The proliferation of free music education programs is one of the healthiest post-Katrina developments. One, the New Jazz School, starts its fourth year June 7 at Isidore Newman School. Donald Harrison, Jr. is the director, and Christian Scott, Jesse McBride, Detroit Brooks and David Pulphus are on the educational staff.
The program teaches vocals, brass, woodwind, [...]
As Mayor Ray Nagin’s final term approaches its conclusion, he has talked about the city entering into personal services contracts and big ticket technology contracts, despite incoming Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s request that he not. One of those possible deals was taken off the table today when Stewart Juneau requested that the negotiations for a public service [...]
Journalist Alison Fensterstock and former Circle Bar manager Lefty Parker have arranged a New Orleans bounce showcase in Austin during SXSW next week. Unfortunately, bands performing at SXSW do so essentially at their own expense; in this case, that has meant that they’ve had to raise the money to take DJ Jubilee, Ms. Tee, Partners-N-Crime, [...]
Lil Wayne was scheduled to be sentenced yesterday on gun possession charges in New York City, but for the second time, his sentencing was delayed. In early February, he was scheduled for sentencing but it was postponed because he needed dental surgery. Yesterday, there was a fire in the basement of the New York City [...]
By now, it should be obvious that this is not your father’s Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Under Ben Jaffe’s leadership, it has become something more post-modern and conceptual. The name’s the thing, even if the cast of players changes from session to session and track to track. It celebrates New Orleans and traditional jazz, but [...]
OffBeat cover subject MyNameIsJohnMichael will be part of the contingent from Louisiana going to Austin, Texas for South by Southwest, the annual music festival and conference. This year, more than 20 acts will play official or unofficial showcases over the long weekend from March 17-20. One of this year’s highlights will take place [...]
For its new album, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band made some high-profile friends, but who learned from who?
Since Preservation Hall opened in 1961, it has been the great name in traditional
jazz. The venue continues to let the music speak without amplification, and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band has been iconic, representing [...]
Documentary filmmaker Les Blank has spent much of his life in Louisiana, whether attending university here at Tulane, working as second camera shooting Dennis Hopper’s Easy Rider, or capturing communities outside of the American mainstream that had music at their hearts. He shot a series of films on Cajun, Creole and zydeco including 1973’s Dry [...]
Brain Salad Surgery is DJ Quickie Mart’s answer to Girl Talk, and at one level it’s a winner and at another, it’s a swing and a miss. Like Gregg Gillis—Girl Talk’s real name—Quickie Mart melds hundreds of uncleared rock, pop, soul and hip-hop samples into an entertaining mix, mashing up and building new songs out [...]
The Ponderosa Stomp surprised fans when it chose to move away from its traditional dates during the Jazz Fest fortnight and into the fall. The move, though, allows it to be on a weekend when hotel rooms aren’t at a premium. This year, the Stomp takes place September 24 and 25. The talent lineup has yet [...]
