Saturday Night with Clive

Justin Timberlake took ill and was a no-show at Clive Davis' annual pre-Grammy party Saturday that was capped off by Jennifer Hudson's first public performance of her "Dreamgirls" showstopper, "And I am Telling You I'm not Going."

Timberlake, who performed at a pre-Grammy party Friday night at the Avalon in Hollywood, reportedly had a 103 degree temperature and was told to rest for Sunday's kudoscast. Timberlake's appearance is a must: The Recording Academy has sponsored an online singing contest in which the prize is the opportunity to perform with the former 'N Syncer.

Filling in for Timberlake were Black Eyed Peas and Smokey Robinson on a bill that also included Christina Aguilera (who delivered the evening's most striking set), Carrie Underwood, Pink and the rapper Akon.

The Peas' set had a a potent punk energy as they went with the original version of their smash, "Let's Get Retarded," and "Pump It," which featured the band's guitarist romping through the surf classic "Miserlou" and a trumpet seg that echoed Herb Alpert's work with the Tijuana Brass.

Hudson, who has been inked to Davis' Arista imprint, received a hearty ovation midway through the signature song of "Dreamgirls." Her version was powerfully sung, with not a hint of screaming.

As usual, Davis introduced luminaries during breaks between acts in the two-hour concert portion of the night. Schmooze-fest also has a cocktail party that runs about 90 minutes and a dinner service of about an hour.

Charles Goldstuck, the president and chief operating officer of BMG North America, introduced Motown founder Berry Gordy who in turn introduced Davis, the chairman and CEO of BMG North America.

Known for rambling and purpling his prose with superlatives to describe artists and execs, Davis kept his intros relatively short this year. He dedicated the evening to the memory of Ahmet Ertegun, the Atlantic Records founder who died late last year and was a regular attendee. (P. Gallo)