Columnist Joe Delaney: Local stars take the stage for benefit concert

Joe Delaney

Friday, May 10, 2002 | 8:29 a.m.

"For the Love of Joe" is the theme of this year's 14th annual Joe Williams Scholarship Fund Concert, presented by the Community College of Southern Nevada Performing Arts Department, Sunday at 2 p.m., in The Orleans Showroom ... Bob Anderson, Clint Holmes and Pete Barbutti will perform, backed by the CCSN All-Star Big Band under the direction of Dr. Tom Ferguson.

The late Williams is best remembered as a blues singer and his years (1954-1961) with the Count Basie Orchestra and hit recordings of "Every Day I Get the Blues" and "All Right, Okay, You Win" ... A gentle giant, avid golfer, with a well-developed sense of humor, I remember my friend as one who could sing every type of music; "Imagination" was never sung better by anyone.

We were this close: During the Basie years, the band's Chicago home was Frank Holzfiend's Blue Note nightclub ... Chicago was a second home for me at that time ... As Joe walked off the stand, I would have a Gibson martini waiting for him ... On the days off, we hung out together ... There was a two-year interval later when our paths did not cross.

I was in London and learned that Williams was back with Basie, and they were performing at the famed Palladium Theatre ... He had no idea that I was in London ... At the one-hour mark in the show, Williams would sing two songs, walk off then return for an encore ... That night as he walked off after the second song, I was waiting for him in the wings with a Gibson.

Holmes has joined Wayne Newton, Siegfried & Roy and Danny Gans as a Las Vegas icon ... He is ensconced through 2006 in a theater named for him at Harrah's ... Anderson is starring in "The Main Event," dealing with Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack days, at The Venetian ... Emcee Barbutti is a humorist, wit and a longtime Las Vegas contributor.

Barbara Morrison and composer-arrangers Artie Butler and Johnny Pate will also appear ... Butler is the composer of "Here's to Life," which is the title cut on one of the last CDs recorded by Williams ... Williams loved Las Vegas, and these annual concerts are a wonderful way of perpetuating his memory ... Sunday is Mother's Day; take Mom and the entire family and have a great time for a good cause.

Weekend wrap-up

Grammy-winning ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock closes the 2001-2002 "World Stage Series" Sunday at 4 p.m. in University of Nevada, Las Vegas' Artemus Ham Hall ... The ensemble, an a capella group, consists of six women who sing contemporary and traditional African music, including gospel, hymns, blues and jazz ... Ticket prices are reasonable.

The Mayor's Mother's Day Concert features trombonist Walter Boenig's Big Band at 2 p.m. at Reed Whipple Cultural Center ... It will be preceded by a 12:30 p.m. brunch with the mayor ... The $12 ticket includes both brunch and special seating at the concert.

Mother might also enjoy the Sunday Jazz Brunch at Gordon Biersch Brewery, noon to 3 p.m. ... Reminder: Jazz fans are recommended to catch jazz singer Jo Belle, backed by master guitarist Joe Lano and an all-star group, Sunday and Monday, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., in MGM Grand's Entertainment Dome Lounge.

The 63-member UNLV Wind Orchestra, with special guest artist saxophonist Eric Marienthal and guest conductor Dr. Harry Begian, will tour Japan May 17-23 ... The Orchestra has the top-selling CD in Japan for that type of music ... It is also considered one of the top wind orchestras in this country.

The advance word is good on the production of "Guys and Dolls," starring Maurice Hines, in the Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts Tuesday through May 19 ... Be sure to include the Sun Summer Camp Fund on your list for giving; it is so vital that every deserving youngster get to camp for a week this summer ... See you next Thursday.