'Jump, Jive and Wail' brings music and personality of Louis Prima to ...

It?s not an exhibit on newly declassified information on the Manhattan Project, but they?re confounding the laws of physics and thermodynamics at the National World War II Museum this month. With ?Jump, Jive and Wail,? the performers at the Stage Door Canteen are staging both the hottest and the coolest show in town. This original tribute program to the life and music of Louis Prima is a toe-tapping, finger-snapping ball of energy that guarantees to have audiences dancing in the aisles.

The show captures all the swinging fun, saucy suggestiveness, and wild musical ride of the original Louis Prima act.

Born in New Orleans, Prima created a unique sound blending his native jazz and blues with the Italian street songs of his Sicilian heritage, and backing it all up with a brass-heavy, swinging Big Band. The result would shoot him to national stardom. From French Quarter clubs, he would eventually head west where he was soon dubbed ?King of Las Vegas.?

At the Stage Door Canteen, bandleader and pianist Tom Hook completely embodies Prima, with a fiery keyboard technique, and high-energy vocals. An underlying twinkle in the eye gives Hook an immediate rapport with the audience, bringing everyone in for the fun.

Through a rousing lineup of Prima?s hits, Hook and his ensemble tell the story of his life: a young cornet player growing up in New Orleans, being discovered in a Quarter club by Guy Lombardo, heading to New York and eventually conquering Vegas, his tumultuous marriage and musical partnership with Keely Smith. It is a rollicking ride.

In addition to the title number, all the expected hits are here, played with an inviting energy that compels the audience to sing along, such as with ?Angelina? or ?Buona Sera.?

Cristina Perez takes the role of the girl singer in front of the band and does so with the casual hint of ennui that made Smith the quieter but sturdy flower to Prima?s animated buzzing bee. With a coy deadpan, Perez plays well off of Hook?s double-entendre humor. And vocally, she is a knockout, highlighted especially when things slow down and soften. Perez? rendition of ?A Sunday Kind of Love? is a gem that rivals Jo Stafford?s original recording.

Prima?s act rarely slowed down, however, nor does Hook and his band. Spirited renditions of ?When the Saints Go Marching In,? ?I?ve Got You Under My Skin,? ?Basin Street Blues,? and the inimitable ?That Old Black Magic? and ?Just a Gigolo? are tireless and timeless.

JUMP, JIVE AND WAIL: THE MUSIC OF LOUIS PRIMA

• What: The National World War II Museum presents a tribute show to Louis Prima, the New Orleans-born entertainer who conquered Las Vegas through the 1950s and ?60s. Bandleader Tom Hook and singer Cristina Perez lead the ensemble.

• Where: Stage Door Canteen, National World War II Museum, 945 Magazine St., 529.1944.

• When: Performances at 8 Fridays through Saturdays and at 1 Sundays through Nov. 24. (No performances Oct. 20, Nov. 11 or 17.) A pre-show dinner also is available featuring Italian favorites from Chef John Besh?s American Sector restaurant.

• Tickets: $30 for show only; $45-$60 including dinner or brunch. For information, click here.

Each highlights the band that Hook has assembled, an engaging powerhouse ensemble of soloists. The dynamic brass line drives the show with vivid force. Jay Hagen blows a trumpet to rival Gabriel, and David Phy?s trombone sounds like a big band unto itself. But it?s Eric Bernhardt who leaps to the fore (quite literally) on saxophone, fittingly capturing both the vigorous sound and personality that legendary Sam Butera brought to Prima?s Vegas shows. Guitarist Adam Bock, Geoff Clapp on drums, and Pete Roze on bass, round out the ensemble.

Dancers Lisa Casper and Chance Bushman take to the stage with a kinetic performance, featuring swinging moves, colorful costumes and an attitude of exuberance. Their dancing is likely to inspire a few couples in the audience to take to the floor themselves.

?Jump, Jive and Wail? is an original work created by the artistic staff at the Stage Door Canteen, under the guidance of Entertainment Director Victoria Reed. Sharply executed, it is worthy of a national tour.

In the cool, cool, cool of the evening, don?t miss this sizzling hot show. It will leave you in the mood to ?Sing, Sing, Sing.?

Source: http://www.nola.com/arts/index.ssf/2012/10/jump_jive_and_wail_brings_musi.html

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