Columnist Jerry Fink: Cerebral palsy not enough to thwart Giovi

Friday, May 14, 2004 | 8:10 a.m.

Mark Giovi was born with a marvelous singing voice.

He was also born with cerebral palsy.

"When God takes something away, he gives something," said Giovi's representative, Louise Santoro.

Giovi, a 35-year-old native of Trenton, N.J., came to Las Vegas six weeks ago to try his luck.

So far, his luck has been pretty good.

Giovi has been impressing crowds with his vocal prowess at open-mike nights all around town.

Wednesday he performed at City Lights Bistro. He routinely appears at the Bootlegger. Two weeks after arriving in Vegas he was a featured performer in the short-lived revue at Boulder Station, "Neon Nights."

Rarely does Giovi (real name Giovacchini) not receive a standing ovation and a call for an encore or two.

Blues. Jazz. Broadway tunes. Opera. R&B. Standards. Old and new. Giovi's talent spans the range of musical styles.

He sometimes bills himself as White Chocolate -- fans say he sounds like a black vocalist when he belts out his soulful renditions of blues numbers.

Giovi's first professional gig in Las Vegas will be at Cafe Nicolle, 4760 W. Sahara Ave. (at Decatur Boulevard). He will perform from 8 p.m. to midnight on May 25.

The place is expected to be packed with fans, including Buddy Greco and his wife, Lezlie Anders, who were impressed by Giovi when they heard him at the Bootlegger.

Legendary Sonny King, who hosts "Off the Cuff" at the Bootlegger on Friday and Saturday nights, is expected to be there.

Santoro says a couple of record company executives from Los Angeles will be on hand for Giovi's local debut.

Fans who may be in the audience include Clint Holmes, the headliner at Harrah's.

Holmes spent a number of years in New York City hosting a local television show and entertaining. In 1986 Holmes was the host of a telethon to raise money for cerebral palsy.

Among those who performed on the show included 17-year-old Mark Giovi.

"I still have videos of Clint introducing me," Giovi said.

Giovi appeared on the telethon two years in a row.

"I have known Clint that long," Giovi said. "He has never forgotten who I was. Whenever I came into town on vacation or whatever, I would stop by and say, 'Hello,' and he would make time for me. He's being very supportive of me."

Giovi has been surrounded by music his entire life. His father, Lou, was a singer and saxophonist.

"I performed with my father when I was 7," he said.

Giovi's grandparents own a nightclub/restaurant in Trenton where he worked and performed while growing up.

"My grandmother is 87 years old and she still runs the place six days a week," Giovi said. "It's closed on Mondays. On those days, she goes down to Atlantic City and plays the slots."

When he was 19 he joined a heavy-metal band and toured the East Coast for a couple of years.

At age 25 Giovi moved to Los Angeles to pursue his singing career. He became a regular at Frankie's on Melrose Avenue and at other venues in and around the city.

Eventually he became a road manager, vocal coach and backup singer for Aaron Carter, brother of Back Street Boys member Nick Carter.

Giovi's goal is a recording and writing career and to become a headliner.

And he wants to be an inspiration.

"I have always wanted to be a positive influence," Giovi said. "I want to be an inspiration to people, even people without disabilities, to show them they can do whatever they want to do -- you just have to put your mind to it."

Lounging around

Tropi-Karaoke is coming to the Tropics Lounge at the Tropicana from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Wednesday through June 12. Each session is hosted by a rotating list of DJs. Props and accessories are available. The lounge is located between the Island Tower and Island Buffet.

The Saloon, at downtown's Neonopolis, features a variety of live music. From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays through May, it's John Earl & The Boogie Man Blues Band, followed by Exit 12 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Rocky Gordon & The Killer Groove performs for Sunday Jazz Brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This month, vocalist Denise Clemente can be heard at the Cannery from 8 p.m. to midnight Tuesdays through Thursdays and on Sunday, and from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Trumpeter/vocalist Skip Martin of Cool and the Gang performs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m Tuesdays at City Lights Bistro (4850 W. Flamingo Road), along with Jazz pianist Dennis Mellen and drummer Paco Martin.

Authentic "oompah" bands from Munich, Germany, perform nightly in the Hofbrauhaus beer hall from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. weeknights and 6 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. The band for May is German Alpenzauber. In June the featured band will be 4 St. Johanner. The Hofbrauhaus is at Paradise Road and Harmon Avenue.