Hackettstown, N.J., April 11, 2010 -“[Norman Simmons] is a master craftsman along the lines of a Tommy Flanagan, Hank Jones, Kenny Barron or James Williams, an impeccable accompanist who swings hard in any context, and a remarkably perceptive soloist with an elegant touch, explicit command of the keyboard and an abundance of imaginative ideas .”  Jack Bowers, ALL ABOUT JAZZ 

Piano in the Parlour returns to Centenary Stage on April 11 at 4 PM with acclaimed pianist Norman Simmons and his Trio performing “A Salute to Duke Ellington.”  

Simmons is known as a consummate musician – an accomplished soloist, arranger, composer and educator- celebrated for his ability to connect with jazz singers like Carmen McRae, Anita O'Day, and Joe Williams.   Born in Chicago in 1929, Simmons' childhood was filled with the sound of the big band era, especially Duke Ellington Orchestra broadcasts coming over a neighbor's radio.  An Alumni of the Chicago School of Music, Simmons worked in Chicago’s hottest clubs, including The Behive, where his group would back touring greats like saxophonists Wardell Gray, Lester Young and Charlie Parker .    Ernestine Anderson convinced him to move to New York to continue working with her, where Simmons also began playing with tenor saxophonists Johnny Griffin and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis as well as  vocalist Betty Carter.  Most recently, Simmons has been a member of the Ellington Legacy Band since 2002.  

The Norman Simmons Trio includes Sheila Early on drums and Tom DiCarlo on Bass.  Di Carlo, who also teaches at Lafayette College in Easton,  was recently selected by Jazz at Lincoln Center to tour the world for the U.S. State Department in 2010 as an ambassador of a uniquely American art form. 

Spearheaded by CSC Board Chairman, Ed Coyne,  the Piano in the Parlour Series is held in the historic, turn-of-the-century Grace Memorial Parlours at Centenary College.   The series has been made possible in part through generous donations made by CSC patrons to restore the 100-year old Steinway grand piano.   Matching funds for restoration came from the Van Winkle Trust for the maintenance of musical instruments at Centenary College, and local sponsor, Paul Simone and Vienna Piano for donation of the mini-stage for piano presentations.  

Tickets for The Norman Simmons Trio  are $15 in advance, and $18 at the door.  They are available through the Centenary Stage Co. Box Office at 908-979-0900. 

The Piano in the Parlour series at the Centenary Stage Company is  made possible through the support of  Coyne Enterprises,  the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, The NJ State Council on the Arts,  and CSC members and sponsors, with additional support from WNRJ Radio and WNTI Radio.