New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Bobby Bandiera to Lead All-Star Band Paying Tribute to Les Paul at Monmouth University

originally published: 03/20/2023


(WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ) -- Monmouth University Center for the Arts is pleased to present The Les Paul Experience, a musical tribute concert and photography exhibition celebrating the life & career of the legendary jazz musician, inventor and musical pioneer known as the “father of the electric guitar,” Les Paul.

The one-night-only concert held on Friday, May 12 at 8:00pm in the Pollak Theatre will celebrate Paul’s influences and contributions to modern music through his songs,  inventions of multi-track recording and the solid-body electric guitar which will be highlighted in a musical tribute led by Music Director and Performer, Bobby Bandiera.  An All-Star Band including Layonne Holmes, Tony Perruso, John Pittas, Kevin Bregande, Muddy Shews, Tommy Labella and Jillian Rhys McCoy will feature guest appearances by some of New Jersey’s premier guitarists including Sonny Kenn (Red Bank, NJ), Anthony Krizan of the Spin Doctors (Raritan, NJ),  Billy Hector (Orange, NJ), Lenny Kaye of the Patti Smith Band (North Brunswick, NJ) singer, Reagan Richards of Williams Honor (Long Branch, NJ) who was a backup singer of Mr. Paul's for four years and special guests (still to be announced.) This exclusive event will conclude with an informal Q&A with friends and colleagues of Les Paul led by Les Paul Foundation Executive President, Michael Braunstein.

The concert is presented in conjunction with the photography exhibition “Les Paul: Thru the Lens” running in the Pollak Gallery from March 20 – May 31 featuring rare photos highlighting the life and career of Les Paul, the inventor, pioneering musician and icon. From his celebrity friends to the earliest part of his life, fans will have a chance to walk through Les’ amazing life through remarkable photos during this limited engagement. Curated by the Les Paul Foundation, the exhibit features 24 gallery-framed black-and-white photographs including Les’ life from childhood to his later career. It includes personal family photos, Les behind-the-scenes, famous friends, and photos of the man with a larger than life sense of humor and amazing curiosity. From Les’ time inventing in his famous Hollywood garage studio to his popular reality TV show and appearances with Mary Ford, the exhibit provides fans with the opportunity to see Les like never before. Les Paul photographer and assistant, Chris Lentz, will be in attendance at the event.

Prior to Les Paul Thru the Lens opening in Memphis, the gallery was exhibited at the College of St. Rose in Albany, New York; Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, California, the National Association of Music Manufacturers (NAMM) Convention in Anaheim, California and the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville and the Stax Museum of American Soul Music in Memphis. This will be the first New Jersey location for the exhibition. Both the concert and the exhibition are presented in association with The Les Paul Foundation.

A limited quantity of GOLD CIRCLE VIP Tickets are available for the concert and will include a  pre-show VIP reception (from 6:00pm-7:30pm) with music by Monmouth University students Jenae & Max, a private viewing of Les Paul Thru the Lens exhibition in the Pollak Gallery and premium seating. Additional tickets are on sale for $69-$75. For more information or to purchase tickets please visit www.monmouth.edu/MCA or call the box office at 732.263.6889.




Promote your shows at New Jersey Stage! Click here for info




 

EVENT PREVIEWS

Celebrate

Celebrate America! 'Music of the Revolution' at the Ocean County Library Brick Branch

(BRICK TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- The momentous decision by our founding fathers to emerge from colonization and establish a new nation will soon mark its 250th anniversary. In honor of this historic milestone, join us for Anne and Ridley Enslow's "Music of the American Revolution" at the Ocean County Library Brick Branch on Saturday, July 5, 2025. The event begins at 2:00pm.



Count

Count Basie Center for the Arts presents Graham Nash

(RED BANK, NJ) -- Graham Nash, two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and founding member of both the Hollies and Crosby, Stills & Nash, will perform at Count Basie Center for the Arts on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. Nash will be joined on stage by Todd Caldwell (keyboards and vocals), Adam Minkoff (bass, drums, guitars and vocals) and Zach Djanikian (guitars, mandolin, drums and vocals), performing favorites from across his sixty-year career. Showtime is 7:30pm.



bergenPAC

bergenPAC presents Straight No Chaser - Summer: The 90's Part 2

(ENGLEWOOD, NJ) -- After a totally fly 2024 summer tour packed full of 90s boy band, pop, and R&B hits, RIAA-certified Gold a cappella group Straight No Chaser is back by popular demand with "Straight No Chaser Summer: 90s Part 2." The tour comes to Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC) on Thursday, July 8, 2025 at 7:00pm.



An

An Interview with Dan Kurtz of The New Deal

Formed in 1999, Toronto, Canada based trio The New Deal, is a pioneer in jam-based electronic music. The group was founded by remaining members Dan Kurtz (bass) and Jamie Shields (keys), along with Darren Shearer (drums) who left tND in 2011. Since its inception, tND has remained committed to its improvisational roots and has served as a model for other jamtronica bands bridging the gap between multiple music genres as well as the border between Canada and the United States.



Rick

Rick Springfield, John Waite, Wang Chung, and Paul Young to bring the "I Want My 80s Tour" to NJPAC

(NEWARK, NJ) -- Get ready to revive the spirit of the 1980s! Iconic rock star and eternal heartthrob Rick Springfield, a true emblem of the '80s music scene, is set to take the stage on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC). Showtime is 7:00pm.



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Blues

Blues People with Special Guest: Jeff Levine

Saturday, July 05, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lizzie Rose Music Room
217 E. Main Street, Tuckerton, NJ 08087
category: music


 

Straight

Straight No Chaser - Summer: The 90’s Part 2

Tuesday, July 08, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: music


 

Frisson

Frisson Winds

Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 7:30pm
The Morris Museum Back Deck
6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, NJ 07960
category: music


 

Three

Three American Troubadours: A Tribute to James Taylor, Carly Simon, and Carole King

Thursday, July 10, 2025 @ 7:30pm
Axelrod Performing Arts Center
100 Grant Avenue, Deal Park, NJ 07723
category: music


 

Candlelight

Candlelight Concert: Tribute to Queen and The Beatles

Friday, July 11, 2025 @ 7:00pm
Monmouth University - Pollak Theatre
400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
category: music


 



Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info