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!
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.
Best known for his “Hello Dere” greeting and comedy team partnership with Steve Rossi – wild-haired, bug-eyed Marty Allen died last night at the ripe old age of 95.
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Amazingly, he was still working up until several months ago with his wife, Karon. performing the “straight man” role.
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!”
When we moved production from Hollywood down to Texas for the second season of “13 East” (NBC), the folks in Dallas were so warm and welcoming in so many ways – even presenting me with a Texas flag which had flown over the capital in Austin.
They really made us feel right at home – and, of course, I had to show my appreciation by getting into the Texas spirit.
Here I am arriving for a public appearance at a rodeo – complete with Tony Lama snakeskin boots & matching belt w/sterling buckle set, a 7x Stetson and a brand new Cadillac Eldorado with my “preferred vantage point” parking spot adjacent to the women’s restroom! Is it any wonder that producer Scoey Mitchlll introduced me as “Wayne Powers – that Big Butter and Egg Man.” Yeehah! What great fun we had!
The Cult Entertainment Icon Celebrates Spring – and Wayne Powers!
“Uncle Floyd” Vivino
Not unlike Soupy Sales and long before Pee Wee Herman, Floyd Vivino took New Jersey – and later the country – by storm with his cult “Kiddie TV Show” for adults, which ran for an amazing 24 years, spawning a record album and many singles.
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!”
