The Rich and Poupee Open Mike Show Brings Out the Best Musical Talents in the Valley

Poupee Boccaccio

Poupee Boccaccio

Poupee Boccaccio

Poupee Boccaccio

The Indian Wells Resort Hotel has "Open Mike" every Wednesday night hosted by two of the most talented performers in the West, Rich Bono and Poupee Boccaccio. I have written about Rich Bono in previous blogs but every time I hear him, I am just amazed at his abilities on the keyboard and his skillful vocals. Rich also has the ability to accompany a vast amount of singers with different singing styles. Rich Bono's resume is stellar. He performed in some of the biggest hotels in Las Vegas for over 25 years. He also toured with the famous Harry James Orchestra and played as an accompanist for many musical stars like Jack Jones, Tony Bennett, Frankie Laine, Linda Darnell, Mary Kaye Jane Morgan, Don Cherry and Pat Boone just to mention a few.

Rich's partner, the stunningly beautiful Poupee Boccaccio is also a mighty talent in her own right. Poupee has had a successful career in the movies and TV and also speaks and can perform in 5 different languages. She has appeared on the "Johnny Carson Show", "the Joey Bishop Show", "I Spy", "Wild, Wild West", and "Get Smart" and many others. Poupee has acted in the following movies: "Colombo" with Peter Falk, "April Fools" with Jack Lennon, "Fastest Guitar Alive" with Roy Orbinson and "Pocket Money" with Lee Marvin & Paul Newman. And for many years, she was a headline singer for the "Follies Bergere" in Las Vegas. I especially love when she sings in French. She could perform and star in any Jazz club in France with no adjustments. Because so many Valley singers want to perform on Wednesday nights, Rich and Poupee really never have an opportunity to show off all their talents. But make no mistake, these two are major-league performers.

Tonight a long list of singers joined a packed house and performed to the delight of the crowd. "Open Mike" is so much fun, and I recommend it to anyone who likes great singing and the best songs of the Great American Songbook. I have attached pictures of Wednesday's performers. I personally enjoyed everyone!

Ken Steele

Carole Hampton

                                                                                                       

                                   

Thom McMorris

Sally Skeoch

                                             

         

Beverly Jensen-Leys

Ron Negri

Ilone Albert

Colin Bray

Leonard Kaye

Amadeo Bacci

Beverly Jensen Lights Up Lavender Restaurant

Beverly Jensen Leys

Ken Steele

Thom McMorris

This past Friday night, April 1, 2011, we dined at Lavender Restaurant to enjoy their great food and the even greater sounds from Beverly Jensen. As I mentioned before, we have heard Beverly sing a song or two at other entertainment venues we visited.  However, we did not want to miss the chance to hear her headline her own show. Beverly was joined by the wonderful pianist, Herb Mickman who traveled from LA just to play for Beverly.  We sat outside in the patio area even though the temperature at 6:30 pm was still in the 90's. But the heat did not stop Beverly from performing some of the greatest songs ever written in the Great American Songbook.  One of the first songs she sung was the song I rank as my personal favorite of all times;  the great Hoagy Carmichael & Ned Washington chestnut "The Nearness of You". This song was written in 1937 and never gets old.  I loved the way Beverly sang this song, with her soft and silky voice with great attention to the emotion the lyrics express.  A truly a wonderful display of great singing talent.  Next she covered several absolutely great evergreens, "Spring Is Here", "Spring Can Really Hang You Up" and slow tempo "That's All".  I liked the way she sang "Teach Me Tonight" and Beverly did teach us all how well she can sing.  One other number really moved me, the Gershwin classic, "Someone To Watch Over Me".  If you closed your eyes during this song, one could easily hear the soft and lush sounds of Ella Fitzgerald coming from Beverly. If you have a voice as mellow and soft as Ella's, nothing can top that. Thanks for the great evening of music, Beverly!

We also had two guest singers who came up from the audience, Ken Steele and Thom McMorris.  I have heard both of these gentlemen sing before and I was delighted to hear them again. They are both accomplished, professional singers and were welcomed by the many music lovers that were at Lavender to hear Beverly.  It is sometimes hard to explain to people who ask me "why I like spending time in the desert". I think singers like Beverly, Ken and Thom are the answer.  This is where the talented musicians hang out in the winter.  I am renaming the Coachella Valley as "The Winter Home Of Jazz".