Jazz Singer Keely Smith Plays At Razz Room 3/24-4/5

Keely Smith, jazz and pop singer, formerly "straight" woman to trumpeter Louis Prima, plays The Rrazz Room, Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason, SF, on March 24th - April 5. Shows are at 8 PM with Sunday shows at 5 PM. Tickets are $50-$55 and can be purchased at www.therrazzroom.com or directly through www.ticketweb.com or 866 468 3399.

Born in Virginia of Cherokee and Irish descent, Smith has been singing professionally since the age of 15. She began singing with Louis Prima and his band in 1949 and had many duet hits with him, including "That Ol' Black Magic" and "I've Got You Under My Skin." Throughout the l950s, Prima and Smith played Las Vegas and have been credited with inventing the modern lounge act. Performing five shows a night at the Sahara, they were a huge draw for tourists and celebrities alike. Keely had her own million record seller and Grammy nomination with "I Wish You Love." She left the music business for about 20 years but returned with several new albums and a touring schedule, including an appearance at the 2008 Grammys.

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The revival of the swing movement in the late '90s inspired The Gap retail chain to use Prima's signature tune, "Jump, Jive and Wail" in one of its popular ad campaigns. This renewed interest in swing and big band music also led to an invitation for Keely to perform at the House of Blues in Los Angeles, where she sang to a jam-packed crowd of admirers, both young and old. More recently, Keely has performed to sold-out audiences across the country, including Feinstein's at the Regency in New York City.

Now in her 70's, Keely's appeal and fame are strong, having survived various musical trends and the changeable nature of the entertainment industry. Actor Robert DeNiro and director Martin Scorcese have been long-time fans of Keely's and over the years have placed her music in numerous films, including The Deerhunter, Raging Bull, Analyze This, That Old Feeling, Big Night and Mad Dog and Glory.

March 24-April 5 at 8 PM, Sundays at 5 PM
The Rrazz Room, Hotel Nikko, 220 Mason St., SF
TICKETS: $50--$55
PHONE: 866-468-3399 or www.therrazzroom.com

 

 

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