By Patte Purcell
Every time we do a jam they get better and better. Last night at Outdoor Resorts Palm Springs, the two hour show featuring 15 amazing musicians, entertainers and recording artists continued the upward trend. The evening started off with some solo acoustic guitar by Alex Santana. At 3:30 sharp the Celebrity Jam opened with saxophonist and vocalist Rick Parma with his two originals “Love a Little Longer” and “Chocolate Cake.”
Next up was Michael D’Angelo a desert favorite crooned 2 Latin songs “Quando Quando” and a cha cha version of “Fly Me to the Moon.” He danced a mean Latin step as well. His nephew Mark Gagliano on percussion proved to be a hit as he provided the conga beat.
Khea Emmanuel the 6 ft. gorgeous sultry jazz singer from Canada took the stage next with “The Very Thought of you” and “Sophisticated Lady” and wowed the crowd.
Trombonist Geoff Alpert performed “Little Sunflower” and his new original “Zen Funk.” La Jazz Artist of the Year then kept the Latin jazz going with “Watermelon Man” and “Soul Sauce” (Watchi Wara) and dazzled the audience with his skills on the vibes.
Greg Vail (saxophonist with over 2 million CD sales) brought the crowd to their feet with “Europa.” Alex Santana also soloed on this and killed it as well as Hans Zermuehlen and Mark Gagliano, both wowed with their keyboard solos.
Diva of the Desert, Keisha D, performed “Uptown Funk” and “Summertime” with a Latin vibe. As always, she wowed the crowd.
Coachella Valley Jazz vocalist of the Year, Slim Man, took the stage with Greg Vail, Hans, Nathanial Scott (drums), Mark Gagliano (percussion) and Alex Santana on guitar and performed his hit “Overdose of You” and the popular standard “Sway.”
Headliner Terry Wollman then finished the show with his special brand of Brazilian tinged guitar with “Welcome to Paradise,” “Mandela” and “Abrigado.”
We wish to say a special thank you to Gary Marshall, Activities Director at Outdoor Resorts Palm Springs, for the great job he and the staff did to make all their guests and the artists feel so special. In addition I would like to thank our helpful volunteers Lilly Barillari, Diane Hull, Sabrina Gagliano, and Vicki Spachner Blythin.
We also wish to thank our sponsors for their support: Doray Wiggins of “Direct Cellar Wine Club,” “Desert Zen Day Spa” for their complimentary chair massages and $25 gift certificates for each of our guests. “Venus de Fido,” “Hotn Cultivation Co,” “Backstreet Bistro,” “RV Insurances.com,” “Howard’s RV Repair” and “One Xtreme Paint.” We’d also like to thank Westin Desert Willow Villas for their sponsorship support in housing our artists and great rate for the event. I’d also like to thank Coachella Valley Weekly for their sponsorship support.
