EMA Review: Cotton Club Revue Scatz and Hornz
- L.A. Walker
- 11 hours ago
- 2 min read
Cotton Club Revue Scatz and Hornz Rekindles the Spirit of a Golden Era
Written and photography by L.A. Walker
There's a certain magic that only live theatre and shows can deliver — the kind that blurs the line between audience and artistry, pulling everyone into the same heartbeat. Cotton Club Revue: Scatz and Hornz, presented by Renee Davis Walters' RDW Productions in collaboration with Promise Marks, did precisely that.
From the first note to the final bow, the production transported its audience to the glamour and grit of Harlem's Cotton Club — a time when music wasn't just performed, it was lived. Walters opened the evening with a graceful homage to Lena Horne, embodying sophistication and soul in equal measure. The show's momentum continued with Avana Christie's spot-on wit as Moms Mabley, Lambus Dean's magnetic tribute to Sammy Davis Jr., Kevin Tyree's smooth, big-band swagger reminiscent of Cab Calloway, and Queen Aries, whose powerhouse performance as Ella Fitzgerald drew some of the loudest applause of the night.
The musicians were a show unto themselves. Under the expert musical direction of Woody Woods, the band delivered a soundscape as lush as it was precise. Todd Ledbetter dazzled on saxophone, his phrasing fluid and expressive, while Bill Bailey on upright bass and Gauzi on drums created the rhythmic foundation that kept the entire evening swinging. The energy soared higher still thanks to Cammie Griffin and Brionna Carter, whose choreography captured both the elegance and electricity of the era.
Together, this team achieved something rare: a seamless fusion of reverence and reinvention. The production honored the legends who defined jazz while infusing the evening with freshness, humor, and irresistible showmanship.
Cotton Club Revue: Scatz and Hornz is not merely a performance — it's a celebration of musical history, a love letter to resilience and rhythm, and a reminder that great art doesn't just entertain; it uplifts and inspires. This show is deserving of a long run.
Notoriety Live, located at 450 Fremont St., Suite 380, in Neonopolis (neonopolislv.com), is situated in Downtown Las Vegas. For more information on times and tickets, visit notorietylive.com.
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