Drummer Jon Stewart (yes, that one) makes musical debut with new band
Funnyman Jon Stewart jammed with his new band Church and State over the weekend in Asbury Park, N.J.
“You are witnessing the premiere performance,” Stewart told a Saturday night crowd at Asbury Park Brewery. “We have never played in public. I certainly have never played music in public.”
The 61-year-old part-time “The Daily Show” host then introduced his trio and suggested audience members “lower your expectations.”
Stewart’s quartet kicked off its set with a song called “Seven” and played for about 40 minutes, according to the Asbury Park Press. The New York City-born, New Jersey-raised entertainer appeared comfortable behind his drum kit, where he twirled his sticks between his fingers for show and kept decent time in a clip posted to an Instagram account called Asbury Park Vibes.
Church and State performed less than a mile up the Jersey Shore boardwalk from the Stone Pony, where Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band — featuring former “The Tonight Show” drummer Max Weinberg — began their 50-year run.
Stewart will host Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” Monday night, which is the one evening he appears on the program he made famous in 1999.
While not known for his musical chops, Stewart very briefly drummed with the U.S. Army Field Band Six-String Soldiers during a November Veterans Day event in the Financial District. After meeting the band, he quickly handed over his sticks to the band’s full-time percussionist.
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