Jerry Vivino was born to Emily and Jerry Vivino, Sr. on January 8th, 1954, in Paterson, New Jersey. Music and art was an everyday thing in the Vivino household during Jerry's childhood and throughout his adolescence. Influenced by both his parents, Jerry couldn't help but to be exposed to the likes of Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis and Charlie Parker as well as Count Basie, Dinah Washington, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald.
At the tender age of 7, he attempted to learn the guitar, but did not connect with the instrument. Nevertheless, at 9 years of age, his third grade teacher gave him a soprano recorder and within 2 or 3 weeks, he was mastering the instrument. His parents took notice of his progress and by the age of 10, Jerry was taking clarinet lessons. He quickly progressed and studied classical clarinet with his father's cousin, Frank Vivino, and with Ray Gerrard. At the age of 16, Jerry started playing the saxophone. Jerry won state honors in the New Jersey All-State Jazz band in his junior and senior years in high school, which was ranked #1 in the state in 1971 and 1972.
Jerry attended the Manhattan School of Music in 1972 and 1973 where he studied with woodwind guru, Joe Allard. He left the Conservatory to pursue a musical career on the road. In between road gigs he would continue to study with Joe Allard and Ray Gerrard. Jerry formed a band with his brother Jimmy in 1974 and the brothers haven't stopped working since. As a horn player in the disco 70s, Jerry found that work was plentiful.
Jerry toured the country with Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons in 1978 and 1979. Jerry did not want to continue with lengthy tours, and wanted to make a living in New York, so he got off the road and started working steadily in the tri-state area. Jingle work and show work quickly followed. Jerry found himself working with Joan Rivers, Rodney Dangerfield, Tony Bennett and Ray Charles, to name a few. Jerry played in the band in many Broadway shows, including Leader of the Pack, Annie, A Chorus Line, Cats, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Starlight Express, Just Once, Groucho and Grease.
Jerry's true passion in music is Jazz and R&B. In addition to being a member of the Max Weinberg 7, he can be heard playing with his brother Jimmy in the Vivino Brothers Band. He also is the leader of a really fun group with bass player Mike Merritt, drummer James Wormworth, keyboard player Brian Charrette and frequent guests, trumpet player Lew Soloff and guitarist Melvin Sparks.
In 1993, when Max was asked if he would put together a band for a late night talk show, he contacted Jerry to find out if he would like to audition for Late Night With Conan O'Brien. If you don't know Jerry personally, you certainly have heard him play. Featured on countless recordings, TV commercials and movie soundtracks, his resume reads like a Who's Who In Entertainment. Jerry has played with Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, Son Seals, Paul Shaffer, Frankie Valli, Al Kooper, Dion, James Brown, Phoebe Snow, Donald Fagen, Dr. John, Branford Marsalis, Wynton Marsalis and the legendary Keely Smith, to name just a few.
Jerry's saxophone influences include Ben Webster, John Coltrane, King Curtis, Johnny Hodges, Cannonball Adderly, Michael Brecker, Sonny Rollins and Dexter Gordon. Clarinet influences include Benny Goodman, Buddy deFranco, Aker Bilk, Pete Fountain, Sidney Bechet and Eddie Daniels. Flute influences include Jean Pierre Rampal, Hubert Laws, James Galway and Ian Anderson. However, Jerry's favorite musician is his wife, flutist Laura (Renino) Vivino.
Featuring: JERRY VIVINO: saxophone, flute & vocals / FRANK ELMO: saxophone / TERRY SILVERLIGHT: drums / JOHN ARBO: bass & vocals / ERIC FINLAND: piano, Hammond B-3 organ & vocals
Doors 6:30pm / Sets at 7:30pm & 9pm / One ticket ($15-$25) is valid for both sets, seating for the 9pm set is based upon availability