Looking back: June 2010

This month’s “Looking back” photo features the hip triad of President Emeritus Clayton Brower and Professors Emeritus Tony DeNicola and Otto Helbig “jamming” in the Rat.

Words by TCNJ's editorial staff

By all accounts, the weekly jazz concerts that took place in the Pub and the Rat during the 1970s and 1980s were out of this world. Bob Carr ’73, the former manager of both establishments, said the sessions were the brainchild of beloved music professor Tony DeNicola (far left in above photo). Usually DeNicola’s Trenton State College Jazz Lab performed, but biology professor Steve Klug recalled that DeNicola occasionally invited guest musicians to play along. Perhaps that’s what brought this hip triad together—that’s President Emeritus Clayton Brower tickling the ivories and Professor Emeritus Otto Helbig grooving on the violin. Perhaps you were there for this legendary jam session? Or you’ve got another story to tell about those weekly concerts? Either way, we’d dig it if you wrote us at magazine@tcnj.edu to share. Or, share your thoughts below.