Pahrump Nevada And All That Jazz

Tom Saitta on trumpet - photo credit: MARK WAITE / PVT / Pahrump Valley Times
Last night my wife and I had dinner at the Nuggget Hotel Casino in Pahrump, Nevada, about 65 miles from our home in Henderson. We travel to Pahrump several times a month on business: my wife does paramedical physical examinations for insurance companies and Pahrump is part of her territory. The Nugget is usually where we wind down before the trip back "over the hump".

At 6:00 PM I stopped chomping on my taco salad to hear what sounded like Frank Sinatra singing from their Stage Bar lounge. It turned out to be Tom Saitta singing with keyboard and sax accompaniment. The sax player was the octogenerian Autie Goodman formerly of The Four Freshmen. Tom also demonstrated that he is an accomplished trumpet player ( see photo above). We left the restaurant and while my wife threw away some of our precious nickels, I sat with the assembling group in the lounge ( there were chairs lined in a seating area for those who did not want to sit in the lounge area and one "reserved" table ) and was thoroughly entranced by the performance. I like jazz and I like music from the 40's. Kind of reminds me of when I was 4 years old listening to the big vacuum tube radio console in our living room, but that's another story.

Tom introduced his group, which interestingly included a sound engineer who was recording the sets for a future CD, and a great keyboard artist ( including the bass and rhythm machine ) Dennis Mellen, who played with the U.S. Air Force Band for 11 years. Tom plugged the Nugget Hotel Casino as a up and coming place, where he planned to play on a regular basis with his ensemble band and guest performers. He also plugged his new project Tommasino's Fine Italian Dining restaurant, which will obviously have a restaurant ( but no cover charge, no casino gaming, and no smoking allowed ) a bar or cocktail service, and a live jazz lounge and dance area. Bringing your own food and buying some wine to go with it is not discouraged! Like the old jazz supper clubs which is before my time but sounds like a really cool idea.

As I was getting ready to leave ( I wish I could have stayed longer, but my wife was anxious to get home to process her blood samples ) I saw Heidi Harris of KDWN AM Las Vegas talk radio fame arrive, apparently a good friend of Tom's, and Tom announced that the radio personality and former lounge singer would later contribute a song or two. Darn it, I'm sorry I missed all that. But I am looking forward to returning to the Nugget and seeing how their expansion project which includes a larger casino and new movie theatres is coming along. And to visit Tom's restaurant when it is finally completed. Geepers, Pahrump may become a tourist destination yet!

Jazz On The Lake Free Concerts

Boy Katindig is scheduled to perform on stage at Monte Lago Village on July 5th

Jazz On The Lake At Monte Lago Village

The MonteLago Village Resort, 30 Strada di Villaggio, Henderson, NV 89011
702-564-4766


NO COVER CHARGE

2008 Jazz On The Lake At Monte Lago Village Resort is cool ( and free! ).

(Saturday Nights 7-10pm, * Designates Sunday Shows 8pm )

Jazz Line-Up

June 7         Bobby Cottonwood 
                Jazz Quintet
June 14        Genevieve
June 21        Brothers Ali
June 28        Dotsero
July 5         Boy Katindig
July 12        J’Nae
July 19        Darren Michaels
July 26        Sacred Groove
Aug 2          David Van Such
Aug 9          Everett B. Walters
Aug 17*        Michael Anthony Henegan
Aug 23         Lao Tizer
Aug 30         Bobby Cottonwood
                Jazz Quintet
Sept 6         Killer Groove Band
Sept 13        Watercolors featuring 
                Tommy Alvarado
Sept 20        Genevieve
Sept 27        Shapiro Project

SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
MUST BE 21 OR OLDER

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What's Happening July 4th At MonteLago Village Resort

Experience the “Big Bang” this Fourth of July Weekend at MonteLago Village Resort Rock legends America performing on the country’s only floating stage. A breathtaking display of fireworks. Vino di Lago Wine Walk. Weekend getaway in an incredible suite…so much to choose from, you can’t decide? Then do it all at MonteLago Village Resort this Fourth of July weekend! You will not want to miss out on the Resort’s "Big Bang Weekend" Package, which includes two night's accommodations in a One-Bedroom Suite, two tickets to the America concert on Friday night and two passes to the Vino di Lago Wine Walk on Saturday. For more information or to book the “Big Bang Weekend” Package, please call 866-564-4799 or click here.

Click For Monte Lago Village June Newsletter