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Coastal Notes Q?by Jerry KinserThe demise of an institution is always sad, but the announcement that the famed Roosevelt Blue Room in New Orleans would host its last show in June was a blow to all area entertainment and celebrity buffs.When things got slow on the Coast and more elaborate features were required, one could usually count on the Blue Room to provide the answer.Where else regionally, for example, could you be entertained personally by such names as Durante, Dietrich, Sophie Tucker and others? The Blue Room was “it” for dining, dancing and a show.Well, evidently television and high costs have taken their toll.The man who personally was responsible for keeping the room in good shape for many years, Leon Kelner (now performing regularly at the Broadwater), said the Blue Room was a victim of the times.“People just don’t like getting all dressed up anymore and going out,” explained Kelner, who also noted current stars were pricing themselves right out of clubs.Kelner, who was bandleader and “star-handier” at the Blue Room from 1958 to 1971, pointed out the younger stars want special equipment and added musicians for a usual half-hour show.“They’re simply not geared to performing for nightclub audiences,” said Kelner.Kelner said the trend recently at the Blue Room has been to push the piano and violins to the back and bring the guitars out front.Kelner actually went to work for the Roosevelt Hotel in 1945 when he was fresh out of the Navy. In those days, he was bandleader in the Fountain Lounge and relief man for the Blue Room. Then, in 1958, he and his band were elevated to the “big room” and nationwide recognition through his nightly CBS radio show.Ironically, Kelner in about three weeks will release an album of an actual live broadcast from the Blue Room, perfect for nostalgia buffs and fans of his suave piano and orchestra arrangements. To be included with the Blue Room album, entitled Leon Kelner Coast To Coast, are two others — Once Upon A Time In The Blue Room and Taking It Easy.Kelner said the broadcast album was in the planning stage long before the closing of the Blue Room was announced, but did admit “the timing for it looks good.”Thus, we on the Coast are unfortunate that we’re losing the Blue Room, but still very fortunately, we've still got Leon Kelner on permanent record and i i person.
Newspaper Details
Biloxi Sun Herald
Biloxi, Mississippi, US
Sun, Jan 05, 1975
Page 32
Full Page
Clipped by
Bea W.
USA 13 Jan 2017
Other Publications Near Biloxi, Mississippi
The Keesler Field News
Biloxi Sun Herald
Biloxi Herald
South Mississippi Sun
Biloxi Daily Herald
