(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Pianist Jerry Vezza and singer/songwriter Grover Kemble celebrate their more than 25 years of musical partnership with a concert they are calling “Tales and Tunes Together.” This engaging duo has shared many musical experiences which they will showcase, joined by bassist Rick Crane, drummer Tom Sayek, and saxophonist Anton Denner. The concert takes place at the Bickford Theatre on Thursday, April 5 at 7:30pm.
There is no one like Grover Kemble, a singer/songwriter whose entertaining style has captivated audiences not only in the New York-New Jersey region, but also at internationally known places such as the Newport Jazz Festival, The Bottom Line, The Other End, Wolf Trap in Virginia, The Roxy in LA, the Morristown Jazz & Blues Festival, and the Spoleto Arts Festival in Charleston. Early in his career, Grover sang with Sha-Na-Na and then fronted the popular Za Zu Zaz. His partnership with John Pizzarelli led to a lifetime friendship and several recordings. And his collaborations with jazz pianist Jerry Vezza have led to sold out shows at Madison’s Shanghai Jazz, one of the highest rated jazz clubs in the country.
New Jersey favorite Jerry Vezza is the consummate jazz pianist and appears regularly at jazz clubs in the area. He is a musician who embodies the classic jazz values of melodic warmth, rhythmic subtlety and true elegance. Jazz critic Zan Stewart wrote that “Vezza sings with his hands” and “plays resplendent jazz piano.” It is no wonder that the combination of Jerry and Grover adds up to an evening of wonderful music, entertaining stories and lots of humor.
Bassist Rick Crane is a highly sought after player whose work draws on a gorgeous melodic style. He has worked with many of the top jazz artists including Vic Juris, Bucky Pizzarelli, Cyrus Chestnut, Joe Morello, Warren Vache, and Benny Golson. Saxophonist Anton Denner has played alongside some of the greats including Ray Charles, Rosemary Clooney, Mel Lewis, and Clifford Jordan. As an educator, he has taught at the Stanford Jazz Workshop, Seton Hall University, and the Montclair Music Studio. Drummer Tom Sayek has worked with Jerry Vezza for many years. A graduate of the Berkeley School of Music in Boston, Tom brings a tasteful, steady rhythm to the mix and can be heard regularly around the state.
Start the weekend early with Tales and Tunes Together with Grover Kemble and Jerry Vezza on Thursday, April 5, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door and may be purchased online at morrismuseum.org, by phone at (973) 971-3706, or in person at the Bickford Theatre Box Office. Morris Museum members pay $20 both in advance and at the door.
The Morris Museum’s Bickford Theatre is located at 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown, NJ, and offers free parking and full accessibility. Box office hours for phone sales are Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Walk-up hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Photo by Julianna Vezza
