Rio Clemente with Effren Gonzalez on Drums and Rusty Springfield on Bass Saturday, April 7th at 8pm General Admission: $12.50 Click to: Click here to visit Rio's website.

It all began when Rio was awarded a BMI scholarship for musical theater and then continued his education at the Juilliard School of Music. A grant from Broadway Tomorrow for new composers followed. With his strong classical training, Rio developed a style embracing a diversity of music that makes him one of the most expressive and versatile pianists anywhere and most sought after.

After several television appearances, Rio soon advanced professionally to playing at the JVC Jazz Festival, the Newport Jazz Festival, Carnegie Hall, and Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center. He performed for senators, governors, mayors, dignitaries, a United Nations concert, and clubs from coast to coast. He has entertained audiences in Europe, Bermuda, the Virgin Islands and Antiqua. He also appeared with the Livingston (NJ) Symphony playing “Rhapsody in Blue” and with the Jefferson Symphony in Golden, Co.

The Spectrum of listeners widened through the years with recording contracts for the Melody Music, Satellite Records, Riff Records and Holland labels, and with his outstanding private label sessions for Etnemelc Music Productions.

A native of Morristown NJ, Rio is a member of its Hall of Fame and has been honored as Musician of the Year by the New Jersey Jazz Society ands Professional of the Year by the New Jersey Council on the Arts. These kudos are the result of Rio’s artistry and goodwill which explains his ability to help jazz grow by performing benefits, jazz and gospel concerts, always touching lives with superlative piano arrangements and improvisations. He also works his wonders via ensemble work with choral groups, both as accompanist and soloist. Rio has been choir director and music director for various churches, another dimension to the humanitarian character of this truly remarkable pianist.

Whether he is playing solo or with a group, Rio’s ability to capture an audience is legendary. Perhaps this talent is no more evident than in his efforts as music educator. Rio makes a positive difference communicating with youth to nurture a new generation of jazz enthusiasts. As music director for the school program of the New Jersey Jazz Society, he leads a band that presents one-hour programs on the history of jazz. He also presents a program designed to educate the youth on Latin music. His teaching extends to privately coaching singers, and other jazz musicians developing their craft as well as teaching classical music to adults as well as young students. He also gives master classes on the different styles of noted jazz pianists.

His recording career broadened with the original compositions on his “O Solo Rio” album. The Clemente cachet was enhanced on the album “Rio Celebrates Rodgers” with renowned bassist Milt Hinton. It’s an outstanding collection of jazz improvisations that prompted Linda Rodgers, daughter of the famed composer to remark, ”Rio Clemente plays my father’s music better than anyone I ever heard—with unremitting style and sensitivity. And always with a technique that is elegant.” His latest album, Rio Plays Fascinating Rhythms,” celebrates the George Gershwin centennial with a trio that finds new sounds for many of the Gershwin standards. There was high praise from jazz legend Dave Brubeck when he said, “Rio Clemente is EXCELLENT!” Hearing is believing!