Original Wailer, band to play in varied music weekend

By Jerry Fink (contact)

Thursday, March 20, 2008 | 2 a.m.

If you like diversity in your music, you’ve got it in the Las Vegas Valley this weekend.

This weekend you can sample some reggae, R&B, Latin dance and rock ’n’ roll.

Start with the legendary reggae group the Wailers, performing Friday and Saturday in the Ovation Lounge at Green Valley Ranch.

The group is lead by bass player Aston “Family Man” Barrett, the last of the original members to play with the band.

Barrett and his brother, Carlton, were recruited to join the group formed in Jamaica in 1969 by Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Neville “Bunny Wailer” Livingston. The band’s early hits included “Stir It Up,” “Get Up, Stand Up” and “Trenchtown Rock.”

After Livingston and Tosh left the band to pursue solo careers, the Barrett brothers backed Marley in a string of international hits that included “Natty Dread” and “No Woman, No Cry.”

Marley died of cancer in 1981 and Carlton Barrett was murdered in 1987. (Tosh also was murdered, in 1987.)

Aston Barrett carries on the Wailers name with a group that includes lead singer Elan Atias and drummer Al Anderson.

Details: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; Ovation Lounge, Green Valley Ranch; $29.95 to $39.95; 617-7777

Latin Breeze Orchestra

One of this city’s top dance bands hosts a regular Latin dance party Fridays at Texas Station. The group formed in 1994 and has performed with some of the top names in the business, including Eddie Palmieri, and Tito Puente.

Details: 10 p.m. Fridays; Armadillo Lounge at Texas Station; $10; 631-1000

Huck Daniels

Local R&B legend Huck Daniels completes the doubleheader at the Armadillo with his ever-popular celebrity jam Saturday nights.

Details: 9 p.m. Saturdays; Armadillo Lounge at Texas Station; $5, first drink free; 631-1000

Strange Brew

Strange Brew is a group of seasoned rock ’n’ roll artists who have performed individually with some of the best-known musicians in the world.

The band is made up of Dando, Darrin Hurst, Steve Austin Taylor, John Freixas and Brett Hansen.

Details: 10:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays; Roxy’s at Sam’s Town; free; 456-7777

Rocket Summer

The Rocket Summer makes a couple of stops in Las Vegas today on its national tour to promote the album “Do You Feel.” At 4 p.m. they sign CDs at Zia Records, 4225 S. Eastern Ave., and then head to Jillian’s, where the bill includes All Time Low, Sonny and Forever the Sickest Kids.

Details: 6 p.m. today; Jillian’s; $13.50; 759-0450

Around town

A recent article on 98-year-old Arthur “Doc” Rando-Grillot, the jazz musician turned doctor, prompted a note from the nephew of a trumpet player who performed alongside Doc in Bob Crosby’s band. Joe Triscari, who is named for his uncle, writes: “When I was 15 years old, I had a serious head injury and was sent to the emergency room at (Southern Nevada) Memorial Hospital. I really believe he saved my life. I had a blood clot on my brain. When he saw who I was, saw my last name was Triscari, I know he called my dad” ... Comedian-ventriloquist Ronn Lucas has done a lot of moving in the past year — from the Rio to Planet Hollywood to the Luxor. His puppet troupe lands at the Excalibur April 1. (1 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays; Thunder From Down Under Showroom; $29.95 to $39.95; 597-7600) ... Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday for an April 26 benefit for the Lili Claire Foundation featuring the Goo Goo Dolls, Josh Kelley and Sugar Ray at Mandalay Bay. ($35 to $75; 632-7580)