Love is in the air and music, as everyone knows, is the language of love! Get a taste of how a live performance can bring that air of specialness back into your life at this most wonderful time of the year. There is no better way to share something with the one you love. Our Valentine’s Day Jazz Concert features the Chris DeVito Quintet with Chris DeVito on piano, Audra Mariel on vocals, Greg Grispart, woodwinds, John Lenis on bass and Gavin Davies on drums.

Chris has performed both as leader and sideman with many of the area’s finest jazz artists throughout the New Jersey /New York jazz scene for many years. He has played piano at Liberty Corner Church for nearly 20 years. He also teaches piano, owns Blue Truffle Music, LLC and is the New Brunswick Jazz Project treasurer.

Audra Mariel vocals Audra Mariel (vocals) has been acclaimed for her unique sound, and sincere interpretation of timeless standards. Mariel frequently performs with A Real Human Jazz Band but has also had the privilege of touring and recording with Frank Vignola, and in renowned NYC venues including Symphony Space and Birdland. She also plays around New Jersey and has toured the east coast with her solo looping project, Martin Howth.

One of the area’s most sought-after multi-instrumentalists, Greg regularly performs different genres of music with notable bands and orchestras throughout the greater New Jersey / New York City area. He has a degree in classical clarinet performance and education from Rutgers and a master’s degree in jazz saxophone performance from Rowan.

Bassist John Lenis has been active on the New York jazz scene for the past 20 years, performing and recording as a long-time member of ensembles led by such accomplished artists as Nobuki Takamen, Hyeseon Hong, Noshir Mody, and Julia Barry. In addition to appearances at many of the area’s renowned clubs and festivals, John has toured the US, Canada, the UK, and extensively in Japan. Most recently he can be heard on guitarist Sean Harkness’ 2022 release “Just What I Needed”, which the group has been promoting at Birdland, The Cutting Room, and Chelsea Table + Stage.

Gavin Davies has been an active drummer in the New Jersey music scene for the past 30 years. He holds a degree in Studio Music and Jazz from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL, and later earned his NJ teaching certificate from New Jersey City University. He subsequently taught music in the NJ public schools for 25 years.

Presented by Blue Truffle Music in memory of Frank Grasso.