"THE INFECTIOUS CHARM AND MUSICAL WIT OF THREE GUYS NAMED LOUIS - - ARMSTRONG, PRIMA AND JORDAN ... THEIR UPBEAT APPROACH PERSONIFIED"
- Jazz Times
The CD: "Plain Old Me" (1993)
"Rooted in Fats Waller and Louis Prima ... accomplished jazz artists with swing proclivities ... fine performances!" -Cadence
"Wild Wayne Powers --- He'll get your feet tappin', believe me!"-Jazz radio legend Chuck Niles, KLON
"Wayne Powers and his band, Hoi Polloi, were a knockout ... one of the BEST shows I've seen in a long time! Powers sings, mugs, scats and fairly bounces off the stage. His voice sounding a bit like Louis Prima, his zesty and loose approach was fun and the audience roared their approval. Get yourself to a Wayne Powers show. The guy is really terrific!"-Myrna Daniels, L.A. Jazz Scene
"Wayne Powers is just what the doctor ordered! Wayne and his boys, from the moment they hit the stage, really make the place jump! Take it from me, anytime you see that marquee with Wayne Powers and his Hoi Polloi, 'suit up' and go on in!"-Jonathan Winters
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"Plain Old Me" - Personnel / Tracks
"Plain Old Me" Personnel Wayne Powers - leader/vocals Pat Zicari - tenor/soprano sax Michele Faber - piano Ernie McDaniel - bass Bob Senescu - trumpet, fluegel Patrick Tuzzolino - guitar Billy Paul - drums
Track listing: - Spring Cleaning - Plain Old Me - Poor Papa - I'd Rather Call You Baby - As Mr. Mason Said To Dixon - Stop That Dancin' Up There - Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans - St. James' Infirmary Blues - Bittersweet - When You're Lonesome
Recorded LIVE in the studio (Sage & Sound, Hollywood).
Backstage visit with old friend MICHAEL FEINSTEIN. (2001)
From the Scrapbook:
TEARIN' IT UP AT THE HOLLYWOOD ROOSEVELT - One of the all-time great bassists, the late ERNIE McDANIEL lays down the line for Wayne to swing hard in a duet with multi-talented guitarist PATRICK TUZZOLINO.
THE HOI POLLOI AT VINE ST. - (L to R): MICHELE FABER, piano, DORI AMARILIO filling in for Pat Tuzzolino on guitar, ERNIE McDANIEL, bass, PAT ZICARI, sax, BOB SENESCU, trumpet, BILLY PAUL, drums. One of the hottest bands ever!
Wayne in action with a packed house at the legendary Vine St. Bar & Grill. (Hollywood, 1993)
After-show hugs from pals SALLY STRUTHERS (an awesomely gifted and vastly underrated talent), and the late, irrepressible and irreplaceable comedic genius, PAT McCORMICK, (1927-2005). Vine St. Bar & Grill, Hollywood, 1993.
HEAR HERE! Listen in on tracks from the recording "PLAIN OLD ME"
Wayne gets solid backing from original Hoi Polloi drummer BILLY PAUL at the Memorial Concert.
A MUSICAL TRIBUTE IN MEMORY OF ERNIE McDANIEL was arranged by his loving widow, Bonnie. Los Angeles. December 2005. (Concert photos courtesy of Nick Powers).
Together Again: PATRICK TUZZOLINO jams with Wayne in celebration of Ernie McDaniel.
Wayne reminisces with jazz clarinetist/saxman extraordinaire DEL SIMMONS. Del bridged generational and musical barriers when he played clarinet with Captain Beefheart.
Jazz piano great MARTY HARRIS and PATRICK TUZZOLINO put the squeeze on Wayne. Marty was conductor/arranger for Tom Jones.
Wayne visits with Hoi Polloi trumpet/cornet master BOB SENESCU.
