Legendary Jazz Pianist Donn Trenner to Open Avon Library Concert Series

From Avon Free Public Library: Sundays at Three, the much-heralded winter concert series sponsored by The Friends of the Avon Library, returns in grand fashion on January 8 with an encore engagement by Donn Trenner, acclaimed pianist, bandleader, and accompanist to some of the all-time great popular singers. An entertaining raconteur and musician par excellence, he’ll be joined by his musical partner of some 20 years, bass player Mike Asetta. The duo received a resounding ovation for their masterful performance in last season’s opener, treating the standing-room-only audience with a tasty blend of selections from the Great American Songbook and captivating tales of Trenner’s years performing with a galaxy of show business stars.

When Trenner took his first piano lesson at the age of six, little could he imagine the musical journey he would take. Now more than 80 years later, he can look back on a globe-circling career that saw him become one of the most successful, sought-after pianists in the big band and bebop jazz eras. The youngster from New Haven played with the great bands led by Buddy Morrow, Charlie Barnet and Jerry Gray, among others, and teamed up with such jazz immortals as Miles Davis, Charlie Parker and Stan Getz. But he may be best known to millions of popular music fans as the piano behind such singers as Nancy Wilson, Lena Horne, Anita O’Day and Ann-Margret. Donn also led the house band for the Steve Allen Show on NBC, toured with Bob Hope in six of his international Christmas shows, and appeared on more than 100 recordings. He recounts his remarkable career in his memoir, Leave It to Me… My Life in Music, copies of which will be available for sale and signing following the performance. It’s a good read; rich in insights into this remarkable man who jazz writer Owen McNally called a “forever young Old Master.”

Bassist Mike Asetta is a classically trained musician who played so-called serious music early in his career, performing internationally in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and Korea’s Seoul Arts Center. But the jazz he listened to as a youngster had taken root in his musical soul and was not to be denied. A gifted improviser, he switched gears and found his true calling in “America’s classical music.” It was while working as an in-house bassist at Foxwoods Resort and Casino that Mike first observed Donn Trenner headlining a jazz duo. Later that evening, the two bumped into each other on an escalator, a chance encounter that blossomed into a collaboration that’s going strong nearly two decades later.

The free, one-hour program starts promptly at 3:00 p.m. in the Community Room of the Avon Free Public Library, 281 Country Club Road. Seating is on a first come, first served basis. Doors open at 2:30. Light refreshments and an opportunity to meet the artists following the program.

Photo Courtesy of The Avon Free Public Library