One of the most important aspects of “The Cocktail Party” is the music. Each year the music is specially selected and programmed to provide an evening’s worth of musical ambiance. The main inspiration for this music cam in the form of a CD that Bob found in a music store in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1996. The CD is by Joey Altruda, a local California bassist whose combo specialized in cocktail music from the 50’s and 60’s. His CD, “Cocktails With Joey” was the first CD to be played at the 1996 “Cocktail Party”.
The Rat Pack embodied the lifestyle that was every young man’s dream in the 1950’s. Their music can not be overemphasized. Here are some links to our favorite “Pallies”.
Be-Bop music turned the 50’s upside down. Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie were the guys who wrote the book on this special form of jazz. They defined in music what Jack Kerouac defined in writing as beat poetry and it’s accompanying lifestyle evolved. Learn more about the “Beat” lifestyle and music at these links…
Steve Allen WAS jazz in the 50’s. Many people do not realize that he was the original host of NBC’s Tonight Show. We put plenty of Steve’s music into the mix…
