Imagine yourself in an intimate place, absorbing the glorious sound of
music or laughing to the
comedian’s antics while surrounded
by the inspiring colors and forms of works of art!
The Upper Gallery
has 12-foot ceilings, superb acoustics, and a seating capacity of 100.
For a printable listing of performances and other events at WAC, click here to view our Event Calendar.
“JaZZ in the Gallery”
ImpresaRIO: Rio Clemente with guest artist Marco Vitali
Friday, May 18, 8 p.m.
Rio Clemente, the “Bishop of Jazz,” has been bringing a dazzling line-up of extraordinary musicians to the audiences of WAC. The variety of talented performers has included the likes of Bucky Pizzarelli, “Muzzy” Napadano, Sandy Sasso, Keaton Douglas, Laura Hull and the Rio Clemente Trio.
When Rio Clemente hits the stage, he brings fire and passion and with him talented musicians to tantalize jazz enthusiasts and music lovers alike. As a master pianist, educator, composer, arranger and recording artist, Clemente mixes a strong classical background with a rich knowledge of jazz history, 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. Rio has performed from coast to coast for senators, governors, mayors, and other dignitaries and played in jazz clubs from Manhattan to Cape Cod and Florida to California. In December 2011 Rio tickled the keys of the historic 1938 Steinway piano and charmed the visitors in the East Room of the White House.
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.
Marco Vitali began studying violin at the age of three and by eleven he was attending The Juilliard School of Music in New York City and has since concertized around the world. He has written and produced music for film and TV, was nominated for an Emmy and has written and recorded with top artists such as Quincy Jones, Nile Rodgers, Wu Tang Clan, Ceelo Green, Peter Wolf, and others.
Tickets are $18 in advance, $22 ($20 for WAC members, $10 for students) at the door. You may purchase tickets securely through Eventbrite. For more information, please call 908-753-0190 or e-mail us.
“JaZZ in the Gallery”
Marty Eigen’s Beacon Hill Jazz Band —
Let Her Be Free
Friday, June 8, 8 p.m.
The season finale of JaZZ in the Gallery will feature Marty Eigen’s Beacon Hill Jazz Band featuring the debut of 10-year-old pianist Leonieke Scheuble, daughter of Nick Scheuble. The Beacon Hill Jazz Band has been performing at the Watchung Arts Center since December, 2004, making this the band’s 26th performance here. The band has become known for bringing something surprising to each performance at the Center.
Beacon Hill is composed of ten top local musicians including: Marty Eigen – tenor sax and leader, Fred Fischer – piano and vocals, Bill Ash – trumpet, Doug Wintz – trombone, Chris Cottier – baritone sax, Flip Peters – guitar and vocals, Bob Funesti – bass, Nick Scheuble – drums, Nancy Nelson – featured vocalist, and Anthony Mauro – vocals.
Leonieke Scheuble is a gifted 10-year-old pianist who has a rare talent for blues and jazz improvisation. She is a student of jazz pianist, Steve Ash. When she was introduced to jazz legend, Barry Harris, he immediately recognized her talent and advised Nick to “let her be free.” The same advice came from Grammy Award-winning jazz organist, Joey DeFrancesco, who invited her to play his Hammond B3 during an engagement in Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Recently, Leonieke performed a spiritual at a jazz liturgy with a band that included Tim Ries (saxophonist/keyboardist with The Rolling Stones) and Steve Turre (Saturday Night Live Band/1st place Downbeat Poll winner). Leonieke has met and presented Herbie Hancock with her CD containing some of Mr. Hancock’s music. She aspires to perform professionally and continue to compose her own music. She says she is thrilled to be performing with The Beacon Hill Jazz Band. The Beacon Hill Jazz Band is equally thrilled to have her perform with them.
Additional surprises will include new tunes written and debuted at this Season Finale Event. Purchase tickets early and spend a wonderful evening with this swinging band. Immediately following the performance there will be a gala “Meet the Musicians” Reception. Feel free to bring your dancing shoes! Be there or be square!
Tickets are $16 in advance, $20 ($18 for WAC members, $10 for students) at the door. You may purchase tickets securely through Eventbrite. For more information, please call 908-753-0190 or e-mail us.
“Classicals at the Circle”
Sophia Agranovich, pianist: Passion and Poetry
Saturday, June 23, 8 p.m.
An internationally acclaimed concert pianist, recording artist and music educator, Sophia Agranovich will perform works by Schumann, Chopin, Liszt and Rachmaninoff.
Sophia Agranovich is an internationally acclaimed concert pianist, recording artist and music educator. She is highly regarded for her poetic and philosophical interpretations, extraordinary virtuosity and mesmerizing expressivity. Among her venues are Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Kaufmann Hall, Steinway Hall, Bargemusic, Salle Cortot, Rubin Academy, Kiev National Academy of Music and Lvov State Conservatory. A First Prize winner of All-Ukrainian Young Artists and Bergen Philharmonic competitions, she earned Bachelor and Master Degrees from the Juilliard School, where she held a full scholarship and teaching Fellowship, and her major professors were legendary Sascha Gorodnitzki and Nadia Reisenberg. Ms. Agranovich conducts master classes and lectures, adjudicates competitions, and maintains a private teaching studio. She is a Steinway Artist, Program Chair of MEA of NJ, board member of NJMTA and Artistic Director of ‘Classicals at the Circle’ series at the Watchung Arts Center.
“Sophia Agranovich’s alchemy of mind-bending technical prowess and heart-melting emotional expressivity add up to one of the most glorious piano recitals this side of Elysium.”
— Jerry Dubins, Fanfare
Tickets are $16 in advance, $20 ($18 for WAC members, $10 for students) at the door. You may purchase tickets securely through Eventbrite. For more information, please call 908-753-0190 or e-mail us.
Featured Performance
Grover Kemble and Brynn Stanley
Friday, June 1, 8 p.m.
Grover Kemble is a master of jazz and more, and he will bring with him to the Arts Center a 27-year-old vocalist who will put a fresh twist on the Great American Songbook. Kemble and his new sidekick, Brynn Stanley, met one year ago at Shanghai Jazz and have been pulling out all the stops when they play. Not only can this pair spice up some American classic, they even create brand new renditions on old British favorites like the Beatles’ Hard Days Night. Innovative and original, this twosome will have you enjoying music that is spectacular and bright among the inspiration of the Upper Gallery of the Center. An intimate night filled with engaging music and stirring artists.
Brynn Stanley has been singing professionally for several years at special venues throughout the NY metropolitan area. Upon graduating Fairleigh Dickinson University with a fine arts major with a concenration in theatre, Brynn immediately embarked on a singing career. She has been a featured performer at several events held at the NJ Governor’s Mansion most notably, the “NJ Heroes” celebration. Brynn continues to perform at Shanghai Jazz, in Madison, NJ, and many well-known jazz concert series throughout the tri-state area. Brynn’s smooth and soulful voice takes familiar songs and flips them into contemporary versions in a unique style that’s all her own. Focusing primarily in jazz, soul, and pop, Brynn’s collection of music continues to expand with the integration of original music into her performances. While developing a reputation as a soulful singer with an enthusiasm to please audiences of any age, Brynn has continuously been able to garner strong reviews from press, band mates, bandleaders and concert promoters. As Brynn Stanley continues to develop as an artist of creativity, sensitivity, and individuality, surely, audiences, promoters and acclaimed venues will take note of this talented performer’s lasting ability to deliver moving and inspiring performances.
Grover Kemble’s unique and colorful interpretations of jazz, Latin, R&B, and original compositions have garnered him considerable attention and acclaim from music connoisseurs and critics for well over two decades. Mr. Kemble has been in constant demand as one of the New York metropolitan area’s premier entertainers since he captivated audiences in the 1970′s at New York City’s The Bottom Line, The Other End and the Newport Jazz Festival. His career has been nationally highlighted with stints at The Roxy in Los Angeles, the Spoleto Arts Festival in Charleston, and the Wolf Trap Jazz Festival in Vienna, Virginia. Internationally, Mr. Kemble has been a regular performer at the world famous Jazz Keller in Frankfurt, Germany. Grover began playing professionally in his early teens and performed with numerous acts before touring nationally with the novel groups, Shana- na and Za Zu Zaz. He has played in both duo and group settings with world renowned jazz artist John Pizzarelli and accompanied his band in 2005 at the JVC Jazz Festival at Carnegie Hall. Grover Kemble defines the consummate cross-over artist, ready to present his special brand of music to listening audiences of all persuasions.
Tickets are $18 in advance, $22 ($20 for WAC members, $10 for students) at the door. You may purchase tickets securely through Eventbrite. For more information call 908-753-0190 or e-mail us.
Improv
The Improvables
Family Improv: Saturday, June 9, 8 p.m.
Join The Improvables, the Watchung Arts Center’s cast of hilarious characters.
They bring new meaning to phrases like “he has a gift for gab” and “I laughed so hard my belly
hurt”. The Improvables have been performing to crowds of families and adults for eight years so purchase a
ticket and join the cast including Mike Griffin, Phil Hochman, Michele Kerekes, David Kritz,
Brandon Lericos, Roberta Maher, and Randi Schweriner.
Each show is a new experience, refreshing and full of outrageous moments and hysterical experiences. The troupe performs a series of “games” in which they act out various scenarios without knowing in advance what they are going to say or how things are going to turn out. The audience often sets the scenes for the players on-the-spot and may be pulled up to join in the fun!
Family-friendly shows and those geared for the adult crowd are available for $8 tickets. The room is small, the laughter large so book early before the seats run out. Visit www.theimprovables.com/guestbook.cfm and check out the reviews…
You may purchase tickets securely through Eventbrite. For more information call 908-753-0190 or e-mail us.