Monday, October 4, 2010

The Buzz: Jam, Jive & Jazz with Kelly Clinton

The sensational Kelly Clinton took the crowd by storm Monday night starting with her opening number and leading us into an evening to remember with super -talented guest performers that included Kelly heading up an unforgettable jam, a team of hoofers in a Tribute to Tap Legends, plus lots of Jazz and plenty of jive! Kelly opened with the tune “Waiting On The World” to Change --the 2007 Grammy Award winning song by John Mayer. The Blues Rock hit has been described as a song of discontent and hope…and as Kelefa Sanneh of the New York Times wrote “a lovely and anger-free ode to a vaguely dissatisfied generation.” Kelly's presentation was upbeat
and fantastic.
Update: Kelly’s foot is on the mend and she is looking forward to appearing in the extraordinary Broadway musical, “Nunsense” at the Las Vegas Hilton in a couple of more weeks.

NEWSFLASH: The incredible Clint Holmes’ performance at UNLV Saturday night was so awesome the crowd didn’t want it to ever end!!! The tribute to the music of Frank Sinatra with the Las Vegas Philharmonic was led by Sinatra’s former musical director Vincent Falcone. With the music from the original charts, Clint Holmes sang every song in Sinatra’s key. To borrow the after-the-show comment posted on FB by Bill Fayne, “A great night with the LV Philharmonic POPS...Clint Holmes and Vinnie Falcone performed the Frank Sinatra songbook....it was a masterpiece....BRILLIANT!”
On to the Cabaret

First up was the phenomenal singer/entertainer, Lannie Counts, a performer who never fails to wow us with his vocal range and musical versatility. Lannie did it again Monday night when he donned a dapper hat and gave us his awesome version of the Bobby Darin hit tune, “Mac The Knife.” The crowd stood and roared demanding more, more from Lannie Counts. That’s when Lannie, “The King of Romance” did the big style switch with a beautiful presentation of “Unchained Melody.” What a killer performance!!!! And the band was awesome!!

Lannie Counts is the headliner Sunday night , October 3, at the Bootlegger Bistro. Showtime: 8:30 PM.


We were in for a pleasant surprise when the beautiful Genevieve Dew stepped onto the stage. Kelly and Genevieve go way back to the early days of Kelly’s Monday night shows at the Bootlegger.  Genevieve who is billed as “The Lady With The Golden Voice” gave a great performance of “Let’s Stay Together"  followed by her very stylistic version of “Teach Me Tonight.” Dynamite!!!!!
Currently, Genevieve Dew is working with another great singer, Mark Giovi, who first appeared in Las Vegas at Kelly’s Bootlegger shows. Genevieve and Mark are developing a new act called Ebony and Ivory. Meanwhile,  Genevieve plans to take her one-woman show on tour and she is now working on her second CD.


Was that Wayne Newton sitting at a nearby table? No but boy does the gentleman by the name of Neil sure look like the famous celebrity! Kelly, as many of us know, worked as a back-up singer for her friend Wayne Newton for many years and she does a great impersonation of the star.

Clint Holmes, headliner/singer/songwriter and playwright, is Kelly’s husband and one of her biggest fans.  Clint just couldn’t resist jumping on stage with Kelly to do a faux interview with her Newton character!! Very funny stuff!!



Next up was the headliner from last week’s Toast of the Town afternoon show at Sam’s Town, the one and only Jeff Neiman, musical director for Clint Holmes and musician extraordinaire. And, Jeff can sing too which he showed us at the piano with his high-energy performance of Billy Joel’s signature song, “Piano Man."   Yes!!!!



Kelly introduced the petite beautiful singer, Sarvi Esquivel, who gave us a hot Latin tune with a great Samba beat, “ Mais Que Nada.” Not only is Sarvi a terrific singer, she is also the producer of The Singer Search, a contest being held at various venues around town that offers an opportunity to vocalists of all styles to win some wonderful prizes.

For more details, contact Sarvi Esquivel via http://www.thesingersearch.com/


While the crew, with DJ Tim Trujillo and Bootlegger host, J.T. Thompson, were setting up the stage for the next act,  Kelly began the introduction of a team of four tap dancers, including two tap legends in their own right, Van the Man and Ivory ---along with two female artists billed as Lady Diane and Helen. The amazing dance routines brought back memories of the big Las Vegas shows of yesteryear when hoofers performed at all the top venues. Ivory, who is third generation Step Brothers,  said this night’s performance was a tribute to yet another great hoofer, Jimmy Slyde.  Fascinating stuff. Jimmy Slyde was recognized worldwide as the “King of Slide” and was especially famous for his innovative tap style mixed with Jazz.

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One by one and then all together in a grand finale, the four fantastic dancers showed their extraordinary talent as the musical sounds delivered by the tap steps filled the room. Ivory said tap dancing was a listening experience for the audience ---and that he longs for the day when Las Vegas brings the wonderful art form back to the big stage. Oh, bring on the tap revival Las Vegas!!!!!


Talking about legends, our next performer, Johnny Butler, from the fabulous group The Coasters, was in the audience and Kelly invited him to give us a tune. Johnny Butler is known by many fans as “The King of Soul and R&B,” a well deserved accolade to this extraordinary talent. At Kelly’s request Johnny sang a personal “Happy Anniversary” tune to the parents of Steve Primak who were celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary on Monday night!.
.......Then it was stage center for Johnny Butler who knocked us out with his rich baritone voice on “Rainy Night in Georgia.” Oh, Johnny, Oh!  What a special treat!!!!!







Next Johnny requested Kelly Clinton sing another famous “Georgia” tune, which was one of Kelly’s own signature songs in her early years of performing in Vegas, ---“Midnight Train to Georgia” by Gladys Knight and the Pips. Kelly saw the invite as an opportunity to create an awesome jam session with her great band and singers, Johnny Butler , Genevieve Dew, Lisa Gay, Lannie Counts, Kc Cousins and Andrey.
Kelly Clinton  took the lead then she brought Genevieve into the spotlight followed by Lisa ---and joining in for the grand finale, the sensational Clint Holmes. The crowd went nuts. This jam was the  highlight of the show!!!!!!! Unbelievable!! All Aboard!!!!


That was a tough act to follow but the next duo, Bill and Mary did a terrific job on a tune in a completely different genre, the Country pop hit, “Need You Now.” The hit song by the music group, Lady Antebellum was named the single of the year and song of the year at the 2010 Academy of Country Music Awards. Way to go Bill and Mary!


Musician/dancer/comedian, Martin Mancuso was back this week with his saxophone in hand to present an awesome medley of music with the backing of Mike Clark who did his own keyboard solo, and Billy Adams on drums. Martin and the boys in the band really rocked!!!! Martin, who lock dances like nobody can, just can’t seem to help but make the knee jerk moves as he blows that horn!!! Love it! Great musician, great dancer, and a really funny guy ---all that talent rolled up into one fantastic performer, Martin Mancuso.


Next in the spotlight came the lovely singer Lori Simpson. Lori just happened to have this Monday night off from her regular job so she headed over to Kelly’s Open Mic Cabaret to share her love of music and give us a song. Lori, a hot blond herself, did an outstanding performance of “Fever,” the tune made famous by Peggy Lee ‘back in the day.’ The crowd loved Lori and wanted more so Kelly suggested the singer give us a show tune that would speak to the crowd. That’s when Lori Simpson belted out that fabulous number from the musical of the same title, “Cabaret.” Oh yes, come on back to the Cabaret whenever you can. The crowd loves you Lori Simpson!


The very talented tribute artist Janicey Brar has to be one of the best, if not the very best Lady Day impressionist ever. Janicey’s close physical resemblance and her facial expressions along with her great vocal sound takes you right back to the days of live performances by the great Billy Holiday. Wow!! Janicey bills herself as “Lady Day” and this night she gave a fabulous presentation of “For Heaven’s Sake” from Billy Holiday’s 1958 album, Lady In Satin.
Janicey Brar tours the country as Lady Day!



One of the best things about Kelly Clinton’s Open Mic Cabaret is the love sent out by the artists via their music to audience ---and,  to one another. The terrific singer/musician, Kc Cousin invited other performers to join him on stage as he played the piano and sang “Help From My Friends.” The band and guest guitarist Tony Drake joined in along with Genevieve Dew, Lisa Gaye and Kelly Clinton on vocals. Kc and friends gave a fantastic show!!!!
Kc Cousin is from Youngstown, Ohio. He lived in China for two years and now makes his home in Las Vegas.



The gorgeous singer/songwriter/musician, Yvonne Silva was back this week playing her acoustic guitar and singing the tune “What Goes Around.” Singer Justin Timberlake recorded the song in 2007 and won Best Male Pop Performance at the 50th Grammy Awards.   Up until a few years back, Yvonne Silva worked in the music industry but left to pursue a career in hospitality at a major hotel.  Her dream is to return to her first love, performing live music. Yvonne Silva is honing her skills each week as she takes her work to the stage at the Cabaret.

Singer Ralph Kuster was back to show his versatility with his opening number, “Volare” followed by a hit tune by Frank Sinatra, “For Once in My Life.” Ralph is a lively and animated performer who has a unique style of delivering a tune. The crowd loves his musical presentations.





Diva Michelle Johnson came out to enjoy watching the Cabaret after her performance as one of the stars of the Broadway musical “Nunsense” at the Las Vegas Hilton. Michelle gave in to the pleas for a song and, as always, she blew us away with the tune, “Get Here.” Michelle Johnson is a super talented artist!!!
The musical "Nunsense" is at the Las Vegas Hilton.  Showtime, 4 PM, six days a week.  Dark on Tuesdays.



Wow, nineteen-year-old singer Karra Le`Shone` really knocked our socks off with her hot presentation of “It Kills Me” by Melanie Fiora.  Young, beautiful, sexy and so talented too, Karra turned on the crowd with her “ooh hoo ohh” delivery of the song lyrics.
Yes, Karra Le`Shone` is one fine singer!







The dynamic duo, Lisa Gay and Tony Drake did it again with a marvelous performance of “The Nearness of You." The fantastic Lisa Gay sent out her wonderful vocal tones on a second number “On a Clear Day” ---the tune that has become one of their signature songs here at the Cabaret--- while her partner, the awesome musician Tony Drake rocked on the guitar.
Lisa Gay & Tony Drake are featured performers at the Freakin’ Frog, a popular Jazz club located across from UNLV. They will be headlining at the Frog again on Friday night, October 8.

As the end of another phenomenal evening of entertainment at Kelly Clinton’s Open Mic Cabaret drew near,  the talented R&B singer Samuel Lewis stepped up to give a wonderful performance of “Always and Forever” by Heat Wave..... Samuel Lewis crooned that romantic tune, added a bit of sweet talk and wound up his performance with a powerful ending. Yes!!! Samuel Lewis is a ‘smooth operator’ when it comes to wowing the crowd with his remarkable vocal style.



Singer/songwriter Princess Madelaina returned to the stage with her terrific version of “Killing Me Softly,” the major hit song recorded in 1973 by Roberta Flack. (Where does the time go?) Thanks to performers like the Princess who cover the tune, the song is still killing us softly more than 30 years later.



Kelly introduced the final performer of the night, the very good-looking, talented singer and Bootlegger Host, J.T. Thompson who gave us an excellent closing performance of the Michael Buble` tune, “It’s A New Life.” Great job J.T.!!!



Thanks to all the entertainers and the A-Team members who always make Kelly Clinton’s Open Mic Cabaret at the Bootlegger Bistro a great show on Monday nights:  Maestro, Mike Clark, Drummer, Billy Adams, J.T. Thompson and the newest team member, DJ, Tim Trujillo.


And special thanks to
the one and only,
super-talented artist
who makes it all happen,
Kelly Clinton!!!


Join Us for the Best
Monday Night Show in Town


Perform, Promote Your Gig
Dine In, Chill Out


It’s Always a Blast at Kelly Clinton’s Open Mic Cabaret 
Showtime:  9 PM
Bootlegger Bistro
7700 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Dining Room Reservations: 702-736-4939
More Snapshots from Kelly Clinton's Open Mic Cabaret, Monday, September 27.

Just a few.....check Facebook for more later in the week!!!!!


Steve Primak with his parents.
50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration


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