The Watchung Arts Center has an array of concerts scheduled for the month of March, with a variety of music to suit most musical palates. The month begins with the jazz piano of Rio Clemente on Friday, March 2, followed a week later by the acoustic rock duo, Hilferty and Higgins on Saturday, March 10. Classical music fans will enjoy the Sunday afternoon performance by the Romanza Music String Quartet on March 18, featuring music by Mozart, Beethoven, and Dvorak. And the month will conclude with an evening of the eclectic Jazz/Pop/World Music sounds of “Amani” on March 24. All four concerts will include a dessert reception offering an opportunity to meet the performers. The March 18 concert is at 3 p.m.; the other three programs start at 8 p.m.
Pianist Rio Clemente, a perennial Watchung Arts Center favorite, is back for his second concert of the 2017-18 season. Known as “the Bishop of Jazz,” master pianist Clemente draws the audience up in a musical embrace and then takes them on an extraordinary journey of fanciful melodies and scintillating rhythms. Clemente mixes a strong classical background with a rich knowledge of jazz history, and then adds an amazing sense of creativity and interpretation. The result is a smorgasbord of music that is different from others, and nearly always produces a standing ovation and cries for “more.” A native of Morristown, Clemente is New Jersey’s own jewel of the jazz world. He is a member of the Morristown Hall of Fame, was named by the NJ Council of the Arts as an Outstanding Professional of the Year and has been recognized as one of the “Top 40 New Jerseyans” by the New Jersey Monthly, as well as being selected for Who’s Who in America.
The acoustic duo, Hilferty and Higgins, will present “All Our Favorite Bands,” an evening of some of their favorite songs by some of their favorite musicians, from the classic rock of the ’60s to more contemporary artists, as well as including a few of their own original songs. Kevin Hilferty of Basking Ridge and Joe Higgins, of Martinsville, met at a workshop of the NJ Acoustic Music in the Park meetup group and have been playing and singing together for a couple years. They have played on a regular basis at NJAMP showcases at Rolf’s Restaurant in Warren, as well as other venues. In April 2017, they played at the Watchung Arts Center, when Kevin accompanied Joe on one of his songs at the “That’s Entertainment” variety show. Joe returned the favor in October, joining Kevin for a few songs at the Black Horse Pub in Mendham.
Martin Steinberg, the founder of Romanza Music, will be making his third appearance at the Watchung Arts Center. Since 2005, he has been principal cellist with the New Jersey Intergenerational Orchestra, where he is also the cello coach. In addition to Mr. Steinberg, the Romanza Music String Quartet includes violinists Mikhail Kuchuk and Maria Ramsay, and violist Ruth Brons. The Sunday afternoon concert, entitled “Masterful Mozart, Beethoven and Dvora” will begin at 3 p.m.
“Amani,” led by Watchung resident Marty Eigen, will celebrate the fact the “Spring Is Here!” Amani means “peace” in Swahili. The group, formed to share the concept of peace through music, performs music for people of all ages, races, and religious affiliations. Amani’s extensive repertoire covers a wide variety of genres including the Blues, Jazz, Bossa Nova, and popular standards from the American Songbook, tailored into a program that will be a joy for all who experience it. Along with Mr. Eigen on saxophone, clarinet and flute, the members of Amani are veteran musicians Fred Fischer on keyboards, vocalist Stephen Fuller, Flip Peters playing guitar, and drummer Nick Scheuble. They will be joined by bass player Ben Rubens.
The Watchung Arts Center, located at 18 Stirling Road in Watchung, New Jersey on the Watchung Circle, is a multi-disciplinary arts facility serving Watchung, the surrounding communities and the Tri-State Area. To obtain more information about upcoming performances, classes and workshops, and monthly art exhibitions, please visit WatchungArts.org or call 908-753-0190. Tickets for our concerts can be purchased online at watchungartscenter.eventbrite.com. Tickets may also be purchased by mail, or in person during our office hours.
(above) Rio Clemente
(above) Kevin Hilftery & Joe Higgins
(above) Romanza String Quartet: Mikhail Kuchuk, Maria Ramsay, Martin Steinberg, Ruth Brons
(above) Amani: Stephen Fuller, Marty Eigen, Flip Peters, Fred Fischer, Nick Scheuble
