Derek David and his 17-piece big band bring back the swing

By Jerry Fink (contact)

Sunday, Feb. 5, 2006 | 12:30 p.m.

For swing dancers who have been futilely searching for a place to perform their favorite pastime, vocalist Derek David and his 17-piece big band have arrived.

"Sunday Swing starring Derek David" debuts at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Italian American Supper Club, 2333 E. Sahara Ave.

David will be backed by vocalists Kelly Vaughn, Arnold Parker, Genevieve and Lee Ann Brychel.

The price of admission is $29.95 and includes dinner.

Entertainment will be from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. every Sunday.

"The music is the thing," David said. "We're going to be performing the songs of Glen Miller, Billy Eckstine, Joe Williams - all the great music from the Big Band Era, from the '40s on."

David has been with The Platters for 35 years, joining the group in 1971 and eventual-ly becoming the lead singer.

The Platters was one of the most successful doo wop groups in the world. Formed in 1953, over the years it has spawned many off-shoots.

Its long list of hits include "Only You," "The Great Pretender,' "Twilight Time" and "My Prayer.''

The Platters has been at the Sahara for the past three years, performing nightly in the show "The Platters, Cornell Gunter's Coasters and Beary Hobb's Drifters."

David decided to moonlight with a big band for a change of pace.

"I wanted to expand my horizons," he said. "I get to do all the big band numbers - that's why I'm doing this.

"I can't keep singing 'My Prayer' every night.' "

David, who was born in San Francisco and raised in Washington, D.C., has been singing publicly since the age of 4 when he was in a church choir.

His father was an attorney. Both of his parents loved history.

"My quest for education comes naturally," David said.

His singing talent comes from his mother.

"She sang with the Billy Taylor Trio, in between schooling," David said.

He said his mother once dated Eckstine, one of the world's great jazz singers.

"My uncle also sang in Washington, D.C., and he was always in competition with Billy Eckstine."

David began performing professionally at age 15. He sang his way through high school and college, part of the time with his own group, The Young Senators.

"My father always wanted me to follow him into his law practice," David said. "But when he heard me sing as a senior at Roosevelt Hight School and saw the way the crowd reacted, he said to me "You need to be a singer, and I will do everything in my power to make it happen' - and he did."

David said he was discovered by the wife of Tony Williams, who was the lead singer of the original Platters group until striking out on his own in 1961. He later was the lead singer of his own Platters group.

"She asked me to join The Platters in 1971," David said.

Although he continued to sing with his own trio, David said he has traveled the world with The Platters.

Big band music has always had a special place in his heart.

"When I was in New York I had a big band. There's nothing like it," he said.

He said his wife, Rita, owner of Dubarry Fashions, created the attire for the show.

"The afternoon will be a throwback to elegance," David said.

Jerry Fink can be reached at 259-4058 or jerry@lasvegassun.com.