Name: Rio Clemente and his Abbotts
Start: 2022-10-09T15:00:00-04:00
End: 2022-10-09T16:30:00-04:00
Location: The Watchung Arts Center

Rio Clemente and his Abbotts

The Watchung Arts Center (WAC) thrives in historic Watchung in Somerset County, NJ. The nonprofit, volunteer-run Center excels in cultivating an eclectic mix of professional and emerging artists in the performing and visual arts. Quality works in fine arts, exciting music, and comedy events are presented to enthusiastic audiences.The Watchung Arts Center offers new art exhibitions each month, performances in music, comedy, and improv, and adult and youth classes in drawing, photography, dance, meditation, yoga and much more.

The Watchung Arts Center

A native of Morristown, NJ, Clemente is New Jersey’s own jewel of the jazz world. He is a member of the Morristown Hall of Fame.

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 intertwined with classical themes. Rio’s career began with a BMI scholarship for musical theatre and subsequent studies at Juilliard 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 many distinguished concert halls and festivals, including Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, Manhattan’s famous Birdland and the Oak Room at the Algonquin Hotel, as well as the Newport and JVC Jazz Festivals. Rio also performed at the White House representing the United States Coast Guard and all Auxiliaries. He regularly appears with groups such as The Morris Choral Society and Orchestra and at jazz venues from Manhattan to Cape Code and from Florida to California. Rio Clemente has recorded for well-known labels and has published twenty CDs under his own label, Etnemelc Music Productions. Rio in collaboration with Carmine Lombardo has written a number of pieces ranging from gospel to Latin, including orchestral arrangements. A children’s song was nominated for a Grammy and this past October his original musical “VIZHON” had its world premiere performance in Florida. As a music educator, and teacher, he has served as music director for the Generations of Jazz program of the New Jersey Jazz Society, and has presented customized programs in schools, including Viva La Musica Latina with the late percussionist Russ Moy.H﻿e will be performing with his Abbotts, Gary Mazzaroppi and Vernon Mobley and with special guest star, Marty Eigen.T﻿ickets are non-refundable.

Rio Clemente and his Abbotts

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Rio Clemente and his Abbotts

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