Music
Dan Montgomery: Cast-Iron Songs and Torch Ballads (Fantastic Yes Records)
“What you did back then don’t mean a thing today,” sings Dan Montgomery in the cast-iron curtain-raiser for this affectionately rocking set.
Nick Spitzer of American Routes Talks Back
Nick Spitzer of American Routes Talks Back. Nick Spitzer is rarely at a loss for words. His conversational ease and deep knowledge of music across a wide spectrum have been at the core of American Routes, the New Orleans-based and widely syndicated public radio show he’s produced and hosted since 1999, on which he’s talked with musical artists both obscure and famous from blues, country, folk and much more, eliciting stories and insights far beyond the common canon.
Exuberance and Passion: Angélique Kidjo makes a lot of music
Angélique Kidjo is rapturously, ravenously eating crawfish, stuffing her mouth from her hands, making ecstatic noises, then rubbing the top of her shaved head in the throes of pure elation, never mind the residue and spices she’s getting all over.
A Joyful Thing: Renee Rosnes and ARTEMIS capture the heart of jazz
As Renee Rosnes describes the various attributes of members of ARTEMIS, the all-star jazz sextet that the pianist-composer-arranger leads, certain words and phrases seem to come out in boldface.
All The Crunchberries: Something Else! is infectious soul-jazz with a powerhouse lineup
Vincent Herring goes off on a surprising tangent when trying to describe soul jazz, the sub-genre given tribute by the group Something Else!, a stars-filled ensemble which the saxophonist created a few years back and still leads.
Celebrating Puerto Rico: Jazz Fest features everything Puerto Rican from music to food
After Puerto Rico was devastated by both Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, plans were made for the island’s rich heritage to be showcased as the Cultural Exchange for the […]
Krewe du Vieux Beats Off: Jan Ramsey named Queen of Krewe du Vieux
After picking OffBeat founder and published Jan Ramsey as the 2023 Queen, the folks at Krewe du Vieux tread a little lightly when telling her what they had decided on for the theme.
Positive Vibes: Mike Dillon Is The Musician Who Can’t Say No
Percussionist Mike Dillon’s presence and talents are coveted
Mushroom Crowd: Mark Bingham will release 22 archival albums
Mushroom Crowd: Mark Bingham will release 22 archival albums
Come On & Get It, Honey: Judith Owen’s lusty love letter to New Orleans
Come On & Get It, Honey: Judith Owen’s love letter to New Orleans. When Judith Owen and her sister were kids in the London suburbs, they danced around and sang along to the jumping swing-blues of Julia Lee & Her Boyfriends’ “The Spinach Song,” a 1949 single in their dad’s jazz collection.