Variety (May 1961)

NIGHT CLUB 54 REVIEWS Wednesday, May si, 1968, Sahara, Las Vegas ia well paced and full of talent) to give the patrons top entertain: Las Vegas, May 23. Kay Starr, Guy Marks, Step ; ment value. Bros. 4-. .sxiantey Boys (4), Maro Landis Dancers +16:, Louts Bastt} ing. Jimmy Nolan, and Larry Stu-! mum,” produc ed by Stan| Tino, are out of Toronto and new} Orvie 6 12a; Iruin, stage direction, Sy Lein; Churevworip: yy, Moro-Landis; $4¢ » tad 2 eh ay The d+ namic Kav Starr, whose ° stron vauculisthenies, trim figure, and interesting beauty give her. provoral.ve .ex appeal not found in other femme singers, has re turnéd to the Congo Room, again. chiéking solidly. Her _ nostalgic « repertoire int Indes © ‘Ho Ho,.Ha Ha, : Me Too.’-“When a Woman Loves a Man.* ‘That's What the: Good Book Says" .and her trademark “Wheel ot Fortune” She also does “EF Really Don’t : Want to Know” and “If You Love. Me’ with a pleasing subdsed echo chamber effect. The Stanley Boys {4+ give a good blend to some. of} her numbers, and.the Louls Bast orch (12+ smoothly guides the festivities. Guy Marks is back for this one, getting appreciative yocks for his offbeat type of humor. His outlandish impresh of an ostrich, and takeoffs on “The Unbearables” tv program and a radio band singer are Standonts. In questionable taste is his inclusion of Gary Cooper and ITumphrey Bogart impreshes, otherwise the turn is blue chip. The oft-imitated Step Bros., an extremely hard act to follow, is sandwiched. and as usual their rapid-fire footwork plus . comedy | movement and dialog gets brisk applause. Holdover Moro-Landis: producttion number balances the:Stan Erwin production, fn for four weeks. . . The Cloister. L. A. Hollywood, May 24. Phyllis Diller, Frank : D’Rone, Geri Galian Orch ¢8); $2.50 cover per person, two drink minimum. Strip club {fs offering a happy balance of comedy and song with the combination of comedienne Phyllis Diller and singer Frank D’Rone. It's a blend of the new and the featured. Mrs. Diller is crashing the L.A. scene for the first time but D’Rone has been Cloister-ed for several. engagements before, though this is his first time as a feature attraction. lin Phyllis Diller is from the lost ! tribe of female stand-up comics | and the way the breed ‘has scati ‘tered she can claim a virtual mo-! nopoly. She delivers a running The three Hi-Lites, Harry Hard-: in these parts. They embellish the | three part harmony with well done special material and make: their’ !25 minutes very listenable. * ‘When ‘ Vaude Was King” is a vehicle for : “Ye ‘Littie. Ciab, WAS ~ o7 “Beverly Hills, May 23.. ‘contented customers.. Donati, .. Laura Devon,’ Ric Marlow, . ceptionally versatile. on the 88, disEdujrdo’ Sasson; two drink mini-; plays his pianistie talents ‘both ‘two. weeks, her -fourth,.-at -this:'ment) to Dimitri ‘Tiomkin’s [ Canon Drive den and she’s sharing ; “Green: Leaves of Summer.” the billing. with singer Ric Marlow | and guitarist Eduardo Sasson who ! Ithat. should: keep. room filled with. 7 exe | classically and pop-wise on re-: ; | pertoire which ranges from. 'Bach’s |: Laura ‘Devon chalks up. another: Brandenburg Concerto (fifth move| “Flame Room, Mpls. ‘Minneapolis, May 26, 7 Nino Nanni, Dolores Perry, Dane. ny Ferguson ¢ Orch MMs ‘$1. 30-92-51 50 cover, ny While currant fortnighter-k here ‘dg. -first : for Nino Nanni and Dolores. ve LP . Donati’s: Keyboard abilities: are erry since this elégantHotel. Rad { first-rate. “His modern, up-tempo’ dia isson nitery was revamped .a year. g6,;both:were familiar: acts in the: . a quartet of songs | fr om the nostal. joiried her for their: first Stint.versions of ‘some longhair humbers / ‘ote Flame : “Room. ‘Pair. havewon. a gic era of vaude greats, and “Rock ; ‘n’ Roll Around the World” shows them in songs of many’ -nations. ‘ “I May Never Pass This Way Again” closes on a ballad note. {| Noian has the lead. singer role, | Harding the tenor, and Sturino the bass, all of their work. being togeth-' -er and registering nicely. Davis & Reese are among the! favorite regulars here. This time. they do all their surefire routines, | plus some new bits and. twists to! ' the established comedy.. One of ' the funniest acts. in recent years, I they are making their way into, the ranks of the all-time comedy Preats. Their “Cavaleade of Sports,” with Reese as the straight sports announcer and Davis as the punchy fighter, is straight howls.-}: There’s a lot of new fun in the} “Hollywood Glamour Gal” bit with |" Davis working himself to a frazzle as the line boy and Reese taking. the bows as the glamour puss. The: sequences with Davis telling Reese how to sing keeps the laughs rolling, ‘and there closer with the drum duet and the terps atop the drums fs sock. One of the best. of the Eddy shows {n recent months, it: stays. ‘through June 8. Quin. Sugar Hill, S.F. ; San Francisco, May 24. Barbara Dane, Kenny Whitson, Wellman Braud; no cover: no mini. 2 | mum, This fs a new club on Broadway {n North Beach, the real night spot |: area of this city as of now. It. opened last Tuesday. (23) to a good: press and a packed house.. It features co-owner Barbara Dane as vocalist, backed by the WhitsonBraud piano and bass duo. Club policy will eventually. bring in. other traditional jazz and blues performers but not until mid-sum; mer. . Kenny Whitson, who plays piano ' and occasionally blows ‘trumpet ‘obligato to Miss Dane’s vocals, is: also featured as intermission vo ‘calist, He sings blues and jazz tunes na southern, accent with a certain | charm and gift for phrasing. His piano is in the Style of traditional i blues and affords a good intermission act for Miss Dane. especially when . accompanied by veteran.| stream of short gags centered | wetiman Braud, still a strong bass around her own funny foibles and occasionally lapses inta a long maniacal monolog like, “How to stuff a turkey through the beak.” Comic doesn’t rely on material alone as she baeks it up with rubbery facial twists, tongue protrusions and fiendish, diaphragmatic laughter while she waves, like a baton, an unlit blue cigarette in a long holder. She looks like a leprechaun outfitted by Saks Fifth Ave. and she capitalizes on her appearance as she bats home one sight and think joke after another. She’s ridiculous as she {+ hilarious. Mother ‘tof five) Diller did her undergraduate nitery ‘work at Frisco’s Purple Qnion and on tv some 30 times as an adoptees on the “Jack Paar Show.” Second round audience opening night was appreciative, but not tao hep. Frank D’Kone is. a full voiced, no gimmicks. song-belter. He knows the Cloister course and is. very much at home here. His straightforward, tempo changing delivery and his fine. firm, vocal control niches him in as one of the best ballad-jazz st) lists. D’Rone’| handles a guitar (standard equipment these days) with tremendous versatility and his strumming of “Malaguena’ is a must hear-see for ring<ider,s. Geri Galian's eitht’ piece orchestra, a hovse Steady, provides reliabie sound for dancing and backirg. Duo Dilier booked tor three wereks. wr Hart. Edldyvs", K. €. Kansas Cily, May 26. Pepror Dea ws & Tony Reese, Hiit ar Bi HW lia: us Orch 16); $t 30-38 2 Cordes Seldom was a better rounded shew seen hore. This bill includes Pepper Davis & ‘Tony~Reese on their sixth stand in the room, and the Hi-Lites on thei first date hereabouts. The nearly 60 minutes and D‘Rone is 7 player after 30 years. Miss Dane is a strong-voiced | woman whose specialty.is presentation of songs formerly associated with veterans blues singers like Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey and Ida. Cox. She accompanies. hefsélf on guilar -andhandles the emcee. chores when on stage. Her voice ‘is rich and powerful and her material is good, but she suffers from an occupational haz: ard: too much ‘chatting down to the audience which seriously inteér-. feres with her impact as a per former and gives a surface: {mpression of amateurism which" could: well be eliminated. Costumed a la the Roaring Twenties, she and, especially when accompanied by Whitson’s muted trumpet ob ligato, gets a fine mood of nostal| gia invoked. Club looks like a winner. There’s. room for its style of entertainment. It’s in a good spot and.is attractive-. ty lai laid out Rafe. Lopez A Showman: Is Taft Hotel? Vincent Lopez, the longtime dansapation steward in the ample. | and moderately-priced | ‘Taft Hotel (N.Y.) Grill,’ and ever. alert to masterminding a series of. one-shot. national “salute” sessions from the. Taft bandstand that's profitable ail around for the half-hour’s network airing. with plugs accorded. by CBS. salesmanship, ~ is Radio. Office. last two having donated and. parfum gifts-for the messicurs et mesdames payees.: Between terp sets, an accordionist took’ the floor in. ‘smock: and beret, and that was about. as atmospheric ‘as things’ ‘got. Seems a sound enough project, what. with showmanship for the: Grill. clientele wouldn’t hurt. Menu; for ex-: ample, could.spotlight'a national cordionist could have roamed the. TOOT. instead of merely: sauntering the dance floor. For a few bucks, the ‘Taft management .cou have lent an assist that might have made beaucoup (vive la) difter ence. | watered. down, but ‘it ‘didn’t de| |tract. one drop. from ‘his stand. 7 type in* the. late ‘Jobn . Garfield. Taylor on bass rate. hefty ‘plaudits | i? imum. ‘I solos, induces community sing| ing and clapping for. varfous tines ' Preemer: last: Thursday (18) “saluted” France, with: “subsequent once-a-month nosegays due other ‘friendly ‘nations. kickoffer, melodically keyed to the ‘Paris ‘hit parade,. brought: out reps from the Paris UN staff, Air France. and the French. Tourist. : Judging..from. the abundant ‘audi-; 2% Fleasant innovations, © , ence accolades,’ host. Marshall. Ed-} Among his contrasting selections ; Son has a.terrific triumvirate. are ““€oma Prima, a,” | -‘Sasson,.a native of Coloiabia, for| Ciao. Ciao Bambino’ and jmer‘UN European interpreter and Domenticar” for those who wanted master of 10 languages, is making the Htalian touch for one set. He his professional debut. and! ‘opelis full hour and ‘a half spin, He. registers big’-with ‘ fine: musicianship , : and. folk: vocalizing: His guitar. handling is fluld, .gen‘sitive: and often. stretches into the the comic, ‘as he plays instrument. on top: of his. head, like a-pendulum’. . improyisations | and as| Harpo Marx might. tackle ‘setting ‘audio: moods. ‘with his crea “Fascination,” “But: Not Fer. Me” applause. rf ‘He sings in French, Spanish, |tive phrasing and interpretations Hebrew ‘and Greek,-scoring high in on thematic construction, He does ,last two. with a rousing version of: _not .demean. his numbers with in “Haava Nagila” and-“Never on-Sun--. troductions nor does he sing.He's: day" sung with. the uncensored _Tugged-looking, ‘with Greek lyrics.. . Miss Devon socks along fa sultry ; visual personality: assets: as covered. here -earlier. : masculine, style, ‘tract since her initial opening. casual, personable, free’ style, Jazzy | .week option;. and will: Probably |moted. Singer has strong: table-. ‘tion at’ opening. . Donati will apolds it tight ; Peal to fatrons. who enjoy musical’ -side’ contact and hex throughout his turn. ‘He suffered a:™oods superbly performed with few dry throat spells, which ‘he Shadings and ee: ; : * Ho 3. Actor-singer is a good’ character |: Steuben’s,. Reston. Boston, May ‘235. : . Jackie. Vernon, Heller. & Helerie . (2), Don Dennis, Tony Bruno Orch i (5); $2. 00 minimum, vein Joe Felix at the: keys and Dick | ‘for backing which they et. Hart. dary, Workshep,. ©.F, “San Francisco, May 23.-James’ ‘Moody orch. .¢7), Eddie | packed with. partyites, Jeberson; “NO: cover, two drink min: ‘Next to the. last. ‘show ‘for. the | ‘freres Max and Joe Schneider in' merits. June brides-to-be and early : a ++ grad. parties. Jackie: Vernon, of} —_— {the -relaxed “comic ‘school, has ‘to! stable commodity in the jazz ‘mar: ' ket. ‘combining a. consistent hard ‘core jazz fan.draw. with an ability: . |.to please the walk-in traffic which| ‘Vernon: takes his time: with his. 1 hits ano ecover-—no admission: joint “material, and gets: off: some: snap: Wke, thts and is. the basis of its | pers as he “warms. ‘up. AC flukey , laved: action routines. a sets. run smoothly: and effectively | and .aré well paced.’ He: is’ an ex-ceptional. soloist. on. the ‘tenor: and flute -himself, ‘and. the. band has a solidly | driving | style ‘that: is. very. ; exciting. i “Don. Dennis All: the singing s ot | Trumpeter Howard MeGhee, now. | with polish. and: “eclat; inging spot on the. comeback trail.after several: out a : years’: -absence from the jazz scene, . is. the other. ‘instrumental soloist of strength. — |. Eddie J efferson. is the ploneer of ‘the vocalists who set lyrics to jazz. ticated ballroom’ intros, séqueing : pre-dating . Lambert-Hen| into spin and twirls. Femme look dricks-Ross and King Pleasure by. er,.{n lilac gown, and partner win ‘some’ years. he leads the. orch in. ‘pantomtme as. it plays “‘Old Man River.” Partylites tend him. a. nice. Tound of ap; plause. Helene, perfectly: synchronized ' terpers, are expert in their. sophis cluding © “several : famed. Charlie . ‘cha cha, © t Parker’ solos’such as .“‘Kansas. City | A Tony Bruno and his boyé cut the ; Blues” and. Miles Davis’ “So What” | show with verve... : among the newer jazz standards. f ‘good. bet for those clubs: still ‘fight: : g iB ing the problem of a 52 week book: .:. ing schedule of jazz: Moody: can! is serve asa handy. two-week filler |: anywhere. a Rafe. | y. ~ Strawhat Loop di: Continued ‘from’ Page 58 — Wwoo ‘May 21. | Dino Donati; no cover or mini| A mun. : F taine. Blea on" i ae unusual “pooking ©: wil be } | Phyllis McGuire of. the McGuire: “For his: intimate Champagne. Sisters who will break away from Room, owner. Albert Califano. has.| the family act this summer for solo ‘an Italian. import. Dino Donati. Trio SS | signed ‘for a date at the ‘Valley | ‘| Forge Music. Fair. Aug. 14 (“Annie Get. Your Gun,”. She'll: return to the. sisters’ act in the fall. |-performers into barns .and .sum+ mer theatres is a happy development ‘for agencies. .For one: thing "| general feeling that the barns: and . The’. Gallic . tents provide. their. clients a show ‘into. films and/or a tv. series. oster :decorations. plus key ring. ]. P P gS... respects: provides. a degree: of. em= resort hotels. who were offered jobs in various. barns turned. them: dewna ‘in favor dish; and in this instance the ac"'} of. better paying hotel ‘stands. In‘ ‘) the Catskills, . for: example, : ‘some. the. broadeast exposure; but ‘some _ also does “TeaFor Two Cha-Cha” and “Smoke Gets In Your Eves” jin varying styles and‘ tempues,in;. ‘cluding. a mituetwhich had. the audience. bursting into spontaneous |’ Donati. intermixes a. few. of ‘his | | -among . numbers, ‘erew cut and big. grin, adding. to. = | onstrates his versatility on the 88° =; Lighting is maneuvered by, -bas-.| With. such ‘bits. ‘as the Whiisieat ca Singer has’ captured a fat U-I con; sist. who adjust spots to.:reflect _— . ; musical. mood throughout ‘the vari-. Ric Marlow --hits. high as he US 10-15 minute. sets. -Act ‘Is. swings across eight numbers in-the booked’ for .two weeks .with. two | ceptionally © good” and ‘she | | tablesitters: for ‘some Pleapant Tiss. : | tening. their ‘pleasant “450-seater {s jam} following t two weeks. -engage-. Lo rs | The: ‘James Moody band fs t.; battle ‘noisé and-chatter of cele|: , brants as: he goes: through a series g | Cannon. Orch (615 nO” cover oF, . of one-liners, sight gags and. de| minimum. we +eotnet bit ‘helps set ‘the: and “seems “in need ‘Moody is. a‘disefplinarian;: “the | he’s got: a “lar out. he--pace and new material. -Yet “some. of puzzling.. Donning a. fright: mask, {| He is featured each : with a slick “Flirtation Walk” then: set ..in : ‘two. ‘or three: numbers, in| close to. boft returns with | a hotsy J slick Job. -This session. exits. June. 7: “and |° _ ‘The Moody. band: looks like .a {final show for the boite opens ‘June. : = sion, two ‘drink minimum: dates 8 algo o being sifted: by General ventures in stoek.: -Sheé’s been: i is in. }. This. tendency. to steer variety 1 {many of: the. Juerative summer | ‘nitery bookings-are on the down-.| | beat: Thepercenters ‘also have the | \.case whith. may ultimately lead: ployment . petition ta the. summer. Some performers | ‘.f acts. are able to do as many aS’ three hotels: a ‘night.-at salaries. ‘| well over those: offered: by tents...) large. following. and drew an: en: thusiastic ‘crowd, . opening. . *. Duo-is alge. the: first: to. split. ‘bil ing’ in this spot. Teaming well together, pair provides first-rate performance: with Mss Perry. serving iup: ‘nifty: “vocal. ‘acrobaies Nanni. . Supplying complementing: light touch: . Nanni, who Heads ‘overseas ‘fora six-week European. ‘tour after: wind. ing up here, is particularly at home in-this supper: club. ‘Spotting. sev-.: ‘eral. familiar faces. among first: "*. nighters, he gets: patrons into. tne” _ act With frequent. “‘namedropping. and sly.local references... ‘He's one performer : who plays to an. auddence, not. just for it. He. also.-dem-.. “Story: of. a: Piano.” “pipes -capable. of filling ‘an: auiditorjum; Miss Perry: does. a-neat job — ‘warbling w.k. tunes. from: current... Broadway’ musicals’ as well . aS ao oe, SW hile -.-. there is nothing special about most tas couple . ‘Atalian’* nambers. of: her ‘material, her voice” is’ ex| treats" First. show. ‘running: pver-an. ‘nour. . because. of -heavy: miiting: and en efeores by. both. stars, was ‘a ‘it: long. and ‘likely will--be “trimmed at. subsequent. . performances: Nannt lt and -Miss ‘Perry remain through June 7. . -Deedy' and: Bill ; are. next in “for: Rees. “piddtanids, MoastonHouston, May 23, AL Bernie is. an: “engaging comie : who ‘draws good response in opens. er, ‘here. despite fact he. at. times ‘héartiest:. yocks come... from. ‘the oldies, and who can. criticize .suc|. cess? . He was onstage 33: minutes. .-. Thrush Barbara Russell opens .” show. ‘and her’ .opening. . “This. Could ‘Be: the Start of Something Ln ‘might ‘well .deseribe ‘her. © i Big,” slick “June Is Busting Out !‘She. has -nicepipes and-can “belt,” ‘All Over” and “I. Love Paris.” He., and .also has -more. than’ just a” winds up to’ big mitting, Heller & touch of that rarity, » the. ability. to wees i feel” ‘a@song. : 2 “Perhaps ‘the’ best | ‘moiients’ ot: | her “23minutes: come during. a. | Rodgers ‘&. Hart medley, “Funny. Valentine” and:“Spring Is Here.” AC well-endowed blonde © looker, .. ‘Miss © ‘Russell. was well: ° Tecetved.. file The Don: ‘Cannon’ oreh. again. does Skip. Biack Hawi <S: . ae ’ San-Franciscs, May 23... °Ofcar: Peterson: Tris: $1. "admis_ : Osear‘Peterson’ s return’ ‘to this a longtime stronghold. of jazz brought :}out the.customers. ‘In: droves and * .. looks like it-will-continue.to do so". + during. his three-week, Fun (singer Jeri ‘Southern opens. June 13}. -The. Peterson:. trio 1§ .now-. ac i knowledged ‘as ofte.of. the top box: . ‘office draws in: jazz-and its appeal -~ Tests on’ several factors, Peterson. ‘himself “a consistently: ‘exeiling® ‘pianist when -he is a: stomper and. ‘a consistently delightful’ soloist.” “when. he. ‘plays: melodically... _‘His bassist, -Ray, :Brown,.. is: ‘one . of the very. few: ‘practioners on that. “instrument whi can hold. an -audi‘ence's ..altention: . The: drummer, . ‘Ed Thigpen. combines ‘swing with. a sense. of. dynamic almost unique in. fecords.:and. numerous ‘concert ap‘pearances’ have: helped’. build up. _ their. audienre until ‘the group is” “The ‘strawhatcircuit in some Bree ae now:: Buaranteed, ‘hox-oFice. in any” Jazz. club. Particularly effective vin’. performance: are such: tunes. as: “Con. Alma," “My Funny Vatentine” and: tunes with which Peterson has. ° ‘associated .himself..“It's been. a‘: Jean spring-at the Black Hawk ‘but : Peterson's, three-week stint should. | niake at, fatter. : wt Rafe. 4 3 ‘largest... preem’ a Sorrento. i turnout in. some time, ‘for their’ Liy ion: a aid. _ ‘AL Bernie, ‘Barbara: Russell, Don: * 7 of..a booster shot =... The’ ‘result ‘is a ‘first-rate: crowd: vet pleasing musical’ act. Their Verve on the whole litany of Broadway show:.