Whatever this gorgeous Las Vegas autumn might lack in falling leaves of red and gold drifting by our windows, it definitely makes up for with a cornucopia of exuberantly colorful jazz! Whether you like your jazz set at an elegant Sunday Brunch accompanied by the best in French Cuisine or in a smoky old club layered with memories of the past, and accompanied by popcorn, your only challenge will be to decide which jazz “dish” to select from our bountiful Las Vegas jazz harvest!

Starting with an exquisite French Sunday Brunch at Josette’s on Flamingo near Decatur, you will enjoy a rotating line-up of favorites including Black Entertainment Expo award-winners: drummer and vocalist, Paul Stubblefield, vocalists Mary Oliver, and Genevieve.

After brunch on Sunday, November 12, don’t miss the Las Vegas Jazz Society’s Big Band Concert, featuring The Woody Woods Orchestra, 2 pm at Winchester Cultural Center. Woody has conducted for Della Reese, Barbara McNair, Abbe Lincoln, and Carmen McRae among many others! His highly-respected, multi-faceted musical and literary achievements make his every performance a not-to-be-missed event!

Monday night, at Harrah’s Range Room, you can enjoy fine dining accompanied by the wide-ranging and mellifluous melodies of guitarist/vocalist, Calvin Brooks and pianist Jeff Poppe.

Tuesdays, during football season, join the crowd of jazz regulars at Capozolli’s on Desert Inn and Maryland Parkway. Larry “Wild” Wrice and his Gents of Swing never fail to delight their devoted fans!

On Wednesdays, you can go club-hopping like the old days—check out multi-talented Paul Stubblefield Trio at Willy’s American Saloon on Paradise and Sahara, and then go on over to Maggiano’s at the Fashion Show Mall for late night jazz featuring drummer, John Nasshan, sax man, Tom Hall and pianist Eddie McKeta.

Thursday nights continue club-hopping by catching the impressive young lions of jazz musicians at ReJAVAnate on Flamingo and Pecos and then rounding out the evening with the jazz elders Carl Lodico Ghost Big Band, featuring Al Imbach, Tom Hall, and Doc Brown, at the Italian American Social Hall on Sahara east of Eastern.

Fridays bring even more must get-to jazz locations, including the venerable Pogo’s on Decatur and Lake Mead, where under the leadership of Irv Kluger’s able successor, Dick Fazio, you will bask in the ambience of an old-time jazz joint—replete with special guests sitting in! Speaking of old-time—there’s a great new venue in a very old building.

Don’t forget to tune in to our outstanding Las Vegas Jazz radio station, KUNV, 91.5, for the best in jazz. The Las Vegas Jazz Society’s outstanding web-site, www.vegasjazz.org  provides up-to-the-minute jazz updates. And the LVJS newsletter, Jazz Notes, written and edited by Yours Truly (!) is a great source of reviews and insights related to our thriving Las Vegas jazz scene—become a LVJS member and reap the many rewards of the Las Vegas Jazz Society!

Need a unique and wonderful holiday jazz gift? Contact me for a limited edition of The Las Vegas Jazz Masters Project Poster, “This Great Day in Las Vegas.” An homage to the 1958 photo, “A Great Day in Harlem,” this poster includes 55 members of the Las Vegas Jazz Community, and a portion of the sale proceeds go to the Grammy- Winning Las Vegas Academy of the Performing Arts High School Student Jazz Band! At $15, this poster benefits the lucky recipient as well as our jazz community!

What a way to spread Jazzy Holiday Cheer! To find out more about The Las Vegas Jazz Masters Project and its commitment to documenting and perpetuating America’s only Classical Music--JAZZ, go to: www.jazzatjoannes.com, or contact me directly!

Thanks also to my generous readers and radio-show listeners for sending me the info that helps me keep the jazz community informed! Please join me at this autumn’s bountiful buffet of Las Vega jazz!

Don’t forget to tune-in to my weekly web-based radio show:

“Live—from the REAL Las Vegas!”

www.ALLTALKRADIO.net

Fridays @ 11 am PST

for lively, informative conversations with

THE LAS VEGAS JAZZ MASTERS!

                Together, we can assure the future of JAZZ

by celebrating its rich legacy, while enjoying and supporting it today!