Columnist Joe Delaney: Local trombone great featured at annual concert

CARL FONTANA, a longtime Las Vegan, ranks among the top trombone virtuosi in the world. ... Arguably, he is also the best jazz trombonist playing today. ... Fontana will be one of four featured soloists at 2 p.m. Sunday in the "76+4 Trombones Scholarship Benefit Concert" in UNLV's Artemus Ham Hall. ... This is the concert's 14th year, with all proceeds going to UNLV's Abe Nole Scholarship Fund.

Nole was one of our town's most popular musicians. ... When he put up his horn for the final time in 1985, several local trombonists got together and organized a mass trombone concert in his honor.

Each year, trombonists from all over the country come here to donate their time and participate in the concert. ... There could be as many as 100 trombonists onstage, performing a special program of light classical selections and great jazz standards.

Anent Fontana

Carl was born in Monroe, La., on July 18, 1928, studied music with his band leader father and grew up to be featured with both the Woody Herman and Stan Kenton orchestras. ... Carl was a winner from the start; his early influences were Jack Teagarden and J.J. Johnson. ... He is a classic technician who plays with heart and an understated sense of humor.

We take pride in our part of bringing Fontana to Las Vegas in 1955 as part of the Al Belletto Sextet for a "Battle of the New Orleans Styles," with the Dukes of Dixieland representing tradition and the Belletto Sextet as the "new" New Orleans sound.

Fontana can also be found 5-9 p.m. Sundays at Carollo's Restaurant as part of Marv Koral's All-Stars along with Carl Saunders, Joe Romano, Gus Mancuso, Rudi Aikels and Santo Savino; each with extensive jazz credentials locally, nationally and internationally.

More soloists

Joining Fontana as Ham Hall soloists on Sunday: L.A. recording artist Bill Tole; local favorite Jim Fitzgerald; and Steve Slater, a protegee of the great Si Zentner, often featured in these concerts in the past. ... Fitzgerald is the leader of the Sorta Dixie Jazz Band, heard from noon-6 p.m. weekdays in the Gold Coast Lounge.

Comedian, musician and in charge of lounge entertainment at the Orleans Hotel, Cork Proctor will add humor to the emcee chores. ... Cork has one of the fastest comedic minds in the business.

Advance admission ticket prices are $10, with students, seniors and military at $7. ... Ticket prices Sunday at the box office will be $12 and $9. ... Ticket costs are tax-deductible, and all of it goes to a very good cause. ... So do some good, and enjoy. ... If the trombone is your favorite musical instrument, this is the place to be.

Other happenings

Close by Ham Hall, in UNLV's intimate Black Box Theatre, also at 2 p.m. Sunday, will be a performance of Maxim Gorky's classic "The Summer People." ... Friday and Saturday performances are at 8 p.m. ... Nevada Opera Theatre's "Soiree de Halloween" is tonight at 7 in Caesars Palace's Emperors Ballroom, featuring Nevada Opera Theatre artists and the Lezlie Anders orchestra, guest starring Buddy Greco.

Sunset Station will be the site for a "Brew-Ha-Ha -- Fall Beer Festival," 1-9 p.m. Saturday. ... Entertainment will be by The Untouchables, Tone Loc and Tommy Rocker. ... Admission charge is $20.

Saturday night (actually 1 a.m. Sunday) Golden Rainbow will host a bowling competition in the Gold Coast Bowling Center, with prizes for best costumes as well as high and low scores. ... Golden Rainbow's work with AIDS and HIV victims is vital to this community.

A few reminders

Open House and Ranch Family Reunion, starting at 8 a.m. Sunday, St. Jude's Ranch For Children in Boulder City. ... The Westcare Tribute Dinner is Sunday, starting at 6 p.m., Flamingo-Hilton's Sunset Ballroom; dinner is at 7. ... The Godfather of Soul, James Brown, performs at 8 p.m. Sunday, Buffalo Bill's Star of the Desert Arena; Las Vegan Tomi Rae opens for Brown. ... Enjoy. .. See you next Thursday.

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