Pianist Johnny Varro paid his dues by playing piano in the jazz joints of the Lower East Side and 52nd Street in Manhattan, at a time when such music drew appreciative audiences from everywhere. In recent years however, he's heard in this area mainly on the steady stream of recordings on which he is featured with major jazz names. When an all-star group has a studio date, he's often first call for the piano slot.

When he travels north for recording dates and such, he likes to perform for the Jazz Series at the Watchung Arts Center. The intimate and informal atmosphere there was described by one pianist as being "like playing in somebody's living room." All seats are within five rows of the piano, and most have a view of the keyboard.

Johnny Varro's next visit to the Watchung Arts Center is on Friday evening, June 18, with the music starting at 8 PM. Tickets are only $10. Given the low price and limited accommodations, the seats understandably go quickly. They are best reserved in advance by calling (908) 753-0190, leaving a message on the voice mail if necessary. Tickets are held for pickup at the door.

Recently based on the West Coast but now operating out of Florida, pianist Johnny Varro has played and recorded with the finest jazz musicians on both coasts. Honing his skills in New York early in his career, he hung around the Lower East Side, learning piano technique from Willie "The Lion" Smith, James P. Johnson, Joe Sullivan and others greats who played there

He toured with Bobby Hackett, then took over the keyboard at Eddie Condon's famed club, first as intermission pianist, then as part of the house band. Varro worked New York's other prestigious jazz rooms too, before settling in Miami to work for Jackie Gleason and others.

These days he tours the festival circuit whenever possible, as well as flying off to please his European fans and keeping up with numerous recording sessions. Recent releases include Afterglow, a full band recording with his Swing Seven group. In addition to some terrific swing standards, the CD includes two tunes written and arranged by Varro himself.