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Leone, Frank
Frank Leone was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1940. He began playing the piano as a young child and by junior high school, Leone was participating in the school orchestra alongside Frankie Avalon. In high school he played piano in the symphony and joined Local 77 in Philadelphia in 1955 at the age of fifteen. While in Philadelphia, Leone started playing teenage dances as a member of a quintet and eventually began recording. Frank would earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the Curtis Institute.
Person
Entratter, Jack, 1914-1971
Jack Entratter (1914-1971) was an executive and show producer at the Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada from 1952 until his death in 1971. He is credited with elevating the quality of shows produced on the Strip and helping the city become the "entertainment capital of the world." Entratter moved to Las Vegas in 1952 as a co-owner of the Sands Hotel. He produced the hotel's shows and served as vice president (1952-1960, 1967-1971) and president (1960-1967).
Person
Gorme, Eydie
Eydie Gormé, née Edith Gormezano, was born August 1, 1928 in the Bronx, New York City. She passed away in Las Vegas in 2013 at the age of 84.
Eydie’s parents were Sephardic Jewish Immigrants from Turkey. She graduated from William Howard Taft High School in 1946 where she was the swing bands lead female vocalist. While attending college, Eydie used her fluency in Spanish as interpreter with the United Nations. She also sang in bands during her free time. She had a gift for both Spanish and singing.
Person
Transcript of interview with Michael J. Shane by Barbara Tabach, October 26, 2016
Michael Jay Shane is a natural musician and entertainer. Born in New York City in 1961, Shane is a graduate of the famous High School of Performing Arts, and later attend Peabody Conservatory of Music, before leaving to launch his musical entertainment career full-time. Shane has had a varied and full career ever since as a musical entertainer, working as emcee, comedian, voiceover actor, and musician, showcasing the piano, guitar, saxophone, clarinet as well as vocals. He moved to Las Vegas in 1995, and jobs have included playing the piano at Wynn?s Tower Suite Bar, Bootlegger, and currently, Italian American Club. In this interview, Shane shares about his family and a childhood filled with music. He discusses his career trajectory, and the influence Judaism has had in his upbringing and work. He details differences between working in New York City and Las Vegas, what makes Las Vegas unique for any musician or musical entertainer, and talks about changes in the local entertainment scene since corporations took over the gaming industry. He also shares stories about his career, including working with Jerry Lewis and following Andrew Dice Clay?s standup act.
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