Jazz in Vegas? Going there this month

[slide_advantage_redoux]

I will be flying to Vegas next monday for a handful of Western Swing gigs. What is the state of jazz in Vegas? Any casino showrooms have big bands playing?

I do know I am going to visit the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop (Pawn Stars home base) as well as the Pinball Museum. When I learned there was such a place, I lit up....no, that pun was not intended.

http://www.pinballmuseum.org/

We will be in town for 5 days, and will be staying at the Southpoint Casino/Hotel. Fortunately we play at the same place, so no time will be spent shuttling around.

Edited November 23, 2010 by slide_advantage_redoux

[BeBop]

I'm there, that is to say "here", now. The Southpoint is on the Strip - kinda... Waaaaay South of anything except the M Resort, which might as well be in another State. But anyway, the jazz website is http://www.vegasjazz.org. I haven't become aware of any big bands in the casinos (fond memories of Don Menza and Lon Bronson(?)). UNLV puts of jazz features from time to time. I saw a stale ad for a concert earlier this month that looked interesting (George Garzone or someone.) Walt Boenig has a big band I've seen advertised, but haven't heard.

Another site http://www.jazzlasvegas.com announces Boney James, Keiko Matsui, Hiroshima, so you know where their ears are at.

Big B's Records is gone, as are four of the six Record Citys that existed just a few years ago. There's a Zia on Eastern (branch of Phoenix-area chain) that has started getting a little inventory.

KUNV 91.5 jazz radio. Not bad.

Sorry, not much help. But not much to report either.

[Free For All]

Greg, I remember the first time I met Carl Fontana (a definite lifetime high point)was in LV at the Musician's Union bar where all the players would hang & jam after hours. I don't know if that still exists or not.

[slide_advantage_redoux]

Thanks! It looks like the scene will be as barren as the outlying desert.

I will call the union and see if that is still happening. Thanks Paul!

[Rooster_Ties]

My wife has a business trip to Vegas planned for sometime next year (I know, "yeah, right" was my reaction too).

If anybody has suggestions for interesting, off-beat stuff to do in the evenings, that might make the trip more bearable. She has little interest in gambling -- we're both museum junkies (and NPR-types) -- so stuff that might be outside the norm (or 'new norm') for vegas would also be appreciated.

-- Rooster

[BeBop]

Rooster,

Man, I found the coolest... Wait. I can't tell you. What happens in Vegas...

Actually, I'm here twice a year for a week at a time. 99.7 percent work. City Center is the big thing now. Mostly not gambling. But still tourist-focused. (I visited for work.)

The Downtown casino scene is always kind of a kick, if you take it for what it is. They try very hard - maybe too hard - the compete with the Strip, which benefits from constant "revitalization", while Downtown just plods along. Easy to convince yourself it's still 1966 walking around there.

Yeah, '66.

I spend my time - such as it is - in the suburbs. Not because there's anything going on in the area, but 'cause it's cheaper. Pretty much a continuous stip mall with all the same store you've got at home.

If you're sadistic (or, in my case, masochistic), you can tour the new homes, reduced from $479,000 to $99,950.

The cultural hub seems to be UNLV. Main campus is just a mile or so off the Strip. Theater, music events and such.

There are about eleventeen free weekly (or monthly) newspapers, worth a quick peruse: Weekly, Seven, Citywise (?), David et cetera. That's probably where you'll fine something off-beat. Hey, I met Louis Bellson in an embroidery shop after seeing a notice in The Sun.

[BeBop]

Various listings from all over:

Bank Club - 2025 E Charleston - Jazz - (702) 474-9262

BJ's Lounge - 218 E Tropicana - Jazz every Thursday 7pm - (702) 896-5854

Casbar Lounge at Sahara Hotel - 2535 Las Vegas Blvd S - Rotating live music of R&B, soul and jazz groups - (702) 737-2111

The Cellar Lounge - 3601 W Sahara - Live blues and jazz Thursday thru Sundays - (702) 362-6268

Firefly - 3900 Paradise Blvd. Ste A - Latin, Brazilian Jazz, Salsa, Latin House, 10:30pm nightly - (702) 369-3971

Jazz Lounge at Como's Steakhouse - Lake Las Vegas Resort MonteLago Village 10 Via Brianza - Live blues and jazz a few nights a week - (702) 567-9950

Jazzed Cafe - 8615 W Sahara Ave - Soft music by local quintets - (702) 233-2859

La Playa Lounge at Harrah's Hotel - 3475 Las Vegas Blvd S - A wide variety of bands performing Latin, jazz, pop and more - (702) 369-5000

Murphy's Pub - 3985 E Sunset Rd - Monday big bands, Tuesday open mike, Wednesday jazz, Thursday karaoke and weekend rock - (702) 458-5516

Napolean's Lounge at Paris Las Vegas Hotel - 3655 Las Vegas Blvd S - Live jazz, cigars and champagne - (702) 946-7000

Pepper's Lounge - 2929 E Desert Inn Rd - Big Band/Jazz - (702) 731-3234

Sunset Brewing Company - Sunset Station, 1301 W Sunset Rd, Henderson - Handcrafted beer, cigar bar and live jazz Wed thru Sat - (702) 547-7777

Capozzoli's Ristorante - 3353 S Maryland Pkwy - Open mike, big band and pop highlight this east side eatery - (702) 731-5311

Skinny Dugan's Pub - 4127 West Charleston - Various Depending on night life, Big Band, 50's, 60's - (702) 877-0522

Decent venue/concert list

Green Valley Ranch ResortThe Lon Bronson All Star BandSecond and Fourth Thursday of the monthDoors open at 8pmAdmission is free

Somewhat old new article

Another

A bit more from the Sun

Ultimately, not much here, once you've weeded out the stale and misleading.