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Community Corner

The Paul Salomone Trio at the Watchung Arts Center

    The Watchung Arts Center’s JaZZ in the Gallery Series welcomes the Paul Salomone Trio on Saturday, April 26 at 8:00 PM.
The trio, consisting of Paul Salomone on piano, Ron Glick on drums, and bassist Roy Cumming, will perform a mix of jazz standards and originals, including selections from Salomone’s soon to be released second CD, “The Loving Eye”. Following a recent concert they were described as “(delivering) in a big way with a level of musicianship, professionalism and improvisational skills normally reserved for the swankiest jazz clubs in New York City. 
    A native of Scotch Plains, NJ, Paul Salomone began his piano studies at the age of eight. Paul later studied under Keith MacDonald continuing work in classical music, and beginning his studies in jazz. Paul attended Kean College and Jersey City State College majoring in music, but left school and served in the United States Army band system for six years, serving mostly in Germany. Having completed his military service in 1983, Paul began teaching piano lessons and performing in numerous venues all over New Jersey, but also in New York City and Philadelphia. Throughout most of his career, Paul has led his own groups, and his efforts culminated in the 1997 release of his CD, "Quickstep", featuring the renowned tenor saxophonist Tommy Grice, noted bassist and composer Derwin Holder, and the vastly experienced and well-traveled drummer Ron Glick, with whom Paul has been associated for over thirty years.
    Roy Cumming was born in Orange, NJ and grew up in the nearby town of Clifton. Starting on the violin, Roy switched to the bass after high school and began studying jazz. He studied with such noted bassists as Norman Edge and Ron Carter. Roy also studied bass repair with Lou Fuiro, and continues in the art of bass building and repair to the present day, as well as performing. Roy's work with drummer John Dentz led to his association with jazz piano giants Teddy Wilson, Chick Corea and the great be-bop pianist Al Haig. He had an extensive and productive association with guitarist Harry Leahy and drummer Glenn Davis. Later joined by pianist Mike Melillo, they formed the group "In Free Association", and performed and recorded together for many years. Roy's freelance work includes performing with such jazz notables as Al Cohn, Zoot Sims, Phil Woods, Johnny Hartman, Joe Morello, and Tony Williams. A wonderful composer, he  released the CD "Edgeless" on which all of the selections are his own compositions.
    Drummer Ron Glick has an extensive background in performing and teaching music. His performance resume reads like a veritable "who's who" in the world of jazz. Ron's worked with such jazz notables as Tal Farlow, Al Cohn, Eric Kloss, Harry Leahy, Lou Donaldson, Vic Juris, Dr. Lonnie Smith, and Ira Sullivan, just to name a few. Ron has performed in jazz clubs and festivals both nationally and internationally. After having recorded the CD "Quickstep" as a member of Paul Salomone's quartet Ron accompanied Paul to London, Ontario, Canada to perform in the Forest City Jazz Festival. Ron attended the Berklee College of Music where he studied with the world renowned drummer Alan Dawson. Ron's private studies also included numerous sessions with jazz masters Richie Moore, Sonnie Igo, and Doug Allen. Ron has taught drums privately for over thirty years and is currently on the faculty at Raritan Valley Community College in the applied music program. Ron's currently performs with a variety of musicians in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including pianist Frank Giasullo. As mentioned above, Ron and Paul's friendship goes back over thirty years, and Ron was a major contributor in the production and editing of the "Quickstep" CD, as well as delivering a superlative performance.
    Tickets are $16 in advance, $20 ($18 WAC members, $10 students) at the door. Tickets may be purchased online at watchungartscenter.eventbrite.com. To obtain more information about upcoming performances, classes and workshops or monthly art exhibitions, please visit WatchungArts.org or call 908-753-0190.
    The Watchung Arts Center, located at 18 Stirling Road in Watchung on the Watchung Circle, is a multi-disciplinary performing arts facility serving Watchung, the surrounding communities and the Tri-State Area.

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