Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

LOOKING IN ON: ENTERTAINMENT:

Mainstay of Vegas music on album up for Grammy

Local music legend Jerry Lopez will get a taste of the national spotlight at the annual Grammy Awards ceremony Feb. 8 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Lopez, a guitarist and vocalist, performed on “All That Jazz” by the New Tortilla Factory, a 16-piece group based in Austin, Texas, and led by trumpeter Tony “Ham” Guerrero. The album is nominated for Best Tejano album.

Lopez is the founder of Santa Fe, a prominent Latin, pop and jazz group based in Vegas for more than 30 years. Santa Fe and the Fat City Horns, which feature a six-piece horn section and an eight-piece rhythm section that includes four lead singers, perform free concerts Monday nights at the Palms.

Lopez has mentored countless local musicians during his career and has performed with the likes of Bill Champlin of Chicago, Ricky Martin, Tom Scott, Jay Graydon, Larry Williams and Grover Washington Jr.

He performed on the guitar and sang in the first Latin Grammy show for the “Tribute to Tito Puente” segment as part of the “super band” that included musical greats Celia Cruz, Michele Camilo, Gloria Estefan, Carlos Santana, Arturo Sandoval, David Sanchez, Cheito, Cachao and Sheila E.

Lopez has been the musical director of many production shows, bands and touring acts. For six years he performed with Clint Holmes’ orchestra at Harrah’s.

‘Cool Yule’ in B.C.

The Red Mountain Music Company will present a “Cool Yule” concert Saturday in Boulder City.

The Red Mountain Youth Choir, directed by Stephanie Bare, will perform songs such as “A Marshmallow World,” “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” and “Oh, Santa.”

The nonprofit Red Mountain Music Company was founded in 1998 by Trudy Larsen, who recruited vocalists from the community, including from local churches, to sing Handel’s “Messiah” during the holiday season. Since then, it has evolved into one of Southern Nevada’s largest community-based musical performing arts organizations.

Red Mountain Music Company offers a variety of programs for singers. The nonauditioned Red Mountain Youth Choir (established in October 2003) is open to all singers ages 8-15 (unchanged voices). Red Mountain Choir (established in August 1998) is a nonauditioned choir for adults, welcoming all singers into its ranks. During a concert season, the choirs rehearse weekly.

Details: 5:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday; Los Angeles Water and Power Building Auditorium, 600 Nevada Way, east of where Nevada Highway meets Buchanan Boulevard; $10; 294-0043, redmountainmusic.org. Tickets may also be purchased at the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce, 465 Nevada Way.

Around town

The Dennis Bono Show, a syndicated radio show taped Thursdays at Sam’s Town, now is being heard in the Dallas area. The hourlong program, which mingles talk with performances by some of the nation’s top entertainers, has aired on various stations for nine years. The program can be heard locally at 6 p.m. Fridays on KUNV 91.5 FM and at 11 p.m. Fridays and 8 p.m. Sundays on KDWN 720 AM. The show’s regular cast includes vocalist Corrie Sachs, announcer Scott O’Neil and the Bob Rozario Ensemble. Past guests have included Steve Lawrence, Paul Anka, Tony Orlando, Wayne Newton, The Smothers Brothers, Frankie Avalon, Bobby Rydell, Rita Rudner and The Platters ... Philippine recording star Imelda Papin headlines a show Dec. 27 at the Orleans. Her special guests will be “bubble gum” band the Archies, featuring co-founder Ron Dante. (8:30 p.m. Dec. 27; the Orleans; $40; 365-7075) ... Guest comedians are filling in for Kevin Burke, star of “Defending the Caveman,” at his stand-up comedy gig at Fitzgeralds’ Fitz of Laughter comedy room. Tanyalee appears tonight and Brad Tassel from Thursday-Monday. (8:45 nightly; $29.95 to $39.95. For information, call 388-2400.)

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