High a profile as Fred Hersch enjoys among the fans of jazz - pianist was nominated for three Grammy Awards - he had a bit of competition for the spotlight at a recent show at the Union County Performing Arts Center here.
His performance, the first of a series of four jazz concerts this spring at the 55-seat Centre piano loft, was a solo appearance. But the piano, he used to play a selection of its own and other composers works attracted attention because of its brand name: Fazioli.
Arts Centre is currently one of two places in New Jersey, where the public can hear a Fazioli, according to Paolo Fazioli, the founder of the company, which is based in Sacile, Italy.
The other place is Kean University in Union, who buys a Italian pianos by hand in 2009 for its gene and Shelley Enlow Recital 324-seat Hall.
Only 200 pianos, a cost of $ 80,000 to $ 200,000, were shipped to the United States that the company began to sell their here in 1994, according to Mr. Fazioli. The owner of a large scale is the Juilliard School in Manhattan, where the division of music, dominated by Steinway, recently purchased a Fazioli after renting one since last year.
In Rahway, Jim Kennedy, 58, now Director Executive of the arts Centre, undertook to purchase of the city of piano, a cost of $95,000, while he was Mayor, a post he held from 1991 to 2010.
Mr. Kennedy said 'very happy to see local people in the audiences' Piano loft in the historic building of the 1920s. "I was also pleasantly surprised by people who come from all sectors - Livingston, Short Hills - that have a piano culture in their lives and are really well paid in pianos," says."
"I am not a piano guy", he added, but the people who come and play say, "it has been my dream to play one of them."?”
The 1,000-square-foot loft, equipped with theatre lighting, chairs and wooden floor, folding has been added to the building for the music and small theatrical productions in 2008. (The Fazioli is also used when necessary in the main room, which can accommodate 1,300.)
As the file ticket holders in piano performances, they are offered free Champagne and cut strawberries.
The spring jazz series will also include performances by James Weidman on May 7 and Dan Tepfer, May 21. Piano official unveiling in March 2010, Russian pianist Vassily Primakov performed.
Jim Luce, co-owner with his wife, Genevieve, Piano du Conservatoire and Hi Fi, a music store that makes and LPs from product and selling hi-fi systems House and pianos, Rahway sold its Fazioli and became later Director loft piano production; Mr. Luce is side of the arts center.
In addition to being one of the seven dealers Fazioli at United States, Mr. Luce, 58, who lives in Easton, PA. -It is planning a move to Rahway in June - is the producer of the annual Caramoor Jazz Festival in KatonahN.Y. For years the Luces also organized a series of concert at their home.
"In the normal world, someone like Fred Hersch will play an auditorium with between 400 and 800 people," said Mr. Luce, who was M.C. for the recent performance, which has sold. "" "". This experience, spiritual and edifying can come in this intimate atmosphere... This space is the very thing that makes us world-class. ?
Mr. Hersch, whose performance won a standing ovation, made pas talk about the piano on stage or in advance. In an interview before the show, he explained why he could not. "I am a Steinway artist", he said.
Series concerts jazz from spring to Union County Performing Arts Center, 1601 Irving Street, Rahway, begin at 8 p.m. tickets: $15; ucpac.org or (732) 499-8226.
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