Issue Articles
From Visual Art to Musical Freedom: Indys Blu is a rising vocal star
During Indys Blu’s recent set at the Jazz & Heritage Foundation’s Chanteuse Series, she nonchalantly took hold of a full room mostly unfamiliar with her music and, step by step, made them feel her and wanting more. This is what can happen when songwriting shines, delivery glows, and energy reciprocates. The fact that she pulled it off with slower-tempo songs made her sheer talent and studied style even more striking.
New Orleans Klezmer All Stars: Celebrating Over Three Decades Together
The New Orleans Klezmer All Stars are celebrating 33 years together. When one thinks of Klezmer and the Crescent City, they’re solely the ones who come to mind, and in doing so they’ve expanded the New Orleans sound in turn. They have the musical chops and vision to pull Yiddish dance music in a modern age while being wryly respectful of tradition. Befitting a multi-talented band with in-demand members, getting them all in a room is not an easy task, but lo and behold, they’re playing shows in support of Tipish, their new album, just in time for Jazz Fest. I hiked the Maple Street construction zone along with Glenn Hartman and Jonathan Freilich to discuss the new album and more.
Sisterhood: Troy Sawyer knows That Girls Play Trumpets Too
Troy Sawyer has been a noted New Orleans trumpet player and bandleader for years. In recent times he’s added film scores to his repertoire, but his music education non-profit organization Girls Play Trumpet Too is what’s been making the recent buzz. We found a spot at Church Alley Coffee to talk about it.
Cimafunk’s Star Power
Cimafunk, the band, is a nine-piece treasure with skills in their steps and joy in their souls. This translates well to their sound and live shows. They’re also the sweetest people you could meet and are thoroughly enjoying their upward trajectory. It makes sense, since the mindset of music, work, and community is typified from top-down by the rockstar frontman himself who goes by Cima.
Donald Harrison Jr.: A Conduit of The Universe
Donald Harrison Jr. is an essential link between modern jazz and the music and culture of the streets. He is without question a voracious thinker, actively working to expand sonic bandwidth. In doing so he’s become a guru to some of the finest young musicians out there. Harrison is an American treasure and a New Orleans native who was more than willing to go deep about his life and career.
The Mission of the Music: Stephen Marley’s Old Soul
Stephen Marley brings his “Old Soul Tour Unplugged” to New Orleans, featuring songs off his new album Old Soul, plus selections from his entire catalog, and Bob Marley classics. He’s a multi-Grammy winner as a solo artist, producer, and band member, as well as a key part, of course, of an iconic musical family.
From Tragedy to Triumph: The New Orleans Nightcrawlers Make 30 Years
It’s been a bittersweet year so far for groundbreaking band The New Orleans Nightcrawlers, a true all-star group. Though they didn’t win their second Grammy this year, it was still an honor to be nominated on their 30th anniversary.
The Cotton Club Meets Studio 54: Eliza Sonnenschein manifests her journey
The performer Eliza Sonnenschein was born Gabrielle Elizabeth Sonnenschein to a military family in Germany. As her career has been building, she’s on the verge of a major career step and getting her acting chops up too. We sat down at the Audubon Zoo to find out why they’re all asking for her.
You Can Call Me Al: SaxKixAve dynamic duo Albert and Alfred
At a recent Tipitina’s show, SaxKixAve, the project of rapper Alfred Banks and multi-instrumentalist Albert Allenback, converted a packed house into a fan base. They are hip hop-fluid as you haven’t heard it before. In lesser hands, this would be a recipe for a muddy mess. The high-level Al’s, though, finesse it so well. One can’t help but pause the next day with awe that what they pulled off in an exceptional way is about to thrill festival goers.
Jamal Batiste: Beatz N’ Vibez, Vol. 1 (Independent)
When you think of Jamal Batiste, what comes to mind is tight, funky, in-the-pocket drumming wrapped up with good energy and spirit. That’s exactly how Beatz N’ Vibez, Vol 1, his fourth album kicks off.
