Back in Chicago!
Birth of the Blues
With the Asheville Jazz Orchestra
Recorded LIVE in North Carolina at White Horse/Black Mountain
PREMIERE: “Sequestered Saloon Singer”
EVEN DURING A PANDEMIC LOCKDOWN, THE MUSIC NEVER ENDS!
Here I am, folks, obediently sequestered in an “undisclosed location” – and sharing a seldom-heard torch song treasure from the golden pens of Johnny Mercer and Jimmy Van Heusen. It was recorded twice by Frank Sinatra, but was relegated to the B-side of two different singles. The Song is “Empty Tables” and the accompanist is the talented Stuart Seale.
I hope you enjoy it.
The Great American Songbook
Swing Tunes & Saloon Songs
NOTICE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS. CHECK BACK FOR RESCHEDULED DATE.
I’M SO EXCITED to announce my new concert show with the swingin’ Shout Section Big Band – “The Great American Songbook – Swing Tunes & Saloon Songs.” Premiering Sunday, March 15th at Good Men Club – a terrific, intimate jazz show room in the Chicagoland suburbs. I hope you can join us.
SAVE THE DATE: SUNDAY, MARCH 15th.Get your tickets early please – because seating is limited and I’d sure love to see your friendly face in the audience! http://www.goodmenclubjazz.com Phone 224.475-1747.
SWINGIN’ SOME GOOD NEWS
YUP, CAN’T HELP IT – THE GOOD NEWS JUST STARTS SWINGIN’ when Brett Dean’s Shout Section Big Band and I invade Chicago’s WGN-TV studios to perform LIVE during the Midday News!
Turn up the sound, click the picture and enjoy!
Swingin’ on LIVE TV!
Tune in or DVR so you don’t miss the Shout Section Big Band and I invading Chicago’s WGN-TV Midday News! We’ll swing hard, show no mercy and take no prisoners!
Dec 22nd: Wayne’s back at FitzGeralds!
CLICK ON THE PIC FOR A SHORT VIDEO FROM THIS PERFORMANCE!
SWINGIN’ IN CHICAGO
THE WINDY CITY REALLY SHOULD BE CALLED “MUSIC CITY” because I’ve found that there’s arguably a more vibrant music scene in Chicago (especially jazz) than in many other cities you’d expect to be at the top of the list – including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Nashville, Atlanta – and, yes, even New Orleans!
CASE IN POINT: ONE OF AMERICA’S GREAT SAX MEN resides and plays weekly at Chicago’s legendary Andy’s Jazz Club – and that’s Mike Smith. Together with the Jordan Baskin Trio, they provide Chicago jazz lovers and visitors with a hearty helping of truly tasty tunes.
A RECENT VISIT had Mike inviting me onstage to croon and swing a few with his stellar group. Well, he didn’t have to ask twice.
CLICK ON THE PHOTO for a very short snippet of our improvised live performance that night. Enjoy! And, if you find yourself in the Chicago area, be sure to drop in to Andy’s Jazz Club. If it happens to be on a Wednesday, you’re in for a special treat when Mike, Jordan and the gang hit the stage.
I was “Fats” Waller’s Opening Act
Well, not really – but, in the wonderful world of broadcasting, anything’s possible… especially when the iconic “Uncle Floyd” Vivino is at the microphone!
Floyd is a New Jersey cult figure and a world-wide show business icon from his long-running kid’s TV show (for adults), “The Uncle Floyd Show” to his being sung about in the legendary 2002 David Bowie song, “Slip Away.”
CLICK ON THE PHOTO to hear Floyd, on his popular radio show, presenting a tune from my album, “If Love Were All” (Kabockie Records KCD-1031 / KLP2-1031) and following it with a classic but seldom-heard tune from Thomas “Fats” Waller, “Florida Flo.”
So — technically, I guess I can say that I was “Fats” Waller’s opening act – at least on Floyd Vivino’s radio show, I was!
CAUGHT IN THE ACT
I’ve never claimed to be a Sinatra impressionist or “tribute artist” (although he was certainly a tremendous influence on me – and every other singer of The Great American Songbook).
But singing a classic Cole Porter tune like “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” with a big band swinging the Sinatra trademark Nelson Riddle arrangement, I just couldn’t resist paying homage and tribute to “Ol’ Blue Eyes” and “The Chairman of the Board.”
So I hope you enjoy this brief glimpse of my humble but joyous voyage into Sinatra Land with the Shout Section Big Band.
Click on the photo below to view the free video.
