Friday, May 27, 2005 | 8:55 a.m.
Irv Kluger marches to the beat of a different drummer.
The 83-year-old musician will turn 84 on July 9, and he still is the engine driving the decades-old jazz jam sessions at Pogo's, a quiet neighborhood club at 2103 N. Decatur Blvd. that transforms into a sit-in jazz joint from 8 p.m. until midnight Fridays.
Despite age and a minor stroke last year, the engine still purrs, although at times it seems to want to drive off in different directions.
Before the stroke his mind was tireless, rapidly jumping from topic to topic, revealing Kluger's diversity of interests -- everything from turkey farming to economics.
"I've read every book in the library," he said, looking a little like Einstein with his unmanageable mop of white hair. "I'm a professional student -- if I don't learn I go to sleep.
"I read, I study, I learn. Will I use the knowledge? I don't care -- maybe someday."
Since the stroke, which has left no apparent physical damage, Kluger seems to be even more eager to talk, jumping with even greater rapidity from topic to topic.
One moment he talks about the bible.
The next, it's politics.
"The vice president (Cheney) made a fortune at Halliburton -- he has a great pacemaker: he can afford to change it every night," Kluger said. "He got even richer after he got elected because Halliburton picked up $4 billion or $5 billion for feeding desert peasants who only shot you in the head: Shiites shoot you in the head, Sunnis shoot you in the heart.
"We're spreading Democracy throughout the world. Now we've got to go to Africa. We've got to help people who pick fruit every morning and when the fruit is gone they don't plant another tree -- they starve."
And of course music is always on his mind, as he recalls some of the legends he has performed with since becoming a professional in New York City at age 12: Artie Shaw, Jimmy Dorsey, Buddy Rich, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie and dozens of others.
"I am fortunate," Kluger said. "I am skilled, and I'm getting better. I'm learning all the time. I like challenges."
Money is a popular subject.
"I had four years of pre-law at a Christian school in lower Manhattan," Kluger said. "I had four years of economics. I had four years of accounting.
"I've never been caught short. I've never lost one buck on the stock market since I was 22."
He paid his way through college playing with a band, earning $85 a week.
"My father was making $27.50 (a week), with three kids," Kluger said.
Now Kluger is making about $25 a week performing at Pogo's.
He says he gives the same amount to the musicians who perform with him every week -- Jimmy Dell, former trombonist with the Goofers, who started out with Louis Prima in the '40s; bassist Don Stewart ("The best bass player in Nevada; I love him, he only falls over once every three or four months"); guitarist Bob Howard and keyboardist Tom Roberts (who joined the band about a month ago).
Casual players who drop by are paid $5.
"So they will have gas money to get halfway home from here," Kluger said.
Bu money isn't an issue.
"I don't need the money," he said. "I just do it for the enjoyment. I made over $1 million in recording."
Besides performing in concerts with countless legends, Kluger spent years as a session musician in Los Angeles, performing on records and for film soundtracks.
"The last movie I ever worked on was 'The Longest Day' (1962)," said Kluger, who moved to Las Vegas in 1965.
If he continues at his present pace (72 years of performing), Kluger may have "the longest career" -- with 21 years at Pogo's, he may at least qualify for "the longest gig."
Lounging around
Performing at Steven David's, 545 E. Sahara Ave.: Steven David, with Susan Seagal, 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; Benny Bennet's 20-piece Salsation Orchestra, Benny Bennet's nine-piece Salsa Band, 3 p.m. Sundays; 9 p.m. Mondays; David Phy Quintet, 9 p.m. Tuesdays; Dennis Mellen's World Famous Jazz Jam and Thursdays various R& B artists, 9 p.m. Wednesdays; Dick Fazio at the piano, 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. Sundays.
From midnight until 4 a.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, it's Larry "Wild" Wrice and Friends.
A new trio may be in the making -- The Three Tenors of Las Vegas debuted at the Bootlegger Bistro Sunday night before a standing-room-only crowd.
The group includes Bill Fayne (music director for Clint Holmes), Mark Giovi (a cast member of "Bite") and Bobby Black, a cruise ship performer who lives in Vegas.
They were spectacular and fans loved the mini pop-opera concert, which will have an encore performance in a few weeks.
Canadian Jason Scott was the latest winner in the Imperial Palace's "Be A Legend" celebrity impersonator karaoke contest.
The British Columbia native won $750 and an audition with "Legends in Concert" for his impersonation of Neil Diamond. Scott is the first international winner of the two-year-old contest, beating out 18 other contestants.
Las Vegan Willie Ray, doing an impression of James Brown, placed second and Lenne Ray (no relation) of Clackamas, Ore., came in third for his rendition of Tim McGraw.
Cash Farrar and his Sax Express Trio are performing at Thumper's, 3870 E. Flamingo Road, from 9 p.m. to midnight Saturdays.
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