Joel Zelnik Trio featuring Stan Edwards - A Tribute to Bill Evans and Tony Bennett

Join us for an afternoon of live Jazz music with pianist, Joel Zelnik and his trio, accompanied by vocalist Stan Edwards.  This performance is a tribute to two musical legends, Bill Evans and Tony Bennett and is based on the dialogues between Joel Zelnik and 7-Time Grammy Award Winner Bill Evans at the Village Gate in NYC, during the mid-1960’s.  Mr. Zelnik had the great fortune of playing at the Top of the Gate alternating sets with Evans.  Highlights will include pieces from the collaboration of Bill Evans & Tony Bennett on two albums during 1975 and 1977, which yielded some of the best recordings in the history of jazz.

While not always thought of as a jazz singer, Tony Bennett made a handful of albums in a small jazz combo format, but these were far lesser known than his big chart hits. Then, in 1975, he made what would be his supreme statement in the jazz field, the first of two albums with the remarkable pianist Bill Evans.  This performance will reprise this remarkable collaboration of American Art Song at its finest, by recapturing the virility and expressiveness in these performances.  They will perform songs mostly associated with great female singers: Mabel Mercer and Billie Holiday, as well as Bill Evans’ own “Waltz For Debby” with Gene Lees’ lyrics. 

Joel Zelnik has entertained 5 presidents and has been a pianist/bandleader for thousands of events. He has performed at concert venues in New York, Atlantic City, Las Vegas, Japan and Greece and such legendary New York City venues as The Rainbow Room and Windows on the World.  The Joel Zelnik Trio appear regularly at concert venues and Jazz clubs throughout the area. 

Vocalist Stan Edwards career began with frequent guest spots on a hit CBS radio show where he sang with Ray Bloch and his band.  In 1966 he began a 7-year association as MC/ singer at the legendary Village Gate performing tribute shows to two great songwriters: Dorothy Fields and Cy Coleman. Mr. Edwards has performed at such NYC venues as The Gas Light Club, Gregory's, Tavern On The Green, Birdland, The Iridium, and Jillys.

(Sponsored by the Friends of the Library)