THE PHIL PROVANE QUINTET This
was a five piece jazz quintet we had in college at the University of
Tampa. We were house band at a very popular night nightclub called the
Chez Louie, which was owned by Bernie Little, who also was the owner of
hydroplanes "Miss Budweiser" and "Miss Bardahl". We also backed up
revues and national artists that performed there.
THE IMPACS After college and a fairly seriuos motorcycle accident, I
was asked to join this group which later, through an expansion process,
became "The Fabulous Entertainers". The group was initially 11 pieces
but was eventually whittled down to 9. This act played most of the top
showrooms around the country but mostly in Las Veags and Lake Tahoe.
Someone put together this collage of us on a night at Scarlett O'Hara's in Underground Atlanta. Apparently they just had to catch me with my baton.
This was the original "Vic Waters & The Fabulous Entertainers". Vic was and still is an amazing personality and singer. If there ever was "blue-eyed soul", Vic was it!!! While doing grand opening events for "James Brown's Soul City" night clubs, James offered Vic a great opportunity so we then became "The Fabulous Entertainers".
JAMES BROWN'S SOUL CITY This was at the opening of the "Soul City" in Atlanta. I don't know who took the picture but you'll see James on stage with us and that's me back on the organ.
MISTER SHOWBIZ Looks like college student goes singer, doesn't it? Well that's pretty much what it was!! I got more comfortable as time went on, as you can see in the next pictures.
During our early years in Las Vegas we opened for many great entertainers. Here we are back stage at the Las Vegas Hilton we Redd Foxx and Frankie Laine.
FROM SHOWMAN TO HIPPIE MUSICIAN
"HOMEGROWN"... on the left, was a group I started in Las Vegas after "the Fabulous
Entertainers" call it quits. At that time I was writing a lot and was
spending time with Bobby Darin on my original songs. After a few
personel changes we landed a recording contract in Atlanta. So we
packed up and headed east.
The middle picture was our first promotional shot after we signed with our record
company. As you can see, the band got smaller but the musicianship
increased a great deal.
On the right is the promo shot for our first record release.
STILL PICKIN' AFTER ALL THESE YEARS!!
Is that Greg Allman???
Love my Tellie!!!!
Sweet little blonde "Guild".
On the deck at The Lighthouse
The line dancing "Angels"
Charlie & Dan and the clan!
Woodstock Party @ Urban Flats
Jazz In The Garden @ Solivita
Mindi Abair
"OUR FAMILY"
BUNKIE & BOBBY What a romantic couple, huh?? How I got talked into being in one of Bunkie's modeling shots, I'll never know.
BUNKIE, KATY & KITTY
Three generations of sheer beauty!!!!!
MUTUAL ADMIRATION IN SIBLINGS
Jamey, U-Jung (our daughter-in-law), Katy, Bunkie and me after Katy's opening show with Bette Midler at Ceasar's Palace.
Katy Tate, wish I could do that!!
Katy, stylin' in Vegas
Katy & Jay Leno
Katy & Bette backstage
Katy & Cathy, her first dancer and mentor. Sadly we lost her last year to cancer.
Katy & Celine backstage
Backstage with our son, Jamey & Al Jarreau in Baltimore during the Charlie Brown Christmas tour with David Benoit, Al and Mellisa Manchester.
Jamey doing what he was born to do!!!
Every man should have a hobby, I just wish Jamey's wasn't so dangerous. Can't afford to break any bones in this business!!!!!
OH WHAT A NIGHT!!! On stage with Mindi Abair in San Diego. Mindi's dad, Lance, and I toured together in "The Fabulous Entertainers" and Mindi was born while we were on the road. She traveled with us for the first years of her life and now Mindi and our son, Jamey tour together. On this particular night, Lance and I were both in the audience so Mindi brought us on stage to do a song with them.
In May of 2008 our family expanded but certainly didn't move away from the arts. This is U-Jung, the newest member of the Tates. She's a classical pianist and the dynamic of her classical training at Julliard and Jameys jazz training at Southern Cal will, I'm sure, bring some more interesting and talented additions to the Tate Family.
