It stands to reason that a good band ought to be busy.  By that measure, the Barbone Street Jazz Band must be a great one.  They book over 160 dates a year -- a job about every second day.  Moreover, since their territory is mainly within the Delaware Valley, none of that is travel time.

     Clarinetist Steve Barbone will bring his Barbone Street Jazz Band to the Watchung Arts Center for the first time on Friday evening, March 8.  The 6-piece group plays traditional jazz, swing and hot dance music, drawn from their years of experience as individual players.

     Seats may be reserved by calling (908) 753-0190, leaving a message on the voice mail outside of office hours.  Tickets will be held at the door.  The music starts at 8 PM, and the tab is only $12, yet light intermission refreshments are included.

     Steve Barbone "misspent his youth" hanging out at the great jazz clubs that lined West 52nd Street in Manhattan.  Ryan's, Condon's, Nick's, The Metropole, Birdland, The Onyx Club and Five Spot provided his jazz education.  "I was going everywhere, playing with or listening to everybody, from Parker and Monk to DeParis and Davison.  My own style was influenced by the great variety of jazz artists in New York during that period."

     Barbone Street brings together a handful of musicians who had similar backgrounds and "wanted to play the real thing."  "We wanted to capture the atmosphere of the New York jazz clubs, while putting our own enthusiastic spin on the music," Barbone explains.  Several times each week, in fact.

     In addition to Steve Barbone on clarinet, the personnel for their Watchung debut include Bobby Hartzell on trumpet, Glenn Dodson on trombone, Sonny Troy on guitar, Ace Tesone on bass and Joe Mongillo on drums.  Their collective jazz experience is extensive, yet different.  What they share is a high regard for the music and an ability to reach a variety of audiences with their message.

     They've played for jazz societies and festivals in three states, plus club dates and pub dates, public celebrations and private parties.  These have recently included Louis Armstrong tributes keyed to Satchmo's 100th birthday, Mardi Gras parties, the Clifford Brown Festival and even some Jazz Vespers at the Old Pine Street Church in Philadelphia. 

     The Watchung Arts Center's Jazz Series is in its 13th year, still drawing audiences to this intimate, acoustic suburban hall, "one of the best jazz rooms in the state."  Its historic building is right on the Watchung Circle, just a mile from either Interstate 78 (exit 40, please; exit 41 is also called Watchung!) or Route 22 (Plainfield overpass). 

     The newly repaved parking lot has a few more spaces now, but many people still park in adjoining municipal lots.  A chairlift is provided at the rear door.