Last year's New Jersey debut by Bob Milne was expected to merely introduce him to a new audience, but his reputation preceded him and the room was full. Considering the enthusiastic reaction to his buoyant playing and the dry wit of his introductions, his return engagement should be no less successful.

Pianist Bob Milne will return to the Watchung Arts Center's Jazz Series, playing both ragtime and boogie woogie piano on Friday evening, November 6. Tickets for the 8 PM concert are only $10, including intermission refreshments and a chance to view the current art and craft exhibits as well.

Bob Milne tours the country playing (and explaining) ragtime piano. In recent years, he's added some powerful boogie woogie pieces to his repertoire, to the point where he is regarded as among the very best of that difficult specialty too.

"Milne is a master of boogie woogie," says the New York Times. "There is no sense of nostalgia here: Milne is here and now, vital and creative." Other reviewers are equally impressed with his complex keyboard creations, including many originals.

He's been lauded as "one of the great ragtime, stride and boogie woogie pianists of our time" in his native Detroit, where it is also accepted that "he turns his performance into a work of art."  The Mississippi Rag, national newspaper for traditional jazz, sums it up nicely: "no one sounds quite like him."

Few pianists have mastered the difficult formats of stride, boogie woogie and ragtime as Bob Milne has, and even fewer can make a living at it by touring. Whether his audience is 100, as in the intimate Watchung Arts Center's Gallery, or 4000 in the Chautauqua Amphitheatre, he offers a fresh, invigorating performance. Festivals of all sizes compete to be on his schedule.

Watchung's seating arrangement allows everyone to be close to the piano, with most getting an unobstructed view of the keyboard on their Altenburg grand. Acoustics are superb, too.  Seats for this unique performance may be reserved by calling (908) 753 0190. Office hours are 1 to 4 PM, or messages may be left at other hours. Tickets will be held at the door.