On July 30th Jon brought his Kings home to Red Bank, New Jersey to play a benefit for the Parker Family Health Clinic, a local nonprofit that extends medical services to the uninsured, a cause Jon and his wife Dorothea have been a part of since before he dug in his first shovel at groundbreaking.
The historic Count Basie Theatre, just a few blocks east of the JBJ Soul Kitchen — a restaurant run by Jon's Soul Foundation serving free food in exchange for volunteer work -- was filled to the brim with both women on pilgrimage and residents of the suburb baited by its many local music heroes and a prodigal son.
The band was relentless. Soaring vocals by Jon and the 14-piece Kings of Suburbia rocked 'n' rolled between bar band torque, think Nick Lowe's "What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love and Understanding", or the gritty R&B of Ray Charles' "Night Time is the Right Time", or the artful soul of Sly & the Family Stone's "Everyday People", Queen's classic rocker "Under Pressure." Add a measure of symbolism with Don McLean's venerable sing-along "American Pie" as a finale and you find a whole much greater than the sum of its parts.
The Kings' lineup is a veritable who's who of the kind of musicians that have given the Jersey Shore its rich musical heritage. Bobby Bandiera, one of the more recognizable Kings and a tie that binds the group together, is a beloved local attraction.
A badly kept Shore secret for decades, Bandiera began playing in clubs 50 years ago at 16. His first outfit was a band from Orange, New Jersey called Holme. They debuted in 1970, and were the house band for years at Dodd's and D'Jais in Belmar, where it's still possible to find the 21st century version on any given summer Sunday.
In the early '80's he became lead vocalist and guitarist for Cats on a Smooth Surface, the only group to ever achieve house band status at the famed Stone Pony. It was the spring of '82 when Springsteen could often be found appearing unannounced with the Cats. The Boss loved jamming with the Cats.
In 1985, Bandiera joined Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes, a position he still unofficially holds -- he's been on "permanent loan" to Bon Jovi since 2005... it's safe to say even Springsteen's been getting his voicemail.
Bandiera's performance credits include countless benefits, he's found the time to record four solo albums and has over 40 recording credits including the "A Very Special Christmas" albums to benefit the Special Olympics, recorded under his musical direction live from the White House in front of President Clinton. He's shared the stage with B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Jackson Browne, Keith Richards, Dr. John, Levon Helm and many more.
When Bobby's front and center, one can truly comprehend his value. His standing-room-only performances with The Bobby Bandiera Band delivers with the same vigor and exactitude of his popular Rock-N-Soul Revues, a concert series born in 2005 that pays tribute to some of rock 'n' roll's greatest artists.
Along with Bandiera, Lorenza Ponce, of the habitual smile and feisty fiddle, is also a staple on Bon Jovi's tours. The multi-talented musician has toured the world playing violin alongside Ben Folds, Sheryl Crow, John Tesh and more.
As Lorenza explains, her extensive qualifications are founded in "a style change from the classical training and new age music of (her) past, while incorporating the 'graduate degree' (she's) earned at the school of rock star employers and mentors."
There may be no better way to feature Lorenza among the Kings than with The Who's "Baba O'Riley," a cover that stops every show. The tune showcases Bandiera on lead vocals and guitar but it is Lorenza's rock violin solo that elevates it to an exponential level. And when Bandiera and Ponce treat the audience to a duel; the two are the musical equivalent of a beast with two backs.
"Under Pressure," immediately followed by the dimmed room intro to "Baba O'Riley" is where we again find Wendt and Gentry under no pressure at all, prepping the room for the aforementioned eruption of violin and guitar.
And just as the audience may feel they've reached their own peak, Jon welcomed to the stage his mentor Southside, another common denominator among most of the Kings. Jon introduced him as "the reason I do what I do," and sat back in deference as Southside took over, performing a mini Ray Charles tribute beginning with "Big Boss Man" with backing vocalist Jillian Rhys McCoy. Jillian's voice may be what you call "retro." Think 1963. Ronnie Spector, The Shirelles -- one of the great branches to the roots of rock 'n' roll music.
Our welcomed guest continued to keep the house agroove with local R&B 'Queen' Layonne Holmes, performing "Night Time is the Right Time." Enjoying Layonne solely as a backup singer is a crime. The size of her rich alto voice pales only in comparison to her command of soul and stage as she outshines every spotlight she steps into. Her first paid session work came from E Street Band member, Danny Federici at the age of 22. More impressive session credits followed but it is in performance where Layonne's love for music can be felt, even in your own gut, as you listen. Layonne has parlayed her experience launching outfit after outfit into a calendar full of engagements with her groups RAIN, the Grand Ladies of Jazz concert show, the New Standard, and the 11-piece Motor City Revue who has built such a strong following that they sell out every performance. Layonne has shared the stage with many music industry luminaries including Darlene Love, Phoebe Snow, Gary U.S. Bonds, Ben E. King, Leslie Gore and Beth Nielson Chapman. In 2001, Layonne and her late Mother – the celebrated Delores "Miss Dee" Holmes – were selected to back Bruce Springsteen on the internationally-televised "9/11 Tribute to Heroes" telethon and appeared on the album of the same name.
Join us for McCarter at the Museum - renowned performing artists in one-night only events at the Princeton University Art Museum.
Jason Robert Brown is a four-time Tony Award-winning composer and lyricist of The Last Five Years, Parade, Songs for a New World, 13, The Bridges of Madison County, Honeymoon In Vegas and The Connector, has performed as a soloist or with his band in venues around the world, including sold-out shows at the London Palladium and Carnegie Hall. His albums as a singer-songwriter include Wearing Someone Else’s Clothes and How We React and How We Recover on Ghostlight, and Coming From Inside the House and Live In Concert with Stephen Sondheim on Concord.
With Special Guest Tony nominee Betsy Wolfe. Tony Award-nominated actress Betsy Wolfe is currently starring as Audrey in the acclaimed Off-Broadway production of Little Shop of Horrors, following her recent Broadway run as Madeline Ashton in the hit musical Death Becomes Her. She previously originated the title role in Joy, the new musical inspired by inventor Joy Mangano, and earned a 2023 Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her celebrated performance as Anne Hathaway in & Juliet. Other Broadway credits include starring as Jenna in Waitress, Cordelia in the acclaimed revival of Falsettos, Bullets Over Broadway, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Everyday Rapture, and 110 in the Shade, as well as her critically acclaimed performance as Cathy in the Off-Broadway revival of The Last Five Years. Wolfe made her Metropolitan Opera debut in Die Fledermaus and has appeared as a guest artist with more than 65 symphony, pops, and philharmonic orchestras worldwide, including the New York Philharmonic and BBC Symphony Orchestra, with performances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Her screen credits include First One In, Estella Scrooge, CBS’s Instinct, and the film adaptation of The Last Five Years. Wolfe is also the co-founder of BroadwayEvolved, the acclaimed musical theatre training program she launched in 2018 to train and mentor the next generation of theatre artists.
A limited number of early access tickets for McCarter Director’s Circle members and members of the Museum’s Partner Circle are available, on sale Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM. General public on sale begins Friday, September 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM.
Please be aware there is no public drop-off or parking at the Museum. For visitors with mobility needs, please contact the Museum at least three business days in advance of your visit to request special access to the Museum via Elm Drive. Call 609-258-3788 and select option 1 to speak to a visitor services staff member, or email Louise Barrett at [email protected].
