Paul A. Hebert / Invision / AP
Friday, Nov. 28, 2014 | 4 p.m.
The Kats Report Podcast
Moving with Human Nature
Kats and the Dish talk to the guys from Human Nature — Andrew and Mike Tierney Toby Allen Phil Burton — about their move to the Venetian.
Ronnie Foster is the cornerstone of Funk Foundation, the band who backs Human Nature at Sands Showroom in the Venetian. Foster is the band’s music director, his hands gliding across the keyboard as his piano glides along the stage as it doubles as silver set piece.
At times, Foster grins and raises his hands, goading the audience to stand and groove with the four Aussie vocalists as they swing through the greatest hits of Motown. But otherwise, Foster does not foster much activity in the way of theatrics. He doesn’t need to.
Foster has made his mark, in concert and the studio, over a 50-year career. On Saturday night, he’s reunited with a friend he met ages ago in Buffalo, N.Y., when he backs Stevie Wonder at MGM Grand Garden Arena when Wonder revives the 1976 blockbuster album, “Songs in the Key of Life.”
This was Wonder’s 18th album (remarkable for that early period of his career) and spanned two albums along with a four-song EP. The length of the material was impressive — nearly 90 minutes of music — as was its inventive quality. “I Wish,” “Sir Duke” and “Isn’t She Lovely” were highlights, though the latter song was not released as a single.
As Wonder has said when explaining why he has chosen to perform this particular album, end-to-end, nearly 40 years after its release: “This is my celebration of song, life and love. What is amazing to me is how relevant this album is today. After all, I could never write all the songs in the key of life, but there will be others who will carry on the message of song, love and life.”
Foster’s contribution was as organist on “Summer Soft,” for which he’ll join Wonder’s band on Saturday night.
How’d it happen that Foster has become part of this reunion effort?
“How did this happen?” Foster says, laughing during a chat at Cafe Presse outside Sands Theater before a Human Nature performance this week. “Stevie and I are friends, we have been for a long time, and we actually did this last year in L.A. at Nokia Theater for his charity (the House Full of Toys Benefit Concert). It was a thrill. It was crazy. And on this tour, he finds the musicians who worked on that album who are close in proximity to the shows he’s performing; he’ll bring them in to perform.”
After that performance in L.A., Wonder told Foster to be ready for a call when the “Songs in the Key of Life Tour” hit Las Vegas. As the centerpiece in the band that backs one of the Strip’s most popular acts, Foster was not hard to track down.
“He’s grabbed people who were on the original album and those who were not,” Foster says. “He’s had India.Arie as a guest and (the great bassist) Esperanza Spaulding, John Mayer.”
The original album was loaded with powerhouse guest musicians, either established or about to be. Herbie Hancock played on “As,” George Benson on “As.” Minnie Ripperton and Deniece Williams were featured vocalists on “Another Star,” and ace studio guitarist Michael Sembello (most famous for “Flashdance”) played many numbers. Greg Philliganes, whose credits include session work with Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton and Toto (and who also helped design the music in “Michael Jackson One” at Mandalay Bay), played keyboards throughout.
Foster’s introduction to Wonder was made years earlier, personally and professionally. As a great organ and keyboard player, Foster had backed Benson — a relationship that would last 15 years, onstage and in the studio — and had known of Wonder when the two met at a club in Buffalo.
“I heard he (Stevie Wonder) was at a club, and I rushed over, and he was coming out with his brother,” Foster says. “I told him who I was, that I had been with George — we were in our early 20s at the time — and we connected that way. It was crazy, at the Blue Point, was the name of the place.”
Foster also has been a sideman for Lionel Ritchie, Chaka Khan, Roberta Flack, David Sanborn, Grover Washington Jr., Chet Atkins and The Jacksons (he’s on the 1980 “Triumph” album). He’s also produced and performed with Latin star Chayanne.
“Musically, I don’t like to sit in one place,” he says. “I like to move around.” The fact that he is the music director for four Aussies who perform Motown standards is proof of his dexterity. One of the songs performed in the show is “Uptight,” a Motown oldie that was a hit for Wonder in 1966.
“We were born a day apart,” says the 64-year-old Foster. “I was born a day earlier than him, on May 12. I always give him a hard time because I have that one day on him. I tell him, ‘Respect your elders.’ ”
MGM Grand, a AAA Four Diamond resort, offers 5,044 rooms and suites.
MGM Grand features KÀ by Cirque du Soleil; Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club; and world-class entertainment at the Grand Garden Arena and Hollywood Theatre.
The resort offers signature restaurants by celebrity chefs including Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak, Emeril Lagasse’s New Orleans Fish House, Wolfgang Puck’s Bar & Grill and Michelin three star and Forbes Five Star restaurant, Joël Robuchon.
As part of its ongoing “Grand Renovation,” MGM Grand has remodeled all rooms and suites in its main tower and is adding several new experiences to its lineup including Hakkasan Las Vegas Restaurant and Nightclub, a new upscale dining/nightlife concept (coming in April 2013).
MGM Grand also features a state-of-the-art, non-smoking conference center, the Grand Spa, Cristophe Salon, "CSI: The Experience" and an inviting pool complex featuring the tantalizing daylife of Wet Republic.
Upscale accommodations include The Mansion, an exclusive hotel within the hotel; the luxurious two-story SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand; and The Signature at MGM Grand, a luxury all-suite, non-gaming hotel located adjacent to the main resort.
In the spirit of Venice, The Venetian is a little piece of romantic Italy right here in Las Vegas. The Venetian is an "all-suite" hotel, with rooms accented with plush linens and Italian marble. The 4,027 suites are divided into two towers: The 36-story Venetian Tower that offers guests a taste of luxurious Las Vegas and the Venezia suites, which guarantee 12 floors of high-end elegance. The top five floors are the hotel's highest level of luxury with its private access, concierge lounge, upgraded features and even a dedicated staff.
Entertainment at the Venetian includes shows such as Tim and Faith - Soul2Soul, featuring Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, and Rock of Ages.
The flagship of Venetian nightlife is TAO, an ultra-hip nightclub located inside of TAO Asian Bistro. V Bar is The Venetian's super smooth ultra lounge, made by the owners of New York City's club Lotus and Los Angeles' super swank Sunset Room.
The Venetian features 19 restaurants including Thomas Keller's award-winning French restaurant Bouchon, Mario Batali's B&B Ristorante, Aquaknox for fresh seafood and the 42,000 square foot TAO Asian Bistro. There's also the food court inside the Canal Shoppes for those looking for a quick bite.
Guests can float along The Grand Canal Shops in an authentic Italian gondola ride and pass stores like Burberry and Kenneth Cole along the way. And if you haven't caught a real celeb, on the street in Vegas, you can head over to Madame Tussauds to check out a wax version.
Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at Twitter.com/JohnnyKats. Also, follow “Kats With the Dish” at Twitter.com/KatsWiththeDish.
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