Columnist Joe Delaney: Six decades of magic moments

Joe Delaney

Thursday, Jan. 8, 1998 | 8:44 a.m.

MAGIC MOMENTS. ... As we all attempt to wrap up the loose ends of last year and come to grips with the possibilities of the year ahead, we would like to share a few magic moments that have occurred during our more than 60 years as part of show business. ... This first magic moment takes us back to the start of the 1970s.

Louis Armstrong was playing his last public engagement, January of 1971; Pops left us that July. ... It happened in the Tropicana Blue Room, no longer an entertainment area. ... Ella Fitzgerald was headlining in the pre-Hilton Flamingo while Duke Ellington and his Orchestra was the first hall of Caesars "Late, Late Show."

I volunteered to arrangea a Tribute Night for Armstrong. ... The date selected happened to be our own natal date, Jan. 9. ... Ella and Duke quickly agreed to be part of the ceremonies.

What happened

Jazz great, xylophonist Red Norvo was performing in the Tropicana Lounge. ... The Blue Room was packed and people were standing three-deep outside. ... Norvo, bassist Monk Montgomery and guitarist Lloyd Ellis had finished their turn and returned to the lounge. ... The formalities of the event had been completed.

Ella and Duke were still onstage with a very pleased Armstrong and his All-Stars. ... Impulsively, Ella walked over to Satchmo and asked if he would play a request for her, his version of "Blueberry Hill." ... Louis kicked off the tempo and away they went.

Ellington politely asked Ella if he might have the pleasure of this dance. ... That was it; three of the music world's finest onstage, Louis and the group playing and Ellington dancing elegantly with Ella, impromptu, natural, truly a magic moment.

No photographer

Frantically, I looked around for the photographer but she had gone off to the main showroom to collect for her pictures from the audience coming out at the show break. ... That magic moment was never captured on film but it will always remain in the minds and hearts of myself and all those who were fortunate enough to be present for my 49th birthday, Jan. 9, 1971.

Another moment

As we noted above, Ellington and his Orchestra performed for the first hour of "The Late, Late Show" at Caesars Palace, starting at 2 a.m. ... Woody Herman and his Orchestra had the second hour. ... We served as host-emcee for the show, six mornings a week. ... After Woody Herman took over the bandstand, we stopped to play keno enroute home.

Ellington and his musicians, all keno players, were sitting in the keno parlor just as they had onstage; reeds in front, trombones behind and the trumpets behind them. ... Duke was seated to their left with the bass player and the drummer. ... All they needed were their music stands and instruments and they could have played a set between keno games.

That January was the best month ever for jazz in Las Vegas, with Duke and Woody plus Armstrong and the All-Stars at the Tropicana, and Ella Fitzgerald, headlining at the Flamingo.

It's Magic

Las Vegas will be the Magic Capitol as well as the World's Entertainment Capital these next few weeks. ... With Siegfried & Roy at the Mirage, and Penn & Teller (Bally's) and David Copperfield (Caesars Palace), both starting three-week stands this evening, plus Lance Burton at the Monte Carlo, Caesars Magical Empire and the other production shows, large and small.

Jack Jones, possessor of the best pop chops in the business, a magnificent vocal instrument, plays the Orleans Hotel through Sunday, highly recommended, our musical "Choice of the Week."

Star policy: It's Penn & Teller (Bally's); David Copperfield (Caesars Palace); Kenny Kerr (Debbie Reynolds Hotel); The Four Tops (MGm Grand); Siegfried & Roy (Mirage); Lance Burton (Monte Carlo); Jack Jones (Orleans); and Danny Gans (Rio). ... Recommended: "Forever Plaid," which could run forever at the Flamingo-Hilton. ... See you Friday.