Guitarist Ed Barrett makes a departure from last year’s self-titled release which focused on well-known jazz standards. Here, Barrett relies on his own pen for all but two of the 13 cuts. He also changes his mode from swinging and bopping to more progressive explorations made obvious on the distinctive opening cut, “54×11.” Granted, a [...]
The title of the album and name of the band tell the story. Sousaphonist Rob Espino gathered many of his brassy and rhythmic friends and music mates for an album that rings as a labor of love. The album sounds a post-Katrina note when it opens with a spoken tribute to New Orleans that is [...]
“Hey, you’re back!” is a greeting repeatedly heard around New Orleans these days. “Well, not really,” is too often the reply, followed by, “I’m still in…” fill in the blank—Houston, Atlanta, Austin. Musicians have scattered around the country since Katrina, but those who are close enough to do so are returning to town as often [...]
It’s not an exaggeration to say that a typical night at Snug Harbor with Astral Project is always a great night of jazz. Since 1978, the group of all-star players—saxophonist Tony Dagradi, drummer Johnny Vidacovich, bassist James Singleton and guitarist Steve Masakowski—has knocked out audiences around the world with its inspired, energetic and all-for-one performances. [...]
With its haunting lyrics and country and western swing, “What Would Jesus Do?” reigns as the opening jewel on an album full of relevance and remarkable musicianship. The tune, co-written by Chris Thomas King and Gary Nicholson, was composed and recorded while the noted New Orleans blues man and actor was in Nashville following Hurricane [...]
Ashley Kahn reading and book signing Garden District Book Shop 2727 Prytania Street; 895-2266 Saturday, July 15, 1-3 p.m. Ashley Kahn’s love and understanding of jazz and those who create it resounds throughout the pages of his latest book, The House That Trane Built: The Story of Impulse Records. Kahn, whose two-and-a-half year stay [...]
Who: Pianist Jesse McBride, 27, moved from Houston, Texas to New Orleans in 1998 to study with Ellis Marsalis at the University of New Orleans. Active on the jazz scene, McBride headed the group Harold Battiste Presents the Next Generation and performed with trumpeter Maurice Brown, vibist James Westfall and many others. Where: Snug Harbor, [...]
Some of the names of the cuts like “What Is This Thang?” and “I’ll Forget May” sound like titles that guitarist Phil DeGruy would come up with. Actually, they have a more serious purpose. As explained in the liner notes, saxophonist/composer Wess “Warmdaddy” Anderson uses the chord progressions of standards, in these cases, “What Is [...]
Texas native Quamon Fowler landed in Louisiana to study (like so many others) with Alvin Batiste at Southern University. The tenor player, who many Fest goers might have caught with bassist Roland Guerin, brings great depth of emotion and technique with each encounter ad on this, his third release, Fowler reveals his varied interests and [...]
New Orleans has long been considered a late night town. With the words “last call for alcohol” foreign to its citizens’ ears, most clubs are free to rock and groove all night long. Hurricane Katrina changed everything in the city, but did it transform our penchant for meandering into the wee hours? At Snug Harbor [...]
