Wayne swings with the Don Edwards Ovations Big Band. (Ballantyne Village, Charlotte. December 2006)
At Charlotte's Great Aunt Stella Center, (Jerry Klein Benefit - Jan. 2012)
Wayne was the featured vocalist at the First Annual CAROLINAS RAGTIME PIANO CONTEST - Accompanied by Ethan Uslan. (Levine Museum of the New South, Charlotte. June 2010)
"Plain Old Me"
Critical acclaim for Wayne Powers:
"The infectious charm and musical wit of 'Three Guys Named Louis' --- Armstrong, Prima, and Jordan ... their upbeat approach personified."
- Jazz Times
The CD: "Plain Old Me" (1993)
"Rooted in Fats Waller and Louis Prima ... accomplished jazz artists with swing proclivities ... fine performances!" -Cadence
"Wild Wayne Powers --- He'll get your feet tappin', believe me!"-Jazz radio legend Chuck Niles, KLON
"Wayne Powers and his band, Hoi Polloi, were a knockout ... one of the BEST shows I've seen in a long time! Powers sings, mugs, scats and fairly bounces off the stage. His voice sounding a bit like Louis Prima, his zesty and loose approach was fun and the audience roared their approval. Get yourself to a Wayne Powers show. The guy is really terrific!"-Myrna Daniels, L.A. Jazz Scene
"Wayne Powers is just what the doctor ordered! Wayne and his boys, from the moment they hit the stage, really make the place jump! Take it from me, anytime you see that marquee with Wayne Powers and his Hoi Polloi, 'suit up' and go on in!"-Jonathan Winters
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"Plain Old Me" Personnel Wayne Powers - leader/vocals Pat Zicari - tenor/soprano sax Michele Faber - piano Ernie McDaniel - bass Bob Senescu - trumpet, fluegel Patrick Tuzzolino - guitar Billy Paul - drums
Track listing: - Spring Cleaning - Plain Old Me - Poor Papa - I'd Rather Call You Baby - As Mr. Mason Said To Dixon - Stop That Dancin' Up There - Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans - St. James' Infirmary Blues - Bittersweet - When You're Lonesome
Recorded LIVE in the studio (Sage & Sound, Hollywood).
Backstage visit with an old friend: Pianist, vocalist, recording artist, concert headliner MICHAEL FEINSTEIN. (2001)
"ALL HAIL THE CAT!"
BACK IN THE STUDIO: Wayne dusted off his fedora for this jazz vocal recording session.
"ALL HAIL THE CAT" was produced for a special animation project in Australia. What a concept: an ol' jazz cat singing about an actual feline! (November 2005).
"MEEEEEEEOW !!!" (Photos courtesy of Rebecca K. Story, Concentrix Music and Sound Design, Charlotte, NC)
Listen to "ALL HAIL THE CAT"
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Lyrics-Rebecca K. Story Music-Michael D. McGinnis Brass Arrangement-Fred R. Story Keyboards- Bill Anschell Brass Section- Phil Thompson, Doug Burns Drums- Donnie Marshall Lead vocals- Wayne Powers Background vocals- Kira Allison, Kay Roebuck, David Floyd, Michael D. McGinnis, Fred R. Story, Anthony Fedele
TEARIN' IT UP AT THE HOLLYWOOD ROOSEVELT - One of the all-time great bassists, the late ERNIE McDANIEL lays down the line for Wayne to swing hard in a duet with multi-talented guitarist PATRICK TUZZOLINO.
THE HOI POLLOI AT VINE ST. - (L to R): MICHELE FABER, piano, DORI AMARILIO filling in for Pat Tuzzolino on guitar, ERNIE McDANIEL, bass, PAT ZICARI, sax, BOB SENESCU, trumpet, BILLY PAUL, drums. One of the hottest bands ever!
Wayne in action with a packed house at the legendary Vine St. Bar & Grill. (Hollywood, 1993)
After-show hugs from pals SALLY STRUTHERS (whom Powers considers to be an awesomely gifted and vastly underrated talent), and the late, irrepressible and irreplaceable comedic genius, PAT McCORMICK, (1927-2005). Vine St. Bar & Grill, Hollywood, 1993.
Wayne gets solid backing from original Hoi Polloi drummer BILLY PAUL at the Memorial Concert.
A MUSICAL TRIBUTE IN MEMORY OF ERNIE McDANIEL was arranged by his loving widow, Bonnie. Los Angeles. December 2005. (Concert photos courtesy of Nick Powers).
Together Again: PATRICK TUZZOLINO jams with Wayne in celebration of Ernie McDaniel.
Wayne reminisces with jazz clarinetist/saxman extraordinaire DEL SIMMONS. Del bridged generational and musical barriers when he played clarinet with CAPTAIN BEEFHEART.
Jazz piano great MARTY HARRIS and PATRICK TUZZOLINO put the squeeze on Wayne. Marty spent many years as conductor/arranger for TOM JONES.
Wayne visits with Hoi Polloi trumpet/cornet master BOB SENESCU.
Recommended Music Links:
America's Most Requested Frank Sinatra Tribute Artist: VAUGHN SUPONATIME
Charlotte's unique acoustic music event: The TOSCO MUSIC PARTY
Classic jazz and ragtime pianist extraordinaire ETHAN USLAN
