by F. Andrew Taylor

In order to find old school Las Vegas, Lena Prima had to move to New Orleans. "New Orleans reminds me of old Vegas," Prima said. "The people are out on the street. They're out in the (French) Quarter. They're strolling in and out of clubs, and there's live music everywhere." Prima, who is performing Aug. 20 at the Suncoast, 9090 Alta Drive, was born in Las Vegas and grew up with her father Louis Prima's legacy. She watched her father perform as a child and, later on, performed in the same lounges that made him famous.

"I worked the lounges for about 10 years, from about 1990 to 2000," Prima said. "I got to be on the lounge circuit when bands were working around the clock in the lounges. Everybody was working in more than one band. That's what still happens in New Orleans. Musicians in my band have their own bands, and they play with other people. They play every night of the week in a different band, club or show."

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Source: http://www.reviewjournal.com/