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Keely Smith Opens "Highlights In Jazz" 33rd Season Thursday, October 6 at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center

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September 28, 2005

To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES Press Contact: JIM EIGO, [email protected]



For Immediate Release



Keely Smith Opens “Highlights In Jazz" 33rd Season at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center Thursday, October 6, 2005 at 8PM



New York, NY September 1, 2005 Jack Kleinsinger's “Highlights in Jazz," New York's longest running jazz series is pleased to announce that legendary vocalist Keely Smith will open their 33rd season Thursday, October 6, 2005 at 8PM.

Keely Smith (b. Dorothy Jaqueline Keely Smith, March 9, 1932, Norfolk, Virginia) is a singer most famous for her work with her late husband, bandleader Louis Prima. Smith made her professional debut with Prima in 1949, and the couple were married in July 1953. Throughout the 1950s, Louis and Keely were the undisputed King & Queen of Las Vegas and have been credited with essentially inventing the modern lounge act. Performing five shows a night at the Sahara’s Casbar Lounge, they became a huge draw for both the average blue-collar tourists as well as some of the biggest celebrities at that time. On any given night, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Spencer Tracy, Gary Cooper, Natalie Wood, Robert Wagner, Howard Hughes, and the young Senator John F. Kennedy could be found in the audience. Along with many hit records and million selling albums for Capitol Records Keely Smith holds the distinction of winning one of the first-ever Grammy Awards in 1959, performing at President Kennedy’s inauguration, receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and friendships with everyone from The Rat Pack to Elvis Presley. In 2000 she received the prestigious Cherokee Medal of Honor the highest recognition that can be bestowed to a woman in the Cherokee nation. Her latest recording from Concord Records, Viva Vegas is a musical joy ride through Las Vegas, circa 1958. And, as Lady Luck would have it, Keely invites listeners and dancers along for the exhilarating ride. Revisiting and reinventing the songs that she and iconic entertainer Louis Prima popularized during their celebrated reign of the desert oasis.

The incomparable Tony Bennett has gone on record naming Keely Smith “one of the greatest jazz-pop singers of all time." Merv Griffin says it best—“Keely is awesome!”

Musical director for the show is Dennis Michaels. Featured musicians include, Earl Gardner-trumpet, Jerry Vivino-saxophones, Chip Jackson-bass, Joe Cocuzzo-drums and Ken Ascher-keyboards.

All concerts will take place at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center (Borough of Manhattan Community College), 199 Chambers Street (between Greenwich and West Street). The tickets are $30.00 and $27.50, for students. They can be purchased at the theater box office or by calling (212) 220-1460. -more-

Mail Order to Highlights In Jazz 7 Peter Cooper Sq. NY, NY 10010 Enclose self-addressed stamped envelope. Special mail order only subscription offer: All four concerts $110.00

Media Contacts: Jim Eigo Jazz Promo Services 845.986.1677 / [email protected] & Harriet Wasser [email protected]



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“Highlights In Jazz" Fall Winter Schedule



Thursday, October 6, 2005 – “Keely Smith in Concert"

Thursday, November 10, 2005– “Back By Popular Request" feat. Freddy Cole; Ken Peplowski and Marty Grosz; Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks

Thursday, December 1, 2005 – “Salute to Kenny Davern" feat. Statesmen of Jazz [Wycliffe Gordon, Houston Person, Harry Allen, Jon-Erik Kellso, Norman Simmons]; Kenny Davern Quartet [James Chirillo, Greg Cohen, Tony DeNicola]

Thursday, January 5th, 2006 – “An Evening of Jazz Guitar" feat. Bucky Pizzarelli, Russell Malone, Howard Alden, Gene Bertoncini, Frank Vignola; special guests Jay Leonhart and Wycliffe Gordon

There will be at least one special surprise guest on each show!

All concerts will take place at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center (Borough of Manhattan Community College), 199 Chambers Street (between Greenwich and West Street). The tickets are $30.00 and $27.50, for students. They can be purchased at the theater box office or by calling (212) 220-1460. Mail Order to Highlights In Jazz 7 Peter Cooper Sq. NY, NY 10010 Enclose self-addressed stamped envelope. Special mail order only subscription offer: All four concerts $110.00

Media Contacts: Jim Eigo Jazz Promo Services 845.986.1677 / [email protected] & Harriet Wasser [email protected]



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