Pianist John Bunch Solos Again at Watchung Jazz Series Features "the Fred Astaire of the Piano"

CONCERT: Friday, Feb. 7, 2003 8pm  $12 Real Audio: Funk In A Deep Freeze Moment's Notice

Last year was a good one for esteemed jazz pianist John Bunch.  He turned 80, and was honored with a special tribute at the prestigious March of Jazz in Florida.  And later he soloed for the first time at the Watchung Arts Center.  Of course he's played that room quite often before, usually in small groups where he's the pianist of choice.  But in the dozen years the Center has hosted its Jazz Series, that was his first solo appearance.  And the appreciative crowd that was there that night was determined that it would be the first of many.

Pianist John Bunch will have the spotlight to himself when he returns to the Watchung Arts Center on Friday evening, February 7.  It will be an evening of sophisticated solo piano, with the music starting at 8 PM.  The room will be arranged so that no seat is more than five rows from the instrument, with most having a view of the hand motions.

Tickets for two complete sets are only $12, yet light intermission refreshments are included.  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 for payment upon arrival.

Pianist John Bunch has been called "the Fred Astaire of the piano" due to his dexterity and deft touch on the keys.  Never drawn to excessive motion, his approach is less of an attack than a caress.  It is a technique that has stood him well, causing him to be invited to play at Piano Spectaculars, when the New Jersey Jazz Society ran these annual invitation-only events.  Only the best keyboard artists were called to participate.

He's a player of enormous accomplishment, having cut his professional teeth in the bands of Woody Herman, Maynard Ferguson and Benny Goodman.  For some years he was pianist and conductor for Tony Bennett.  His small group work includes collaborations with Zoot Sims/Al Cohn, Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich, and of course Bucky Pizzarelli in recent years.  He's first-call pianist when Bucky assembles his enormously popular New York Swing trio.

John Bunch has played Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall and the great halls of most European capitals.  The list is enormous.  So is his jazz festival resume.  He's delighted fans at Newport, JVC, Nice and other worthy festivals worldwide.  He's occasionally called upon to conduct major orchestras.  And fully four record labels are required to cover his prolific CD output, even today.

The Watchung Arts Center, "one of the best jazz rooms in the state," is easily reached from north and central New Jersey, with fans coming from Pennsylvania and New York too. Its historic building is right on the Watchung Circle, just a mile from either Interstate 78 (exit 40) or Route 22 (Plainfield overpass). 

 The enlarged 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.