Rick Moore, a jazz pianist who grew up in Warren Township and has been living and performing in South Florida for 18 years, returns to his home stomping grounds with a performance at 8 p.m., Friday, July 8, at the Watchung Arts Center, on the Watchung circle, Watchung. The one-night performance will feature Moore playing with Don Messina on bass and Bill Chattin on drums. In addition to his nightly piano gigs, Moore also works fulltime as an Ocean lifeguard/EMT for Palm Beach County, Fla. "I dearly love both professions," he said. From an early age growing up in Warren Township, and spending the summers at the Jersey shore, music and the ocean have always been Moore's passions. "My dream was to be able to make a living at something that I like to do and that is exactly what I am doing now," he said. Moore began playing the organ at the age of 5. After hearing Benny Goodman on records, Moore took up the clarinet and joined his school band in Warren Township. He also began playing the drums.

In his teens, he worked as an organist playing standard songs at many social gatherings. "My first music teacher, Barbra Zincgraf, made me memorize 60 songs, just enough for a four-hour gig," he said. His interest turned toward jazz after hearing Claude Hopkins, Dick Wellstood, Doc Cheatham, and many other jazz greats associated with New Jersey Jazz Society. He joined the NJJS and attended many jam sessions as a listener. "I loved that swing feel and the harmonies," he said. By the early seventies, Moore made the piano his primary instrument. He studied classical piano with Keith MacDonald and jazz improvisation with Fred Amend. He was introduced to the music of Lester Young, Charlie Parker, and Lennie Tristano. Moore also studied with the great, legendary pianist Sal Mosca for eight years. He frequently worked around the New Jersey area with Don Messina, Dean Robinson, Frank Slingerland, Fred Amend, Judy Neimack, and Josh Breakstone.

In the early 80's, Moore gave two memorable concerts at the Watchung Arts Center. In 1987, Moore moved to West Palm Beach and has since found steady work as a soloist, and in jazz combos with Jack Palmer, Vinnie Burke, Chris Buckholz, Bob Mortensen, Todd Walker, and Greg Power. He has recently played concerts at the Lyric Theater in Stuart Fla. Along with steady club work, Rick performs regularly with the Fort Pierce Jazz Society. His CD, "Boulevard Saint Germaine" (released 2004), is a collection of solo piano, duo, and trio performances. For the performance at the Watchung Arts Center, Moore will be joined by two old friends, Messina on bass and Chattin on drums. Both are noted jazz musicians and recording artist, who recently performed at the Birdland Jazz Club in New York City, N.Y. For more information, call (908) 753-0190 or visit www.watchungarts.org

JERSEY JAZZ MAGAZINE - JULY 2005 by Bruce Gast

Rick Moore may not be a household name to you, but in the early 80's he could be heard playing jazz piano at O'Connor's, the Watchung Arts Center, and other hot spots in the area. Having studied with local favorite Keith MacDonald, he developed a pleasing technique and built a repertoire that broadly covers the jazz idiom. His move to Florida means he hasn't been heard for quite some time. But he's coming back on Friday, July 8 to liven things up once again at the Arts Center. This time he's wisely invited two local friends to play trio material with him, assuring a fuller sound and allowing for greater texture and variety. Bassist Don Messina and drummer Bill Chattin have played Watchung on their own, so all three are familiar with the fine acoustic hall.