Thursday, August 30, 2007

August 30th, 2007

Howdy,


It's almost Labor Day Weekend and I'll be in Atlantic City at the Taj Mahal with Liza Minnelli this Saturday night. (The 1st of September)


My good friend for over 40 years, Bill LaVorgna, passed away on July 31st and I got the call to come and try to fill his very large shoes with Liza and the band.


We did a couple of concerts in Upstate NY, (Canadagua Lake near Rochester and then a private date in Saratoga Springs. Then I went to Naples, Florida on business Friday and Saturday, back to NY on Sunday and then off to Spain, Monte Carlo and Taormina, Sicily for two weeks with Liza and the crew.



Happy in Sicily...


I won't go into detail about every concert but just let me state that Liza sounds and looks amazing, the show is great and I'm having a ball. As I said, Pappy (Bill LaVorgna) was her drummer/Conductor for 33 years. I am doing my best to emulate and play the fills and feels that Liza and the Band know and expect. It's a real challenge and a thrill and an honor to be on the gig.


The response and the love that comes across the footlights from the audience to Liza is unreal. Such energy and emotion and warmth...the only other time I've ever experienced anything like it is when I did the Follies Concert with the NY Phil about 20 years ago.


More soon...


Thursday, August 23, 2007

August 23rd, 2007


THE GENE KRUPA BAND will be at the Laurie Beechman Theatre, 42nd Street and 9th Avenue in NYC every Wednesday afternoon in September from 5-7. Special Guest vocalists include Laurel Masse and others to be named. Come by and hear the band and support live Jazz!!!


I'm at the Paducah Ky Symphony Pops September 15th with Dee Daniels. Dee will be doing her Tribute To Ray Charles Show. Dee is a marvelous talent and her show in honor of Ray Charles is an outstanding concert experience.


BUY THE NEW CD!!! THINKING OF GENE!!! THE GENE KRUPA BAND LIVE FROM XM RADIO IN WASHINGTON, DC


OFFICIAL RELEASE DATE IS 10/9/07 but you can get it now from www.seabreezejazz.com