Guest Book
156 entries.
Question: Have you ever played your "Fantasy and Improvisations" on any concert tours over the years since 1968? This "Jazz Classic Concerto" is up there and beyond equal with Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and Concerto in F. Your piece should be recognized more than it has been. It's another "wonder of the music world" in supreme jazz writing and playing. Thank you.
Friday, Sept 14, 2018
I don't see a concert schedule for this current 2018 year and the upcoming year on your website. Was this omitted by error? We need to know where you're playing? You've got endless years ahead to keep us "fans" in our "Nero-fix"!
Where ever you are right now keep us posted with your concert tour/schedule. Thank you for everything you've done to make our lives better!
One incredible talent which has brought me many years of entertainment. The Summer of 42 got my attention, but years of enduring music truly captured me as a fan.
Thank you for your music!!!!
I Attended several concerts in my hometown Philadelphia. The last was in front of the Art Museum, probably in 1975 or 1976. It was one of the most amazing nights ever. Wow...just wow!
thanks for the great memories, my treasure is my original Summer of 42 which i never get tired of replaying
When are you coming to the Seattle area?
Watching you right now on a re run of an old Ed Sullivan show. Honestly, had to look up to see if you were still alive. So glad you are by the way. My parents had all your albums back in the 60s. Such good music and memories. Just wanted to say thanks.
Trying to locate Bob D's tel # or email. Am old friend and known as "hello dear".
He will remember me from GE and Kodak days. Please advise. Thanks.
Hi Peter;
I have been trying to get in touch with you for some years now however your # must have changed. I trust you are well. Thank you for all the nice things you have done especially for my father.
It would be nice to talk again.
John
I have enjoyed knowing and working with Peter for over 50 years, presenting him at The Saratoga Performing Arts Center and at Wolf Trap. He was part of the Great Pianists PBS show I produced at Wolf Trap. He then became a favorite attraction when I created Producers, Inc. and placed him with orchestras and P.A.C.s on many occasions. A superb artist and a dependable revered gentleman, it has been an honor to have him as a colleague, acquaintance and friend.
I started to collect Mr. Nero's albums in the early 1960s. When he accepted to be the conductor of the Philly's Pops, my mother and I went to the first concert. We then purchased tickets in the Parquet Circle for the entire seasons. He has always been my favorite pianist and last night I saw him on an old Ed Sullivan show where he played Rhapsody in Blue. His performance was breathtaking. I guess he is retired, but I previously would go to hear him playing with his trio.
Thank you Mr. Nero.
My dad was hired by the EMJC..to do many of their carpentry jobs,, so I had the opportunity and pleasure to know your parents.
Julius and Mary were wonderful people
.Great memories.
BTW, the HH Scott tube Hi-Fi in their living room motivated me to switch to tubes. To this day, it is tubes and vinyl. Thanks for some great stuff to spin on the Dual 'table.
Heard you at Clarke College in Dubuque IA in 1964 when Mom drove an hour away with my HS Junior friends and me to hear your marvelous performance. Still I listen daily to you on Pandora especially when I’m painting portraits. Would love hearing you in person again. Now I’m 71 and appreciate your playing even more then ever.
Stay healthy and happy, Peter.
You are Brilliant!!! A long time fan.
Rescued an original Summer of 42 from my old record collection, and even though scratchy, I haven't grown tired of playing and replaying. Thanks for great memories.
Hi Peter. Been a long time since I've seen you, but glad to see you're still out here. Hope you're in good health and doing what you love. God bless you, and thank you for all the kindness you showed Nancy and I. God bless.
My family loves your wonderful music!
While I never got the chance to hear you in concert, I almost wore out my copy of "Summer of '42" while in college and early career.
Setting up our stereo equipment in our newly remodeled home in east TX and just finished listening to "Summer of '42". Thanks for the beautiful music! Enjoy your retirement!
December 30, 2017
Dear Mr. Nero:
You are one of the most exquisite piano players I have ever known! Your repertoire is
gorgeous, and you possess a beautiful touch. I thoroughly enjoy everything you play, especially the romantic songs, such as "Long Ago and Far Away" with Mel Torme. When my parents were alive, we had the privilege of seeing you at The Venetian Room of The Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, CA, in the 70's. That was a blessing and a treasure that I will never forget. I wish I could see you in person again.
Thank you for all the beauty and joy you brought into our lives. May you have many more years of happiness.
Sincerely,
Elisse Diane De Sio
Menlo Park, CA
Hi Peter, Maestro Ehrling's daughter Elisabeth and husband Tommy saying hello! We just finished listening to your interview you recorded about "daddy". Hope all is well. Best wishes!
Your mom was my Spanish teacher. We never had homework if you were on TV
Hey, Peter---we used to teach together at the Harry Davis School of Music in Mamaroneck, NY---many moons ago!! It's been way too long since you played Austin---would love to see you again!
Peter: I love the Album Keys to relaxation, I do wish someone would tell me who the wonderful singer is on the song ALL THE THINGS YOU ARE. Why isn't his name on the CD?
Anyway you are the greatest!
Janie Martin, C.Ht.
My wife and I both love your music!
Sir, I have been playing the piano for 65 years, and as a teen, when you were cutting your early albums, I became inspired to mix the classics with the American songbook - as if I could ever duplicate you. We have Franz Mohr in common, to keep our axes ground. Someday I hope to be able to hear you play in person. You have been an inspiration to me for a very long time and have made it much more interesting for others when I express myself through "the 88." Thank you for executing so well on your life's work.
Mr. Nero, I lived in the Pride of Judea Children's Home from 1952 through 1957. Your father was the Director of that facility located at 1000 Dumont Ave, in Brooklyn. I remember you competed on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts program (I believe that's where you performed) in the early 50s, where you won the competition. Everyone at "the Home" watched you on tv and was cheering for you. I also remember you and your brother, Allan, a drummer, playing for us at the summer Home residence in Long Beach, Long Island (the Jay Sharp Pavilion) around 1956. I've enjoyed reading about your successes over the years, knowing that I had met you before you became a huge star. My cousin mentioned that your mother was his Spanish teacher at Midwood HS in Brooklyn. I wish you a very rewarding and satisfying "retirement".
Hi Peter,
I saw Your website and wanted to say hello and send my best wishes to you. Hope you're doing fine.
If you're anywhere near Boca Raton let me know if you would like to say hello.
From the worst drummer you ever hired to a great pianist.
Joe Warner
Mr. Nero,
My wife and I have been devoted to your music since we began dating in 1960. Every time you appeared in the Chicagoland area, we were there.
In our opinion, you are the greatest pianist that has ever lived.
We are sorry that you are no longer touring and that you are not creating new musical experiences for the world.
I hope you are enjoying your life. We are eternally grateful for the joy you brought into our lives.
I've seen you in performance in Columbus, Ohio. And I moved from Tulsa the year before your conductorship there. My favorite recording of yours is "Mountain Greenery" from the 1960s. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PETER!
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My Dad, who passed away in 2009 at age 98 and 364 days, grew up in Eau Claire, Wis., where he was taught how to play piano by a blind teacher. Not being musical myself, I never could understand that, but I always enjoyed listening to my Dad play piano as I was growing up. He would always say, "I'm just messing around," but to my ear, he was good. When he wasn't playing piano, Dad loved to listen to a somewhat more accomplished piano player: Peter Nero. The first record he bought was "Up Close," and I must have listened to that record with my Dad a thousand times. Maybe more. I am not exaggerating. Dad also loved Al Hirt and Pete Fountain, so I grew up listening to a lot of Dixieland jazz as well. And he loved the big band sound and drumming of Buddy Rich. But more often than not, when Dad turned on the stereo, it was to play a Peter Nero record. Over the years, we added to the record collection. Peter Nero records made good birthday and Christmas presents for my Dad. I remember "discovering" the music of Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass on my own, and then being absolutely thrilled to be able to give my Dad a Peter Nero record of TJB songs. Of course, nobody has ever played Gershwin better than Mr. Nero, and I've always loved his Gershwin "improvisations," not to mention his flawless rendition of "Rhapsody in Blue." As I grew into my teen years, Dad and I started going to Nero concerts together. There was one at Pepperdine University, and another at the Segerstrom Center in Costa Mesa, Calif., that also included Mel Torme — who sang AND played drums. WE also saw him perform with the Pacific Symphony — but always preferred him in the trio setting because he was the focus of attention. We always got seats "behind" Mr. Nero so Dad could watch his hands. "Watch his left hand," Dad would say to me. "Amazing." When Dad passed away, we had every Peter Nero record except for five. I then went to work to fill out the collection, and thanks to Amazon, I was able to do so within about a year. I also have about 20 compilation albums on which you'll find between one and five Nero performances. We also have tickets from most of the concerts we attended, as well as the programs. In 2015, when Mr. Nero played at Cal Berkeley, I took my new bride to see him... both for my own enjoyment, and to honor the memory of my Dad. (She loved him.) I will conclude this post with my favorite Peter Nero-related story. For 20 years, my folks owned the Balboa Bakery on the Balboa peninsula in Newport Beach, Calif. One morning, my Dad was taking care of the retail area while my Mom took a break, and a woman came in. She was absolutely gushing about having seen Liberace a few nights earlier while on vacation in Las Vegas. "He's the greatest piano player I've ever seen," she said. My Dad contemplated whether he should reply, but couldn't help himself. "I guess you've never seen Peter Nero," he said.