Harrah’s New Orleans Casino continued its great tradition of providing diversified first-rate entertainment in its 500-seat theater on April 25. Versatile saxophonist Lance Ellis and an equally talented ensemble of regular band members and stellar guest artists rocked the house that night.

Joining Ellis onstage were Lee Oskar, longtime harmonica player with WAR and currently playing with three other original members of WAR in the Low Rider Band, plus sensational local jazz violinist Michael Ward.

Performing an uninterrupted three-hour set before a capacity crowd, Ellis was at his absolute best, playing tenor, alto and soprano saxes in a wide range of genres ranging from smooth jazz tunes of John Clemmer and Ronnie Laws to R&B classics, funk, rock standards and even some disco. And further demonstrating his musical versatility, he even took a turn on flute and percussion while twin brother Larry Ellis rotated over from percussion to a full drum set, taking over for drummer Earl Smith who came forward to sing lead on “The World is a Ghetto.”

Vocalist “Sweet” Gina Brown, backed by the band’s other vocalist, “Tereasa B” delivered a good mix of styles and genres in her strong, full-ranged voice, and involved the audience in sing-alongs with familiar musical refrains. Her set culminated with a lively version of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive,” a song she claimed to “hate” until it was given an arrangement much more to her style and liking.

Both Brown and Betts will be singing some classic New Orleans R&B songs in the “Joint’s Jumpin’” show at Harrah’s the first weekend of May.

Ward’s featured numbers allowed him to stretch his musical legs and cut loose with some intricate fingerings and bow work that had the audience dropping its jaws in awe while inspiring outbursts of spontaneous applause.

Other band members, bass player Sylvester Andrews, lead guitarist Tyrone Matherson, and keyboards players Clark Knighten (also Music Director) and Warner Williams, had their moments in the sun as well, with sparkling solos of their own.

Saving the best for last, Oskar made his appearance during the ethereal intro to “Slippin’ Into Darkness,” then launched into the familiar bars of “Low Rider,” that have become perhaps the most recognizable harmonica riffs in any popular song since the dawn of rock and roll. Oskar then delighted the crowd by leading the band on an improvised instrumental rendition of “Walkin’ to New Orleans.” The show came to a triumphant end with Ellis and Company playing a “bus stop out the door” to Grover Washington, Jr.’s “Mr. Magic.” The audience of Ellis family friends, fans and other aficionados of good music filed out in a happy mood.

Judging by the size of the audience and its enthusiasm, plus the quality of the artists and the musical selections, this is a show Harrah’s needs to schedule again. And again and again and again . . . ! Hopefully they will.

Lance appeared in the movie blockbuster, 'Ray'! 

A large portion of the movie was filmed in New Orleans.  Lance was in the studio scene where Ray, played by Jamie Foxx, had been "discovered" and was getting his mega-career off the ground.

Lance was thrilled by the experience - "it was an honor to be involved in this project and in the story of such a pioneer in the industry."