Pat Rizzo Is Back Leading The Musical Charge At 360 North In Palm Springs, CA

 "The Riz "is back making wonderful music again at 360 North in Palm Springs.  Pat had put his Sax and his voice away for more than a year, but he is playing and singing like he never left the stage!  Pat is teaming up with ultra-talented Dennis Michaels who plays beautiful piano and also sings and joins Pat in duets covering some of the greatest songs from the "Great American Songbook".  The duo plays every Friday at 360 North and anyone that loves beautiful, live music should make it down to 360 North to see Pat and Dennis.  The chance to hear two of the classic music stars of the Desert perform live, should not be missed by any fan of great Jazz sounds!  It's like taking a live look back at the musical history of the Palm Springs music scene.

What a treat to hear Pat sing and play again and his sense of humor is still very much intact!  Pat Rizzo remains a musical treasure to all music fans here in the Coachella Valley.  Pat's musical resume could fill a book and his many years playing for Sinatra in LA and at Sinatra's Rancho Mirage Estate could fill several chapters with interesting stories.  Pat Rizzo is the real musical deal!  We get very few opportunities to listen to a music legend with such a strong successful career perform live right now;  so go over to 360 North and enjoy the playing, singing and personality of Pat Rizzo soon! 

Dennis Michaels has his own splendid musical resume.  He has played for many of the major Vocalists of the last 50 years.  He also worked for Keely Smith as her Musical Director and Arranger.  He toured with her for over 25 years.  He has a special talent for Arranging and a sensitive feel for lyric that make it a pleasure to listen to his singing and playing.

And there are always special guests who show up to see Pat at every performance from all of the country.  Tonight,  LA sensation Michael Dees who moved to Palm Springs a few years ago,  sat in to sing a few songs.  Michael is one of the best Vocalist, Arranger and Composer on the music scene today!  Also, direct from "Birdland" in New York City, Bandleader, Arranger and super Sax player, Ron Aprea came in to see Pat who he knew from the time Pat lived in New York.  Ron also was close to another Palm Springs great we just lost, Steve Madaio.  Ron and Steve had a long musical past including recording with John Lennon.  Ron's big band currently performs regularly at "Birdland".  The next singer Angela DeNiro (Ron's wife) came up to sing one of the best retendions of "Someone To Watch Over Me" I have ever heard with Dennis Michaels on the Keys.   All this musical talent at 360 North on a normal Friday night in Palm Springs with no cover.  They just keep the music history of Palm Springs alive!  

For your listening pleasure, I have attached a "YouTube" from Pat Rizzo's CD, "Gold For Silver" on which Pat shares the stage with the great Trumpeter, Conte Condoli.  

I have also attached a "YouTube" of Pat singing "Nancy With The Smiling Face"  from his CD "The Tokyo Blues" to give you a sample of Pat's smooth and relaxed singing style.

Shelley Yoelin Hold Musical Court At Woodys in Palm Springs Every Wednesday

David Ring, Shelley Yoelin and Andy Fraga Jr.

Woody's Palm House in Palm Springs is a great spot to hear live music any day of the week because they have live music 7 days a week.  And the quality of the performers is always some of the best the Desert music scene has to offer.  The owner of Woody's Palm House, Wayne Woodliff, is a former musician himself and he personally selects every act that performs there.  Tonight, I enjoyed the Shelly Yoelin Trio that performs regularly every Wednesday night.  Shelly usually invites one of our great Desert singers to be a special guest and tonight the fabulous Michael Dees joined the group.  Michael has had a long career of doing studio, movie and TV work in LA until he moved to Palm Springs a couple of years ago.  His singing and his original compositions are top draw.  He is simply one of the finest singers on the scene today even though we only get a few chances to hear him sing locally.  I try never to miss one of his gigs.

Tonight Michael vocally joined the Shelly Yoelin Group consisting of Shelly Yoelin on Tenor and Flute, David Ring on Keys and Andy Fraga Jr. on Drums.  These are three of the most talented musicians anywhere and when joined by Michael Dees, it's magic!  Michael sang many songs tonight including the evergreen "What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life" the song Michael sang for the movie "The Happy Ending".  Michael also sang several beautiful and sensitive songs he wrote the music and the lyrics for, one in particular is the sensational, "In A Moment".  It was a great night for quality music!
 

I recorded Michael singing a swinging version of the classic "All or Nothing At All" at the event.  I was recording from my table and caught some of the crowd sounds but I think you will still enjoy Michael Dees and the Shelly Yoelin group.   Enjoy!

CD Review: Cat Conner "Cat House"

Jazz Vocalist Cat Conner has released a new CD that all lovers of Jazz singing need to acquire.  I was not familiar with Cat Conner until I received the new new CD with a request to review it.  The first thing that got my attention was the playlist of songs Cat had picked for this CD.  She includes an in-depth explanation of why each song was chosen which also explains why she sings with such a great understanding of the lyrics.  Each song links to a part of Cat's life experience both from the past to present day.  A lot of serious thinking was done by Cat to develop this playlist and the results will please anyone that loves a singer who understands how to transform words into an emotional experience for the listener. Cat has a wonderful voice and performs perfectly whether a swing song, ballad, blues or Latin groove. She is simply a seasoned and skilled professional Jazz singer!

Being the seasoned Jazz singer that she is, Cat has selected an outstanding cast of supporting musicians:

John Chiodini- Guitar and did most of the arrangements
Gene Cipriano- Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Tenor and Bass Oboe
Tom Ranier- Piano
Chuck Berghofer- Bass
Joe LaBarbera- Drums
Ron Stout- Trumpet
Dick Nash- Trombone
Stephanie O'Keefe- French Horn
Bob Carr- Bassoon, Bass Clarinet, Alto Flute

               Playlist
  1.   "Everything I Love/Everything I Desire"       2.   "Handsome Man"
  3.   "Sans Souci"                                                       4.   "Giant Steps"
  5.   "Throw Me Away"                                             6.   "Remind Me"
  7.   "Baltimore Oriole"                                             8.   "Heart's Desire"
  9.   "Wishing On The Moon"                                   10. "You're Driving Me Crazy"
  11. "Come On Strong"                                              11. " Come On Strong"
  12. "What a Little Moonlight Can Do"                   13. "People Say"

I also want to add that I was delighted to find that Palm Springs resident, Michael Dees, has one of his great songs on this CD, "Throw Me Away".  Michael is a wonderful singer and even better songwriter whose lyrics are always new, clever and deliver an emotional message.

You can hear the songs on this new CD by going to Cap's Website: www.catconner.com.

Michael Dees, David Ring and Danny Flahive Perform Wonderful Music at the Purple Room

Michael Dees, Danny Flahive and David Ring

Michael Dees

Michael Dees

Danny Flahive

Michael Dees and David Ring

David Ring

The Purple Room is a new supper club re-born in a room that has deep historical musical roots in Palm Springs.  The old Purple Room established in 1960 was famously the home to Sinatra's Rat Pack.  During the 1960s, the Purple Room was the rallying spot for Sinatra and his famous friends. They sang, they played and just had fun there.  Now the Purple Room under new management has transformed the Purple Room into it's former self.  The owners of "Trio Restaurant" have applied their capital and restaurant skills to create a great new supper club with live music 6 days a week.  On Tuesday nights starting at 6:30 pm Michael Dees sings and plays the drums with David Ring and Danny Flahive who was sitting in tonight for Larry Holloway. Michael Dees is a relatively new singer in the Desert, but he has already added to the music scene with his beautiful voice, impeccable timing and Sinatra-like phrasing. Michael is one of the most impressive singers I have heard in many years.  In addition to singing some of the greatest songs from the Great American Songbook, like "My One and Only Love", "I'm Old Fashioned" and the "The Way You Look Tonight",  Michael also sings some of the songs and lyrics he has written.  His songs are stunningly beautiful and stand up perfectly against the classic songs listed above.  He is a brilliant musical talent and I highly recommend that music lovers in the Desert get to the Purple Room to hear him sing.

David Ring was playing Keys tonight and every time I hear David I gain more and more respect for his musical talents.  David plays Jazz that is new and inventive unlike any other of the currently playing in the Desert.  He supports Michael's voice and phrasing perfectly!  Danny Flahive was a joy to listen to on Bass.  Danny has a huge following of supporters in the Desert and for good reason.  Danny always plays with emotion that supports the message of the lyrics.

The Purple Room has an early bird dinner from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM that includes a 3-course dinner for $19.95.  This is the best deal in the Valley,  the great sounds of Michael Dees, David Ring and Larry Holloway and a 3-course dinner for about the cost of a tip at many other restaurants! 

Michael Dees Joins the Great Singers in the California Desert

Michael Dees, Allen Goodman, Larry Holloway and Barney McClure

Larry Holloway and Michael Dees

Michael Dees and Barney McClure

Allen Goodman and Larry Holloway

Allen Goodman, Larry Holloway and Rich Bono

Ken Steele

Jeanie Monroe

Several of my musician friends recommended I should go to Vicky's on Tuesday night to hear Michael Dees.  Michael moved to Palm Springs from LA about 6 months ago and now performs every Tuesday night at Vicky's. Michael has an impressive resume and has sung songs for movies like "A walk in the Rain", "Day of the Locust", "The Happy Ending", and "Sabrina". His vocals were also featured on two episodes of "The Simpsons".  Michael is a marvelous singer especially on great American ballads. More than this, Michael has written music and lyrics for some simply wonderful songs. He also has a crowd-pleasing personality and a professional stage prescence.

Michael's show consists of some of the best tunes from the "Great American Songbook" and songs he has written with lyrics and music you will love instantly. He has a great voice and even better sense of delivery. Michael will be a welcome addition to our Desert musical community. Make plans now to get over to Vicky's on Tuesday to hear Michael perform.

Supporting Michael tonight were Barney McClure on Keyboard, Larry Holloway on Bass and Allen Goodman on Drums.  Barney McClure is a sensational Keyboard player who could be every singers' dream accompanist! I could listen to Barney play for days. Some of his improvisations reminded me of one of my all-time favorites, Dave Brubeck. 

Larry Holloway continues to impress everyone with his beautifully-constructed solos.  He is a perfect fit with the Drummer and leader of the group, Allen Goodman.  Some of you might be familiar with Allen who leads the big band performing on Sundays at Vicky's for the last several years.  Allen's Drum work is an excellent compliment to the group. Allen has a special talent of putting the right talent in the right place at the right time.  Allen told me that he had been trying for two years to get Michael to perform in the Desert. He certainly has been proven right about putting this group together.  

Rich Bono was in the audience tonight and as soon as Michael noticed him, he asked him to play a couple of songs with Larry and Allen. I think it is wonderful that Rich and other major stars here in the Valley come out to support fellow performers. They deserve more recognition and credit for all the support they give our Jazz community.  Next Michael asked Jeanie Monroe to sing.  Jeanie was married last year, and she is singing better than ever.  No doubt being happily married is having a great effect on her performance.  Also in the audience tonight was Ken Steele was asked to sing. I have to say that I have never heard Ken sing better than his performance tonight!

What a great night of music; it's what the Desert music scene is all about!

I have a treat for your ears in the attached YouTube of Michael singing "What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life" which he sang for the movie "The Happy Ending". Music by Michel Legrand, lyrics by Alan & Marilyn Bergman.