Can you tell me who was the orchestra leader in the beautiful Blue Room of the Roosevelt Hotel in December 1958?

Ann McElheney

The Roosevelt Hotel (later called the Fairmont) was the home of the Blue Room, which staged many memorable music shows, including the New Year's Eve show of 1958, which featured orchestra leader Jan Garber, his daughter, Janis Garber, Pete Pederson, Julio Maro and famous operatic singer Helen Trauber.

Dear Ann,

Since you didn't say when in December, I'm going to guess you mean Dec. 31, 1958. If you were lucky enough to be at the Blue Room on that special occasion, the orchestra leader was Jan Garber. The regular group in the Blue Room since May 1958 was Leon Kelner and his orchestra, but since it was New Year's Eve, New Orleanians packed the 300-seat nightclub and got a chance to hear in person the "Idol of the Airlanes," a title bestowed on Garber by a radio announcer during one of the band's many broadcasts on Chicago's WGN Radio.

In addition to radio broadcasts, recordings, movies and television appearances, Garber and his orchestra traveled a great deal. He probably performed in more places in America in his 53 years on the bandstand than any other leader. Also featured that memorable night in December 1958 were Pete Pederson; Janis Garber, Garber's daughter; and Julio Maro. But the woman who sent us all into a swoon was America's famous operatic soprano Helen Traubel, most famous for her roles in Wagner's grand operas. But to the folks at the Blue Room that night, it was she who was grand.

The Blue Room opened on Dec. 31, 1935, and closed for good in September 1989. Gosh, I miss it.

Hey Blake,

I used to date Vincent Marinello, the lawyer, years ago and was not aware of his death in 1991 because I was living out of town at the time. Do you know any way I can find out the facts of his death?

Bonnie

Dear Bonnie,

I can give you all the facts that made the papers at the time, but it's not a pretty picture.

Vincent Marinello was shot to death in his car on Monday, June 24, 1991, in St. Tammany Parish. At the time of his death, he was 54 years old and living in Flower Estates south of Covington. His family said he had left the house at 8 p.m. the night before.

A St. Tammany deputy was investigating a car in a parking lot of a business on La. Hwy. 22 near Madisonville when he found the body at 4:30 a.m. There was no damage to the white Mercury or its windows, so the Sheriff's Office spokesman said that Marinello apparently was shot through an open window.

During the autopsy, one of the two bullets that were shot into Marinello's head was recovered, and investigators attempted to determine the caliber. The sheriff's detectives said they had no suspects, but robbery wasn't the motive since Marinello's wallet containing money was not taken. Sheriff Patrick Canulette stated that the gunman's intention was murder, but the sheriff made no mention of possible organized crime involvement. Officials were very careful not to link Marinello's death to the infamous Brilab investigation of 1981.

Federal prosecutors had accused Marinello -- along with Carlos Marcello, former state Commissioner of Administration Charles E. Roemer II, and Washington lobbyist Isaac Irving Davidson -- of being involved in a scheme to offer bribes to Louisiana officials in exchange for insurance contracts. Marinello's role allegedly involved being the middleman between undercover agents acting as businessmen and a candidate for governor in 1979. By accepting the $10,000 campaign contribution from one of the undercover agents, prosecutors said Marinello was participating in the bribery scheme. His attorney claimed the money was not a bribe, but a legitimate campaign contribution.

When the smoke cleared after a trial that lasted 14 weeks, Marinello and Davidson were acquitted. Roemer and Marcello were both convicted, but seven years later, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned their convictions. When the trial was over, Marinello resumed his civil law practice. He originally was from New Orleans, but after living for a while in Metairie, he moved with his wife and three children to Covington.

Correction: In my column of Jan. 9, I wrote that The Beverly was named The Beverly Hills Club. In fact, it was named The Beverly Country Club after The Beverly Hills Club of Cincinnati.