Les Paul, Jr. plays the blues at Joey's

West Milford —Les Paul, Jr., (commonly known as Rusty) and his band performed for diners at Joey’s Restaurant, downtown West Milford, and plan to make it a regular event. Billed simply as Trio, keyboardist Bobby Gizzi, guitarist Steve Lucas and Rusty on bass guitar played two sets of jazz and blues as diners enjoyed candlelit meals. Joey Giovinazzo and his wife Annmarie have owned the restaurant since 1996, and although the sign still says Vito and Michael’s, it’s widely known as Joey’s. Joey is unmistakably Italian, with an enthusiastic welcome for all his customers and a thick accent that compliments the entirely handmade entrees and pizzas. The restaurant expanded two years ago, giving Joey a venue where he could combine his two major passions: gourmet Italian food and live music. “I used to be a musician,” said Joey. “I met Les Paul and his engineer Tom Doyle in New York, and invited Tom and his wife Sandy to play at the restaurant. The customers tell me they really like the live music. Steve Lucas came one night, and I asked him if Rusty would play, and he said yes.” “It’s very casual,” explained Steve. “I came down to see Tom and Sandy play, met Joey and Annmarie, and he asked for me to bring Rusty over, and we said okay. We play at different venues in and around the area, doing some blues jams or whatever we feel. We did a little thing down at BB King’s on Broadway — it’s just for fun.” The music has proven popular, and all the tables were reserved in advance. Joey and his sons, Dan and Joe, Jr., filled in between sets with renditions of well-known songs. Rusty is a Mahwah High School alumnus, and works non-stop on numerous music projects in his family’s studio, and regularly performs around northern New Jersey. “Steve and I have a band together, and I also produce dad’s show every Monday night in the city. I’ve played guitar and bass on numerous different projects, and last year played with dad on his album, which just won two Grammys. But I’m always playing somewhere, and I’m playing with some of the best guys around.” Steve Lucas is a sales specialist at Victor’s House of Music in Paramus, and Bobby Gizzi is a Belleville School District music teacher. Notable was Rusty’s bass guitar: a 1969 Gibson Les Paul model of which there are only two in existence; Rusty has one and his father the other. Frequent customer Sean Hayes said of the restaurant, “They’ve got great food, great atmosphere, and now they’ve got great music. It’s something special, and it’s very enjoyable.” Rusty and his band plan to return to Joey’s in the future, and Joey and Annmarie have already booked Rob Stoner, former bassist for Bob Dylan.