Rich Bono and Poupee Boccaccio, A Desert Treasure

Rich Bono and Poupee Boccaccio have been hosting their highly successful "Open Mic" show on Wednesday nights at the Indian Wells Resort Hotel for the past several years.  But don't mis-understand what "Open Mic" means. Rich and Poupee start their show with their own performances for the first hour.  This dynamic duo is loaded with major league talent and show business experience.  Rich Bono  singing and playing the Keyboard is about as good as you will hear from any major professional singer.  Poupee, also has had a remarkable career as an actress, singer and dancer. She has a bachelor of art degree in romance languages from the University of San Diego and sings songs in several languages.  She also has a BFA degree from the Otis-Parsons School of Design.  An added treat is when the two team up to perform several duets.  After the first hour, what happens next is nothing like the Karaoke that you might find in entertainment places in the Valley.  With Poupee acting as the Mistress of Ceremonies and Producer of the Show, she brings up some of the most talented musicians in the country and they perform two songs with Rich providing support at the Keyboard.  Poupee keeps total control on the flow of the show and as a result, the performances by the talented musicians flow in a most professional and entertaining way.  Poupee has a great dry sense of humor and uses it to make sure the evening moves in the direction she wants without any drama for herself or the performers who genuinely love her and Rich.

Rich Bono is one of the most sought after pianist by all of the best singers in the Valley because he has the ability to provide wonderful support and yet never over-powers or over-shadows the singers.  Rich has one of the best musical resumes' any performer could wish for.  He toured with the Harry James Orchestra for years.  He attended North Texas State studying Piano, Theory and Arranging, all skills that he has practiced successfully for years.  He played at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas for 15 years, the Desert Inn Hotel for 7 years and the Mirage and Treasure Island Hotels.
Rich had been an accompanist for many major musical stars including Jack Jones, Tony Bennett, Frankie Laine, Linda Darnell, Mary Kaye, Jane Morgan, Don Cherry, Pat Boone and Bobby Milano.

Poupee Boccaccio has had a long and successful career in both Television and Hollywood Movies.  When you visit the Indian Wells Resort Hotel on Wednesday, the Hotel plays short cuts from the many movies and TV shows Poupee stared in such as "The Venetian Affair" with Robert Vaughn, "Pocket Money" with Lee Marvin and Paul Newman, "Last Movie" with Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda and "April Fools" with Jack Lemmon.  She also appeared on the TV shows "Columbo", "I Spy", "Wild, Wild, West",  and she was a guest on "The Johnny Carson Show" twice.  And, if these credits aren't enough, Poupee was the star of the Follies Bergere at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas.

Whenever you want a fun night of entertainment provided by some of the best musicians around, go to the Indian Wells Resort Hotel any Wednesday night and catch the Rich and Poupee "Open Mic" night.

Ron Kalina and Larry Holloway, The Best Get Better!

Larry Holloway and Ron Kalina

The new "In Place" for Jazz on Monday night is at the Indian Wells Resort Hotel where you will find two of the most talented musicians in the country.  Ron Kalina is without question one of the best Harmonica players still performing today, and he might very well be in the top ten best players of all-times.  Ron's sweet spot is standards, and he plays them with so much emotion it almost makes the wonderful lyrics unnecessary.  Recently Ron had a few health issues in but as a result of some recent medical upgrades is playing with renewed vigor and emotion.  I heard him several times last year and the energy lift in his singing and playing this year is producing wonderful music.  These days Jazz fans seldom get to hear top-grade Harmonica playing but for those lucky people here in the Desert, we get to hear Ron every Monday night!  In addition to Ron's wonderful work on the Harmonica, he also plays the Keyboard and handles the Vocals.  Ron's voice and phrasing are very much like that of Fred Astaire.  His singing of standards not only give the lyric life but present them as if Ron has lived every word of them.

Joining forces with Ron is the highly respected Jazz Bass sensation formerly from Seattle, Larry Holloway.  Mention Larry's name to any musical pro and you will only get praise and adoration in return.  Tonight because Larry was only playing with Ron on Keyboard and it allowed him the opportunity to expand his motivating and articulate solos to the delight of everyone in the audience.   The synergy between these two marvelous seasoned pros tonight was delightful.  The duo plays from 6:00 until 9:00 on Mondays but it's still not enough time.  I could listen to their great sounds all night.

An added surprise tonight was the large number of professional musicians who stopped by to sit in with Ron and Larry.  The first one to come up and sing was Carolyn Martinez who delighted the crowd with her strong and pure voice.  Carolyn's voice and style was perfectly suited to fit between these two pros.  Carolyn is singing as good as I have ever heard her.  She has her own gig across the street at Vickys every Tuesday with Larry on Bass, and I strongly recommend that you make plans to  see her.  Next up was everyone's favorite male singer, Ken Steele.  Ken has a great voice and his phrasing is just about perfect whenever he sings.  Ken is multitalented and also is an excellent songwriter, arranger and producer. Hearing Ken sing is always a treat!  I had not seen or heard from Lola Rossi in quite a while and was delighted when she was called up to sing.  Lola has a beautiful strong voice and she is a really confident performer.   She chose to sing a strong version of "Over the Rainbow" and hit every note of the song in perfect pitch.  No small accomplishment. Next up was Denise Motto who sings and plays marvelous Keyboard and was joined by outstanding Trumpet player Gordon Camp and a Drummer from Canada, Don Fraizer , who was in town for just a night.  Denise has always been wonderful every time I have seen her and tonight was no exception.  I would love to see her performing her gig in the near future.   Gordon is always a delight to hear and he is always ready to play anything that is put in front of him.  He is a real pro! Don Fraser was impressive with his brush work which provided the perfect foundation for tonight's singers.  

Ken Steele

Larry Holloway and Carolyn Martinez

Gordon Camp

Larry Holloway and Lola Rossi

Denise Moto and Gordon Camp

      

Michael D' Angelo Brings back the Music of the 50's & 60's At The Indian Wells Resort Hotel

Michael D'Angelo

Dancing To The Music

Larry Capeloto

Every Tuesday night there is a "Rock & Roll" party at the Indian Wells Resort Hotel staring Michael D'Angelo. Michael has a strong voice, and it's clear to everyone that he really enjoys singing the songs of the past that we all remember and love. Michael is especially wonderful recreating the sounds of the 60's singing songs like: "Earth Angel", "Unchained Melody", "Teenager in Love" and everyone's favorite "In The Still Of The Night". What's great about Michael's show is that you can dance in the lobby of the beautiful Indians Wells Resort Hotel until your legs give out! The night entertainment starts early at 5:30 p.m. with free dance lessons by Carl Davis. This is great fun for those who love to dance. Then at 6:15 p.m. Michael performs and everyone can dance until 9:15 when his show ends. Larry Capeloto the great singer that sings with the Ted Herman Big Band on Sundays was asked to sing a song to the delight of the audience.  Great fun, great atmosphere, great food, great music and no cover charge.  The best deal in town! Make plans to see for yourself and don't forget to bring your dancing shoes.

           

Frank DiSalvo Plays to a Packed House in the Indians Wells Resort Hotel

Frank DiSalvo 

Frank DiSalvo

Capacity Crowd at Indian Wells Resort Hotel Enjoying Frank DiSalvo

Frank DiSalvo along with Ron Kalina Playing the great standard, "The Very Thought  of You"

Frank DiSalvo only arrived in the Desert two years ago. He arrived without family or friends or a job. But Frank had a strong belief that he could find a singing  job and become a musical success.  He started sitting in with any live music group that would let him sing and leaving his promo kit in every place in town that had live music.
Finally, he got a call from Dave Nichols, the CEO of the Indian Wells Resort Hotel who asked Frank to stop by.  Dave had listened to Frank sing by way of the promo kit Frank had dropped off at the front desk of the hotel. The rest is now musical history.  Frank started singing at the Hotel the next week and began drawing people in to hear him each week as word spread in the Valley about Frank's great show.

Fast forward two years and Frank now performs every Thursday, Friday and Saturday to packed houses and rave reviews from all of the Valley entertainment critics.

Frank is much more than just a great singer/performer.  Frank is a very caring and sincere person who is never too busy to help another musician.  As soon as Frank got the job at the Indian Wells Resort Hotel, he started encouraged Dave Nichols to add more live music.  Frank began to introduce some of the best musicians he knew to Dave who had such faith in Frank that he agreed to add more live entertainment one night at a time and give them a chance to prove they could draw music lovers into the hotel.  As a result of Frank's efforts and Dave's willingness to take a chance, the Hotel has live music six nights a week.  Not everyone is aware that Frank DiSalvo is greatly responsible for securing over 30 jobs for wonderfully-talented musicians in in the Valley. Without question, Frank DiSalvo is one of the "Good Guys" of live music, and I personally would like to thank Frank for all his efforts on behalf of all of us who love live music.

As you can see, tonight's show was in front of a packed house and Frank was at his very best.  His songs include dozens of the best songs of Sinatra, Darin, Nat King Cole, Neil Diamond, Matt Monroe and Tony Bennett just to name a few.  He also played some great guitar while singing songs made famous by B.B. King, Glenn Campbell and Johnny Cash. 

The great Harmonica player, Ron Kalina was in the audience tonight, and Frank asked him to come up to play a song with him.  They played an outstanding duet of the classic, "The Very Thought of You" that received a standing ovation.  If you have not heard Ron Kalina play, you can hear his trio every Tuesday night at the Indian Wells Resort Hotel.