LOOKING IN ON: ENTERTAINMENT

Friday, Sept. 28, 2007 | 7:31 a.m.

Local trumpeter and trumpet maker Tony Scodwell fired himself this summer.

He was road manager for Doc Severinsen, the former "Tonight Show" bandleader.

After Johnny Carson retired, Severinsen took his show on the road. This year the 80-year-old bandleader announced he was retiring. His finale: June 10 in Milwaukee.

"He's taken four gigs since his 'last' concert," said Scodwell, who performed with Severinsen's orchestra on the road for several years. "As his road manager for the last three years, I fired myself as of June 11. After all his talk about retiring and enjoying his new life in Mexico for the last two years, I started working on my future."

And Scodwell's future looks busy. He already has a professional photography business. He has booked a December performance of Christmas music in Minneapolis, backed by the Minnesota Orchestra.

"How cool is that, to be starting with a top 10 major orchestra?" Scodwell said.

Another Las Vegan, Dick Wright, is arranging most of the music.

"He's arranging all but two of the pieces that I'll be doing with the orchestra, adding a sax section to comprise a big band within the orchestra's existing brass section," Scodwell said. "I will be bringing my own rhythm section in with me."

One of the songs Wright will arrange is by another Las Vegan, Gus Mancuso.

"Gus has done some incredible Christmas music over the past years, and Dick is orchestrating his arrangement of (the medley) 'Let It Snow-I'll Be Home For Christmas,' " Scodwell said.

Big band vocalist Lynn Roberts, who sang with Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and Harry James, will sing at the concert.

Scodwell also has signed with the Hal Leonard Corp. to do a method book, complete with CD s of his big band. "I'll provide transcripts of my recorded solos for the budding trumpet soloists out there to practice with," Scodwell said.

Meanwhile, he continues his home-grown trumpet-making business. For years he made them in his garage and his kitchen, but now he's setting up a shop for Scodwell USA Trumpets.

Dream comes true

"Le Reve" celebrate its 1,000th performance at the late show Saturday at Wynn Las Vegas. The first 500 ticket holders to enter the theater will receive a signature red swimming cap used by the clowns in the show.

Franco Dragone's water-based production and the Wynn both opened on April 28, 2005.

Details: 7 and 9:30 p.m. Sundays, Mondays and Thursdays; 8:30 p.m. Fridays; 8 and 10:30 p.m. Saturdays; $99 to $159; 770-9966 or wynnlasvegas.com

Around town

Vocalist Genevieve performs at Josette's Bistro on Friday . (8:30 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m.; 4883 W. Flamingo Road; $49.50 includes entertainment, a five-course French meal and a glass of wine and entertainment; 227-4575) Willhoyte Jetton, known as Jay "The Picture Man," received a community leadership award this week from the American Black Music Association, Las Vegas chapter Larry Taylor held a big band dance party at the Gold Coast for years using taped music. On Sunday he hosts a dance with the 18-piece Jimmy Hemming Orchestra (4 to 8 p.m.; Shriners Grand Ballroom, 2222 W. Mesquite Ave. at Rancho Drive; $19; 877-3535). Taylor's ballroom DJ gig has moved to the Gold Strike in Jean (7 to 10 p.m. Mondays, dance lessons begin at 6 p.m.; $10 includes two beverages; 224-5324) Shhhh, don't tell Pat Metheny. Saxophonist Kenny G performs Friday in the Stars on the Lake series. (8 p.m.; MonteLago Village, Lake Las Vegas; $50-$85; 564-1600 or starsonthelake.com).