Columnist Joe Delaney: Tracing Brenner’s comedic beginnings

Joe Delaney

Friday, April 9, 1999 | 11:37 a.m.

David Brenner, appearing in the Riviera's Top of the Riv at 9 tonight and Saturday, now lives with his family in Aspen, Colo. ... To this columnist, Brenner will always personify Philadelphia, just as much as scrapple, Philly steak sandwiches, cream cheese, sub sandwiches, and soft pretzels with mustard, title of a Brenner best-selling book.

The Riviera was once an important factor in David's career. ... It was in 1982 that Joan Rivers and Brenner co-starred in the first all-comedy show in that hotel's main showroom, then the Versailles Theatre.

Rivers and Brenner toured together for the next 2 1/2 years. ... She went on to Caesars Palace, doing all-comedy shows with the Smothers Brothers and Jim Stafford, while he became a regular in the Golden Nugget Cabaret when it was on the casino level and home base for Frank Sinatra, Paul Anka, Alan King, Willie Nelson and many other top stars.

Brenner's style

David's forte is the truth told funny. ... He paints word pictures, much of it autobiographical, telling his stories with both wit and humor. ... He has always been a great favorite with TV talk show hosts, and helmed his own TV talk show at one time. ... Before stepping onstage, he had a successful career as an award-winning producer of documentaries.

His decision to go for standup comedy came from a line in an obscure Don Murray film: "Instead of changing the world, I am going to keep the world from changing me."

Like all good comedians, he has a great memory. ... On the phone recently, he reminded me that he had saved a 1971 review of ours when he made his LV debut at the Sahara with Sonny and Cher. ... That date led to long tours with Sonny and Cher, Engelbert Humperdinck and Tom Jones. ... Our Sun column was also a factor in the 1982 Riviera date with Joan Rivers.

Brenner talks

"I live in Aspen now. I'm happily married to my wife Elizabeth and we have two children, Slade, 4, and Wyatt," soon to be 1 year old. Son Cole, age 16, now lives with them. "It was a long hard battle to win custody of Cole. It took all the money I had at the time. It led to three years when I could only be away from him 50 nights a year -- tough but worth it. This did limit my ability to earn a decent living."

Brenner continues, "My single life was great fun, being on the road most of the time. I really enjoyed my bachelorhood. It was good that I waited until I grew up before getting married.

"Elizabeth and I are working together on a book about having a baby -- sort of a his and hers guide to successfully surviving a pregnancy." ... Judging by his Riviera performance last summer, the married David Brenner is more relaxed and even funnier than his single self was.

Jazz notice

Speaking of Aspen, the annual Jerome Jazz Festival will not be held there this fall. ... Piano great Ralph Sutton and his wife, Sunnie, are planning to revive the three-day event as Jerome Jazz-Denver 2000 next year, moving the action to the Denver Marriott Sept. 1-3, a Labor Day weekend. ... Pianist Dick Hyman and Sutton will set up the various sessions.

Players like Kenny Davern, Ruby Braff, Frankie Capp, Jack Lesberg, Dave McKenna, Bucky Pizzarelli, George Masso, Ralph Sandke, Howard Alden, Harry Allen, John Allred, Dan Barrett, Jay Leonhart and Joe Temperley have already signed to perform, and at least six more top musicians will be added to the already strong lineup.

They ask for a goodwill returnable down payment of $100 by April 15 this year, made out to Jerome Jazz-Denver 2000, PO Box 1684, Bailey, Colo. 80421, or you can call (303) 838-4240 for further details. ... We're going.

Friday addenda

Wolf Adler was a premier classical clarinetist who is also an equally talented caricature artist. ... We were happy to run into Adler at work in the MGM Grand's excellent Brown Derby Restaurant, which also features pianist-singer Larry White Mondays through Wednesdays. ... We've also learned that Joe Darro and singer Allyn Gamble will be at Ruth's Chris West, working weekends, starting next week.

Support good jazz wherever it is played. ... It is also time to dig down and come up with a check for the Sun Summer Camp Fund; let's send every possible needy youngster to camp this year. ... The Sun underwrites all the SSCF operating expenses. ... See you next Thursday.