January Michaelina Bellamy Column

"Around Town"

What a Great Town!

As my good friend Casey Smith says...”WHAT A GREAT TOWN!”. And what an ending to a roller coaster of a ride year! I was invited to go partying at the HAVANA GRILL 8878 So. Eastern Ave. 89123. Wow! Great Cuban food and great music! With JOE EDD on keys, ALEX LEON JR. on Percussion, EDUARDO on Flute/Sax, and the wonderful voice of ROLANDO VALDEZ...we stayed 'till the band stopped playing!

The Belagio is a favorite place of mine. Two of my dearest friends work together in the Baccarrat Lounge. They are MIKE ECKROTH on Piano and MORRIE LOUDEN on Bass. This is my pick to hear and enjoy!

MORRIE just recently returned from NEW YORK where he has completed a long-time dream of recording his CD TIMEPIECE (all originals and the first of many). This is the best jazz and Latin (Portuguese) album that I have heard in years. In this world of electric and synthesized sounds, I am overwhelmed by the beauty and warmth of live instruments and the spectacular writings of MORRIE LOUDEN.

Here's to you Morrie!!!

All the musicians are world class players. MIKE ECKROTH or EDWARD SIMON on piano. Drums are either GARY NOVAK or ADAM NUSSBAM. NANNY ASSIS on percussion. LIONEL LOUEKE on guitar. SEAMUS BLAKE on tenor sax. BOB SHEPPARD on flute/tenor sax. ORIENTE LOPEZ on lead flute. LARRY FERRALL and GEORGE FLYNN on trombones. ALEX SIPIAGAN on trumpet/flugelhorn. JOYCE HAMMANN & LOIS MARTIN on violin. BELINDA WHITNEY on viola. RICHARD LOCKER on cello. And finally...the breath-taking voice of GRETCHEN PARLATO.

This is an absolute masterpiece and will be released during the first quarter of 2006. I will definitely keep you all informed.

F.I.O.R.E is an all men's club where everyone is the PRESIDENT! NELSON SARDELLI had their holiday party at the GREEK ISLE. All the presidents and their spouses were invited. THE FAME GAME SHOW did the Hollywood squares game and GENEVIEVE DEW shared her beautiful voice! ARTIE SCHROECK was the PRESIDENT who was sung to by MARILYN (LINDA ANGELINE) Of Course so were a few other presidents! She sure gets around!

OK OK OK! Yes that was me on the Dennis Bono show. Singing JOLLY HOLIDAY with the LAS VEGAS PLAYERS (LINDA ANGELINE; RAY STREIB and RICH FRIEDLAND) Of course the lovely GENEVIEVE DEW was also there! We were to be dressed as a Holiday character ...but...I seem to be the only one in costume!

Ha ha ha ha!

NEW YEARS EVE!! Even though I sadly couldn't make all the parties I was invited to...I worked at the TOP OF THE WORLD LOUNGE @ the STRATOSPHERE HOTEL with BILLY MORAN and his trio!!! WOW!! CLYDE DUELL on drums and MARK SPEIGHTS on guitar and awesome vocals! Working with this group was a highlight for me this year!

BILLY is so talented on Keys/Bass/Orchestra/voice I'd like to duplicate him so I can have one with me everywhere I go to perform! Ha ha ha ha! Too hip and classy to miss when you visit Las Vegas!

BE GOOD! BE KIND! BE HAPPY!

Love ya!

Miss M