Walter “Wolfman” Washington at the Cathedral

walter-wolfman-washington-2008-andy-goetz2
Monday- December 20, 2010- The Christmas Concert Series at St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square will take a decidedly blues turn this evening at 6 PM when the great guitarist and singer performs.

I have seen Wolfman perform hundreds of times but I have never heard him play a holiday song, but he is a versatile musician who is comfortable playing soul, blues, funk and rock and roll, so I have no doubt that he has a couple of carols in him.

I must give a huge shout out for the people that book this event.  “Wolfman” is a far cry from the unusual choral groups and jazzy ensembles that play during the season.  I look forward to hearing a few howls from the altar.

Posted on December 20th, 2010
Comments Off on Walter “Wolfman” Washington at the Cathedral | More

Kermit Ruffins’ Annual Birthday and Christmas Bash

allcdcovers_kermit_ruffins_have_a_crazy_cool_christmas_2009_retail_cd-front
Saturday- December 18, 2010- this evening the House of Blues will be the place to be for one of best dual parties I have ever attended.  Kermit is an unabashed Christmas fan who fulfilled a life time dream when he released a Christmas album last year.  It’s still available from Basin Street Records.

He will also be celebrating his birthday, the big 45, if memory serves Ruffins latest album, “Happy Talk” reached #5 on the Billboard jazz charts and he recently appeared with the Roots on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Your scribe isn’t usually home to watch the program, but I enjoyed his musical interludes early the next evening.

Kermit always has plenty of guests on hand to liven up his birthday party and you can count on hearing his unique take on holiday classics.

Posted on December 18th, 2010
Comment (9) | More

The 3rd annual James Booker Birthday Celebration and Tribute

images4
Friday- December 17, 2010- come out early to the Maple Leaf Bar this evening from 7- 10 PM for a full line up of pianists and vocalists. There will also be a sneak peek at the Bayou Maharajah film. Musicians expected to participate include Tom Worrell, Tom McDermott, Ronald Markham, Bill Malchow, Josh Paxton, CR Gruver, Joe Krown and Woody Wood.  The after party is across the street at Frenchy’s Gallery.  Several musicians who performed with Booker including Reggie Scanlan of the Radiators, Jack Cruz of the Walter Wolfman Washington and the Roadmasters and Jim Scheurich, the photographer and drummer are expected to attend the after party.

Posted on December 17th, 2010
Comment (12) | More

“Noise For Toys” A Holiday Toy and Food Drive

66796_1649472190472_1046985237_1806742_138103_s
Thursday- December 10, 2010- The first annual event is to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank and their partners.  The show will also feature a very special holiday tribute to Marva Wright. Please bring a non-perishable food item and/ or an unwrapped toy item. There will also be a raffle of holiday gift items.

Here’s the lineup-

Washboard Chaz blues band- 7:30- 7:45 PM
Coot- 7:55- 8:10 PM
Gravity A-  8:20- 8:40 PM
Matt Lemmler’s New Orleans Jazz Revival Band- 8:50- 9:10 PM
Good Enough for Good Times- 9:20- 9:40 PM
Bill Iuso and friends- 9:50- 10:05 PM
Tribute to Marva Wright featuring Margie Perez, Topsy Chapman, Leslie Smith, Deanna Bernard, Bruce” Sunpie” Barnes and more- 10:15-11:00 PM
Joe Krown-11:05- 11:20 PM
Mr. Metaphor featuring Sam Hotchkiss, Jon Gross, Kevin O’Day, Jeff Watkins and CR Gruver- 11:30- 11:50 PM
Los-Po-Boy-Citos- 12:00- 12:20 AM
Andrew Duhon- 12:30- 12:50 AM
Corey Henry’s Smokedown- 1:00- 1:30 AM

Posted on December 16th, 2010
Comment (34) | More

Dr. John Elected to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame

jazz-fest-gala-2010-dr-john-plus-nevillenation-at-tips-fq-1665

The Night Tripper, born Malcolm Rebennack, joins Neil Diamond, Darlene Love, Alice Cooper and Tom Waits as the latest inductees into the Cleveland-based institution.  Dr. John was a session player during the 1950s heyday of R&B in New Orleans before becoming an unlikely star at the height of psychedelic 1960s.  His first album, Gris-Gris, appeared in 1968 and shook the music community with his spooky blend of New Orleans rhythms and voodoo overtones.  Dr. John played guitar in his early years, but switched to piano when his hand was hurt in a shooting.  Lately, he sticks mostly to piano, but is known to pick up a guitar every now and then.  The photo, by Dylan Stansbury, is from the 2010 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival Gala.

Posted on December 15th, 2010
Comment (15) | More

Japanese Master Percussionist Plays Tonight

images3
Tuesday- December 14, 2010- This evening the AllWays Lounge on St. Claude Avenue is the place to be to hear some of the most inventive music that the world has to offer. Tatsuya Nakatani is one of the most compelling improvising musicians of his generation.  He has re-imagined the standard drum set up to include an array of gongs and singing bowls.  The bowls are bowed, which allows him to create sustained long tones.  He has played with many of the leading jazz and improvising musicians and tonight is no exception when he will be joined by Bill Hunsinger on double bass and other miscellaneous instruments and Rob Cambre on guitar and effects.  The show begins at 10 PM.

watch?v=UOqefE4hKM4

Posted on December 14th, 2010
Comment (19) | More

Illuminasti Trio + 1 at Snug Harbor

images2
Sunday- December 13, 2010- this evening the bassist James Singleton brings his adventurous trio back to the Frenchmen Street jazz club.  The ensemble, which features Mike Dillon on vibes, percussion and whatever else he can get his hands on and the saxophonics pioneer Skerik, will have a special addition tonight.  The keyboardist extraordinaire Larry Sieberth (pictured) has a deep resume and he is as comfortable backing a vocalist as he is tearing it up with edgy players.  This should make for one very interesting musical evening.

Posted on December 12th, 2010
Comments Off on Illuminasti Trio + 1 at Snug Harbor | More


Tremé Creole Gumbo Festival This Weekend

treme-creole-gumbo-fest
Saturday- December 11, 2010- The good folks at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, the organization that puts on the annual Jazz Fest, bring us the 3rd annual event at the he Jazz & Heritage Center, which is located at 1225 N. Rampart Street from 
10:30 AM to 6:00 PM.  Admission is free.  Here’s the schedule.

SATURDAY
10:30 AM- The Preservation Hall Junior Jazz & Heritage Brass Band

11:30 AM- Jamal Batiste

12:30 PM- Treme Brass Band

1:45 PM- John Boutte
 
3

:00 PM-  Shamarr Allen

4:20 PM- Kermit Ruffins & the BBQ Swingers

SUNDAY

11:00 AM- Heritage School of Music All Stars

12:00 Noon- TBA

1:00 PM- Baby Boyz Brass Band

1:30 PM- Thais Clark

3:00 PM-  Glen David Andrews

4:30 PM- Big Sam’s Funky Nation

Posted on December 11th, 2010
Comment (29) | More

Celebrate Big Chief Monk’s Birthday at Tipitina’s

index2
Friday- December 11, 2010- Free Fridays continue this evening at the uptown club with a party for Big Chief Monk Boudreaux.  Joseph “Monk” Boudreaux has led the Golden Eagles Mardi Gras Indian tribe since the 1970s.  His first foray into recording his music was a live effort from the famed H&R Bar in Central City.  He appeared with his longtime collaborator, Emile “Bo” Dollis, the Big Chief of the Wild Magnolias on numerous recordings until he broke off the partnership over management issues.  Monk now has a thriving solo career and his performances stretch into other genres including reggae.  He is a hypnotic frontman whose chanting conjures up native American and African spirituality.

Posted on December 10th, 2010
Comment (21) | More

Butch Hancock at Chickie Wah Wah

images1
Thursday- December 9, 2010- this evening the Mid City club on Canal Street will be hosting one of the great Texas songwriters.  Hancock is best known for his work with Joe Ely and Jimmie Dale Gilmore in the group, the Flatlanders.  They first recorded in the early 1970s, but were not met with much critical acclaim.  In the years since, they have achieved legendary status.  Hancock, whose songs have been covered by Emmy Lou Harris and others, first recorded solo in 1978.  This should be a wonderful show.  It begins at 8 PM.

Posted on December 9th, 2010
Comment (13) | More
Previous