The Vegas Voice 11-19

We made it through Halloween and now
we’re getting ready for Thanksgiving.
So, what does that all mean in the world of
entertainment? I have no idea except to tell you
that there’s plenty going on in November.
You can go to Rocks Lounge in the Red Rock Casino, South Padre
Showroom at Texas Station, Addison’s Lounge in the Rampart Casino,
Piazza Lounge at the Tuscany, Club 172 at the Rio, The Commissary at
the Downtown Grand, the Barrymore in the Royal Resort Hotel, or Vino
Del Lago Wine Bar in Lake Las Vegas. I think you get the idea, there’s
plenty to do this month.
From Jazz to Blues to R&B to
Pop and, Oh Yeah, how about
some Disco? Get over to the Italian
American Club on November 8 th to
boogie for “Disco Nights.” Singing
the songs from the Club 54 Disco era
will be Sonny Charles – the former
lead singer with the Checkmates
and 7 years with the Steve Miller
Band.
Musical director Ned Mills will
accompany the Disco Ladies: Nieve
10
November Entertainment
By: Evan Davis / Entertainment Editor
Malandra, Autumn Grayce Johnson and Nellie Norris (of
Concerts and Legends) and yes, the dance floor will be open. You can
always call The Vegas Voice hotline for tickets at 702/755-3799.
With Hanukkah, Christmas and all the other Holidays in December,
don’t miss our Holiday Spectacular at Sun City MacDonald Ranch (see
page 21) on December 7 th. It will feature Bill Fayne and his wonderful
friends.
And to end 2019, join us for our New York New Year’s Eve Dinner
& Show (page 25) at Sun City MacDonald Ranch. Performing and back
by very popular demand will be Genevieve Dew and Michael Ross
Nugent. The festivities will start at 6 pm with the New York Times
Square ball dropping at 9 pm (Vegas time) on our big “live” screen.
Happy Thanksgiving ya’all.
Entertainment editor Evan Davis with The Bronx Wanderers’ Vinnie
Adinolfi. Vinnie was our guest for our monthly Vegas Voice Celebrity
Corner podcast.
November 2019
Join my friend Bill Fayne
and his friends for our
Holiday Show
Vegas Voice Podcast
LV Suite Honors Jazz Great
By: Sam Wagmeister / People & Places
The legacy of jazz great Russ Freeman
will again be presented this month
when Nathan Tanouye, Clint Holmes and the
32-piece Las Vegas Jazz Connection present the Las Vegas Jazz Suite,
a masterpiece composed under the inspiration of Freeman’s late
widow, Carolyn. Although not Freeman’s work, his inspiration is the
foundation for the Jazz Connection.
Freeman, a classical
jazz pianist/composer
is considered a major
figure in the technically
difficult be bop style of
jazz developed in the
mid-1940’s. Songwriter
Jerry Goldstein added
lyrics to Freeman’s mid-
1950’s composition,
The Wind, which was
recorded by singers including June Christy and Maria Carey.
(L to R) Carolyn Freeman with Clint Holmes & Nathan Tanouye
The Guardian newspaper eulogized his death: “Freeman’s subtle
pressure made (Chet) Baker play better, Baker’s intuitive improvising
on the pianist’s original pieces surprised and delighted the composer.”
Upon Freeman’s death in 2002, his widow Carolyn approached
UNLV’s Nathan Tanouye to memorialize her husband’s work. The pair’s
efforts produced five CD’s - two of Russ’ works and led to the formation
of the Las Vegas Jazz Connection.
The Las Vegas Jazz Suite, now submitted for Grammy consideration,
was Carolyn’s initiative, Tanouye recalls, designed to be her tribute to
the city that the Freeman’s called home. Tanouye, a UNLV graduate
and current Associate Professor of Jazz Studies credits Freeman, “She
trusted my artistic judgment and helped qualify me to teach at a major
university.”
The work, which was in development for three years, explores
Tanouye’s and Holmes’ impressions of Las Vegas and its culture in five
movements: Springtime in the Desert; The Boulevard; The Hustle;
After (which Tanouye describes as “after the day after”) and Holmes’
edgy The Heat.
“I wrote the music and handed it over to Clint,” Tanouye explained.
“He’s just a genius. His lyrics are so perfect. He knows how to bring out
the whole vibe.”
The three years of work were completed shortly before Carolyn
Freeman died last July. “It’s a way to pay homage to Carolyn for her
years supporting the band,” said Tanouye.
Proceeds of the performance will help fund UNLV scholarships.
The performance will being at 2:00 pm Sunday, November 10th at
the new Notoriety Theater inside Fremont Street’s Neonopolis. Tickets:
www.ForgottenSongFoundation.org.
Sam Wagmeister is The Vegas Voice Nightlife Editor. He loves to
hear from our readers. Please feel free to contact him via email:
LasVegasHomeTeam@Gmail.com.