As a jazz vocalist, that’s what a really swingin’ big band is to me. It’s like being backed up by a mighty jet engine – lifting us all off the ground together – and letting me sing like I’m dancing in the sky. There’s simply nothing like it.
IF YOU’RE IN THE CHICAGOLAND AREA (or can get there!)… don’t miss this! We’re gonna have a ball!
WAYNE POWERS with the SHOUT SECTION BIG BAND – LIVE – at Chicagoland’s legendary FITZGERALD’S!
Coming up on September 13th, I’ll be singing with Ivan Akansiima, my old friend and “Uganda’s Gift to American Jazz” at the 3rd Annual South Haven Jazz Festival. We’ve got a great quartet lined up with Tom Lockwood on Bass and Josiah Denooyer on Drums. https://foundryhall.org/south-haven-jazz-festival/
Move over, Jack Albertson. (He played it on Broadway).
Start packin’, Walter Matthau. (He played it in the film).
Now, I’m about to take on the role of old time vaudeville comedian Willie Clark in what many consider Neil Simon’s greatest and funniest play, “The Sunshine Boys.”
A glimpse of me as Willie Clark (and “friend”) from the bygone heyday of Vaudeville.
Willie is one of those characters that’s such a perfect fit, it could’ve been written for me. Well, it is totally my kind of comedy and Simon’s brilliant dialogue is an absolute joy to bring to life.
But when the play was first presented on Broadway in 1972, I was far too young to play Willie. Two years later, it was made into a feature film and, of course, I still wasn’t very much older.
But NOW…
Well, let’s just say that I’m the perfect age to play Willie. I’m old enough to be believable in the role but still young enough to remember my lines!
I do hope you’ll join me and a wonderful cast for some great fun.
Don’t miss out. Two weekends only!
Be sure to get your reserved seating tickets now – and then get ready to wear out your funny bone!
Don’t miss this opportunity to catch Wayne with a first-class jazz trio in an intimate setting for an entire evening of great music, fun and fabulous food.
(Tommy Muellner, Keyboard; Kelly Sill, Acoustic Bass, Phil Gratteau, Drums).
Life goes by too quickly. It’s hard to believe that it’s been 25 years since I recorded my last CD, “Plain Old Me,” with my “Hoi Polloi” band back in Los Angeles in 1993. But simple math can be unforgiving.
In the intervening quarter century, my life has been full with both the poignant and the joyous – as all lives are.
I’ve been working on getting my vocal “chops” back up for the last few years with the idea of getting back into the studio and giving voice to the last 25 years of life and love – as I’ve lived it and felt it.
The sadness of watching the devastation from Hurricane Harvey on the news was softened somewhat by seeing Good Samaritans come forward to help rescue friends, neighbors and absolute strangers – along with their beloved pets. That’s Texas for you. Nowhere is that inspirational spirit more evident than in Beaumont and Port Arthur. I know it first-hand.
It was just over 30 years ago that I spent some time there on location for a film with longtime friend Paul Sorvino, Abe Vigoda, Lorne Greene, Ina Balin, June Wilkinson, John Moskoff and many others.
ON LOCATION IN BEAUMONT, TEXAS – Wayne and Paul Sorvino enjoy a laugh on the set of “Vasectomy – A Delicate Matter.” (1986)
I still have such fond memories of the warm hospitality and gracious welcome we received from the good folks of Beaumont while we lived, worked and played there for several weeks.
Frantic and eccentric … Rockin’ and Rollin’ twenty years before Elvis, Harry was a true master of boogie woogie piano — and every other musical style, too!
HARRY “The Hipster” GIBSON
Julliard trained, he blazed his own musical trail and was popular during the mid-1940’s during the heyday of the “Zoot suit with the drape shape and the reet pleat.” Today, Harry is often remembered for the dubious distinction of being arrested with jazz pal and drug buddy Billie Holiday.
During production of “13 East,” (NBC. 1989-90), I regularly practiced my trumpet in my dressing room – despite the protests from Diana Bellamy, whose dressing room was next-door.
Rose Jackson (then Rosemarie Jackson) was added as one of several new cast members for the second season of “13 East” (NBC 1989 – 90). She immediately became one of my favorite “playmates” – both on-camera and off. Continue reading “True Confesssion: I GOT NAILED BY ROSE JACKSON!”
During production of “13 East,” (NBC. 1989-90), I regularly practiced my trumpet in my dressing room – despite the protests from Diana Bellamy, whose dressing room was next-door.
Rose Jackson (then Rosemarie Jackson) was added as one of several new cast members for the second season of “13 East” (NBC 1989 – 90). She immediately became one of my favorite “playmates” – both on-camera and off. Continue reading “True Confesssion: I GOT NAILED BY ROSE JACKSON!”