Jerry Fink's lounge column appears on Fridays. Reach him at [email protected] at (702) 259-4058.
Capozzoli's has long been a favorite late-night spot for entertainers looking for a place to unwind, have a bite to eat and maybe do a little impromptu performing away from the Strip.
A visit to Cap's, what regulars call the restaurant-bar, is almost a tradition.
Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme are frequent diners. Magician Lance Burton sometimes drops by to make a late dinner disappear and to listen to jazz. Tom Jones has been known to sing the night away at the family-owned Italian restaurant at 3333 S. Maryland Parkway.
The Righteous Brothers often dine there, and sometimes take to the small stage in the corner of the barroom and belt out a few tunes. Robert Goulet has been known to sing on the same stage. Actor Joe Pesci likes the casual atmosphere.
"All the impersonators in town wind up here at one time or another," said office manager Tish Gonzales, speaking on behalf of owners Mickey and Ailee Capozzoli. "They like it because of the late-night dining, and it's inviting to them. It has a family environment."
Capozzoli's used to be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Now it's open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Mondays through Thursdays; 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. Fridays and 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
The list of celebrities who frequent the venue, especially local ones, is extensive -- the legendary Cook E. Jarr and Freddie Bell among them.
"They know they can come to Cap's and feel at home," Gonzales said.
But you don't have to be a celebrity to enjoy the atmosphere, the food or the music at Capozzoli's. It's a place for everyone, and it seems at one time or another everyone has been there.
"You mention Capazzoli's and they know who, what and where we are and they can name their favorite meal here," Gonzales said.
Since opening in 1988 the restaurant has invited professional and amateur entertainers to perform.
Lou Martinez hosts open-mike nights on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, backed by The Red Hood Band.
Jerry Tiffe, who has been a big-band mainstay in Las Vegas for more than 30 years, performs standards on Saturdays.
And Tuesday and Wednesday nights have been taken over by jazz musician Dennis Mellen and his All-Star Band, featuring trumpeter (and host) Tom Saitta and drummer Robert Moore.
Mellen and his crew performed at the Kitchen Cafe for several years, but when it closed last month they started searching for a new home base for the musicians and their large, dedicated following.
Capozzoli's has proven to be a perfect location.
"It's turned into a wonderful relationship," Gonzales said.
The place jumps on Wednesday nights, with Capozzoli regulars being joined by former regulars of the Kitchen Cafe.
Some of the city's best musicians (both professional and amateur) have discovered, or re-discovered, Capozzoli's. Trombonist Brian O'Shea, bassist Chris Gordan, singer Marty Weinsten and an army of others pop in-and-out through the week.
Sometimes fans dance. Sometimes they just sit and drink and dine while enjoying the music.
"Everybody is there to have a good time," Gonzales said.
At Capozzoli's, that is a tradition.
Lounging around
Is The Rio turning into one big lounge? Officials announced this week that in the near future (about three months) beverage servers who roam the casino taking orders for drinks will, from time to time, suddenly break into song and/or dance. Dick Foster, of Dick Foster Productions, soon will begin auditioning performers/servers. Current servers who can carry a tray but not a tune will be transferred. Cocktails? Crooning? Cha-cha, anyone?
Saxophonist Tommy Alvarado is blowing and going. He's been performing regularly at Mandalay Bay's Orchid Lounge. Sunday at 9 p.m. he began hosting a weekly jam session at the Bootlegger (a gig he had at the Blue Note Las Vegas until it closed last month). Friday's and Saturdays he can be heard from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at Joey's Bistro on the ninth floor of the Carriage House, 105 E. Harmon Ave.
Jazz singer JoBelle (one name only) has been serenading Turnberry Place residents at the exclusive residential tower's in-house nightclub, the Stirling Club. Her backup musicians include guitarist Joe Lano, keyboardist Joey Singer, drummer Tommy Check and bassist Chris Gordan. JoBelle not only sings but also teaches voice at UNLV and has done more than 1,500 television and radio commercials.
The free Boulder Blues series' featured entertainment at the Railhead Thursday will be the Rockin' Jake Blues Band. In 1996, the year the band's debut CD, "Let's Go Get 'Em," hit the shelves, Rockin' Jake was named "Best Blues Harmonica" at the "Best of the Beat" music awards in New Orleans.
The following Thursday (March 6) blues singer Janiva Magness will perform. Living Blues Magazine called her, "An up and coming blues-shouter. Watch Out!!!"
Coming up next week at the Sand Dollar are The Last Band (Tuesday), Ruffnecks (Wednesday), The Smokin' Crawdads (Thursday), Chris Bell & 100 Percent Blues (Friday) and Joe Vitale (Saturday). Shows begin at 10 p.m.
Crooner Brian Evans will end his four-month run at Bally's Indigo Room on March 2. Evans says he will record a new album this year in Los Angeles and will travel back and forth between Las Vegas and Southern California.
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