Join us this Black History Month as the Joel Zelnik Trio pays tribute with their program – “African American Jazz Piano Pioneers”.

From Duke Ellington to Herbie Hancock and more, these trailblazers broke down barriers, transformed the world of music by paving the way for generations to come. We invite you to celebrate their legacy with us through our performance showcasing their iconic tunes and inspiring stories. We honor the impact of these legendary artists and the continued contributions of black musicians to the world of jazz.

The band features the talents of …

Joel Zelnik (piano)

Rick Crane (bass)

Greg Sundel (drums)

This concert is made possible with a grant from the Musicians Union Local 16-248 Music Performance Trust Fund, which brings Music to the public and supplements the income of Musicians. 

JOEL ZELNIK - Jazz great Dr. Billy Taylor, was the first to give air play to Joel’s first jazz album, “MOVE”, which was reissued in Japan. A contemporary of Bill Evans, Joel has entertained 5 presidents, has been a pianist/bandleader for thousands of events for such dance orchestras including Lester Lanin, Bob Hardwick, Alex Donner, Cabot/Scott, and his own company Francine and Joel Music.  He has performed at concert venues in New York, Atlantic City, Las Vegas, Japan and Greece.  NYC legendary venues include: Windows On The World and The Rainbow Room. He has recorded two CD’s and also holds a B.A. from New Jersey City University, and an M.A. from Rutgers University.  His latest recording, “Live At Steinway Piano Gallery” was performed on a Steinway Model D Concert Grand, and released in Japan.

The Joel Zelnik Trio appears regularly at Concert venues, Jazz Clubs, Libraries and more, with audience engaging programs dedicated to New Jersey’s musical treasure: 7 time Grammy Award  Winner Plainfield born Bill Evans.  We have played to “full houses” because I personalize my experiences with Bill, conveying them with the audience.