This evening, March 15, 2010, check out this singer in the House of Blues Parish room. Here’s a blurb from his bio-Mayer Hawthorne grew up in Ann Arbor, Michigan, just outside of Detroit, and vividly remembers, as a child, driving with his father and tuning the car radio in to the rich soul and jazz history the region provided. “Most of the best music ever made came out of Detroit,” claims the singer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, who counts Isaac Hayes, Leroy Hutson, Mike Terry, and Barry White among his influences, but draws the most inspiration from the music of Smokey Robinson, Curtis Mayfield, and the legendary songwriting and production trio of Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland, and Eddie Holland Jr.
Tuesday March 16, 2010, 9:32 pm
Neo Soul Crooner Mayer Hawthorne at the Parish
Good Enough For Good Times at the Maple Leaf
This evening, March 13, 2010, the side project of Galactic’s Jeff Raines and Robert Mercurio will be performing uptown. The group also includes Simon Lott on drums and Joe Ashlar on keys. Earphunk opens. What I love about this band is their fearless approach to funk. During a period when many of the musical cognoscenti suggest that funk has run its course in New Orleans along come two of the musicians who led the second wave of funk in the first place with a stripped down concept and hardcore musicianship. If you are one of those folks who now have a been-there-heard-that attitude concerning New Orleans funk- check out this band. Lott and Ashler add considerably to the proceedings with a fresh, young perspective and serious chops. With this band, less is definitely more.
Rockie “The President of Soul” Charles Passes at 67
The great bluesman, soul singer and guitarist was born in Boothville, Louisiana on November 14, 1942. His given name was Charles Merick. His career began in the 1960s, but stalled during the disco years. He spent decades working on the Mississippi River on a tugboat. He reemerged on the New Orleans music scene in the 1990s with his debut album, “Born For You.” He performed sporadically around town including sets at the Rock ‘n’ Bowl and the Ponderosa Stomp.
Los-Po-Boy-Citos to Open for Tower of Power
This evening, March 11, 2010, the local Latin groove favorites are scheduled to open for the legendary Tower of Power at the House of Blues. Tower of Power has a resume that stretches back nearly 40 years. They visit New Orleans every tour and never cease to put on a great show. Los-Po-Boy-Citos hasn’t been around even a decade, but they have improved considerably and are now regarded as one of the best dance bands in town. A brief anecdote about Tower of Power for your enjoyment- back in the heyday of Benny’s Bar, the group played a show at Tipitina’s. After the show was over the TOP horns showed up at Benny’s and sat in with whatever generic blues band was playing that evening. They were having such a great time that the jam didn’t end until nearly 5 AM.
Michael Franti to Play Solo Set
This afternoon, March 10, 2010, the leader of Spearhead has announced a solo acoustic performance outside of the New Orleans Arena prior to his opening set with his full band that precedes the John Mayer performance inside the arena. The event will also be a meet-and-greet opportunity. It begins at 4:15 PM near the gate on the Superdome side of the arena. The concert inside the arena begins at 7:30 PM.
