Kluger to receive send-off at Pogo’s

Friday, March 10, 2006 | 7:23 a.m.

Irv Kluger will be given a final farewell beginning at 6:30 tonight at Pogo's Tavern, 2103 N. Decatur Blvd.

The 84-year-old legendary drummer died Feb. 28, a month after suffering a heart attack. He had been in failing health for some time.

Kluger headed up Kluger's All Stars, a jazz band that performed from 8 p.m. until midnight on Fridays at Pogo's for 20 years. Prior to that, he spent 16 years in another band at Pogo's.

He moved to Las Vegas more than 40 years ago from Los Angeles, where he was one of the busiest session players in the business, performing on numerous albums and motion picture sound tracks.

Before settling in Los Angeles, the New York native was a Big Band drummer, performing with such legends as Artie Shaw, Jimmy Dorsey, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie and dozens of others.

Keyboardist Dick Fazio, who has replaced Kluger as head of the Friday night jazz jam sessions, says he will keep Kluger's tradition alive.

Fazio said many musicians who jammed with Kluger over the years at Pogo's will be on hand for the farewell, which begins with a buffet following by music at 8 p.m.

Louis Prima Jr.

The son of the legendary Louis Prima will perform at the South Coast at 8 p.m. March 20-21.

Tickets for Louis Prima Jr.'s show are $19 and $26.

For more information call 284-7777.

Prima is not a clone of his father, but he performs some of his father's biggest hits, including "Sing, Sing, Sing," "That Old Black Magic" and "Just a Gigolo."

Dennis Mellen

Join keyboardist Dennis Mellen for his jam sessions at 9 p.m. every Wednesday at Champions, 4460 S. Durango Road.

Tommy Thompson

Saxophonist Tommy Thompson and vocalist Jeannie Snow are at Cafe De Tout, 9330 W. Sahara Ave., suite 160, from 7:30 p.m. until 11 p.m. every Thursday.

Ice House

Lots of cool things going on at the Ice House, 650 S. Main St.

From 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Monday and March 20 it's Arnie Webster and his Big Band.

Comedian Alex Thomas will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday. Thomas' credits include Def Comedy Jam and "The Jamie Foxx Show." Admission is $25.

Cat Daddy, one of the hottest local bands, will be at the Ice House at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

From 6 p.m. until midnight every Wednesday it's Funk Jazz Wednesdays hosted by Tina Marie and featuring DJ Slimm spinning neo-soul, jazz, R&B and classic soul.

Derek David

Vocalist Derek David has moved his 2 p.m. Sunday Big Band sessions from the Italian American Club to the Kiss Lounge.

Kiss is the former Cafe Nicole, located in the Sahara Pavilion Shopping Center, 4760 W. Sahara Ave. (at the northeast corner of Sahara and Decatur).

Tickets are $20. For information call 317-7752.

David and his 17-piece orchestra perform swing hits from the '40s by Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, Ray Eberle, Billie Eckstein and others.

Michael Soli

Acoustic guitarist Michael Soli hosts an "Unplugged" jam session from 9 p.m. until midnight Thursdays at the House of Blues.

For information about the free event call 632-7600.

Soli also performs from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. Fridays and 8 p.m. until midnight Saturdays at Jack's Irish Pub at Palace Station.