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Need a Wedding DJ?
By Staff Writer

A good wedding DJ will play all of the music requested by your guests, as well as special selections by you and your loved ones. Your wedding song and dance is a key factor during the reception, and should be performed without a hitch.

A good wedding disc jockey will come prepared, with all of their own equipment and party tools as well. For example, your wedding DJ should provide a lighting system, fog machines, and party favors for your guests upon request. They should be courteous and friendly, and should have quality, state-of-the-art disc jockey equipment to ensure the best quality sound is played for your wedding. There are many Toronto wedding DJs to choose from, so be careful when you are making your choice. Some disc jockeys may be novices, or may not have played at a wedding before. If you are inquiring about a DJ, make sure to look up reviews online of the particular wedding disc jockey. If possible, try to find previous clients of the wedding DJ, to see if they have performed well in the past.

Your Toronto wedding DJ should have experience with the wedding setting. They should not have cords and loose wires running all over the place, and they should have their equipment set up to the side, not in the way of any of the guests. Also, if your DJ has not played a wedding before, you may want to reconsider! A wedding DJ will play light, enjoyable music and appropriate requests from your guests and yourself. Also, they will come prepared with a microphone for speeches, and party favors for you and your guests. When hiring your Toronto wedding disc jockey, make sure you hire wisely. Also, if some of your family members or guests speak a different language, or hail from a different country, you may want to provide a wedding DJ that speaks your native tongue, or one that can play traditional wedding music from your country. Whether you want an Italian wedding DJ, Greek wedding DJ, or any other bilingual or multilingual wedding disc jockey, you should find one to ensure your guests, as well as you and your spouse, are comfortable.

Perfection at the Piano with Tom Ranier & the Rhythm Section from "Dancing with the Stars"
By Debra Graff

One of Southern California's top improviser's, pianist/clarinetist/composer/arranger, Tom Ranier, wowed the crowd Upstairs at Vitello's Red Carpet Jazz Series, with his impeccable timing and staggering technique. Only the crème de la crème perform at this venue, single handedly run by talented vocalist April Williams. Ranier has worked with all the greats, from Barbra Streisand, Natalie Cole, and Michael Jackson, to Mariah Carey, Diana Krall, and Whitney Houston. He's the arranger/orchestrator for the Emmy's, People's Choice Awards, Academy Awards, and most currently Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) and American Idol. Joining Ranier was amazing bassist Trey Henry with his gorgeous solos and wonderful drummer Ralph Humphreys with his smooth sounds. Ranier commented how they kid around a lot on the show (DWTS) but wanted everyone to know what "an honor and privilege it is to work with these two incredible musicians." He also acknowledged DWTS extraordinaire conductor, Harold Wheeler, who was in the audience, calling him "a great musician, maestro, and friend."

Ranier's rendition of 'Still Crazy After All These Years,' was scrumptious and the trio was so tuned into to each other, their comfort transferred to the mesmerized crowd. Ranier's perfection as a pianist was evident during the old standard, 'My Foolish Heart.' He told us he stole the chord changes from Bill Evans, who first recorded the song. He played the clarinet on 'Body & Soul' with the clearest, purest tone, hitting the high notes and sweet solid runs with finesse, and it was magical. Henry's strong and complete solos on the bass were delightful, Humphrey's smoothness, too cool for words. The final song was Cole Porter's 'In The Still of The Night,' and Ranier was so quick and light on the piano, his fingers danced across the piano so delicately, ending in extraordinary chord changes that went straight to your soul. Silences were golden with this trio in between their astonishing solos. The band was so hot; they had to turn up the air conditioning. You could hear shouts of "very cool, very cool" behind the exuberant applause.

Ranier's original 'Lines,' had unbelievable lines as he caressed the keys with his unique style, becoming one with the piano. The band went into a fantastic swing mode with the upbeat original 'This Way.' Ranier's hoping to record both of these for the new CD he's working on.

The room was filled with gifted, prominent artists in their own right, including keyboardists Carol Anderson, Rich Ruttenberg, and Curtis J. McKonly; guitarist/composer, Grant Geissman; trumpeteer Bob Comden; and vocalist Cat Connor.

Anderson, who's had the opportunity to work with all these talented musicians, commented on "how very lucky we are to be able to hear this level of outstanding playing in our own backyard. It's inspiring to watch and listen to Tom…he's so inventive. Trey always plays the perfect note to accompany the soloist. Ralph swings at any tempo - the slow groove to the impossibly fast ones." Enjoying the night with her husband, Bob, Anderson raved about the fabulous food, especially the Caesar salad with shrimp.

Ruttenberg, who works with Ranier on the Simpsons TV show, called him "a brilliant, creative musician, a genius, and one of the nicest, funniest guys." Ruttenberg said the venue's perfect for jazz, describing Ranier's arrangement of 'No More Blues', as "particularly cool," his clarinet playing on 'Body and Soul' "lovely."

Conner has been singing jazz professionally for over 30 years, on 3 continents, and recently with Ranier in a sold out event Upstairs at Vitello's. She calls the venue a "comfortable, lush, listening room," reminding her of clubs from the 40's, "with booths all around to snuggle in and listen to the best Jazz in the world." Connor gives kudos to Williams for "working her magic." She loves how Ranier eases into ballads, creating a whole new tune in front and then gently revealing the melody. She said, 'No More Blues' was swinging and burning, starting with Ranier setting a percussive mood, then bass and drums coming in with strong impact. "I couldn't stay still, it was so exciting!"

Upstairs at Vitello's is the place to be this New Year's Eve with the Red Carpet Masquerade and Dance Party on Thursday, December 31.st There are two seatings at 7p and 9:30p for The Jerry Vivino Quartet (from The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien ) with Jerry Vivino on sax, Scott Healy, piano, Mike Merritt, bass, and James Wormworth, drums. Dinner/Show Packages start at $50. Reserve with a credit card at (818) 769-0905.

Million Dollar Revival: A One-of-a-Kind Cancer Schmancer Benefit Concert
By Staff Writer

Jackson Browne, Olivia Newton-John, Inara George of The Bird and The Bee, and a vaudevillian-like ensemble spanning the music and comedy realms, will rally together on stage for one night to raise funds for The Million Dollar Revival, a benefit for Fran Drescher's Cancer Schmancer Movement. Presented by I HEART Inc., the one-of-a-kind evening will take place Sunday, December 13 at the historic Million Dollar Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, in support of women's cancers. The night will be as diverse as Los Angeles itself, offering a melting pot of entertainment true to the era of old-time variety shows.

Hosted by Emmy and Golden Globe Award-nominated actress and comedienne Fran Drescher, the night will feature a mix of celebrated acts and the best in emerging artists. Multi-platinum singer-songwriter Jackson Browne and Grammy Award-winning singer and actress Olivia Newton-John will be joined by country singing breast cancer survivor Beth Nielsen Chapman, indie poppers Inara George of The Bird and The Bee and I HEART's co-founder and director Arrica Rose & the ...'s, up-and-coming folk-rockers The Whispertown2000, soul singer Chris Pierce, piano songstress Charlotte Martin, pop chanteuse Caitlin Crosby and comedy actress and musician Charlyne Yi. The night will be rounded out with Mortified, a comedic reading featuring folks sharing their most embarrassing artifacts (journals, notes, stories, etc.) written during their teen years, and Stilt World, a modern dance troupe that performs on stilts.

Immediately following the event, a special VIP party will be held at 213 Nightlife's Broadway Bar. The soiree, sponsored in part by 100.3 The Sound, will be catered by downtown brasserie Bottega Louie and feature music by special guest DJ's provided by Hunnypot. General tickets and sponsorship packages are still available.

I HEART's Million Dollar Revival's purpose is to raise funds and awareness for the Cancer Schmancer/Inner Images Fran Van Project. Created by cancer survivor, actress, U.S. diplomat and women's health advocate Fran Drescher, the Fran Vans are a mobile van service that go directly to the neighborhoods of low income uninsured women throughout Los Angeles and provide them with preventative cancer education and information as well as the opportunity to sign up for local cancer screening tests and free follow-up care. Drescher has dedicated her life to ensuring that all women, rich or poor, young or old, will only be diagnosed with cancer while in Stage 1 when it's most curable. In addition to funding the Fran Van Project, this event will also be a celebration of the rejuvenation and revitalization of downtown L.A.

www.cancerschmancer.org

ABOUT I HEART
I HEART Inc who is producing this benefit concert is an incorporated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose ultimate aim is to empower independent artists and their communities by encouraging artists to use the resources at their disposal (their creativity and their fan base) to help raise money for charitable programs and organizations. I HEART's philosophy is simple: Do what you can with where you are and what you've got...in the process of raising awareness and much needed funds I HEART exposes participating artists to new fans as well as fellow artists who are utilizing their creativity to inspire change locally and globally. I HEART Inc is an artist-operated collective run by co-founder and musician Arrica Rose who has coordinated creative events not only at home in Los Angeles, but also in NYC and Austin at SXSW 2009. www.iheartinc.com

Million Dollar Theatre
307 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90013
www.milliondollartheater.com

Sunday, December 13, 2009
Doors 6pm (show starts promptly at 7:00 PM)
Tickets/info: www.iheartinc.com/milliondollarrevival.cfm

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