Columnist Joe Delaney: Talented musicians turn out for jazzy party

Joe Delaney

Thursday, Sept. 7, 2000 | 9:49 a.m.

Joe Delaney's column appears Thursdays and Fridays. Reach him at joe@lasvegassun.com or 259-4066.

Not wishing to be there when the Caesars Palace Circus Maximus concluded 24 years as Las Vegas' finest showroom Sunday, I opted to spend Thursday through Labor Day in Denver enjoying Sutton's Rocky Mountain Jazz Party, a three-day bash in the Marriott City Center hotel ballroom ... This was the first year in the Mile High City, having been moved there from Aspen, Colo., its former home.

Ralph Sutton, at age 78, his skills undiminished, ranks with the such jazz piano greats of the past as James P. Johnson, Willie "The Lion" Smith and Fats Waller ... Sutton lets his wife, Sunnie, do most of the talking ... It was Sunnie who organized and directed the party, a huge success in every way.

The Suttons were married in Las Vegas 35 years ago last June ... Roberta and I stood for them and we had a wedding brunch at the Top of the Dunes before the newlyweds took off for Colorado.

The party format

There is approximately five hours a night, comprised of half-hour or so mixed sessions, Friday and Saturday, plus five hours Sunday afternoon for those who had to fly out that evening ... Sutton and pianist Dick Hyman, musical director on Woody Allen's film, "Sweet and Lowdown," work together in setting up the various musical combinations.

All of the players are name musicians, each with copious jazz credits ... This year the lineup included two trumpets, three trombones, clarinet and three saxes, plus three top pianists, with Dave McKenna as the third, three bassists and three drummers; stalwarts, all.

Sutton's piano duets with Hyman Saturday and Dave McKenna Sunday, plus guitar, bass and drums, were the highest points in three days of high points ... Buck Pizzarelli and Howard Alden, two of the finest, alternated in the guitar chair ... It was a weekend of great jazz and pleasant reunions.

A few final notes

When Sunnie announced there would be a 2001 Party at the Marriott over Labor Day weekend, more than half of the 200-plus attending signed up and paid for next year, the highest compliment ... The Suttons can be reached by writing the Rocky Mountain Jazz Party, Box 1684, Bailey, CO 80421 ... Ralph's book, "Loose Shoes," published by Jaynar Press, an update of his original "Piano Man," would be a worthy addition to any jazz collector's library.

Denver is a happening city, a lot of good things going on ... We got to see the Rockies play and explore some fascinating areas; there's plenty of quality shopping as well.

Jazz at home

The Glenn Miller Orchestra, conducted by Larry O'Brien, is celebrating 62 years of performing on tour, Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Stardust Ballroom ... While you're in the area, catch a performance by Bob Anderson, both events highly recommended ... Speaking of the finest guitarists, Joe Lano and his trio are playing nightly (Napoleon Bar, Paris Las Vegas).

Happy first anniversary to Paris Las Vegas, observing the occasion by presenting French diva Nicole, Saturday and Sunday ... Happy 50th anniversary to the Montesano family for a half-century of quality Italian dining, first in New York City, and with two restaurants presently in Las Vegas.

Back to local jazz, it's Friday night at Pogo's, the World's Smallest Jazz Band, Sunday afternoons, at Swede's corner on East Charleston Boulevard, and the Don Menza Riviera Monday Night sessions ... Join the LV Jazz Society and support good jazz wherever it's played.

Star-policy rundown

It's Peabo Bryson (Blue Note); Patsy Cline Tribute (Gold Coast); Clint Holmes (Harrah's); Bill Acosta (Luxor); Rita Rudner plus Tommy Tune starring in "EFX" (MGM Grand); Siegfried & Roy, plus Danny Gans (Mirage); Robert Schimmel (Monte Carlo); Jerry Lewis (Orleans); David Cassidy-Sheena Easton (Rio); Sally Struthers-Rachel Ricca in "Always ... Patsy Cline" (Silverton); and the O'Jays plus Tony Rock, plus Anderson (Stardust).

Recommended: "Bottoms Up" (Flamingo Las Vegas); Mac King Show (Harrah's); both afternoon offerings; the Scintas (LV Hilton Nightclub) and Sonny King, Denise Clemente and Pete Barbutti (Regent Las Vegas) ... See you Friday.