The Penguin Rocks logo
The Penguin Rocks Menu


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

originally published: 03/20/2023

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

(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.

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

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.



 
Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info




 

COLUMNS


Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Too Many Tabs Open" by Jason Didner

Multi-instrumentalists, such as Xavier Rudd, Garth Hudson and Stevie Wonder, fascinate me. So does Jason Didner, who showcases his multi-hyphenated talent in the new video for his funny but meaningful song, "Too Many Tabs Open," the Makin Waves Song of the Week.




Rock On! This Week's Sound Bites...4/18/24




This Week in Music: Previews for Concerts Taking Place from April 16-23, 2024




Makin Waves Song of the Week: "My Fight, Alone" by Colossal Street Jam





 
Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info




 

MORE NEWS

(LACEY TOWNSHIP, NJ) -- Few entertainers can rival Elvis Presley's three-year meteoric rise from a raw, rowdy rocker to a global superstar. Watch as Elvis tribute performer Ruben Castillo brings this remarkable era to life in "Elvistory: The King of Rock & Roll 1956-1959" at the Ocean County Library Lacey Branch on Saturday, May 18, 2024. The event begins at 2:00pm.


Makin Waves Song of the Week: "Too Many Tabs Open" by Jason Didner




bergenPAC presents Broadway's Rock of Ages Band




NJ Country Artist Southpaw Releases "Drugstore Candy" album






 

UPCOMING SHOWS


Bruce Springsteen Archives presents "Music America: Iconic Objects from America's Music History" at LBJ Presidential Library

(AUSTIN, TX) - Since the nation's inception nearly two and a half centuries ago, music has informed, interpreted, and inspired our national identity. To celebrate and explore this remarkable heritage, the LBJ Presidential Library and the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music at Monmouth University announce the premiere of the exhibition Music America: Iconic Objects from America's Music History. Opening at the LBJ Presidential Library on Saturday, February 17, during Presidents' Day weekend, the exhibition will be on display through August 11, 2024.


NYC Music Marathon & Jack Dallas presents Repertoire 2024 in Closter




Prudential Center presents Judas Priest




Black Box Studios presents James Maddock & His Band at Debonair Music Hall






Advertise with The Penguin Rocks for $50-$100 per month, click here for info


The Penguin Rocks

© 2024 by Wine Time Media, LLC
PO Box 811, Belmar, NJ 07719
info@newjerseystage.com

Presented by New Jersey Stage

Images used on this site have been sent to us from publicists, artists, and PR firms. If there is a problem with the rights to any image, please contact us and we will look into the matter.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and our NJ Stage accounts on Instagram, and Threads


News | Features | Radio Shows | Penguin's Hall of Fame | Song of the Week | BlowUpRadio column

Contact Us | About Us | Submit Music | Ad Rates