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3 Notes from the Board LVJS Upcoming Events 4 Where the Is… 5 Community Events 6 Membership/Renewal Application 7 Spotlight 8 Meet the Artists 10 Remembering and Reflecting… Back Cover: Memories of old

LVJS OFFICERS PRESIDENT Shawn Whitmer V. PRESIDENT Michael Spicer SECRETARY Molly Redfield TREASURER Betty Cleveland

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Ryan Baker Evelyn Chavers Shawna Pennock

EXEC. COORDINATOR Judy Tarte

2018 ADVISORY BOARD Pete Barbutti Tom Hall Gus Mancuso Lorraine Hunt David Loeb Carl Saunders

CONSULTANTS Dave Rowell Frank Leone Sara Brickner Make sure to check out our website at

JAZZNOTES

EDITOR Judy Tarte www.LVJS.org ASSOCIATE EDITOR Shawn Whitmer

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Michael Spicer or join us on social media. Spotlight: Next Generation

CONTRIBUTORS: Cara Froelich Carlos Holguin Curt Miller

PHOTOGRAPHY: Ed Foster Web files

SUBSCRIPTION is offered through membership. Go to lvjs.org for details. If you have any questions about this magazine or would like to place an ad in the future, please email us: [email protected]. Deadline for publication is the 1st of the month prior to issue date. Send USPS mail to: JAZZNOTES , Editor, P.O. Box 60396, Las Vegas, NV 89160. LVJS MESSAGE LINE: (702) 313-6778. LVJS WEBSITE: lvjs.org. JAZZNOTES Is published bi-monthly by the Las Vegas Jazz Society, a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation. 2

Our first "Town Hall" membership meeting of 2019 took place on March 31st at the Bootlegger. We would like to thank everyone that attended and gave feedback, we are optimistic about our future and happy you are a part of it. Let's keep the conversation going! If you are a member and want your voice heard, please contact us via our hotline, email or mail and we will get back to you as quickly as we can. As was announced at the meeting, we will be bringing back membership cards. Advantages of the new cards will include discounts on JazzEd and Downbeat magazine subscriptions, as well as select retail establishments and restaurants. If there is a location you would like to see included in this or know of a business that might be interested in becoming a corporate sponsor, please contact us.

We are happy to report that we are utilizing our 501(c)(3) nonprofit status more than ever. LVJS is now listed with Charles Schwab as a music and jazz nonprofit charitable organization, and we have already received our first $500 donation from one of their clients. You can also find us listed on the official Amazon charitable organization list. Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service. Support the LVJS by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com and follow the online instructions.

A reminder to High School and College students: The deadline for our scholarships is coming so please submit your applications to [email protected].

We thank the members for their ongoing support and look forward to growing and preserving this organization going forward.

LVJS Board

LAS VEGAS JAZZ SOCIETY PRESENTS

Sunday Jazz at the Bootlegger Bistro

April 7, 2019 – 2-4 pm Carl Saunders Featuring Tateng Katindig on Piano

$15 LVJS members/ $18 general admission; tickets can be purchased on-line at www.lvjs.org

May 4, 2019 – 6-9 pm Jazz in the Courtyard Featuring the Society Jazz Band A benefit for the Epicenter Food Bank

Presented in cooperation with the Las Vegas Jazz Society Christ Church Episcopal 2000 So. Maryland Parkway, LV, NV 89104 Tickets $20.00, $25 at the door (includes complimentary hors d’oeuvres) For further information call 702-430-9898 3 WHERE THE JAZZ IS …

Baobab Stage in Town Square Historic Fifth Street School 6587 S. Las Vegas Blvd, LV 89119  baobabstage.com 401 S. Fourth St.  artslasvegas.org  (702) 229-ARTS Brio's Patio — Tivoli Village Italian American Club Lounge 420 S. Rampart, LV 89145  (702) 433-1233 2333 E Sahara Ave  (702) 457-3866 The Bootlegger Bistro Lounge at the Plaza 7700 Las Vegas Blvd. S, LV.  BootleggerLasVegas.com  1 S. Main St., LV 89101  (702) 386-2110 (702) 736-4939 Luna Lounge - Jazz and Blues Thursdays Cafe Berlin 3057 Las Vegas Blvd S., LV  (702) 462-9991  4850 W Sunset Rd Suite100-105, LV 89118  lunalasvegas.com (702) 875-4605  [email protected] Osaka Restaurant/Bar Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf 10920 S. Eastern Ave., Henderson 3645 S Town Center Dr. #101 W., LV 89135  Piazza Lounge in the Tuscany Hotel (702) 785-0419 255 E Flamingo Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89169  Container Park (Downtown) (702) 893-8933 707 Fremont Street, LV 89101  downtowncontainerpark.com Pizzeria Monza  (702) 637-4244 6020 W. Flamingo Rd. Suite 10, LV 89103  (702) 749-5959 The Cromwell Bound Bar Red Rock Casino - Rocks Lounge 3595 Las Vegas Blvd. S., LV 89109  (702) 777-3777 11011 W. Charleston Blvd., LV 89135  CSN - Cheyenne Campus (702) 797-7130 3200 East Cheyenne Ave., NLV 89030  Performing Arts The Smith Center: Myron’s Cabaret Jazz Center ticket Office: (702) 651-LIVE (5483) 361 Symphony Park Ave., LV 89106  thesmithcenter.com  Ron DeCar's Event Center (702) 749-2000 1201 Las Vegas Blvd. South, LV 89104  The Space vivalasvegaseventcenter.com  (702) 453-8451 3460 Cavaretta Court, LV 89103  thespacelv.com  The Dispensary Lounge (702) 903-1070 2451 E. Tropicana Ave., LV 89121  Starbright Theatre thedispensarylounge.com  (702) 458-6343 2215 Thomas Ryan Blvd., LV 89134.  E-String Bar and Pizzeria information at scscai.com, click "News & Events” 2013 W. Sunset Rd., Henderson 89014  Texas Station (702) 437-8764 2101 Texas Star Ln., NLV 89032  texasstation.com  (702) El Cortez Hotel & Casino 631-1000 600 W. Fremont Street, 89101  (702) 385-5200 UNLV: Judy Bayley/Black Box/Ham Hall Theaters Flamingo Library Theater 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy., LV 89154  UNLV ticket pricing and 401 E. Flamingo Rd., LV 89119  (702) 507-3400 information is available through UNLV PAC Box Office at German American Social Club of (702) 895ARTS 1110 E. Lake Mead Blvd. North Las Vegas, LV 89030  West Las Vegas Arts Center germanamericanclubnv.com 947 W Lake Mead Blvd, LV  (702) 229-4800 Harrah's piano bar - Harrah's Las Vegas The Winchester Cultural Center Located at the casino exit, next to Carnival Court. 3475 Las 3130 McLeod, LV 89121  (702) 455-7340 Vegas Boulevard South, LV 89109  (800) 214-9110

We need YOU, the readers, to be our eyes and ears. If you are aware of other venues that have live jazz on a regular basis or know of any of the above listed venues that have discontinued their Jazz policy, please contact [email protected] so we might update our information. At press time, the venues listed above were reported to have live jazz on a regular basis. For scheduled performances, artists and times, please use the contact information listed. Also, check evandavisjazz.com for more updated listings.

4 COMMUNITY EVENTS

GREEN VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL Jazz Ensemble 2019 Performance Schedule

April 6th - Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival - 10:30am (Monterey, CA) April 10th - Jazz Pre-Festival Concert 6:30pm (Green Valley HS Theater) April 11th - Jazz Pre-Festival Concert 6:30pm (Green Valley HS Theater) April 25th - CCSD Jazz Festival 7:00pm (Green Valley HS Theater) May 10th - Spring Jazz Concert 7:00pm (Green Valley HS Theater)

JOURNEY THROUGH JAZZ Jazz Appreciation Month

April 9 Journey Through Jazz will celebrate International Jazz Appreciation Month at the Clark County Library (1401 E Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89119) with featuring the Chaparral High School Jazz Band directed by Chris Pierson and guest artist, Carl Saunders 7 p.m. free and open to the public

COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN NEVADA Music Department

The CSN Latin Jazz Ensemble lead by Carlos Holguin will be performing along with other jazz combos for CSN’s combo concert on Sunday May 5th at 2:00pm. For further information contact the North Las Vegas CSN campus at 702-651-4000

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All memberships will expire on your membership anniversary date

MEMBERSHIP TYPE: New _____ Renewing _____

MEMBERSHIP LEVEL:

All members will receive hardcopy of bimonthly JazzNotes magazine, weekly e-mail calendar of jazz-related events, access to our website, www.LVJS.org, and reduced admission fees to LVJS-sponsored events. _____ $10 Student (Minimum number credit hours required) _____ $35 Individual _____ $45 Family (Additional family members in same residence as primary member) _____ $55 Artist Member Promotion and Support - A.M.P.S. (Includes additional family members in same residence as artist)

In addition to membership benefits (above), AMPS members will receive the following services:  Listing of jazz related events in the JazzNotes bimonthly magazine  Listing of jazz related events on the LVJS.org website calendar of events  Assistance in publicizing AMPS member events and information via social media and emails to membership  Listing in AMPS directory

PERSONAL INFORMATION (Please Print)

Last Name: ______First Name: ______If FAMILY or AMPS Membership, please include names of family members living in the same residence as member

Name: ______Name: ______

Mailing Address: ______

Telephone: ______E-mail: ______

AMPS Member Only: Please add the following information if you wish to be listed in the AMPS Directory:

Professional Name/Nickname AND/OR Name of Band: ______

Main Instrument/Skill: ______Secondary Instrument/Skill: ______

E-mail: ______Telephone: ______

Website: ______

Other Contact Info: ______

I WISH TO MAKE A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO THE LAS VEGAS JAZZ SOCIETY A 501(c)3 non-profit organization

Membership dues are not eligible for IRS tax deductions. Tax-deductible donation may be entered here. Receipt for tax purposes to be provided via e-mail or hard copy, as requested. If using same check for membership and donation, please note amount of donation.

Amount of Donation $______

For information on opportunities for sponsoring events and/or specific activities, email LVJS Marketing at [email protected]. Volunteers wanted for assistance at LVJS events. Please contact LVJS Events at [email protected]. ______

Please send application and check payable to:

‘Las Vegas Jazz Society’ or ‘LVJS’ to:

LVJS Membership Coordinator, P.O. Box 60396, Las Vegas, NV 89160

Further Information: [email protected]  Telephone Message: (702) 313-6778

NOTE: You may also join/renew membership by completing on-line application at our website, www.LVJS.org .

Revised 12 -05 -18 SPOTLIGHT

An interview with Ilai Macaggi

by Michael Spicer

Wycliffe Gordon and Elliot Mason, though their styles Green Valley High School Junior, Ilai Macaggi has differ, play with an emotional and almost primal energy caught the attention of the Jazz Society with his that draws me to their music. Additionally, Vincent outstanding jazz trombone playing, and at age 17, is Gardner’s obvious Blues influence makes his playing already a member of the Musicians’ Union. very soulful and exciting. Jazz Society: Ilai, you have been catching the attention JS: You recently became a member of the Musicians’ of the local Jazz community and have a mature sound Union. What brought this about? for someone so young. Can you speak about your experiences thus far in Jazz, and what drew you to the IM: I was recently asked to play a gig for Jazz Outreach music? Initiative, in which we will play for and educate various young crowds about influential figures in jazz. Being a Ilai Macaggi : My experiences with jazz thus far have part of this project required a Union membership. I am been nothing short of life changing. When I first began honored to have been included in this project and I look studying this art form it was like a fresh start for me. I forward to more opportunities that may come from being find Jazz to be exciting and emotionally moving, yet part of the Musician's Union. extremely challenging. It is those challenges that drive me to keep practicing and the music's ability to impact JS: Which groups do you currently play in? people emotionally that strengthens my passion for IM: I am currently a student at Green Valley High School playing. and I perform with many of the school's ensembles JS: I understand you have brothers that play in including: the Symphonic Wind Orchestra, Symphony orchestra, and that you yourself play concert Orchestra, Jazz Combo, and Advanced Jazz band. I euphonium. Considering this, what led you from this to have also been a part of groups such as the Clark Jazz trombone? County School District Honor Band, Southern Nevada Band Association's Honor Jazz Band, and the Nevada IM: When I started sixth grade and saw my brothers both All-State Jazz Ensemble join orchestra, I decided to join band due to my desire to be different from them. I wanted to be an individual. I .JS: What are your future plans in music? originally was a drummer—though not a particularly IM : I plan on studying music beyond high school and I talented one. I wanted to be in my Middle School Jazz am currently researching my options for professors and Band to play drums at my school. However, I was universities that might be a good fit for my future goals. pushed to learn trombone by my band director and Eventually, I would like to play music professionally, with eventually agreed to it. I just wanted to be as musically an emphasis on jazz performance. involved at my school as possible, so the instrument I played didn't matter. Ultimately, I agreed to play JS: Where can people hear recordings of you playing? trombone and I very quickly fell in love with the IM: There is not a substantial amount of recordings of instrument. me playing on the internet. However, my playing can be JS: Who do you listen to, and who are your influences? heard at various concerts that I take part in—mainly Green Valley High School Jazz Band concerts, as well IM: I listen to a variety of jazz players; this includes J.J. as any honor groups that I may have the privilege of Johnson, , , and many participating in. others. My biggest influences at the moment are

Wycliffe Gordon, Vincent Gardner, and Elliot Mason.

(Editor’s note: Green Valley High School Jazz performances are listed on the community events page…come out and hear this talented performer and the wonderful Green Valley ensemble… LIVE.)

7 MEET THE ARTISTS

On Sunday, April 28, in celebration of International Jazz Day and Jazz month, the Las Vegas Jazz Society will host a tribute to the legacy of the Las Vegas bands of the 50s, 60s and 70s. These musicians include alumni from the iconic swing bands of the era such as , and who settled here and helped establish the community and reputation of Las Vegas as a world renowned “Entertainment Capital.” Those unique times will be recounted in an afternoon of music and memories with road stories, vocals, jazz combos and a jam session recreated by the individuals who were on the original scene. Featured will be Pete Barbutti, the Boneheads trombone group with Curt Miller, Marlena Shaw and the Carl Saunders Sextet with additional “surprise” guests. PETE BARBUTTI Host/emcee for LVJS Tribute Concert A master comic with a talent for Jazz music, Pete is a Among his better-known routines perennial favorite of Las Vegas and “hip” audiences. He are the “4th Chair Trumpet” is known for his unique story telling routines and unusual "Cordeen School," about an musical stylings on the accordion, trumpet, piano, cigar accordion teacher who sells a lot and broom. of accordions, but whose students never seem to learn He has appeared on numerous jazz cruises, variety, talk much and a number of piano- and game shows for over 50 years and hosted his own based gags such as "tuning the show in Canada called "Pete's Place.” piano stool," and using the business-end of a plumber’s helper, stuck to the side of the piano, as a cigar holder. MARLENA SHAW Performer for LVJS Tribute Concert (Europe) began reissuing her catalog titles, and in 2017 World renowned vocalist, Akshin Alizadeh delivered two remixes of her signature MARLENA SHAW has worked "Woman of the Ghetto" track as a limited-edition single and recorded with such jazz greats on Cold Busted. The recording was spun by Gilles as , Frank Foster, Peterson and made club DJ playlists across Europe, Brown, Benny Carter and Joe Asia, and the United States. Williams. She toured with Sammy Davis Jr. for four years and graced Marlena has been prominently featured in numerous every major jazz festival in the high-profile TV commercials and movies. At her club world as well as top venues such shows, she dazzles audiences with her unique blend of as the White House, Carnegie Hall straight-ahead jazz, soul, pop, and classic R&B. and the Kennedy Center. Marlena has received many awards including the World- She was the first female artist signed to the prestigious Wide Music Lifetime Achievement Award in London and Blue Note label and recorded five albums and several was a recipient of the UNLV Artists and Entertainers Hall singles for that label. In 2014, Blue Note Records of Fame. CARL SAUNDERS Featured performer at April 7 Jazz at the Bootlegger Bistro; Musical Director, 4/28 LVJS Tribute Concert Sinatra. He also traveled as a lead Jazz listeners living in Las Vegas and the Los Angeles player with and Robert area as well as musicians worldwide have long known Goulet and with such bandleaders that Carl Saunders is one of the great trumpet players as Si Zentner, , around today. He has worked with, among others, Stan , Benny Kenton, Buddy Rich, Johnny Mandel and Claire Fischer. Goodman and Charlie Barnet. Trombone player Carl Fontana once called Saunders “the best trumpet player you’ve never heard.” In 1984, Carl moved to Los Angeles where he was soon While in Las Vegas during the 60s, 70s and early 80s, playing lead trumpet with Bill Carl played with countless show bands, including lead Holman’s Orchestra, a position he trumpet with , Tony Bennet, and Frank still holds. Saunders has also worked with 8 and the big bands of Bob Florence, Johnny Mandel, , the Phil Norman Tentet and the Dave including the Carl Saunders Be Bop Big Band, his Sextet Pell Octet. In addition, he heads his own groups and a Quartet. THE BONEHEADS Performer for LVJS Tribute Concert for their own enjoyment, rehearsing at the old Silver The Boneheads is a group Slipper in Las Vegas on the 2nd floor and sometimes at comprised of 6 trombone players Abe’s home. By the late 60s the group was rehearsing and 4 rhythm players. backstage at the Frontier Hotel and at the Town Pub on The original group was formed by Koval Lane. Abe Nole in the early 1960s. The The group stopped playing in the early 1980s and was musicians would usually work 2 not heard from again until Curt Miller reconstructed it in shows per night, 6 or 7 nights a week performing with 2011. every star on the strip from the to Elvis and the production shows. They’d then get together after hours

at the Desert Inn hotel, CURT MILLER is the leader and coordinator of the with Sigfried and Roy at BONEHEADS group. The players rotate depending on the Frontier, and the availability. The group has become known as the Johnny Haig orchestra at “ultimate trombone band” and there’s no shortage of Caesar’s Palace. During players willing to jump at the chance to play with the the 1990s he was offered group. the assistant musical It was during his time at UNLV in the music department director and contractor position at the Steve Wynn that Curt became serious about the trombone. During properties (Mirage, Treasure Island and Golden the late 1970s, Jimmy Trimble (former lead trombonist Nugget), a position he held for four years. Curt is with Buddy Rich) started using Curt as a sub at the currently lead trombone chair for the Dunes “Casino de Paris” show. Jimmy was also playing Residency at the Park Hotel. in many of the late-night bands at the old musician’s Curt also built the first recording studio at UNLV and union and started using Curt on 2nd trombone on nearly created the curriculum for the audio engineering courses all of them. These opportunities, along with an that he ultimately taught for 11 years. Over the next few internship program being run by UNLV music years he would record and produce over 200 CDs with department helped introduce Curt to the pro players in various jazz and classical artists. town and work started to increase. It was in 2007 that he was asked to re-assemble the Curt subsequently took over the lead chair on the Lewis Boneheads group for a jazz cruise and decided to keep Elias Relief Orchestra Over the following years he was it going after the cruise was over.

Tribute to the Las Vegas Musicians who backed the iconic entertainers of the 50s, 60s, and 70s.

Venue: Bootlegger Bistro Copa Room; 3770 Las Vegas Blvd, so. LV, NV 89123

April 28, 2019 from 2 to 5 pm LVJS Members - FREE General admission - $20 Reservations are a MUST. Reserve/purchase tickets online at LVJS.org

OPEN SEATING on a first come, first served basis

9 REMEMBERING AND REFLECTING… Andre Previn, whose career spanned film scores, classical and jazz died February 28, 2019. He was 89. Mr. Previn was knighted by Queen Mr. Previn worked with drummer on one Elizabeth II in 1996 and received a of the first jazz albums of a Broadway score, for “My Fair Kennedy Center Honor in 1998. He Lady” (1956), which sold hundreds of thousands of won 11 Grammy awards over half a copies. century — for his film music, for the Throughout Mr. Previn’s life, it was generally agreed that records he made with jazz ensembles there were more daring jazz musicians, more original and orchestras he led and, in 2010, for classical composers, and more persuasive and effective lifetime achievement. orchestra conductors active at any given time. But few, In all, Mr. Previn scored, played in or if any, musicians managed to combine all of these conducted more than 50 films, winning Academy qualities at such a high level over the course of such a Awards for adapting the music of Broadway shows long career. “Gigi,” “Porgy and Bess,” “Irma La Douce” and “My Fair Music historian Ted Gioia once said in an interview: Lady (1964).” “The most impressive aspect of Previn’s career was the Meanwhile, Mr. Previn took his hard-driving bebop jazz ease with which he moved through the full spectrum of trio to the Newport Jazz Festival, Jazz at the American music — whether jazz or classical, movie Philharmonic in Los Angeles and other major venues. soundtracks or TV scores, Hollywood or Broadway, overtly commercial gigs or artistically refined projects.” Drummer, CLYDE DUELL passed away on February 5, 2019. He was 79. Clyde had a 60-year career as a came to town and we certainly had some fun times along drummer working in most hotels on the the way.” Paul Testa strip. He travelled with many stars all …”Clyde was an outstanding musician and will be over the world and played at The White remembered as one of the very best! He was a good House for President Ford soul and I was always happy to see him when he He is remembered here by friends; stopped by the Musicians’ Union. “Frank Leone …”Clyde was one of a kind. A wonderful A celebration of life was held on February. 23rd. musician and an even better person. He was helpful to me when I first Composer, arranger, conductor, pianist, died January 26. He was 86. Grammys and was a three-time Academy Award and Over a career of more than five-time Grammy winner. 60 years, Mr. Legrand collaborated onstage, He became interested in jazz in 1947 when he saw the onscreen and in the studio trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie in concert in Paris (“I was with dozens of celebrated ecstatic”). He would eventually work with Mr. Gillespie musicians of his era, from and other jazz greats, on albums like “Dizzy Digs Paris” Miles Davis to Perry Como, (1953) and, most notably, his own “Legrand Jazz” Stéphane Grappelli to . “While I was (1958), for which he arranged well-known jazz studying in Paris I decided that I wanted to touch on and compositions for three different groups of established exist within every possible musical discipline,” Mr. musicians, one of which included Miles Davis, John Legrand told Time Out London in 2009. “Concerts, Coltrane and Bill Evans. records, radio, playing piano, conducting, singing, Mr. Legrand celebrated over 50 years in show business composing, classical, playing jazz. So, when I started to in 2010 with a concert at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas work, it was really on that decision.” that featured , George Benson, Melissa He recorded more than 100 albums, with such disparate Manchester, Patti Page and Jennifer O’Neill. He stars as Maurice Chevalier (for whom he worked as an observed his 80th birthday in 2012 by beginning a world accompanist early in his career), Kiri Te Kanawa, Sarah tour that included performances in France, Ireland, Vaughan, and . Others Japan, Argentina, Brazil, Russia, Denmark and the who recorded his music ranged from to Netherlands. His schedule last year included . He was nominated for a total of 13 Oscars and 17 performances in London, New York and Tokyo, and he was planning to tour again in 2019.

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