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Steve Marcus wrote on July 08, 2009 report
Having been born and raised in Philadelphia and a resident there until late 1985, Peter Nero and the Philly Pops were very important to me (I still enjoy them). I will always treasure my LP of Peter Nero & the Philly Pops with the late Tug McGraw narrating "Casey at the Bat" and another musical recollection of the Phillies' 1980 World Series championship.
But my favorite performances by Peter Nero are when he plays solo piano or with a small ensemble--not with orchestra. Then his dexterity and cleverness and humor really shine through.
One of my favorite albums of all time (I don't think that it was ever re-issued on CD) is the 1962 RCA Victor LP, "Peter Nero--In Person." It was recommended by my piano teacher at the time. No commercial-sounding orchestral bed--just pure, live, Nero at the Steinway with drums and bass playing his great arrangements (including his "West Side Story" medley) in front of an appreciative audience.
My favorite track on that album is his arrangement of "It's Alright With Me." I don't have the LP with me to double-check the exact words, but Mr. Nero's verbal introduction went something like this:
"My right hand will be playing 'It's Alright With Me.' My left hand will be playing the Beethoven Apassionata Sonata in f minor, Opus 57 [which he REALLY does!]. My right foot will be tapping out the rhythms of the traditional Tahitian fertility dance. And my left foot will not be doing too much; it will just be excited." -
Gladys Canby wrote on July 13, 2009 report
Great interview -- thank you for posting it. The only argument I have with it, is where Peter Nero humbly denies being a genius. He undeniably is.
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Benjamin Bloch wrote on January 22, 2011 report
Peter Nero is the finest musician, composer, conductor and creator of new musical paradigms ever to graduate from the High School of Music and Art. He is our favorite National Treasure. His genius grows with age.
Dr. Benjamin Bloch
