monthly Magazine named him among its “Top 40 New Jerseyans” and the New Jersey Jazz Society named him Musician of the Year.   Please visit Rio’s website for further information: www.rioclemente.com.

New Jersey-based frontman, singer, & harmonica player Rob Paparozzi has been a blues performer since 1967. But Rob is far from being strictly a blues musician. In fact, he’s at home playing a wide range of music, ranging from rock to blues to jazz to pop. This versatility is reflected in the long and remarkably diverse list of major artists Rob has worked with, including B.B.King, Dr. John, Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, Carole King, Roberta Flack, Culture Club, Cyndi Lauper, Randy Newman, Jimmy McGriff, and James Galway. Rob had been touring the world with the “Original Blues Brothers Band”, featuring guitar legend Steve Cropper and special guest Eddie Floyd 2000-to present. In 2013 they played Spain & France. Rob then headlined the BLUES to BOP Festival in Lugano, Switzerland, followed by more dates in Verona, Italy.  In April 2014 Rob’s Trio appeared in Norway at The Nidaros Blues Festival in Trondheim followed by another Blues Brothers tour in Europe then Japan and Russia.  Rob was Lead Singer with “Blood Sweat and Tears” as Front Man-Lead Vocalist and Harmonica Player (replacing singer David Clayton Thomas) in 2004-to July 2011.

Rob’s Broadway, movie, and television credits are also extensive, including: shows Big River and The Will Rogers Follies; films Flirting With Disaster and Ride; TV programs the Bill Cosby Show, CBS Early Show and the David Letterman Show, appearances in 2006 with Dolly Parton and George Jones on Conan OBrien and David Letterman’s LATE SHOW. In 2009 Rob performed a duet w/ Bernadette Peters (Harmonica & Vocals on ‘Shenandoah’) at The Minskoff Theatre in NYC.  Please visit Rob’s website for further information: https://robpaparozzi.com

Funding has been made possible in part by funds from MorrisArts through the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.

For further information: 973-538-2132 or www.morristownumc.com.

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