A peek inside a musician’s tour itinerary might reveal written notation, tour schedules and set lists, but a glimpse at what pianist Peter Nero carries with him exposes an adherent fan of electronic wizardry.

Some of Nero’s travel technological gadgets include a wireless transmitter that predicts the weather anywhere he happens to be, a hand-held Global Positioning Satellite Receiver that shows maps of the world and a self-setting watch that automatically resets itself to the time zone.

Nero’s fascination with advanced electronic equipment began with the cinematic props in the popular movies when he was younger.

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I guess it goes back to the days when I was a kid and all the science fiction movies that were around, Nero said. Now it’s all reality. It’s fascinating to me that it’s around during my lifetime.

It’s been said that if it’s battery operated or plugged in I own it.

Since the mesmerizing days in movie theaters, watching sci-fi films come of age, Nero has garnered eight Grammy nominations and two Grammy awards from his catalogue of more than 60 recordings, which include a gold album and a gold single.

The pianist will bring his jazz to Shryock Auditorium 8 p.m. Wednesday as part of The Peter Nero Trio.

Nero, a conductor for the Philadelphia Pops and the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra, said his trio’s first few numbers are used to get a feel of the audience and what they want. The show’s direction is controlled by crowd response so a large portion becomes a pure mix of jazz, rock, pop and classical improvisation.

It’s completely free whatever we want, Nero said. There’s no set program, no set anything.

Nero’s innovative keyboard work has earned him a multitude of invitations to the White House for performances. Though he has been asked to play in front of every living president, the trips to the nation’s capital city never become cumbersome or tiresome to Nero.

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After a while I do get kind of comfortable, though, Nero said. But it is the home of the leader of the United States of America where no matter who he is it’s an important place to be in. There’s a lot of important people you’re playing for there, too.

Nero said his last trip to Southern Illinois was when he played at the Du Quoin State Fair more than 25 years ago, sharing the stage with the bubbly brother-sister duo The Carpenters.

Whether electronic or musical, Nero never travels without a wide variety of instruments, and his trip to Shryock Auditorium Wednesday will be no exception.

I travel with two suitcases, Nero said. One with the performance stuff, and one for the electronics.

Faceted:Tickets are $17.50, and there is a $4 discount for children 15 and under.

For information, call the Shryock Auditorium box office at (618) 453-2787.