Archive for the ‘Entertainment Industry’ Category

History of the Beginning of the Vegas Lounge Scene

Posted on May 21st, 2010 • Filed under Entertainment Industry, Las Vegas, Musical Legends • No Comments

Everyone likes a good story.  Well, here’s one for you straight from the golden age of Las Vegas lore. The first group to play all night casino lounges was the Marry Kaye Trio.  Marry Kaye was a direct descendent of Queen Lili’uokalani, the last in a long line of Hawaiian Royalty. Mary observed that the gambling floor cleared out after hours even though the casino was open all night.  She persuaded the boys in charge to build a stage in the corner of the room and let her trio perform during the late night hours.  And so a gambling oasis climbed in bed with music entertainment and the Vegas lounge scene was born.

 

Jack Satin’s Top 10 Celebrity Vegas Quotes

Posted on February 19th, 2010 • Filed under Entertainment Industry, Las Vegas, Musical Legends • 2 Comments

I hadn’t been in Vegas 20 minutes when I got word that the bookmakers were offering three to one that Frank wouldn’t show for my wedding.  – Sammy Davis Jr.

I think that people who have Vegas throat are people who sing from their throats only. – Robert Goulet

I’d love to do a show in Vegas with drag queens, the tackier the better. – Catherine Zeta-Jones

I’m probably one of the worst people with numbers you’ve ever met. My brothers always kid that they think I’m counting cards in Vegas, but I’m just trying to add things up. – Luke Wilson

Las Vegas without Wayne Newton is like Disneyland without Mickey Mouse. – Merv Griffin

Man, I really like Vegas. – Elvis Presley

Vegas means comedy, tragedy, happiness and sadness all at the same time. – Artie Lange

Vegas is everything that’s right with America. You can do whatever you want, 24 hours a day. They’ve effectively legalized everything there. – Drew Carey

For a loser, Vegas is the meanest town on earth.
- Hunter S. Thompson

Las Vegas is sort of like how God would do it if he had money.
- Steve Wynn

Hunter S. Thompson – Vegas – 1971

 

Jack Satin’s Hope For Haiti – Power of Music

Posted on January 19th, 2010 • Filed under Entertainment Industry, Musical Legends, Personal • No Comments

So, by now you’ve heard.  There’s going to be the telethon of all telethons on Friday the 22^nd to raise money and lift the spirits of the people of Haiti.  It will be a two hour event not to miss – hosted by George Clooney in Los Angeles, Wyclef Jean in New York and Anderson Cooper in Haiti.

The line up of artists so far includes; Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Christina Aguilera, Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Shakira, Alecia Keys, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Kid Rock, Bono, The Edge, Coldplay, Jay-Z and Sheryl Crow.

This prolific assemblage of music heavies for a humanitarian cause got me thinking. Why music?  Well, for starters, music is a universal language that crosses all boarders and unites people.  If you want to get to the hearts of people there is no better way than through music.  Without getting too philosophical, music is a life affirming force.  In its personal enjoyment, sharing and creation, music reminds us we are all in this together.  Truly great songs have the ability to raise consciousness and spark change or in this case, help out those in need.  Music also has the unique ability to sooth the soul.  Music is our friend when the chips are down.

Be sure to watch and donate what you can.  When music and a righteous cause are coupled together – that is one powerful force.  If only musicians could get together more often… Together we can make a difference.

The following is a memorable song and the story of its creation – born out of the necessity to help out.

 

Jamie Cullum – Please Don’t Stop the Music

Posted on December 3rd, 2009 • Filed under Entertainment Industry, Musical Legends • No Comments

I was introduced to singer/songwriter/piano man extraordinaire Jamie Cullum a few years back.  It was apparent this young talent had come into his own and was shooting for the stars.  Although he’s gained a sizeable following around the rest of the World, in the good old US of A he’s not as celebrated as he should be.  Just maybe his latest album “The Pursuit” will change that.  So, here’s some quick Cullum info for those interested, or those that like to arm themselves with music trivia to dazzle the ladies at swanky cocktail parties.

• The biggest selling British jazz artist of all time
• Hardly the traditional jazz musician – he’s covered Radiohead, Pharrell, Rihanna, The Doves…
• His latest album  “The Pursuit” starts with a track featuring the Count Basie Orchestra recorded live at Tony Bennett’s studio in New York and ends with a dance track and a jazz standard combined with trip-hop beats
• In recording “The Persuit” members of Beck’s band joined the sessions as well as the horn section featured on Michael Jackson’s Thriller
• Collaborated with director and jazz man Clint Eastwood on the film Gran Torino
• Has been named the Billy Joel of his generation

Jamie Cullum quotes-

“In life, we pursue everything. Life is one long pursuit.”

“People who have seen me play live and read things I’ve written will already know that I’ve got a very eclectic taste.  But the average person will just think of “What A Difference A Day Makes”. I’ve never had a problem with that though.  Singing a song like that and doing it well is one of the hardest things you can do.”

“When you concentrate on making music, the whole point is that you never stop and are always trying to move on.”

I could go on, but this talent has cool covered.  You get a chance to catch him doing his thing, take it.  Support live music, or else… it’s time to cover up the keys.

 

The Joint at the Hard Rock – Santana’s Las Vegas Home

Posted on November 18th, 2009 • Filed under Entertainment Industry, Las Vegas, Musical Legends • No Comments

The son of a Tijuana mariachi now resides supremely in Vegas.  Yes, music legend Carlos Santana is back for more shows.  What a combo, the new Joint and Santana.  Sure to win a knockout with live music fans.

Over the last few years, from intimate downtown lounges, to DJs spinning at pool parties, to the latest venue to serve up an unforgettable live music experience – The Joint – I’ve noticed a resurgence of music in Vegas.  It’s back, baby.  Hard Rock’s concert hall has had many talented performers grace the stage over the years including The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Coldplay, The Killers, Duran Duran, David Bowie and now the man who gave us Black Magic Woman, Oye Como Va, Smooth… is bringing the heat with his signature sound.

Santana, a guitar virtuoso, rips riffs with the same passion, skill and showmanship that defined his Woodstock gig almost 40 years ago.  Since many of us, including me, weren’t even conceived at the time, we will have to be content watching Santana’s 11min. version of Soul Sacrifice from the documentary film Woodstock.

In speaking to the press about headlining Vegas, Santana said-

“To me where I am playing is no different: a parking lot or Istanbul or Woodstock.  Las Vegas to me is where I am offering my heart.  And, hopefully, the music will resonate with them and change them.  I utilize music the same way Bob Marley or Coltrane used music, to give people a different dimension about their lives.”

On partaking in all that Vegas has to offer, Santana said-

“I got my fill of strippers from when I was 9 to 14 in Tijuana.  So, I know what that is about.  I never got the bug for gambling.  I’ve already taken the ride.  I am here to just touch people’s hearts.  I am not distracted.  I am not tempted…In my own vision, I feel like we’re bringing the Trojan horse to Las Vegas.””

Well, the horse is here.  So, Jack Satin saddled it up and rode all night.  In his blazing set Santana prowls the stage like a jungle panther, the percussion heavy band was cookin’ — Santana delivers.  Think it’s time I dust-off Black Magic Woman.

 

Jack Satin’s Calculations of the Bill from The Hangover

Posted on October 27th, 2009 • Filed under Entertainment Industry, Las Vegas • 3 Comments

When it comes to Vegas comedies, they don’t get much better than The Hangover, which follows the adventure of four friends who are desperately trying to piece together their wild night in Sin City. By the look of their Caesars Palace suite the next morning, this was a party I would have enjoyed. From stealing Mike Tyson’s tiger to marrying a stripper at a classic Vegas wedding chapel, the film certainly captures an all too familiar side of the Vegas experience.

Facing studio pressure for bigger name talent in the cast, director Todd Phillips stuck by his guns and remained true to his vision. He did this despite having his initial pay cut in exchange for a larger percentage of the back-end profits – a big gamble. Since the film is now the highest grossing R-rated comedy of all time, it looks as if Todd’s rolling the dice has more than paid off, proving once again that if you’re going to gamble you should always bet on yourself.

What’s great about the movie is that any man can relate to the situation these characters find themselves in. I have had many a friend walk down that exact wedding chapel isle only to regret it the next day — and annulments don’t come cheap.

That got me thinking, if four guys were to attack Vegas as hard as the characters from The Hangover did, what would it have cost? Then, bang! It hit me. I should use this hilarious movie as a road map and see just how much coin they had to throw down. I all too often get asked, “How much does a bachelor party in Vegas cost?” Besides, it was a great excuse to visit old partners in crime. I won’t name names but you know who you are.

Below you find the actual cost of The Hangover, which I calculated with approximations. Enjoy, and use the comment section to let me know if I forgot anything.

 

Is Kanye West Really “Heartless?”

Posted on October 12th, 2009 • Filed under Entertainment Industry, Musical Legends • 1 Comment

A lot of people have been asking me lately about my thoughts on Kanye West. His decision to steal the spotlight from Taylor Swift at the VMA’s wasn’t exactly a classy move, and certainly not something I would ever do, but that doesn’t change the fact that, at the end of the day, Kanye is a talented performer.

Does he depend too much on technology to enhance his voice? Probably. Has he become a little too fixated on his celebrity and strayed a little too far from the music? Again, most likely he’s guilty on both counts. But the man has a gift, and as any gifted performer can tell you, sometimes a gift makes you act in ways you can’t predict, and sometimes, can’t even control.

Below is the music video of Kanye West’s 2008 song “Heartless.” It’s a work of art.

 

25 Years of Growth in Vegas

Posted on October 9th, 2009 • Filed under Entertainment Industry, Las Vegas, Personal • 1 Comment

More than a few things have changed in Las Vegas in the past 25 years. The people, the music, and of course, the landscape, have all underdone dramatic transformations. The images below, very much an “outside looking in” perspective on Vegas, are courtesy of NASA’s Earth Observatory. For an “inside looking out” perspective, come to any one of my shows.

 

Britney Spears’ Real Voice

Posted on October 3rd, 2009 • Filed under Entertainment Industry, Las Vegas • 2 Comments

I was one of fortunate many who saw Britney perform when she came to Las Vegas in 2001. I say “fortunate” because the girl, love her or hate her, is a cultural phenomenon, and I believe it’s extremely important to understand one’s culture. That said, the girl’s voice isn’t exactly something I’d listen to in the shower, and to be honest, I don’t even think I’d want her opening for me at any of my own shows.

The clip below captures her voice without any technical manipulation. Completely naked and unrefined.

I didn’t post this video to hate on Britney Spears. I posted it simply to illustrate the difference between a performer with true musical talents and a performer who sustains himself/herself only through the act of performance. When Jack Satin performs, it’s like a tiger jumping down your throats and touching every inch of your soul.