Friday, November 5, 2010- this evening three of the most active and unique voices in the European and international creative music and modern jazz worlds, the tuba player Carl-Ludwig Huebsch, the trombonist Wolter Wierbos and the saxophonist Matthias Schubert, will be performing at the AllWays Lounge at 9:30 PM. Their ensemble, Longrun Development of the Universe, has collaborated with a wide range of acts including alternative rock pioneers, Sonic Youth and jazz greats like Lester Bowie and Hamid Drake. Playing mostly compositions by Huebsch, written specifically for these players, they combine contemporary written music, jazz forms and vehicles for pure improvisation. Cover tunes may include a traditional song such as El Eterno (for Che Guevara), a Navaho traditional, a Sun Ra or a Thelonious Monk tune.  The adventurous, humorous and vivid playing of the musicians and their ability to turn written notations freely into real time stories drives their concerts.
The group also plays Saturday night, November 6 at Zeitgeist at 8 PM with special guests Helen Gillet on cello and Tim Green on saxophone.
Posted on November 5th, 2010
Thursday- November 2, 2010- this evening at the Maple Leaf, the saxophonist Eric Traub (pictured) and the bassist Peter Harris join the drummer Johnny Vidacovich. Traub is best known for his work with Dr. John, but he is a be-bopper at heart. A soulful player with one foot in the blues, his sound is powerful. Harris is a versatile first-call jazz bassist who plays with finesse. Trivia question- when Traub was working with Galactic on their first album, “Coolin’ Off,†what funk band was Harris playing in? Leave your answers on my facebook page.
Posted on November 4th, 2010
Wednesday- November, 3, 2110- This afternoon, weather permitting, two of the biggest musical stars to emerge from New Orleans will headline the last of the fall concerts in Lafayette Square. Toussaint (pictured) was mostly known as a producer and songwriter from the beginnings of career in the 1950s. Post Katrina, he has become a prolific performer and collaborator with stars like Elvis Costello. Payton was a jazz trumpet prodigy in the 1990s who has gone on to be one of the hallmark players of his generation. His appearance will be bittersweet due to the recent passing of his father, the venerated bassist Walter Payton. They are appearing with the organist Joe Krown’s trio, which features the guitarist/ vocalist Walter “Wolfman†Washington and the drummer Russell Batiste. This format provides some tantalizing possibilities. Will both keyboardists play together? Will Krown provide massive organ fills; there is no bassist on the bill, while Toussaint plays sweet sounds on the piano? Little Freddie King opens at 5 PM.
Posted on November 3rd, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010-The Backstreet Cultural Museum presents a second line parade and mock jazz funeral this afternoon at 3 PM. The 11th annual event honors the important members of the cultural community who are recently deceased. This year’s honorees are Al Morris, the Chief of the Northside Skull & Bone Gang (1942-2010) and Ernest Skipper, the creator of song, “Shot Gun Joe.” (1948-2009)
The parade begins at the D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home, which is located at 1716 N. Claiborne Ave., and ends at the Backstreet Cultural Museum, 1116 St. Claude Ave. It makes two stops along the way at Charbonnet Family Services and the Little People’s Place. (photo by Dylan Stansbury)
Posted on November 1st, 2010
Tired yet? Ready to get your Halloween groove on? Get there early to hear Shannon McNally at 11: 15 AM on the Soco/WWOZ stage. She has been touring more lately and the band sounds great. The songstress puts a lot of effort into her craft and her voice has matured into a finely tuned instrument. Everybody has been raving about Janelle Monae and her widely ranging style. I have not seen her perform yet, but I trust my sources. She hits at 2:15 PM on the SOCO/WWOZ stage. Toubab Krewe (pictured) blends jam band tendencies with the trance music of Mali in Africa. They consistently put on over the top performances and tend to memorize listeners who are not familiar with African styles. They kick off at 5:15 PM on the Preservation Hall stage.
Posted on November 1st, 2010
