Columnist Joe Delaney: Book by late Las Vegan offers glimpse into big band era

"LET'S DANCE" is an extremely well-written, carefully edited documentation of popular music in the 1930s, published by Oxford University Press. ... The author is the late Arnold Shaw, founder of UNLV's Research Center for Popular Music. ... Bill Willard, who succeeded Shaw as executive director of the Research Center after Show's death in 1989, is credited as editor.

Shaw was a triple winner of the prestigious Deems Taylor-ASCAP awards and author of numerous books on popular music, plus biographies of Frank Sinatra and Harry Belafonte. ... Octogenarian Willard is a respected critic and columnist, actor, author, sculptor and arts authority.

With the renewed interest in the 1930s big bands -- Goodman, Shaw, Miller, etc. -- this book is the best-written account yet of the music of the 1930s and the birth of the swing era.

Anent Jazz

Sad news: The Tenth & Last Jerome Jazz Party will be held at the Hotel Jerome in Aspen, Colo., Oct. 9-11, with world-class pianists Ralph Sutton and Dick Hyman playing and directing, plus such stalwarts as Dave McKenna, Bob Haggart, Jack Lesberg, Jake Hanna, Frankie Capp and other top players. ... Call (970) 925-7164 or Sunnie Sutton at (303) 838-4240 for tickets and details, attendance is limited.

There will be an Irvine, Calif., Marriott West Coast Jazz Party, Sept. 4-6, with an equally strong list of musicians, all performances on one stage plus a Sunday Jazz Cruise. ... Call (949) 724-3602.

Locally, Friday's jazz is at Pogo's; Sunday noon at the Santa Fe and 5:30-9:30 p.m. at Carollo's; and Mondays with Don Menza (Riviera). ... Marv Koral's All-Stars, Sunday at Carollo's, has had Chuck Mangione, Vince Falcone, Don Menza and Joe Castro on the stand recently.

Star-policy rundown

It's George Carlin-Dennis Blair (Bally's); Luther Vandross (Caesars Palace); David Gates, Saturday only (Flamingo-Hilton); Mickey Finn Show (Gold Coast); "Elvis -- The Concert" (LV Hilton); Siegfried & Roy (Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); Righteous Brothers (Orleans); Danny Gans (Rio); Coasters, Drifters and Platters (Sahara) and Dorothy Hamill, starring in "Enter The Night" (Stardust).

Bonnie Saxe's long-running success, "Showgirls of Magic," closes this weekend at the San Remo. ... It deserves a new home here. ... The "Patsy Cline Tribute" returns to the Gold Coast for another extended run on Aug. 18.

The Riviera Comedy Club is hot this week with "Unhappily Ever After" TV star Stephanie Hodge, Sept. 14-16 only, plus Ron Shock, Randy Credico and Jimmy Dore, in through Sunday. ... Credico manages a New York City comedy club and is a political activist.

More comedy

It's multi-talented James Stephens III, Chris Alpine and Ted (Harrah's Improv); Tim Jones, Bill Bauer and John Manfellotti (Comedy Max) and Nick Lewin's Comedy Magic at 1 and 3 p.m. (Maxim); The Legendary Wid and Chris Coccia (MGM's Catch a Rising Star) and Kenny Rogerson, Ronnie Bullard and Nick Crom (Tropicana Comedy Stop).

Norma Zager, Detroit's answer to the late Totie Fields, offers a free Cooking and Comedy Show, Tuesdays at 1 and 3 p.m., during August in the Fiesta Hotel's Cabo Lounge. ... She has her own cookie company, recommended.

Guitarist Hap Smith's small but mighty musical ensemble, backing "The History of Sex" at the Golden Nugget, deserved a listing in our recent "It Happened Last Night" review. ... Smith is the leader with Tom Ehlen, trumpet; Ralph Pressler (bass trombone); Matt Taylor, reeds; Paul Badia and Brenda Cowert, keyboards; and Jim Belk, drums.

Good moves

Steve Sonnier, after five strong years at Thomas & Mack Center, is now director of entertainment at Caesars World Entertainment, Inc. ... Daren Libonati, who successfully launched Buffalo Bill's Star of the Desert Arena, has returned as Assistant Director at Thomas & Mack. ... Daren was there in 1991 for the First LV International Mariachi Festival. ... It's good to have him back for this year's 8th annual festival.

John Taylor, original cadre with Duran Duran, brings his new group, Terroristen, to Ra, the Luxor night club, tonight at 10 ... Support the Sun Summer Camp Fund. ... See you Friday.

archive