Jazz pianist Peter Nero to perform at Art Tatum tribute

Acclaimed jazz pianist Peter Nero will perform "For Art's Sake: A Salute to Art Tatum" with Southeast's jazz musicians in a tribute to jazz legend Art Tatum at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Performance Hall at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus.

According to a news release from the university, Nero will speak about Tatum's childhood, family life, influences, contact with other musicians, his life and training, accompanied with renditions of "Over the Rainbow," "Someone to Watch Over Me," "Ain't Misbehavin'" and other Nero favorites.

Bassist Michael Barnett will join Nero in the salute to Tatum. Barnett has been Nero's principal bassist for more than 18 years. The program will conclude with Peter sitting in on a few numbers by the Southeast's Studio Jazz Band.

Bob Cerchio, River Campus assistant director, is pleased the opportunity this presents to the university's young jazz musicians, the release said.

"When I was a kid, I was fortunate that my high school music curriculum offered three full years of music theory. We studied not only music performance, but music history -- and Peter Nero was already a legend. Imagine the fantastic experience our Southeast jazz students will have, getting to learn from a true legend. And our audience will be there to witness it," Cerchio said.

Barnett began studying double bass with his father, a musician and teacher, during his high school years. Soon, he was performing professionally in clubs in the Joplin, Missouri, area. After attending Yale University, he was based for several years in Kansas City, Missouri, where he worked learned from many of the players from the classic era of Kansas City Jazz. He has been invited to jazz festivals, performing with a long roster of notable musicians. Barnett toured with the late Pearl Bailey and Louie Bellson.

Tickets may be purchased at the River Campus box office in the Cultural Arts Center, 518 S. Fountain St., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, by calling 651-2265, or online at RiverCampusEvents.com.