Rio Clemente to Bring Annual Valentine's Day Performance to The Centenary Stage, 2/16

From Manhattan's famed Birdland to the Lincoln Center and even a performance at the White House, anyone who has listened to Rio Clemente play piano comes away in awe. A native of Morristown, NJ and a member of its Hall of Fame, Rio Clemente, will make a stop at the Little Theatre on Sunday, February 16th at 2 p.m. for his annual Valentine's Day performance at Centenary Stage Company. This master pianist, also known as "The Bishop of Jazz," mixes a strong classical background with a rich knowledge of jazz history, then adds an amazing sense of creativity and interpretation. The result is music that transcends all others, and nearly always produces a standing ovation and cries for "more."

Clemente's career began with a BMI scholarship for musical theatre and subsequent studies at Julliard School of Music. Along with his classical training, Clemente developed a style embracing a diversity of music that makes him one of the most expressive and versatile pianists anywhere. He's been named Professional Artist of the Year by the Arts Council of the Morris Area, New Jersey Monthly Magazine named him among its "Top 40 New Jerseyans", and the New Jersey Jazz Society named him Musician of the Year.

Tickets for Rio Clemente's Valentine's Day Concert are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. The performance is Sunday, February 16th at 2 p.m. at the Little Theatre on 400 Jefferson Street in Hackettstown. Tickets may be purchased online at http://www.centenarystageco.org, at the CSC Box Office in The Lackland Center at 715 Grand Ave in Hackettstown, or by calling 908-979-0900. The Box Office is open Monday through Friday 1-5 p.m. and 2 hours prior to performance times. CSC also operates a second Box Office during the season at 217 Main Street in Hackettstown open Monday through Friday 3-6 p.m.

The 2013-14 season of performing arts events at the Centenary Stage Company is made possible through the generous support of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the NJ State Council on the Arts, and CSC sponsors, including Premier Sponsor Heath Village Retirement Community, Silver Sponsors Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, The Holiday Inn in Budd Lake, and Fulton Bank, Bronze Sponsors The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation and Wells Fargo Bank, and Centenary Stage Company members and supporters.

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