CLOSTER, N.J.— Jazz pianist and Closter resident Joel Zelnik will bring his acclaimed program “My Bill Evans: A Personal Conversation” to the Closter Public Library on Tuesday, April 15 at 6 p.m.
The event, featuring the Joel Zelnik Trio, is inspired by Zelnik’s personal interactions with jazz legend Bill Evans, a seven-time Grammy Award-winning pianist widely regarded as one of the most important innovators in 20th-century jazz.
The performance will feature signature works from the Bill Evans catalog, alongside pieces that demonstrate Evans’ profound influence on Zelnik’s own playing. The concert offers a mix of live music and storytelling—an intimate window into Evans’ artistry and legacy, as seen through Zelnik’s eyes.
During the 1960s, Zelnik played at the famed Village Gate in New York City, where he occasionally shared Monday night sets with the Bill Evans Trio. That experience left a lasting mark on Zelnik, who recalls Evans’ advice: “It’s not what you play, but how you play it.” That philosophy continues to guide his work across styles and venues.
“Bill had a great sense of humor,” said Zelnik. “We often laughed about our mutual experiences growing up in New Jersey.”
Evans himself lived in Closter during the mid-1970s, a period that saw the release of his iconic recordings with Tony Bennett. Today, Evans remains an enduring figure in jazz—known for his harmonic innovation, lyrical sensitivity, and lasting artistic impact.
The April 15 performance is made possible through a grant from the Musicians Union Local 16-248 Music Performance Trust Fund, which supports live public music events while supplementing musicians’ income.
The Closter Public Library is at 280 High St. Admission is free. For more information, call 201-768-4197or visit www.closterpubliclibrary.org.
To learn more about Joel Zelnik, including music samples, biography, and press, visit www.joelzelnik.com.