Las Vegas Lounge Line

Las Vegas Lounge scene is once again emerging as an important part of its’ entertainment scene. This time it’s not it the casinos but instead privately owned lounges similar to the scene in Los Angeles and Austin Texas. So the Lounge Line column is my idea to help promote this emerging part of The Entertainment Capital of the world.

I recently stopped by The Vox Wine Lounge in Henderson to see The Hot Club of Las Vegas. They were on the Dennis Bono show and mentioned their Vox Wine Lounge appearances. Members of The Hot Club are Carol Linnea Johnson, lead singer that also co-stars stars in Momma Mia in Vegas, Mundo Juillerat-lead Guitarist, Christopher Davis- Contrabass, Gabriel Santana – Cajon. and Marlow Valentin- Rhythm Guitar.

Mundo Juillerat defines Gypsy Djazz; He writes, “Gypsy Djazz is an acoustic style of music that combines the elements of American Swing, Flamenco and Parisien Musette.” It was born out of the Paris jazz scene in the 30's and 40's and made popular by Django Reinhardt, Stephanie Grapelli, and Quintette du Hot Club de France. And the guitar is traditionally, a Selmer-Maccaferri guitar. He spells Djazz with a D as tribute to Django”.

Recently Juillerat returned from the “International Gypsy Guitar Festival in the UK”. He said about the experience, “The festival was called the International Gypsy Guitar Festival (iggf) and it was fantastic! I met and played with many guitarists. There were also a few famous gypsy jazz guitarists and actual real Gypsies who performed as well”.

There are many “Hot Club” musical groups around the world. The Hot Club of Las Vegas is sort of a “franchise” of that term; “Hot Club” name is now synonymous with Gypsy Jazz according to Juillerat. The Hot club of Las Vegas Plays Vox Wine Lounge the third Friday of each month for the remainder of 2008.

 Other Lounge Happenings:

R E Tappas Kitchens and Lounge 467 E Silverado Ranch Blvd has smooth Jazz Sunday from 1 to 4:30 PM featuring Teddy Davis Group. The make up for this Sunday Smooth Jazz Brunch are leader Teddy Davis on vocals & guitar,, Paul Stubblefield vocals & drums and Junior Brantley on keyboard.. Although it’s billed as smooth jazz the trio plays a great mix of music including covers from Johnny Mathis, Jimmy Buffet and James Brown .

Davis we just met for the first time Sunday August 10th and is a versatile performer. He is a teacher of all instruments, does DJ duties and Singing Telegrams among other entertainment. Besides Sunday brunch he is adding a Monday night Jam with Stubbelfield at Tappas that will include many friends stopping and sitting in during the show.

We’ve met Stubble field and Brentley before. Stubbelfield we know from his Sterling Club gig. Stubblefield told us t hat he is also at the newly reopened DeStefanos on Fridays from 7 to 10. DeStafanos is on Tropicana and Pecos.
 
Brentley we know from the Albert Lee gigs at E-string. He looks a little like Little Richard and plays a great blues, rock and jazz piano. You can also hear Brentley at House of Blues, Louies Fish Camp in the Town Square Shopping Center, Kings Tut’s on West Charleston and the Sand Dollar on Spring Mountain Road. Check out his schedule on www.juniorbrantley.com. 

Sunday nights has become our favorite time to enjoy Bootleggers Bistro owned by Loraine Hunt-Bono on South Las Vegas Blvd. Sunday night August 3rd Lorraine and her husband Dennis bono did their monthly show. Michaelina Bellamy was one of the Bonos’ special guests. She is such a wonderful singer and its great to see her back out performing. Also joining the Bonos were regular Anthony Rais- and his wonderful cast of marionettes. Martin Mancuso is a very talented Saxophonist. But, now he has become a hilarious comedian. His comic routine is hard to describe but it includes lip syncing, costume accessories and great antics that have you in stitches and at attention to see what comes next.

The following Sunday, August 10th we all enjoyed grooving to the Goodfellas. I was first introduced to their Doo-Wop music when they were special guests during a Kelley Clinton’s Sunday Night Show. Then I recently heard them at a couple of Doo-Wop concerts. Steve Dunham, Phil Ricco and Danny Rome are the vocalists of the Good fellas. Their regular band members are Eddie Gaer Wade Leahy and John Falbo. Jackie Musso a regular customer at Sunday Nights at Bootleggers refered to the Goodfellas performance as such a breath of fresh air.” The Goofellas also have shows coming up at Texas station, Ramparts, Cannery and Cannery East. Check out the dates at www.lvgooodfellas.com.

Kelly Clinton produces the Sunday Nights at Bootleggers. The only exception is for Dennis Bono’s first Sunday’s of the month show. On Sunday, August 17 Lena Prima returns.

Finally, our friend Ronnie Rose performs with his “Slick Willie Orchestra” 10 PM Tuesdays, August 19 and 26. at Square Apple, 1000 E. Sahara. “Slick Willie Orchestra featuring Rose and Tommy Alvarado performs Thursdays August 14 and 21 at Louie’s Fish Camp starting at 6:30. When I asked Rose if they have a lounge or just a restaurant he answered “There is a lounge and plenty of seats if you just want to come and have a drink. They also have appetizers and inexpensive snacks”. That’s all for now, but get out, to enjoy a lounge show and give our local entertainers your support.