This week in The Wall Street Journal, I interviewed actor-comedian Charles Grodin for my "House Call" column in the Mansion section (go here). Chuck talked about living near the Pittsburgh zoo as a kid. Coming up with jokes at bedtime, he'd try them out loud, but he'd time the punchlines so the hyenas would laugh at the right moment. A laugh-track with spots. [Photo above of Charles Grodin at his Connecticut home by Julie Bidwell Photography for The Wall Street Journal]
Here's the full Heartbreak Kid (1972), Chuck's favorite film, with Chuck, Jeannie Berlin, Cybil Shepherd and Eddie Albert. The terrific opening theme was composed by Garry Sherman, and the vocal is by Bill Dean...
Duke Ellington radio. WKCR-FM will present its annual "Duke Ellington Birthday Broadcast," spinning the Duke's music for 24 hours starting Sunday at midnight and running all day Monday, April 29. You can hear the broadcast from anywhere in the world on your phone or computer by going here.
Ella Fitzgerald. April 25th was the singer's 102 birth anniversary. A good excuse as any to watch a bunch of great Ella videos:
Here's Ella with Benny Goodman in Swing Into Spring in April 1958...
Here's Ella with Frank Sinatra singing Moonlight in Vermont in 1959...
Here's Ella with Sinatra singing Can't We Be Friends in 1959...
Here's Ella and Nat King Cole singing Too Close for Comfort in 1957...
Here are the two great female voices of the late 1940s and early 1950s—Ella with Jo Stafford singing a duet of upbeat and downcast love songs...
And here's Ella with Karen Carpenter singing a medley in 1980...
Denny Zeitlin will be in New York at Mezzrow Jazz Club from May 1 through May 4. The extraordinary jazz pianist will be playing solo on May 1 and 2. Then he'll be with his trio, featuring bassist Buster Williams and drummer Matt Wilson on May 3 and 4. The first two nights will be a solo tribute to Miles Davis, from Denny's new album Remembering Miles (go here). The second two nights with the trio will be recorded by Sunnyside for a future live album. Sets are at 7:30 and 9 p.m.
Mezzrow is at 163 W 10th Street. To make reservations, call (646) 476-4346. Or go here, click on "schedule" and click on the link for your desired night and time.
Can't make it or you won't be in New York? Stream Denny live on these nights on your phone or computers by going here.
What the heck. Here's one of my favorite male vocalists, Giacomo Gates, at New York's Zinc Bar recently singing I Told You I Love You, Now Get Out...
Oddball album cover of the week.
Jeri Jorden either had one bloody Mary too many or she's unfamiliar with how to sit in Jorge Ferrari Hardoy’s Butterfly Chair.
